Natural Sciences

Three people sit at a table, engaged in work on laptops and a tablet. One person points at a laptop screen, showing charts. Pens and papers are scattered on the table. The atmosphere is focused and collaborative.

At Churchill, we emphasise the diverse range of options available to natural scientists from the outset. In the first week of your first term, you’ll hear presentations from our Directors of Studies about the range of subjects available to you, before you select your preferences. You might come to this meeting with a very clear idea about the subjects you want to take, but you might equally have not fully made up your mind (although it’s fair to say that most natural scientists think of themselves as being predominantly physical scientists or biological scientists). The breadth and flexibility of the Natural Sciences Tripos reflects the blurring of boundaries between the different sciences: biological problems are increasingly being solved using techniques which require an understanding of physics and chemistry, whilst many of the most pressing problems being addressed by physicists, chemists and materials scientists require a knowledge of biology.

Churchill has a mission in science and technology. As such, we have a large community of natural scientists. The College has a very large Fellowship across the Natural Sciences and our Library is extremely well resourced. Teaching arrangements at Churchill follow the University-wide supervision system, to make sure you receive expert guidance and encouragement throughout your time here

Entry Requirements

Churchill College’s standard A Level offer in Natural Sciences is A*A*A*. For IB, our standard offer is 43 points overall with 777 at Higher Level.

There may be additional subject requirements depending on which Natural Sciences stream you apply to (see below).

Natural Sciences Biological

To apply to Natural Sciences Biological, you need A Level/IB Higher Level (or an equivalent qualification) in the following subjects:

Mathematics
2 other science or mathematics subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and, for A level only, Further Mathematics)

If you are taking IB, you need to take Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches.

For more information on this course, see the University course page: Natural Sciences, BA (Hons) and MSci | Undergraduate Study

If you are taking other qualifications, please see the following University webpage for equivalent entry requirements: Check which qualifications we accept | Undergraduate Study

Natural Sciences Physical

To apply to Natural Sciences Physical, you need A Level/IB Higher Level (or an equivalent qualification) in the following subjects:

Mathematics
2 other science or mathematics subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and, for A level only, Further Mathematics)

The most competitive subject combination for an application to Churchill College for this course is Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

If you are taking IB, you need to take Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches.

For more information on this course, see the University course page: Natural Sciences, BA (Hons) and MSci | Undergraduate Study

If you are taking other qualifications, please see the following University webpage for equivalent entry requirements: Check which qualifications we accept | Undergraduate Study

Choosing a Natural Sciences Stream

You can advice on how to choose your Natural Sciences stream at the point of application on the University Course Page under the ‘Overview’ tab.

Natural Sciences candidates who apply to Churchill College are asked to declare their core topic preference to be discussed at interview – typically, these options have Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Physical Chemistry. Your response to this will not bind you to any particular Natural Sciences pathway at the University of Cambridge, should your application be successful but is related to your interview content only.

Admissions Assessment

All Natural Sciences applicants are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT).

You must register for this in advance.

You can find more information about this assessment on the University webpage: Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) | Undergraduate Study

Director of Studies