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Natural science or Biochemistry?

I am a year 12 student studying maths, fm, biology and chemistry. At the moment I am planning on applying to oxbridge but A I’m not sure if I would get in and B I don’t know which course.

I am deciding between natural science at Cambridge or biochemistry/biology/any specific science course at Oxford. I prefer biology to chemistry, but I am not particularly interested in any subject area so am thinking natural science would be beneficial as it has a broader range? But I don’t take physics and I believe it is a harder course to get into than biochemistry for example.

Also I am unsure if I could get in, I have good grades but for example in the chemistry Olympiad I only just got a bronze, and in the bio Olympiad I only got highly commended. Any advice on which course and if you think I have a chance of getting an offer would be appreciated.

Reply 1

Ariale

Original post by Swbisdoubedixsi

I am a year 12 student studying maths, fm, biology and chemistry. At the moment I am planning on applying to oxbridge but A I’m not sure if I would get in and B I don’t know which course.
I am deciding between natural science at Cambridge or biochemistry/biology/any specific science course at Oxford. I prefer biology to chemistry, but I am not particularly interested in any subject area so am thinking natural science would be beneficial as it has a broader range? But I don’t take physics and I believe it is a harder course to get into than biochemistry for example.
Also I am unsure if I could get in, I have good grades but for example in the chemistry Olympiad I only just got a bronze, and in the bio Olympiad I only got highly commended. Any advice on which course and if you think I have a chance of getting an offer would be appreciated.

What is your gcse grades? Do you have any AS official exams for ucat predicted grade in may?

Reply 2

UEA Rep Fatma

Official Rep

Original post by Swbisdoubedixsi

I am a year 12 student studying maths, fm, biology and chemistry. At the moment I am planning on applying to oxbridge but A I’m not sure if I would get in and B I don’t know which course.
I am deciding between natural science at Cambridge or biochemistry/biology/any specific science course at Oxford. I prefer biology to chemistry, but I am not particularly interested in any subject area so am thinking natural science would be beneficial as it has a broader range? But I don’t take physics and I believe it is a harder course to get into than biochemistry for example.
Also I am unsure if I could get in, I have good grades but for example in the chemistry Olympiad I only just got a bronze, and in the bio Olympiad I only got highly commended. Any advice on which course and if you think I have a chance of getting an offer would be appreciated.

Hi! @Swbisdoubedixsi 🙂
First of all, it's great you're already think ahead!
I'm currently a second year natural sciences student at UEA and I will say Natural Sciences does give you more freedom in terms of modules. You essentially get to build your own degree. I personally originally applied for chemistry but I still wanted to study biology and Natural Sciences allowed me specifically pick what areas of each subject I get to study. I still study a lot of the Biochemistry modules but in doing Natural Sciences I am also able to do physical chemistry, which I enjoy.

Biochemistry does have a lot of chemistry in it but, as you prefer the biology side, you can check specific university courses to get an idea of what modules they focus on. I'd highly recommend you do this, especially for second and third years as you will be able to chose optional modules during these years.

I'd also recommend going to visit the universities if you haven't already. They will usually have subject specific talks and you can talk to the professors who lead the course. Going to actually see the university does make it slightly easier choose.
Ultimately, it will depend on what you prefer and no one can make this decision for you. However, saying that, don't feel pressured to make a choice straight away! 🙂
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions!
Fatma.

Reply 3

Wired_1800

Original post by Swbisdoubedixsi

I am a year 12 student studying maths, fm, biology and chemistry. At the moment I am planning on applying to oxbridge but A I’m not sure if I would get in and B I don’t know which course.
I am deciding between natural science at Cambridge or biochemistry/biology/any specific science course at Oxford. I prefer biology to chemistry, but I am not particularly interested in any subject area so am thinking natural science would be beneficial as it has a broader range? But I don’t take physics and I believe it is a harder course to get into than biochemistry for example.
Also I am unsure if I could get in, I have good grades but for example in the chemistry Olympiad I only just got a bronze, and in the bio Olympiad I only got highly commended. Any advice on which course and if you think I have a chance of getting an offer would be appreciated.

