Official Natural Sciences 2022 Applicants Thread

As I started the thread I can go first:

1) What A-Levels (and/or other qualifications) are you taking?
A-Level: Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Spanish in the 2022 exam series
AS: Physics in the 2021 exam series (teaching myself)
EPQ: x2 both related to Biology in the January 2021 and June 2021 exam series

2) What strain of Natural Sciences are you thinking of doing - Biological or Physical?
Biological

3) Why are you thinking of applying for NatSci?
I want to do as general a degree as possible in my first year as I don't know what I want to specialise in yet

4) What grades did you get at GCSE?
eleven 9s

5) What universities are you thinking of applying for?
Cambridge
Durham
St Andrews (just for Biology)
not sure about the other 2

6) If you are applying for Cambridge (because realistically you probably are) what have you done to prepare for the NSAA (the admissions test)?
I've gone through the specification and done all of their available practice papers

7) If you are applying for Cambridge or Durham what colleges are you thinking of applying to?
For Cambridge: Sidney Sussex, Newnham, Peterhouse and Robinson
For Durham: St Cuthbert's or Collingwood probably?

8) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application?
In the first lockdown, (May 2020) I wrote my first EPQ and I also used online textbooks to teach myself all of the A-Level content for Biology and Chemistry

In the second lockdown, (December 2020) I wrote my second EPQ and entered the Newnham's Biological Sciences Essay Competition
In the third lockdown, (March 2021) I started teaching myself Physics AS and revising for the AS exams

9) What books have you read?
Mainly the really famous classics - all of Dawkins', Sapiens etc. basically just working through the popular science bestsellers

10) What do you want to do with your Natural Sciences degree?
either pursue a Masters and then a PhD going down the research route or otherwise go down a completely different route (criminal science or work with the UN or government)

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 2

mollymop902

1) What A-Levels (and/or other qualifications) are you taking?
I take A-Level Biology, Chemistry and Maths alongside EPQ (was on research surrounding consciousness)

2) What strain of Natural Sciences are you thinking of doing - Biological or Physical?
Biological

3) Why are you thinking of applying for NatSci?
I love biology and chemistry and wish to continue with both subjects after A level. Eventually I would like to hone down on Biology, but don't want to miss out on learning chemistry, at least for my 1st and 2nd year. I also like the wide array of Science you learn during the course.

4) What grades did you get at GCSE?
999887776 (The 9s were Biology, Chemistry and English Literature. The 6 was Music but I 100% didn't deserve it... My music teacher told us before the lockdown that I would very easily get a 7, then when it falls on teacher predicted grades she gives me a 6 instead XD. My english teacher also gave me a 9 in English Language but the board refused it and said I already had "too many" even though I got a 9 in my december mock.

5) What universities are you thinking of applying for?
Cambridge and some London Unis like UCL and Imperial College. I would like to stay relatively close to hope (I live in East Anglia) so Cambridge is my best option. Only 30 min away on a train.

6) If you are applying for Cambridge (because realistically you probably are) what have you done to prepare for the NSAA (the admissions test)?
I have started to look at resources to revise for the NSAA but haven't put much time into it yet. Focusing on my UCAS application first and then I'll start revising in late August - September.

7) If you are applying for Cambridge or Durham what colleges are you thinking of applying to?
Jesus college. I've done a lot of research and I really love the atmosphere there, alongside the on-site sport facilities and style of houses. I am yet to explore any other colleges but will be conducting more research soon.

8) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application?
Throughout my student life I have attended multiple talks such as ones for chemical biology, astrology and astrobiology. I have also gained many awards for student of the year in Chemistry/Sciences. I have completed a MOOC course on Astrobiology and I watch lots of biology lectures on the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and IBiology websites. I have also attended work experience in the lab of a food industry and have applied for both Cambridge Masterclasses for Earth Sciences and Biochemistry and a taster session on Plant immune systems and pathogens: Year 12 Natural Sciences. I frequently keep up to date with scientific research through articles on the Science Daily website.

9) What books have you read?
Gene Machine - Venki Ramakrishnan
Reactions - Peter Atkins
How we live and why we die: the secret lives of cells - Lewis Wolpert

10) What do you want to do with your Natural Sciences degree?

