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Master of Science (with Honours) - Msci (Hon)

Natural Sciences

University of Cambridge

(4.1)
143 reviews

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Natural Sciences course at University of Cambridge.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

A*,A*,A

Please check the website for subject requirements for this course (www.cam.ac.uk/courses). Please be aware that the entry requirements listed above are the minimum offer level for this course. Entry requirements may vary across our Colleges, and some may set additional conditions for most or all offers. For example, some Colleges may require additional subjects, make a higher offer or specify an A* (or equivalent) in a particular subject. It’s important that you check the entry requirements for your shortlisted College(s) before you make an application, as these may be different to what is listed above. You can find a list of Colleges that usually make offers at the minimum offer level, as well as Colleges that have additional conditions, on our course pages (linked below).

You may also need to

Attend an interview

Most popular A-levels studied

The Natural Sciences course at University of Cambridge features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.

Biosciences (non-specific)
Physics
Chemistry
Materials science
Earth sciences
SubjectGrade
MathematicsA*
ChemistryA*
Further MathematicsA*
PhysicsA*
BiologyA*
SubjectGrade
MathematicsA*
ChemistryA*
Further MathematicsA*
PhysicsA*
BiologyA*
SubjectGrade
MathematicsA*
ChemistryA*
Further MathematicsA*
PhysicsA*
BiologyA*
SubjectGrade
MathematicsA*
ChemistryA*
Further MathematicsA*
PhysicsA*
BiologyA*
SubjectGrade
MathematicsA*
ChemistryA*
Further MathematicsA*
PhysicsA*
BiologyA*
Source: HESA

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: BCF0

Here's what University of Cambridge says about its Natural Sciences course.

Natural Sciences is a broad course that gives you the opportunity to study physical and biological sciences from 14 different departments. The course is flexible, which means you can study a range of new and familiar areas in the sciences before choosing a subject, or two, to specialise in.

Some third-year specialisms offer a fourth year option, leading to an MSci degree (progression to the fourth year is dependent on satisfactory performance).

Source: University of Cambridge

Course details

There are a few options in how you might study Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge.

Check the

60 course options available.

Qualification

Master of Science (with Honours) - Msci (Hon)

Department

Interdepartmental

Location

Murray Edwards | Cambridge

Duration

4 Years

Study mode

Full-time

Subjects

• Materials science

• Biological sciences

• Earth sciences

• Chemistry

• Physics

Start date

October 2026

Application deadline

15 October 2025

University of Cambridge student reviews

(4.1)
Based on 143 reviews from University of Cambridge's students and alumni
5 star
44%
4 star
35%
3 star
12%
2 star
6%
1 star
2%
All reviews

Showing 142 reviews

1st year student

1 year ago

Found it quite shocking that you have to pay a huge fee to join the Student Union. rnI also had trouble voting in the last election, and have received no reply to an email I sent trying to get help to fix this.

(2)
Student Union

1st year student

1 year ago

Plenty of cafes in the day, and lots of libraries to work in, especially on sites like Sidgwick. rnSome good clubbing, but it really depends on when you go. One Saturday, the club was absolutely dead, but if you want a good night out, I would recommend Wednesday Revs.

(4)
University life

1st year student

1 year ago

I am in one of the cheapest rooms available for first years at my college. This means I spend about u00a35,500 a year on rent, or u00a3184 a week. We are fortunate that rent is only charged during term-time (29-30 weeks) and I know there are some bursaries available. rnRent includes all water and el...

(4)
Finance

1st year student

1 year ago

Welfare support is very good at my college. I was ill this term and was able to manoeuvre this with the help of my tutor and the nurse. The only problem I have faced has been with trying to get access to lecture recordings - this is not the case with all courses, but the English faculty are pretty a...

(4)
Support

1st year student

1 year ago

I am at Selwyn College, and we have been put as first-years in the same accommodation block, which is a lovely idea. We were also organised to be next door to someone from our subject - a great touch! My accommodation is perfectly functional - we have a bed, desk, wardrobe, en-suite and shared kitch...

