Natural Sciences has something for everyone, covering everything from Astrophysics to Zoology. If you already know which type of science interests you, you can specialise from the start. If not, you can choose broader subject combinations before specialising later on.

Important Note Concerning Interviews for 2024

Please note, all undergraduate admissions interviews at Sidney Sussex for the 2024-25 admissions round will be held online. Further details regarding interview platform will follow.

We offer informal opportunities to broaden your science education whilst at Sidney. The Wilson Society is Sidney's society for all science undergraduates, postgraduates and Fellows. Over the last year it has organised talks on such diverse topics as the functioning of the brain through to the design of computer games. Talks are always entertaining and usually given by highly eminent scientists. For more information about the society, please see the Wilson Society page.

Undergraduate Study

The University organises all your lectures and practicals. Each week, you will also have more personal small-group teaching, organised by the Fellows at your College. The Fellows in Natural Sciences at Sidney are from diverse backgrounds and are at different career stages, from newly appointed lecturers to well-established professors. All are keen to meet you, and many will teach you and help you make a success of your studies.

Sidney is a smaller College, and so we get to know you and your talents well, and help you get the most out of the Natural Sciences course.

Written work

We will not ask you to submit any written work as part of your application.

Admissions assessments
  • All applicants for Natural Sciences for 2025 entry are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) at an authorised assessment centre. You must register for this test by 16 September 2024.
  • Free practice materials, as well as information about the test format and the specification, will be available via the link above in May 2024.
Interviews
  • All undergraduate admissions interviews at Sidney Sussex for the 2024-25 admissions round will be held online. Further details regarding interview platform will follow.
  • Two interviews. Both will have a focus on your chosen scientific route (Biological or Physical) and involve working through some scientific problems. Candidates who are more interested in the Biological Sciences will have one interview focused on Chemistry and its application to the Biological Sciences, and one focused on Biology. Those who are interested in the Physical Sciences will have one interview focused on Chemistry and chemical aspects of the Physical sciences, and one concentrating on Physics and Maths. If you have not studied Chemistry, your second interview may focus on other elements of Natural Sciences, such as Materials Science or Earth Sciences.

Subject requirements
  • Learn about our standard entry requirements for Natural Sciences on the University website.
  • In addition to the standard entry requirements, for the Physical Sciences we strongly recommend that you take A-level Further Mathematics or IB Higher Level Physics.
  • Please note that offers are set on an individual basis using all of the information available to us in context of the entire field of applicants.
Beyond the syllabus

Are you excited to learn more about the subject by delving beyond the school syllabus? Explore our Beyond the syllabus resource hub to discover interesting websites, podcasts, videos, and books related to the subject you love!

Typical undergraduate intake each year

14 - 20

Typical A-level offer

A*A*A

Typical IB offer

42 points overall, with 776 at Higher Level

Postgraduate Study

If you are applying to study for Masters-level qualification or a PhD, your Department and/or the course organisers will assess your application in the first instance and decide whether to offer you a place. Once you have a place lined up, and if you have indicated you would like to come to Sidney on your GRADSAF form, the Postgraduate Tutors here will then decide whether to accept your application. Sidney has a vibrant and diverse postgraduate community, and warmly welcomes postgraduates in the Natural Sciences, through the Wilson Society and opportunities for teaching and mentoring undergraduates.

At the University of Cambridge applications for postgraduate study are processed centrally by the Postgraduate Admissions Office. The application form and supporting documents are submitted electronically via their website and the online self-service system, though academic decisions on applications are made by the Faculty or Department.

Funding

There are many funding opportunities at Cambridge from a wide variety of sources including the Cambridge Trust, Gates Cambridge, Colleges, Departments, Research Councils and central University funds. You can use the Postgraduate Admissions' Cambridge Funding Search to find out which type of funding you might be eligible for, and how and when to apply. They also operate a Postgraduate Funding Competition to co-ordinate some of these funding opportunities and make the process easier for you as an applicant.

To find information about the funds available for postgraduate students at Sidney, visit our Studentships and funding page.

Useful links

Course directory | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

Funding | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

How do I apply? | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

International students | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

Opportunities to work, travel and study

The College is able to offer financial support for a number of student pursuits including:

  • Professional and research internships
  • Study awards
  • Vacation travel
  • Arts and music
  • Sport

While it will not be possible to provide support in all cases, current students are strongly encouraged to apply if they have a project which would benefit from financial support.

Discover more on our Opportunities to work, travel, and study page.