Natural sciences degree

I've been looking into doing a natural sciences degree (currently about to start upper sixth) but I haven't been able to find much information on the extent to which you cover each subject that you choose to study within the degree. Furthermore, how much of the information that I would learn by doing a single maths degree would I also cover in a natural sciences degree in which I do maths alongside another science? Would it put me at a disadvantage if I Then wanted to go into a job that required mathematic ability if I had done natural sciences rather than a single maths degree, either in terms of getting the job and/or my ability to perform well in it? If the answer is yes would I be in an at all better position if I chose to do a joint honours degree with maths and another science?

it would be greatly appreciated if you had answers to any of these questions

Well I am about to start the Cambridge Natural Sciences Tripos.

Having spoken to dons, read loads of University gumpf and current students, the beauty of the Cambridge NatSci is that, as other poster says, by the end of 3 years (BA) or 4 (BA MSci), your chosen specialism has involved the same amount of content as a straight (e.g. Physics) degree at other Universities.

So, by graduation you've effectively done an outstanding Physics degree + lots of extra content (e.g. Computer Science, Chemistry, Maths B). Thus why the Cambridge NST is a harder course than the equivalent straight degree at Oxford.

Something else which I just found out, subject to performance and previous subjects, in Years 3 and/or 4 NST students are able to take their final year as part of the straight mathematical tripos, or Computer Science, so effectively graduating as BA MEng or BA MMath. I love this potential flexibility.

Hi, I'm just about to start a degree in Natural Sciences, so I'll hopefully be able to answer some of your questions
The extent to which you cover each subject varies significantly between universities - I mainly chose those which offered either gradual specialisation throughout the degree or the option to switch into joint honours degrees in the second year. This was because I felt that having a degree that was only a quarter of each science wasn't really suitable for a career in scientific research in an individual science. However, I had no idea which science I preferred, so Natural Sciences allows me to continue with all my A level subjects at university level and so gives me another year to decide which one/ two I prefer. Some NatSci degrees end up with you specialising by your final year, and you graduate with a degree in your specialism rather than in Natural Sciences (this is how it works at Cambridge anyway).
Maths tends to be given the same amount of teaching as the other sciences - although for some NatSci degrees maths was optional or a shorter maths module was compulsory if you chose to study physics - you could take a 'full' option in maths instead if you wanted. Again, this does vary a lot between universities - for example at Cambridge a maths option is compulsory, whereas at Durham it was only compulsory if you wanted to study physics (I think...). You will obviously cover less maths in Natural Sciences than if you took a pure maths degree, and will probably focus more on topics related to physics and statistics since these are the most relevant to the other sciences. However, many NatSci graduates go on to work in finance or other maths-related careers, since many of the skills gained from studying maths are also gained from the maths within a NatSci degree (particularly if you pick maths + physics modules), so I personally don't think that it would be a disadvantage. It is more important to get a 1st/ 2:1 in order to keep more career options open - so pick a degree you will enjoy and are good at.

thank you, this makes things a lot clearer! And I agree, the aspect of the natural sciences degree that most attracted me to it was its flexibility in allowing you to do more than one subject.

Well I am about to start the Cambridge Natural Sciences Tripos.

Having spoken to dons, read loads of University gumpf and current students, the beauty of the Cambridge NatSci is that, as other poster says, by the end of 3 years (BA) or 4 (BA MSci), your chosen specialism has involved the same amount of content as a straight (e.g. Physics) degree at other Universities.

So, by graduation you've effectively done an outstanding Physics degree + lots of extra content (e.g. Computer Science, Chemistry, Maths B). Thus why the Cambridge NST is a harder course than the equivalent straight degree at Oxford.

Something else which I just found out, subject to performance and previous subjects, in Years 3 and/or 4 NST students are able to take their final year as part of the straight mathematical tripos, or Computer Science, so effectively graduating as BA MEng or BA MMath. I love this potential flexibility.

Again, thank you for explaining everything very clearly and answering all my questions, you've been very helpful I'm interested in knowing which universities you applied to (if you don't mind my asking) as I feel the same way as you do about wanting to possibly convert into a joint degree?

At Oxford, if you were interested in Physics you'd actually do a lot more physics and probably more maths than if you were doing the Natsci degree at Cambridge because you'd have to studied something else like chemistry in your first year at Cambridge. Oxford, at least for the first year, go deeper into the physics and the maths. The same would be true for computer science, chemistry and other sciences.
Go for natsci if you're interested in one or two science but are not sure which one you want to fully commit to. Le's be honest here, you can't have your cake and eat it: Cambridge may give you breadth over the single subject degrees at Oxford but it certainly won't give you the same depth as Oxford (perhaps for other unis it will)- at least not for the first year or two.

Sorry, I have been told by both Cambridge dons and students at both Oxbridge, that, yes you're right in the non-final years of the Cambridge NST, total single subject depth is less that Oxford, but my finals/graduation, they fully catch up so that a physics grad from Cambridge has = depth to a Oxon. physics grad. Thus the Cantab has effectively a Oxon style Physics degree + all other sciences studied. This is why the Cambridge NST is deemed more taxing than the equivalent Oxon sciences. Hence why Cambridge is always above in science league tables, and has higher entrance grades.
Cantab 1 - Oxon 0 Lol

Sorry,