am i too ambitious (natsci uni options)?

I definitely don't think you're being too ambitious. These seem like realistic choices given your current attainment.
One thing I feel I should mention is that it might be a good idea to include a safety option. To be completely honest, I think you have a very good chance of securing an offer from at least one of your choices, and i don't think the volume of strong applications is going to be a particularly big concern because realistically at the moment you're among the most competitive (depending on your supercurriculars of course). However, one of the big dangers of the application process is missing your offer. Let's say you get a standard offer from ucl, A*AA, but then something goes horribly and unpredictably wrong during year 13 and you don't get those required grades. It unfortunately happens fairly often. So perhaps consider picking one of the 5 which you're least keen on, and finding a uni which looks nice that has a slightly lower typical offer.
Full disclosure, I have no intention of following my own advice. This is just something worth considering, and feel free to completely ignore it lol.

hello i'm in year 13, and i take maths, further maths, physics and chemistry. i definitely know which universities i would prefer to apply to, but i'm not sure if my choices are too optimistic and would really appreciate some advice!

i'm predicted A*A*A*A*, got 999999998 in my gcse's and AAAA in my AS levels - since i did AS exams rather than mocks, i don't think my school are being ridiculously optimistic in my predictions. i think my personal statement is pretty good too, and only cambridge ask for interviews/admissions tests for my course.

my ideal would be cambridge, durham, ucl, leeds and lancaster for natural sciences. cambridge want A*A*A, the others are all A*AA. these are the 5 that i like the most in terms balance of course structure, location and prestige, but nottingham and bath are other nice options (both A*AA). my predicted grades are good for these courses but i'm just worried about the volume of strong applicants applying to these universities - am i being a little too ambitious? thank you so much for any help!

What makes you think your predictions are not strong as what other applicants will have?

i wasn't so worried about my grades, just that a lot of very capable people will be applying to these unis (and that cambridge + durham + ucl is a bit of a risk)! my school have just left it up to us to figure it all out without much help so i'm kind of struggling to decide what to do

Sorry you haven't got much support from your school.
I agree with @ConfusedPenguin1. You should be fine with your current choices in terms of getting an offer from at least one of them, but it's important to prepare for the worst case scenario.
Have a read of the following article:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/university/apply/how-to-avoid-getting-five-university-rejections
This thread is a few years old now but it has some useful information. Anything you're unsure of or think might've changed should be made clear on the website or by sending an email:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6622066
In terms of prestige, please don't pay attention to it. What's far more important is that the departments of the universities you wish to study at are individually strong, you like the course structure and the location. And some other factors outlined in the following article:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/university/apply/still-not-picked-a-uni-how-to-decide
Also, you don't need to apply for all 5 choices when you submit for Cambridge. You'll have until Wednesday 14 January 2026 for your other choices if you're unsure.

thank you so much! i actually just realised today that i would be eligible for a contextual (AAB) from bath so i'll consider swapping one of them (though only if, on reflection, i would be happy at bath). again, thank you, and good luck to you <3

thank you so much! i actually just realised today that i would be eligible for a contextual (AAB) from bath so i'll consider swapping one of them (though only if, on reflection, i would be happy at bath). again, thank you, and good luck to you <3

Just be aware that Bath is one of the most expensive Uni cities outside of London.