<p>I can only seriously answer your question about whether chemistry is vital for admission into Cambridge Engineering.</p>
<p>From their website:
Essential: A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics and Physics.
Highly desirable: a third mathematics/ science/technology A Level.</p>
<p>You’re strongly encouraged to study Further Mathematics. If it’s not available or you’ve recognised its desirability too late, we’d advise you to do as much additional pure maths and mechanics as possible, eg by taking stand–alone units or Further Mathematics AS/IB Standard Level or STEP Mathematics.</p>
<p>Please read: [Undergraduate</a> Courses](<a href=“http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/guide/requirements.html]Undergraduate”>http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/guide/requirements.html)</p>
<p>So no, you don’t need chemistry. </p>
<p>What you’re facing now is quite like what I faced last year. In the end, I stuck with chemistry but I had to work really hard for it. </p>
<p>The IB can be really hard at times so you do need to consider whether you want to or can put in those extra hours of work to get a good grade.</p>