How to Prepare a Successful Biological Natural Sciences Application in 2024
A Biological Natural Sciences, Cambridge graduate (Robinson College, 2015-18), leads you through the intricacies of the course, his application experience, and top tips for preparation. Read more to find out …
Cambridge Natural Sciences Course Overview
Apart from Part 1A (your first year), when most biologists take a core set of four modules, this course gives you a lot of freedom to choose from – there is a wide range of subjects to choose from for your second and third year. There is a mathematics module in your first year that will expose you to arrays, modelling, different equations used to track population growth, etc. All students are strongly advised to take the Cell Biology Module which acts a solid foundation for your subsequent studies,
Workload
The work in first year is significant, as you are faced with 12 lectures, 4 supervisions and around 10-15 hours of practical work a week. Strong organisational skills are a must!
Course Structure
First year
Cell Biology: a core module
Evolution and Behaviour: an intriguing module focusing on natural selection, conservation and behaviour
Mathematical Biology: another core module everyone takes
Physiology of Organisms: a broad comparison of the physiology of different organisms
Second year
Pharmacology: focused on learning the mechanisms of action of most drugs available; a really challenging module.
Cellular and Developmental Biology: a really interesting module covering cell biology in depth and discussing the various experiments that have led to the current picture of the field.
Ecology: the course involved a field trip to Madingley for 2 weeks, during which we were exposed to field practical work and worked on our own project.
Third year
There is a wide range of subjects in which to specialise. I chose Zoology and took Evolution and Behaviour and Developmental Biology modules. I also took part in a fascinating novel research project undertaken at Paul Conduit’s laboratory in Cambridge.
The Natural Sciences Application Process
Natural Sciences Personal Statements
My personal statement explored my interests in biology and chemistry. I showed my passion for biology by mentioning novel biological discoveries and developments in the area of stem cells, cancer treatments and infectious diseases. I mentioned books that ignited my passion for the subject, such as Lewis Wolpert’s Why we live and how we die?, my involvement with the school science club, and the mathematics competitions in which I have taken part. I also demonstrated social engagement through briefly describing my involvement with the Red Cross club.
U2’s co-curricular division, Minds Underground, is also a Go To for university applicants ( particularly Oxbridge), with a range of opportunities geared towards helping you build evidence of wider subject exploration. Check out their work/ research experience projects (e.g. “A Chemistry Research Project on Drug Synthesis With an Oxford PhD Researcher”), STEM Club and 1-1 STEM masterclasses.
The ESAT Test (see our blog)
Cambridge has introduced a new admissions test for Natural Sciences applicants called the ESAT Test. Read our blog for more information on how to prepare and what to expect.
Cambridge Natural Sciences Interviews
There were two interviews. The first one was conducted by two college fellows, one a specialist in virology and the other in physiology. I had 15 minutes to prepare as I was provided with a diagram prior to the interview. The diagram showed an action potential and once I entered the interview I had to explain what process I thought it represented. The interviewers guided me through my answer, assessing how I responded to new material and giving me pointers here and there. The second part of the interview involved a discussion of fossil pictures of extinct mammals. I was also given the chance to explain which areas in biology interest me (virology).
The second interview was more technical. It included a few maths questions (sketching a function, demonstrating knowledge in calculus, etc) and revolved around molecular biology. Again, I was shown a diagram, this time of a drug trial, and had to explain it to the two interviewers. A substantial amount of time was given to me to discuss my own interests in biology.
Key Skills and Points
You are likely to be shown diagrams of unknown biological processes. The idea is to provoke your thinking and to see what you can make of this information.
Show confidence in your answers but also be flexible and quick to change if given new information.
Be prepared to lead a discussion around your favourite topics.
Suggested Natural Sciences Preparation
I aimed to focus on some of the big books in biology in the field that intrigued me. E.g. You could write about:
The Selfish Gene by Dawkins if you are passionate about biology
Why We Live and How We Die by Wolpert if interested in cell biology
Read new articles, be familiar with novel challenges in the biology world (I discussed Ebola during my interviews as I was interviewed in the period when Ebola gained international prominence). My guess for today’s hot topics will be CRISPR, CAR-T, new drugs for Alzheimer’s disease, the climate change debate, the promises of personalised medicine, COVID-19 etc. They are looking for your ability to think critically and you are not expected to know all the answers but to use the provided information in the best possible way.
Be comfortable to discuss a few topics you find really interesting and to show some critical understanding of the issues surrounding them
Biology is an experimental science. Any experience doing research is a welcome
You may like to check out U2’s Biology and Chemistry Summer Schools, geared towards Oxbridge applicants for Natural Sciences and the straight Science degrees at Oxford. Each Summer School involves 12 sessions, weekly from June - August, and are hosted by Oxbridge Science graduates. The summer school provides a taster of University level sciences to aid students in the application process, providing cutting-edge content which can be discussed in personal statements and interviews and ensuring students are able to tackle unfamiliar problem-solving questions.
Good luck!
Looking for a Biological Natural Sciences Tutor?
Natural Sciences Personal Statement Support
U2 Tuition’s Oxbridge-educated Natural Sciences tutors have a close insight into what admissions tutors like to see in a Biological Natural Sciences personal statement, and can help students to convey their skills, motivations, and long term goals, in order to stand out from other applicants. The statement should be the candidates own work, but our mentors will provide direction and guide you through the process of content building and writing. We also support students’ optional additional personal statement writing for their COPA, teaching the student how to present their passion for the Natural Sciences course. This usually covers the key aspects of the Natural Sciences course that appeal to the student to support their application. We offer offline drafting as well as tuition sessions.
Oxbridge Natural Sciences Tutoring
U2 Tuition offers ESAT admissions test preparation, as well as wider Oxbridge Mentoring programmes (book a free consultation to discuss options). We have a large team of Oxbridge-educated Natural Sciences tutors including 1st Class, Master’s and PhD level graduates.
The Process:
1) We suggest an Oxbridge Biological Natural Sciences graduate as a mentor and send their full CV for review. Our mentors are deeply familiar with the admissions process to study Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, and are well-placed to guide you through personal statement curation, the ESAT entrance exam and interview process. We may suggest a range of application tutors to choose from with slightly differing rates depending on qualifications and level of experience.
2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour informal assessment/ taster session, where the mentor will informally assess the student’s current performance level for application, including test and interview. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.
3) U2’s approach for regular Natural Sciences application sessions: The main focus of tutorial sessions will be to explore material that can be discussed in the personal statement and at interview, and to hone skills for the ESAT, with a focus on high level problem solving - this may sometimes stretch from A-Level standard to First Year Undergraduate. Mentors ensure each student refines their interests within their preferred scientific disciplines (from the more traditional subjects such as Biology and Chemistry, to subjects not studied at school but included in the NatSci degree such as Materials and Earth Sciences). Together, we build a case for the student, solidifying the stance and direction they will take during interview, and practising a range of interview questions they may expect to encounter e.g. unseen material, biological problems, and questions on co-curricular exploration and motivation.
Frequency of sessions can be decided between student and mentor. Students can take either ad hoc sessions, or we structure a full programme for preparation, which may include further co-curricular opportunities such as our research projects, Biology/ Chemistry summer school and Oxbridge mock interview days. Honing the skills necessary to succeed for Oxbridge ideally requires long-term preparation and mentoring presents a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the very best Oxbridge has produced. We also provide GCSE, A-Level or IB Triple Science support if needed.
Sessions from £75/h + VAT.