oxford vs cambridge?

this is obviously a very common question, but I still want some advice. I'm considering a very niche course, materials science, and currently I've mostly been looking at oxford- but then I learned that cambridge also does it as part of natural sciences. however I have been to both a few times, and I think that possibly oxford is better, but I haven't been to any colleges in cambridge so I can't really know for that either. the fact that in oxford the course is an engineering course instead of a science course is more appealing to me too. I would go to a cambridge open day but they only host them in the summer, and only for year 12s, so I wouldn't be able to go before I had to start preparing for the entrance tests, as I want to start preparing as soon as possible to have the best chance of doing well in them. I understand that this makes it sound like I definitely prefer oxford, but I haven't really been to cambridge as much so I can't make an informed decision- any advice? also I could potentially ask a student I know studying in cambridge currently to go there, but they might be too busy to give a tour so it's not guaranteed that we could.

what subjects do you do? natural sciences will almost certainly require maths, further maths, physics and chemistry whereas i believe you only need maths and physics for oxford (but further maths and chemistry are recommended)
it would also depends how certain you are that you want to do materials science, because if you definitely want to pursue this, then hands down go for oxford, but if you want a bit more flexibility and a chance to explore different fields, then the natural sciences course is much more flexible and will allow you to do that

I'm going to do physics chemistry maths further maths, and currently materials science seems to be the thing I'm most interested in (although I like astrophysics and atomic physics and cloning and stem cell research too), so natural sciences may be more suitable because I have many interests, but also I want an engineering qualification. Also I know that in materials science I can go more biological or more chemistry or more physics focused, and that makes it seem like a really broad degree.

What subject exploration have you done...books, podcasts, youtube vids etc? Go to the open days at Oxf & Cbg and ask loads of questions of both tutors and students.

No year in industry at either - I'd explore elsewhere.

this is obviously a very common question, but I still want some advice. I'm considering a very niche course, materials science, and currently I've mostly been looking at oxford- but then I learned that cambridge also does it as part of natural sciences. however I have been to both a few times, and I think that possibly oxford is better, but I haven't been to any colleges in cambridge so I can't really know for that either. the fact that in oxford the course is an engineering course instead of a science course is more appealing to me too. I would go to a cambridge open day but they only host them in the summer, and only for year 12s, so I wouldn't be able to go before I had to start preparing for the entrance tests, as I want to start preparing as soon as possible to have the best chance of doing well in them. I understand that this makes it sound like I definitely prefer oxford, but I haven't really been to cambridge as much so I can't make an informed decision- any advice? also I could potentially ask a student I know studying in cambridge currently to go there, but they might be too busy to give a tour so it's not guaranteed that we could.

I have looked at other universities like manchester, but I still want to try to apply to oxbridge if I can

this is obviously a very common question, but I still want some advice. I'm considering a very niche course, materials science, and currently I've mostly been looking at oxford- but then I learned that cambridge also does it as part of natural sciences. however I have been to both a few times, and I think that possibly oxford is better, but I haven't been to any colleges in cambridge so I can't really know for that either. the fact that in oxford the course is an engineering course instead of a science course is more appealing to me too. I would go to a cambridge open day but they only host them in the summer, and only for year 12s, so I wouldn't be able to go before I had to start preparing for the entrance tests, as I want to start preparing as soon as possible to have the best chance of doing well in them. I understand that this makes it sound like I definitely prefer oxford, but I haven't really been to cambridge as much so I can't make an informed decision- any advice? also I could potentially ask a student I know studying in cambridge currently to go there, but they might be too busy to give a tour so it's not guaranteed that we could.

Hi, current Cambridge Natsci student here, I took materials in first year and have many friends who have continued with it.
If you're looking for a materials science course that's more engineering based, cambridge is probably not the choice as its materials science course is very much on the mathematical and theoretical side.
On the other hand, I love my Natsci degree, and I think the ability to keep choices open into degree level is great.
But overall from what you've said, it sounds like you like the look of the Oxford course better than the Cambridge one

Yes fine but be aware of the need for work experience when it comes to looking for a job

Materials is an engineering course at Cambridge as much as at Oxford- its accredited by the engineering body for materials.

I don't know how much I can assist with your conundrum but I should mention you are absolutely allowed to come and have a look at Cambridge colleges on their open days, even if you're not a Year 12. I've worked at multiple open days and the colleges are often just completely open.

Oh that's good, thank you! So they definitely won't mind if I come to a subject lecture and I'm younger?

Yeah, I've thought of that but I've read that oxbridge often do summer work placements which I would try to get involved in (if I got in obviously)

I'll be honest I have no idea about subject lectures as I've only ever worked open days at my college and never with my subject. Saying that, I'd assume it's fine if you're Year 11, especially as some students would use them to help them choose their A-Levels. You'd have to ask but for Materials Science, because it isn't offered at A-Level, they may well be more lenient. They may have a sign-up thing in which case if you need to be Year 12, they'll tell you, but you can try and sign up and see. If they don't explicitly say you need to be, you can probably assume you're in the clear.
In terms of visiting the colleges, you absolutely can in Year 11.

Ok thank you so much, I'll see if I can sign up for the open day now 🙂 Although I haven't done much research into cambridge colleges between the end of gcses and the open day should be plenty of time