The Natural Sciences degree caters for and stimulates those inquisitive about science in its broadest sense, covering everything from Astrophysics to Zoology.
Important Note Concerning Interviews for 2025
Sidney's undergraduate interviews in December 2025 will take place both online and in-person. Candidates who are ordinarily resident in the UK will be expected to attend interviews in-person at the College. Candidates who reside outside the UK will be offered an online interview.
If you already know which type of science currently interests you, that’s great: you can increase your depth of knowledge in that subject, while exploring related areas (you may even find a new love!) and then specialise further in later years. If you can’t yet pin down just one science that interests you, then this is the perfect course for you: you can choose broad subject combinations - including subjects less common at school - before specialising later on. You can see the full range of courses on offer in the 1st Year (called Part IA) at this link here: https://www.natsci.tripos.cam.ac.uk/course-structure/part-ia
Natural Sciences at Sidney
The Wilson-Walker Society, named after two of the college’s Nobel Laureates in the sciences (one in Physics, the other in Biological Chemistry), is Sidney's society for all science undergraduates, postgraduates and Fellows. The Society offers informal opportunities to broaden your science education: in recent years, it has organised talks on topics as diverse as the science of sleep and nutrition, and “Walking with Dinosaurs”. Talks are always entertaining and typically given by eminent scientists, and occasionally feature a guest reptile! For more information about the society, please see the Wilson-Walker Society page.
Undergraduate Study
University Departments organise all your lectures and practicals. Each week, you will also have more personal small-group teaching, organised by the Directors of Studies at Sidney . Our Natural Sciences Fellows are from diverse backgrounds and are at different career stages, from newly appointed lecturers to well-established professors and one Nobel Laureate. We are all keen to meet you, to teach you and help you succeed in 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 2026 entry are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) at an authorised assessment centre.
- You should make sure to book your test by 29 September 2025. If you have access arrangements, you must book your test by 8 September 2025.
- Interviews
- Sidney's undergraduate interviews in December 2025 will take place both online and in-person. Candidates who are ordinarily resident in the UK will be expected to attend interviews in-person at the College. Candidates who reside outside the UK will be offered an online interview.
- Please see more information about interview arrangements at Sidney Sussex in 2025 here: 2025 Applicant Information
- These will typically be two short or one longer interview. They will focus on your chosen scientific route (Biological or Physical) and involve working through some science and maths problems. Examples of the style of discussion and problem solving that happens in these interviews are shown in the videos below and on the University pages here.
- 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
15 - 20
Typical A-level offer
A*A*A (but note that most current students that took A-levels achieved three or more A* grades)
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-Walker 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.
- Postgraduate 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.
