Join us on 10th or 11th July 2025 for the Undergraduate Open Days.
Bookings for the July Open Days and available through the University Open Day Website.
Warm-up Webinars
Prior to attending the Open Days, the University runs a series of webinars to help you with the application process, including how to apply, choosing a College and demystifying the interview process. You can register for webinars on the University Open Day Website.
What can I expect at the Open Days?
The Natural Sciences Tripos is taught by fourteen Departments across Cambridge; the Open Days are designed to gather information from the Departments under one roof in order it easier for you to find out more about the courses on offer, and ask any questions you may have.
Expect to spend several hours at one of the Open Days (there is no need to attend for both days) dividing your time between the central information stand, course presentations and sample lectures, tours and other events. A general programme of events is provided to all who register for the Open Day.
Information on how to travel to and around Cambridge can be found on the University's FAQ page here.
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 contact 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 Cambridge admissions office.
NST Course Presentations
There will be two NST course presentations on both days. These sessions provides a full overview of the Natural Sciences at Cambridge, the structure of each year of the NST and an overview of what applicants would expect to experience as a Cambridge NST student.
All sessions are the same, you should plan to attend just one of the following:
10th & 11th July |
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| 10:00 - 10:45 | NST course presentation by Prof Bill Nolan, Director of Teaching in the Department of Chemistry. | The Babbage Lecture Theatre, New Museums Site. |
| 14:00 - 14:45 | NST course presentation by Dr Sonja Dunbar, Associate Teaching Professor on the Department of Plant Sciences. | The Babbage Lecture Theatre, New Museums Site. |
NST Information Stand
Most of the Departments involved in teaching will attend the Natural Sciences Tripos information stand in the Student Services Centre on the New Museums site, the entrance of which is on Bene't Street.
There will be people 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.
The timetable for both days is the same, if you would like to speak to someone from a particular department, they will be present at the times shown below:
NST Subject |
Time |
| Current NST students from across the subjects | TBC |
| Biology Admissions | |
| Physical Sciences Admissions | |
| Chemistry | |
| Earth Sciences | |
| Genetics | |
| History and Philosophy of Science | |
| Materials Science | |
| Physics | |
| Physiology, Development and Neuroscience | |
| Plant Sciences | |
| Zoology |
Subject Events
Some departments will have additional course presentations, sample lectures or information stand that are focused on their specific subject area. Some will also have tours and interactive events. As there are so many Departments to fit into one afternoon, we recommend that you plan your day before arriving.
A full timetable of events are available via the University Open Day Programme once published.
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 them together 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.
- Take a look at the University's event page where we are often involved with subject masterclasses, virtual tours and seminars.
- 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.