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Can you do medical physics with a natural sciences degree?

I'm really interested in doing natural sciences at uni but I don't know what job I would want when I'm done. Atm I do physics, chemistry and maths a level. I was interested in medicine but I don't take biology, which is slightly problematic... I started looking at medical physics and I think that would be better for me than medicine and something that would interest me more. I can see myself getting a job in this field when I'm finished with uni. However, studying natural sciences at uni and choosing both the physics and chemistry topics appeals to me much more than studying medical physics. I'm just not sure what I would do with a natural sciences degree... Is it possible after doing a bachelors in natural sciences to do a masters in medical physics? Or something like that? Or should I just look for a medical physics bachelors course and forget natural sciences?
Original post by HowellH343
I'm really interested in doing natural sciences at uni but I don't know what job I would want when I'm done. Atm I do physics, chemistry and maths a level. I was interested in medicine but I don't take biology, which is slightly problematic... I started looking at medical physics and I think that would be better for me than medicine and something that would interest me more. I can see myself getting a job in this field when I'm finished with uni. However, studying natural sciences at uni and choosing both the physics and chemistry topics appeals to me much more than studying medical physics. I'm just not sure what I would do with a natural sciences degree... Is it possible after doing a bachelors in natural sciences to do a masters in medical physics? Or something like that? Or should I just look for a medical physics bachelors course and forget natural sciences?

Hi,
I think it would be possible to study a masters in medical physics after studying natural sciences at undergraduate. I've had a quick look and most courses I've seen require a 2:1 or above in 'physics' or a 'physics-related subject' or a 'physical science.' This would include natural sciences if you study pathways in physics and chemistry. I'd advise looking for universities that specialise in medical physics and seeing if they also run natural sciences courses in which you are able to study medical physics modules? It's really important for motivation over the course of your degree that you are studying something that you're interested in so I'd definitely say only apply for courses that you are actually interested in. I study natural sciences and I've really enjoyed being able to focus on my interests.
At Lancaster there aren't any medical physics modules at undergrad but I know that for your fourth year project, if you do an integrated master's, you can do a biophysics/medical physics oriented project. These are often quite interdisciplinary so studying natural sciences can be an advantage.
Hope this helps,
Becky (Lancaster University student ambassador)
(edited 11 months ago)

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