Hopefully by doing Natsci, it'll hone down my choice of science/module which I wish to continue as a career. Whichever this is, I would like to pursue a Masters and PHD in the subject.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 3

1) What A-Levels (and/or other qualifications) are you taking?
- chemistry
- biology
- physics
- maths
- English lit
- EPQ

2) What strain of Natural Sciences are you thinking of doing - Biological or Physical?
predominantly biological (but would love to be able to do some phys modules as well)

3) Why are you thinking of applying for NatSci?
It means I can carry on with more sciences before specialising

4) What grades did you get at GCSE?
eleven 9s

5) What universities are you thinking of applying for?
- Cambridge
- Durham
- York
- Birmingham
- somewhere else

6) If you are applying for Cambridge (because realistically you probably are) what have you done to prepare for the NSAA (the admissions test)?
completed workbook I got online now I'm working through past papers trying to do them quickly enough!

7) If you are applying for Cambridge or Durham what colleges are you thinking of applying to?
Cambridge: Maybe... peterhouse or st catharines or queens' or corpus christi... don't really know yet!
Durham: no idea

8) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application?
- TED talks
- MOOC
- read loads of books
-NSAA prep
- essay comps

9) What books have you read?
- how we live and why we die
- book on the brain
- book on quantum physics
- epigenetics revolution

10) What do you want to do with your Natural Sciences degree?
no idea yet...

Reply 4

Hello, I've just finished my A levels and applied for NatSci in 2021 for deferred entry in 2022. If any of you have any questions then I've just been through the process so know how you're feeling.
My predicted grades were: A in bio, A in psych, B in chem and A in EPQ.
I applied to Bath (offered AAAA), Lancaster (AABB), Nottingham (AAAA), Leeds (unsuccessful) , and Loughbrough (which had an interview, AAB). I firmed Bath and insured Lancaster.
My results were A* in bio, A* in psych, B in chem and A* in EPQ (I didn't put much effort in year12 but really pulled through for year13 which is why grades went up from predicted) and I didn't get into Bath (when I queried they said the A in chem was neccessary) but now have a place at Lancaster for 2022 entry! My personal statement must've been really strong though considering I got 2 offers from unis I didn't have the grades for so I can give advice on that.
Again, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!

Reply 5

Original post by Layla.t

Hello, I've just finished my A levels and applied for NatSci in 2021 for deferred entry in 2022. If any of you have any questions then I've just been through the process so know how you're feeling.
My predicted grades were: A in bio, A in psych, B in chem and A in EPQ.
I applied to Bath (offered AAAA), Lancaster (AABB), Nottingham (AAAA), Leeds (unsuccessful) , and Loughbrough (which had an interview, AAB). I firmed Bath and insured Lancaster.
My results were A* in bio, A* in psych, B in chem and A* in EPQ (I didn't put much effort in year12 but really pulled through for year13 which is why grades went up from predicted) and I didn't get into Bath (when I queried they said the A in chem was neccessary) but now have a place at Lancaster for 2022 entry! My personal statement must've been really strong though considering I got 2 offers from unis I didn't have the grades for so I can give advice on that.
Again, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!

Hi, so I was looking at Bath because I really liked the look of the campus etc. But I was just wondering about the course structure if you know at all? The way I read it (and looking at their course structure module builder thing) you can only do one science with another science, is this the case or can you take modules in multiple sciences (ie. all 3!) and in what kind of weightings? Thanks

Reply 6

Original post by s8520

Hi, so I was looking at Bath because I really liked the look of the campus etc. But I was just wondering about the course structure if you know at all? The way I read it (and looking at their course structure module builder thing) you can only do one science with another science, is this the case or can you take modules in multiple sciences (ie. all 3!) and in what kind of weightings? Thanks

Bath is a really beautiful city and I loved the campus when I got the chance to visit in between lockdowns! When I was looking at the modules I believe you chose a "major" subject eg biology which is most heavily weighted and a "minor" which is less heavily weighted. You have to take at least 12 credits for each of your major and minor subjects in year one and then you have 36/60 more credits which you can make up from any of the subjects (including chemistry, education, environment, management, maths, psychology) (physics wasn't an option for me due to me choosing the biological options but it may be if you choose something else). Each subject has different modules available and you pick and choose which one you like, but your major subject has the widest range of modules available for you. If you use the online course selection tool here https://www.bath.ac.uk/nat-sci/mycourse/index.php it bascially shows you your choices, probably a lot clearer than how I've explained it!
When I was doing all the online open days they made it very clear that you can easily switch you major and minor around, and even pick a different subject in the first year if you're taking modules from the other subject!

