Cambridge NatSci admissions

Hi, I'm a year 12 student doing Maths FM Phys and Chem predicted 4A* with GCSEs 99999999887 and I'm wanting to apply for NS at Cambridge. I'm wondering what the most common academic profile is for successful applicants as I'm wondering do I focus on Books and super curriculars or should I be looking for another qualification e.g. an EPQ

Reply 1

melancollege

Universities Forum Helper

From the Natural Sciences page on the Cambridge website:

"What Natural Sciences students have studied
Natural Sciences (Biological)
Most Natural Sciences (Biological) students (who had studied A levels and started at Cambridge in 2017-19) achieved at least A*A*A* (76% of entrants).
Nearly all of these students took Mathematics (99%), Further Mathematics (37%), Biology (98%), Chemistry (96%) and Physics (26%).
In addition to Mathematics A Levels, the percentage of entrants taking:

•

all 3 of Biology, Chemistry and Physics was 22%

•

2 of the sciences 75%

•

only one of the sciences was 3%

The majority of students who studied IB achieved at least 43 points overall and/or grades 777 at Higher Level.
Natural Sciences (Physical)
Most Natural Sciences (Physical) students (who had studied A levels and started at Cambridge in 2017-19) achieved at least A*A*A* (91% of entrants).
All of these students took Mathematics. Other common subjects were Further Mathematics (90%), Biology (8%), Chemistry (89%) and Physics (96%).
In addition to Mathematics A Levels, the percentage of entrants taking:

•

all 3 of Biology, Chemistry and Physics was 6%

•

2 of the sciences 81%

•

only one of the sciences was 13%

The majority of students who studied IB achieved at least 43 points overall and/or grades 777 at Higher Level."

As for books and supercurriculars, let your interests guide you. There is a list of ideas for supercurriculars (page 37 of https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/super-curricular_suggestions.pdf) but you should be doing them because they interest you, not solely to be a more competitive applicant.

Reply 2

marcelina55

Original post by melancollege

From the Natural Sciences page on the Cambridge website:
"What Natural Sciences students have studied
Natural Sciences (Biological)
Most Natural Sciences (Biological) students (who had studied A levels and started at Cambridge in 2017-19) achieved at least A*A*A* (76% of entrants).
Nearly all of these students took Mathematics (99%), Further Mathematics (37%), Biology (98%), Chemistry (96%) and Physics (26%).
In addition to Mathematics A Levels, the percentage of entrants taking:

•

all 3 of Biology, Chemistry and Physics was 22%

•

2 of the sciences 75%

•

only one of the sciences was 3%

•

all 3 of Biology, Chemistry and Physics was 6%

•

2 of the sciences 81%

•

only one of the sciences was 13%

The majority of students who studied IB achieved at least 43 points overall and/or grades 777 at Higher Level."
As for books and supercurriculars, let your interests guide you. There is a list of ideas for supercurriculars (page 37 of https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/super-curricular_suggestions.pdf) but you should be doing them because they interest you, not solely to be a more competitive applicant.

Similar high standards are expected, with a focus on achieving a high overall score and top grades in relevant subjects.
Pursue your interests! The focus should be on genuine passion and exploration, not just ticking boxes for applications.
Cambridge Natural Sciences is highly competitive, demanding strong academic performance in science and math subjects.