Stick with Natural Sciences at Cambridge

Natural Sciences at Cambridge
You’ll have the option to study a wide range of physical and biological science subjects from 14 different departments:

•

Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics

•

Astronomy

•

Biochemistry

•

Chemistry

•

Earth Sciences

•

Genetics

•

History and Philosophy of Science

•

Materials Science and Metallurgy

•

Pathology

•

Pharmacology

•

Physics

•

Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

•

Plant Sciences

•

Zoology

During your first and second year you will study a variety of subjects, some of which may be completely new to you.

You can change your mind about which subject to specialise in as you progress through the course.
You can choose to study purely biological sciences, purely physical sciences or a combination of both.

If you discover a passion for a new subject, such as Earth Sciences or Materials Science, you will be able to continue with it after your first year.

Choosing between Natural Sciences Biological and Physical

When you apply, you’ll need to tell us whether you’re interested in Biological or Physical Sciences. We use this information in the admissions process.

Your choice of application stream, and the courses that you are currently studying, will affect the types of questions that are asked at interview.

It is best to apply for Physical Sciences if you have studied Physics and Maths A levels. This is because your interview will be on subjects that you have already studied.

On the course, you can take physical and biological science options. But you won’t choose which subjects to study within the Natural Sciences course until you arrive.

https://www.natsci.tripos.cam.ac.uk/prospective-students/admissions

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences-ba-hons-msci

Reply 4

goaway1239846

Original post by Swbisdoubedixsi

I am a year 12 student studying maths, fm, biology and chemistry. At the moment I am planning on applying to oxbridge but A I’m not sure if I would get in and B I don’t know which course.
I am deciding between natural science at Cambridge or biochemistry/biology/any specific science course at Oxford. I prefer biology to chemistry, but I am not particularly interested in any subject area so am thinking natural science would be beneficial as it has a broader range? But I don’t take physics and I believe it is a harder course to get into than biochemistry for example.
Also I am unsure if I could get in, I have good grades but for example in the chemistry Olympiad I only just got a bronze, and in the bio Olympiad I only got highly commended. Any advice on which course and if you think I have a chance of getting an offer would be appreciated.

If you’re considering Cambridge NatSci, look at the part IA options for natsci and see if you could come up with a combination you like (actually like) the sound of.

And just to note that biochemistry at Oxford is what it says on the tin: molecular and cellular so it will have a significant chemistry aspect to it

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 5

Swbisdoubedixsi

Original post by Ariale

What is your gcse grades? Do you have any AS official exams for ucat predicted grade in may?

I got all 9s at GCSE, and am predicted an A in AS further maths. I don’t have my other A level predicted grades yet but at the moment I would guess A* maths, A fm, A* biology and A chemistry

Reply 6

biochemintern

Original post by Swbisdoubedixsi

I am a year 12 student studying maths, fm, biology and chemistry. At the moment I am planning on applying to oxbridge but A I’m not sure if I would get in and B I don’t know which course.
I am deciding between natural science at Cambridge or biochemistry/biology/any specific science course at Oxford. I prefer biology to chemistry, but I am not particularly interested in any subject area so am thinking natural science would be beneficial as it has a broader range? But I don’t take physics and I believe it is a harder course to get into than biochemistry for example.
Also I am unsure if I could get in, I have good grades but for example in the chemistry Olympiad I only just got a bronze, and in the bio Olympiad I only got highly commended. Any advice on which course and if you think I have a chance of getting an offer would be appreciated.

off to do oxford biochem

defo do cambridge natsci if you prefer biology over chemistry. oxford biochemistry is heavily chemistry based - like your just doing chem but from a biological perspective. in camrbidge bio natsci you can choose other courses and if you end up actually preferring biochem you can always just choose it.

oxford biochem is all of the proteins, enzymes, respiration sorts of stuff from a level and Cambridge natsci will be more like everything you wanna do!

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