Reply 7

Original post by Layla.t

Bath is a really beautiful city and I loved the campus when I got the chance to visit in between lockdowns! When I was looking at the modules I believe you chose a "major" subject eg biology which is most heavily weighted and a "minor" which is less heavily weighted. You have to take at least 12 credits for each of your major and minor subjects in year one and then you have 36/60 more credits which you can make up from any of the subjects (including chemistry, education, environment, management, maths, psychology) (physics wasn't an option for me due to me choosing the biological options but it may be if you choose something else). Each subject has different modules available and you pick and choose which one you like, but your major subject has the widest range of modules available for you. If you use the online course selection tool here https://www.bath.ac.uk/nat-sci/mycourse/index.php it bascially shows you your choices, probably a lot clearer than how I've explained it!
When I was doing all the online open days they made it very clear that you can easily switch you major and minor around, and even pick a different subject in the first year if you're taking modules from the other subject!

forgot to say pharmacology as well

Original post by s8520

Hi, so I was looking at Bath because I really liked the look of the campus etc. But I was just wondering about the course structure if you know at all? The way I read it (and looking at their course structure module builder thing) you can only do one science with another science, is this the case or can you take modules in multiple sciences (ie. all 3!) and in what kind of weightings? Thanks

Hi there,

I am a final year Natural Sciences student so hopefully I can help, and hopefully clarify any mistakes from other responses :smile:

At Bath, the Natural Sciences course works like a joint honours basically. You choose a major and a minor subject from Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Pharmacology and Environmental Science. You then choose an optional/auxiliary module which could be another single science unit (i.e. organic chemistry or pharmacology) or something different with the options being management, education, psychology or maths for life sciences. The exception to this is if you take Physics as your major/minor, you do not get that auxiliary module as you have a compulsory maths unit instead.

Something I want to clarify from the other response you got is that you don't actually get a wider range of modules in your major subject. Up until final year, you actually typically take the same number of credits in both, so you have the same range of modules in each - the only real difference between your major and minor is that your final year project/dissertation will be in your major subject. Since you do the same number of credits for your major and minor subject, you have up until the start of final year to swap them around. For example, if you started as Biology major and Chemistry minor, up until the start of final year you could swap these to make Chemistry your major if you decided you liked it more and wanted to do your dissertation in that instead.

There is also often room to (essentially) completely change your degree during your first year, provided you have the prerequisites - this added flexibility is something that makes the Bath course a lot more appealing to many people. For example, I started off with Biology major, Chemistry minor and had Pharmacology as my auxiliary unit. However, I realised I preferred the Pharmacology to Chemistry, so at the start of 2nd year, I dropped one Chemistry unit and took an extra Pharmacology unit, making Pharmacology my minor and leaving the remaining Chemistry unit as my auxiliary unit. Obviously you cannot do this in every scenario, but if you have the prerequisite A-Levels or first year units, this is definitely an option. This was amazing for me, as if I hadn't been able to switch my degree around, I would've had to drop out and re-apply!

In terms of getting a clearer idea of what you can do, I would suggest using the flowchart documents on this webpage. The course configuration tool is alright, but a lot of applicants have told me that it often doesn't show all of the options that they can do. The flowcharts and course selection guide PDFs on the webpage I linked are a lot more thorough and clear, so most applicants find them more reliable.

I would also recommend looking at this thread I started on the Natural Sciences course at University of Bath, as there is some really useful information on there :smile:

I hope this helps,
Jessica, a final year NatSci student

Reply 9

Original post by University of Bath

Hi there,

I am a final year Natural Sciences student so hopefully I can help, and hopefully clarify any mistakes from other responses :smile:

At Bath, the Natural Sciences course works like a joint honours basically. You choose a major and a minor subject from Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Pharmacology and Environmental Science. You then choose an optional/auxiliary module which could be another single science unit (i.e. organic chemistry or pharmacology) or something different with the options being management, education, psychology or maths for life sciences. The exception to this is if you take Physics as your major/minor, you do not get that auxiliary module as you have a compulsory maths unit instead.

Something I want to clarify from the other response you got is that you don't actually get a wider range of modules in your major subject. Up until final year, you actually typically take the same number of credits in both, so you have the same range of modules in each - the only real difference between your major and minor is that your final year project/dissertation will be in your major subject. Since you do the same number of credits for your major and minor subject, you have up until the start of final year to swap them around. For example, if you started as Biology major and Chemistry minor, up until the start of final year you could swap these to make Chemistry your major if you decided you liked it more and wanted to do your dissertation in that instead.

