skip to content

Natural Sciences Tripos

 

Cambridge Open Days

The University Open Days will be taking place on Thursday 6th July and Friday 7th July 2023. 

Information on attendance can be seen here: University Open Day Website

Information on the Natural Sciences Tripos can be found here: NST Booklet

 

What can I expect at the Open Days?

The Natural Sciences Tripos is taught by sixteen different Departments right across Cambridge; the Open Days are designed to gather information from the Departments under one roof in order to make it easier for you to find out more about the courses on offer, and ask any questions you may have.

©Keith Heppell Open Day 2

From 2022 the University is holding holding Hybrid Open Days with some events online, and others in person.

For the in-person events most people spend several hours at one of the Open Days (there is no need to attend for both days) dividing their time between the central display, tours and events. A general programme of events is provided to all who register for the Open Day. 

Most of the Departments involved in teaching will have a stand in the Natural Sciences area of the Student Services Centre. Some will also have tours and interactive events (please see the programme of events). Staff and students will be present to provide information and advice. We encourage you to take advantage of talking to the people manning the displays.

In addition, there will also be people on hand to offer advice on admissions and what choices would be open to you in your studies. One of the great strengths of the Natural Sciences Tripos is that you study a range of sciences in your first year; this is a time to stretch yourself, maybe learn a new subject. There will be people who can help you to explore your options and where they might lead you.

 

In-Person Open Day Events - 6th & 7th July

The Natural Sciences Open Days are part of the University's General Open Days and will be held in a central location, close to many of the Departments and Colleges.

Subject stalls are sited at the Student Services Centre on the New Museums site, the entrance of which is on Bene't Street. Representatives from across the Natural Sciences will be available on both days to answer general questions about the course.  If you would like to speak to someone from a particular department, they will be present at the times shown below:

  • Natural Sciences Students from across the Tripos: 09:30-16:30
  • Biology and Zoology: 09:30-11:30
  • Chemistry: 09:30-16:30
  • Earth Sciences: 14:00-16:30
  • History and Philosophy of Science: 12:00-15:00
  • Materials Science: 09:30-16:30
  • Physics: 09:30-16:30
  • Physiology: 09:30-12:00
  • Plant Sciences and Biology Admissions: 11:30-12:30
  • Physical Sciance Natural Sciences Admissions queries: 14:00-16:00

There ar©Keith Heppell Open Day 1e also some departmental tours and events going on throughout the day. As there are so many Departments to fit into one afternoon, we recommend that you plan your day before arriving. A timetable of Natural Sciences departmental events can be found here.

There is no on-site parking available, so we therefore recommend the use of the city's many park and ride services, details of which can be found on this website.

You can attend the Open Days without visiting any of the Colleges, although many of them are also holding events.  Further information on each College can be found here.

If you have any queries regarding the Open Days, or other questions about studying Natural Sciences, please email natsci@admin.cam.ac.uk and we will endeavour to answer your enquiries. Particular enquiries about admission to the University should be directed to the admissions office.

 

What if I can't attend the Open Days?

Unfortunately, the two days in July are the only opportunities we formally offer for prospective students to meet with staff to discuss the subjects taught in Natural Sciences. The University does not have a single "Department of Natural Sciences"; instead, a number of Departments contribute various courses which you combine together to form an individual programme. Rather than have individual Open Days for each Department, we bring together all sixteen of them in this one large event.

If you can't make these two days in July, it may still be possible for you to meet informally with members of individual Departments if you contact them directly. Our advice would be:

  • Have a thorough look at the Natural Sciences website and particularly the individual course websites you think you may be interested in. 
  • Have a think about which Colleges interest you most.
  • Contact those Colleges and arrange to speak to an Admissions Tutor, with the aim of visiting Cambridge and viewing the College. Some Colleges have Open Days on days that might suit you.
  • Ask the Admissions Tutor if they would be able to help in arranging for you to visit with (or meet members of) Departments that interest you. Most Colleges will have a Fellow or College member for each Department.
  • Alternatively, you could contact Departments directly - see the Departmental websites - and arrange visits yourself.