(5)
Facilities

1st year student

1 year ago

I love the layout of our course. It has just enough freedom (ie I can choose my essay title each week, and will later be able to choose which texts I revisit and revise and which I never want to see again) while being structured and guided under four papers, each of a different time period. The supp...

(4)
Course

National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Cambridge

The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.

The Natural Sciences course at University of Cambridge features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni

Biosciences (non-specific)
Physics
Chemistry
Materials science
Earth sciences

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

93%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

91%

med

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

84%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

98%

high

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

92%

high

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

84%

low

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

85%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

89%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

80%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

70%

low

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

81%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

77%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

77%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

63%

low

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

92%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

89%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

83%

med

How well organised is your course?

83%

med

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

92%

med

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

96%

high

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

92%

high

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

58%

med

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

94%

high

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

77%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

49%

low

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

91%

med

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

83%

med

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

93%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

91%

med

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

84%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

98%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

92%

high

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

84%

low

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

85%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

89%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

80%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

70%

low

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

81%

low

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

77%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

77%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

63%

low

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

92%

low

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

89%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

83%

med

How well organised is your course?

83%

med

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

92%

med

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

96%

high

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

92%

med

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

58%

med

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

94%

med

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

77%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

49%

low

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

91%

med

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

83%

med

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

93%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

91%

low

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

84%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

98%

high

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

92%

high

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

84%

low

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

85%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

89%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

80%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

70%

low

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

81%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

77%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

77%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

63%

low

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

92%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

89%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

83%

med

How well organised is your course?

83%

med

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

92%

med

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

96%

high

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

92%

med

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

58%

low

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

94%

high

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

77%

low

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

49%

low

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

91%

med

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

83%

med

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

93%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

91%

med

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

84%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

98%

high

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

92%

high

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

84%

med

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

85%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

89%

high

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

80%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

70%

low

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

81%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

77%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

77%

high

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

63%

med

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

92%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

89%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

83%

high

How well organised is your course?

83%

med

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

92%

med

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

96%

med

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

92%

high

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

58%

low

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

94%

high

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

77%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

49%

low

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

91%

med

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

83%

med

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

93%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

91%

low

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

84%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

98%

high

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

92%

med

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

84%

low

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

85%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

89%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

80%

low

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

70%

low

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

81%

low

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

77%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

77%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

63%

low

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

92%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

89%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

83%

med

How well organised is your course?

83%

med

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

92%

med

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

96%

med

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

92%

med

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

58%

low

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

94%

high

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

77%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

49%

low

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

91%

med

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

83%

med

Student information

The Natural Sciences course at University of Cambridge features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.

Biosciences (non-specific)
Physics
Chemistry
Materials science
Earth sciences
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female42%Male58%
Where students come from
International30%UK70%
Student performance
2:1 or above83%
Number of students1,990
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female42%Male58%
Where students come from
International30%UK70%
Student performance
2:1 or above83%
Number of students1,990
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female42%Male58%
Where students come from
International30%UK70%
Student performance
2:1 or above83%
Number of students1,990
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female42%Male58%
Where students come from
International30%UK70%
Student performance
2:1 or above83%
Number of students1,990
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female42%Male58%
Where students come from
International30%UK70%
Student performance
2:1 or above83%
Number of students1,990
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

We have no information about graduates who took Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge.

Earnings after graduation

The Natural Sciences course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for University of Cambridge graduate earnings across each of those subject areas.

Biosciences
Physics and astronomy
Chemistry
Materials and technology
Geography, earth and environmental studies

Earnings

£32.5k

First year after graduation

£44.2k

Third year after graduation

£46.4k

Fifth year after graduation

Earnings

£32.5k

First year after graduation

Earnings

£32.5k

First year after graduation

Earnings

£32.5k

First year after graduation

Earnings

£29.2k

First year after graduation

£35.6k

Third year after graduation

£50k

Fifth year after graduation

Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Natural Sciences.

Source: LEO

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree

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