There is also often room to (essentially) completely change your degree during your first year, provided you have the prerequisites - this added flexibility is something that makes the Bath course a lot more appealing to many people. For example, I started off with Biology major, Chemistry minor and had Pharmacology as my auxiliary unit. However, I realised I preferred the Pharmacology to Chemistry, so at the start of 2nd year, I dropped one Chemistry unit and took an extra Pharmacology unit, making Pharmacology my minor and leaving the remaining Chemistry unit as my auxiliary unit. Obviously you cannot do this in every scenario, but if you have the prerequisite A-Levels or first year units, this is definitely an option. This was amazing for me, as if I hadn't been able to switch my degree around, I would've had to drop out and re-apply!

In terms of getting a clearer idea of what you can do, I would suggest using the flowchart documents on this webpage. The course configuration tool is alright, but a lot of applicants have told me that it often doesn't show all of the options that they can do. The flowcharts and course selection guide PDFs on the webpage I linked are a lot more thorough and clear, so most applicants find them more reliable.

I would also recommend looking at this thread I started on the Natural Sciences course at University of Bath, as there is some really useful information on there :smile:

I hope this helps,
Jessica, a final year NatSci student

Ahh, that makes more sense now, thanks!

Reply 10

Ahhh thank you for clearing that up!

Original post by s8520

Ahh, that makes more sense now, thanks!

Hi there,

No problem, happy to help :smile:

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Jessica, a final year NatSci student

Reply 12

aaron2578

15

1) What A-Levels (and/or other qualifications) are you taking?
Physics, biology, maths, further maths
2) What strain of Natural Sciences are you thinking of doing - Biological or Physical?
I'm hoping to do a fairly even mix of biology and physics modules
3) Why are you thinking of applying for NatSci?
So I can carry on with both biology and physics without dropping the other
4) What grades did you get at GCSE?
9999988888776
5) What universities are you thinking of applying for?
Cambridge, Durham, Lancaster, St Andrews (just physics), still deciding on last option
6) If you are applying for Cambridge (because realistically you probably are) what have you done to prepare for the NSAA (the admissions test)?
Nothing yet
7) If you are applying for Cambridge or Durham what colleges are you thinking of applying to?
Can't decide (for both)
8) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application?
Summer schools/programmes, reading a book, did a MOOC
9) What books have you read?
None but currently reading Particle Physics: Brick by Brick
10) What do you want to do with your Natural Sciences degree?

Wish I knew

Reply 13

plshelpmelol

Original post by aaron2578

1) What A-Levels (and/or other qualifications) are you taking?
Physics, biology, maths, further maths
2) What strain of Natural Sciences are you thinking of doing - Biological or Physical?
I'm hoping to do a fairly even mix of biology and physics modules
3) Why are you thinking of applying for NatSci?
So I can carry on with both biology and physics without dropping the other
4) What grades did you get at GCSE?
9999988888776
5) What universities are you thinking of applying for?
Cambridge, Durham, Lancaster, St Andrews (just physics), still deciding on last option
6) If you are applying for Cambridge (because realistically you probably are) what have you done to prepare for the NSAA (the admissions test)?
Nothing yet
7) If you are applying for Cambridge or Durham what colleges are you thinking of applying to?
Can't decide (for both)
8) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application?
Summer schools/programmes, reading a book, did a MOOC
9) What books have you read?
None but currently reading Particle Physics: Brick by Brick
10) What do you want to do with your Natural Sciences degree?

Wish I knew

thank god!
finally, someone else who hasn't started preparing for the NSAA

Reply 14

ivyxue49

1) What A-Levels (and/or other qualifications) are you taking? Maths, Bio, Product Design and AS Physics at 3A* (was thinking of being an architect...)

2) What strain of Natural Sciences are you thinking of doing - Biological or Physical? biological

3) Why are you thinking of applying for NatSci? i don't discriminate with the sciences lolol

4) What grades did you get at GCSE? nine 9s

5) What universities are you thinking of applying for? not sure but I have a rough idea: UCL, Leeds, Durham, Exeter for NatSci and Bath, Manchester, St Andrews, Imperial, Edinburgh for Biology

6) If you are applying for Cambridge (because realistically you probably are) what have you done to prepare for the NSAA (the admissions test)? I am not applying to Cambridge (sorry mum lol)

7) If you are applying for Cambridge or Durham what colleges are you thinking of applying to? idk about durham, see above for cambridge

8) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application? MOOC and I went to the UCL Natural Sciences Summer School and did a presentation there. Not much else as I only realised I wanted to do NatSci/Biology like two weeks ago

9) What books have you read? none, books recs anyone?

