[Georgie2301]

Hey, i was wondering if anyone could tell me the best university for physics and/or natural sciences? I'm going to have to apply soon and was thinking of: Manchester, Lancaster, Durham or Bristol. Also, at what university will I not be assumed any prior knowledge of further maths? Because if I'm going to stuggle with maths side of things, I need to know so I can keep my options open. Bear in mind that I am quite a slow learner, and my maths skills are pretty average. Though I do like maths, it doesn't always come naturally, and I do alright in class and exams, my results or my understanding is not exactly exceptional- though I am prepared to learn.

[bistonut]

(Original post by Georgie2301)
Hey, i was wondering if anyone could tell me the best university for physics and/or natural sciences? I'm going to have to apply soon and was thinking of: Manchester, Lancaster, Durham or Bristol. Also, at what university will I not be assumed any prior knowledge of further maths? Because if I'm going to stuggle with maths side of things, I need to know so I can keep my options open. Bear in mind that I am quite a slow learner, and my maths skills are pretty average. Though I do like maths, it doesn't always come naturally, and I do alright in class and exams, my results or my understanding is not exactly exceptional- though I am prepared to learn.

Nowhere assumes any prior knowledge of Further maths, but you might be playing catchup at an alarming rate depending where you go. Keep in mind physics at uni is nothing like the physics AS, a little bit like the A2, but the best comparison is the higher mechanics units in Maths (M3 and above in the english system). So keep in mind at any uni, you'll be spending more of your time doing vectors and integrating than much else in your first year at least!

But yeah, general consensus is your top ones are gonna be oxbridge, Imperial, Manchester and Durham (that order sounds about right too). Although general is a very rough term, sure to spark arguments...
Basically all the "top 20" for physics are pretty similar, the 20th ain't much worse than the 5th. Bristol, Sheffield, york, birmingham, Lancaster, Bristol, Nottingham- there's quite a few really good ones!

Unlike, for instance, english or history, all physics degrees are pretty much the same. If you're torn between 2 unis, as long as they're in the same ballpark as to how "good" they are, don't choose on tiny league table differences, choose on the nicer place!

[AnythingButChardonnay]

The 'best' university for Natural Sciences is Cambridge, hands down.

The only other NatSci course that seems to work properly is at Durham. But I never applied to Durham for geographical reasons.

Everywhere else, when I was applying (I applied for NatSci at UCL and Nottingham; elsewhere chemistry), it just looked as though they're thrown the NatSci course together rather than make any real effort for it to work properly. UCL's course structure made no sense whatsoever, and the answers I got from the admissions tutor totally contradicted the prospectus... Anyway, I digress.

Imperial College is a science and engineering university and has a reputation accordingly. It doesn't offer NatSci. Certainly they prefer further maths for physics, and physics is very mathsy. As I say, I do chemistry and I occasionally struggle with the maths.

It sounds as if you're not entirely convinced that you want to do physics (hence hedging your bets with NatSci) - is that a fair assumption? If so that's more or less the position I found myself in, but with chemsitry.

[jhyde_77]

(Original post by Georgie2301)
Hey, i was wondering if anyone could tell me the best university for physics and/or natural sciences? I'm going to have to apply soon and was thinking of: Manchester, Lancaster, Durham or Bristol. Also, at what university will I not be assumed any prior knowledge of further maths? Because if I'm going to stuggle with maths side of things, I need to know so I can keep my options open. Bear in mind that I am quite a slow learner, and my maths skills are pretty average. Though I do like maths, it doesn't always come naturally, and I do alright in class and exams, my results or my understanding is not exactly exceptional- though I am prepared to learn.

Hey If you're unsure about whether to do a physics degree and do struggle with the Maths a little I would really recommend doing a Nat Sci Degree. I may be a bit biased as I am currently studying at Bath but the degree here is versatile and doesn't focus on Maths too strongly at all. If you have done A-level then you would have Maths lectures with the Physicists. However as most Nat Scis haven't done further maths, there really isn't any emphasis on further maths at all, there are also problems classes every week to consolidate your knowledge. Personally I love the degree and the broad spectrum of modules on offer and would recommend it to anyone that was thinking of doing science but not exactly sure of what they wanted to do. Hope this helps.