10) What do you want to do with your Natural Sciences degree? Research, become a lecturer/professor

Reply 15

Original post by ivyxue49

1) What A-Levels (and/or other qualifications) are you taking? Maths, Bio, Product Design and AS Physics at 3A* (was thinking of being an architect...)

2) What strain of Natural Sciences are you thinking of doing - Biological or Physical? biological

3) Why are you thinking of applying for NatSci? i don't discriminate with the sciences lolol

4) What grades did you get at GCSE? nine 9s

5) What universities are you thinking of applying for? not sure but I have a rough idea: UCL, Leeds, Durham, Exeter for NatSci and Bath, Manchester, St Andrews, Imperial, Edinburgh for Biology

6) If you are applying for Cambridge (because realistically you probably are) what have you done to prepare for the NSAA (the admissions test)? I am not applying to Cambridge (sorry mum lol)

7) If you are applying for Cambridge or Durham what colleges are you thinking of applying to? idk about durham, see above for cambridge

8) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application? MOOC and I went to the UCL Natural Sciences Summer School and did a presentation there. Not much else as I only realised I wanted to do NatSci/Biology like two weeks ago

9) What books have you read? none, books recs anyone?

10) What do you want to do with your Natural Sciences degree? Research, become a lecturer/professor

Would really recommended How We Live and Why We Die: The Secret Lives of Cells by Lewis Wolpert bc it gives a broad overview of lots of topics (eg. embryonic biology, cells, the brain and many more!) which I found really useful as I read it first and then found a couple of niche topics which was a great starting point for research in more depth for my personal statement

Reply 16

plshelpmelol

does anyone have any chemistry book recommendations? ]
thanks (:

Reply 17

strawberrygemini

10

Original post by ivyxue49

1) What A-Levels (and/or other qualifications) are you taking? Maths, Bio, Product Design and AS Physics at 3A* (was thinking of being an architect...)

2) What strain of Natural Sciences are you thinking of doing - Biological or Physical? biological

3) Why are you thinking of applying for NatSci? i don't discriminate with the sciences lolol

4) What grades did you get at GCSE? nine 9s

5) What universities are you thinking of applying for? not sure but I have a rough idea: UCL, Leeds, Durham, Exeter for NatSci and Bath, Manchester, St Andrews, Imperial, Edinburgh for Biology

6) If you are applying for Cambridge (because realistically you probably are) what have you done to prepare for the NSAA (the admissions test)? I am not applying to Cambridge (sorry mum lol)

7) If you are applying for Cambridge or Durham what colleges are you thinking of applying to? idk about durham, see above for cambridge

8) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application? MOOC and I went to the UCL Natural Sciences Summer School and did a presentation there. Not much else as I only realised I wanted to do NatSci/Biology like two weeks ago

9) What books have you read? none, books recs anyone?

10) What do you want to do with your Natural Sciences degree? Research, become a lecturer/professor

hey this is kinda random, but i was wondering why chose not to apply for Cambridge? i still haven't decided yet, and am interested to hear how other people chose :smile:

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 18

Niamhdw63

1

1) What A-Levels (and/or other qualifications) are you taking?
A Level Biology, Physics and Maths and AS Chemistry

2) What strain of Natural Sciences are you thinking of doing - Biological or Physical?
I want to do both

3) Why are you thinking of applying for NatSci?
Because I love biology and physics and have poor decision making skills

4) What grades did you get at GCSE?
7A*s (English Language, English Literature, Double Award Science, Maths, Technology, Religion) and 3As (Art, Geography and Further Maths) (My exam board is CCEA and they still use letters)

5) What universities are you thinking of applying for?
UEA, Nottingham, Leeds and one other NatSci course + Manchester (zoology). Also going to apply to some courses outside the UK.
(I'm not 100% set on any of the UK courses yet, I need to be discuss them with my parents first. I kind of have my heart set on one particular course in the Netherlands which I have discussed with them a lot but I'm going to apply to the UK too)

6) If you are applying for Cambridge (because realistically you probably are) what have you done to prepare for the NSAA (the admissions test)?
I'm too scared to apply to Cambridge and if i did I'd probably have to continue with my chemistry A-level which is a definite no.

7) If you are applying for Cambridge or Durham what colleges are you thinking of applying to?
Not applying to either of them I don't think

8) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application?
I did a research project over the summer and also read a few books

9) What books have you read?
Most recently Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, Fatal Flaws by Jay Ingram and The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli

10) What do you want to do with your Natural Sciences degree?

Not entirely sure, at the minute I'm interested in neuroscience research, palaeontology or medical physics (again, poor decision making skills)

Reply 19

ivyxue49