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Oxford Chemistry vs Cambridge NatSci?

Hi, I’m in Year 12 and thinking about uni choices. I’m taking Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Latin. I want to study chemistry but the broader range of subjects in natsci also intrigues me? I’m still not sure if I want to study purely chemistry or a mix of sciences. Should I apply to Oxford chemistry or Cambridge NatSci? I like Cambridge the city more than Oxford having been to both but I’m worried that without further maths, I would be disadvantaged if I apply for physical NatSci at Cambridge.
Does anyone know if I specify that I mainly want to study chemistry, would I be disadvantaged without further maths?
Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

Reply 1

Heyy, im in Y13 and do maths chem physics German and just got into oxford chem. I briefly considered cambridge physical natsci but i decided against it bc of the exam would give me extra work in the summer and first half term (which would have been soo stressful bc first term was very intense and i needed the summer to relax before Y13 haha) and they typically give out higher grade offers (A*A*A*A vs A*A*A at oxford). I also think like 90% of physical natsci offer holders took further maths so I think you would probs be at a slight disadvantage BUT IDK FOR SURE (especially if your skl doesnt offer further). In terms of oxford chem I dont think not doing further is a disadvantage as long as you are good at maths bc they test maths skills in interviews. I honestly think physics is wayy more useful as they asked physics questions in the interviews. Also Ik someone who didnt take physics and still got asked physics stuff in her interview but idk anyone who got asked further maths stuff.

Reply 2

Original post
by heavenly-home
Hi, I’m in Year 12 and thinking about uni choices. I’m taking Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Latin. I want to study chemistry but the broader range of subjects in natsci also intrigues me? I’m still not sure if I want to study purely chemistry or a mix of sciences. Should I apply to Oxford chemistry or Cambridge NatSci? I like Cambridge the city more than Oxford having been to both but I’m worried that without further maths, I would be disadvantaged if I apply for physical NatSci at Cambridge.
Does anyone know if I specify that I mainly want to study chemistry, would I be disadvantaged without further maths?
Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

"I’m still not sure if I want to study purely chemistry or a mix of sciences. "
This sounds like you might prefer Cambridge natsci

Reply 3

Original post
by Fiana2727
Heyy, im in Y13 and do maths chem physics German and just got into oxford chem. I briefly considered cambridge physical natsci but i decided against it bc of the exam would give me extra work in the summer and first half term (which would have been soo stressful bc first term was very intense and i needed the summer to relax before Y13 haha) and they typically give out higher grade offers (A*A*A*A vs A*A*A at oxford). I also think like 90% of physical natsci offer holders took further maths so I think you would probs be at a slight disadvantage BUT IDK FOR SURE (especially if your skl doesnt offer further). In terms of oxford chem I dont think not doing further is a disadvantage as long as you are good at maths bc they test maths skills in interviews. I honestly think physics is wayy more useful as they asked physics questions in the interviews. Also Ik someone who didnt take physics and still got asked physics stuff in her interview but idk anyone who got asked further maths stuff.

Congratulations on your offer!!! Can I ask what were the interviews like? Did they ask any biology questions??

Reply 4

Original post
by Muu9
"I’m still not sure if I want to study purely chemistry or a mix of sciences. "
This sounds like you might prefer Cambridge natsci

I do prefer it slightly more, but Im worried I’ll be disadvantaged by not having FM (since my school offers it, I just didn’t take it…)

Reply 5

Original post
by heavenly-home
I do prefer it slightly more, but Im worried I’ll be disadvantaged by not having FM (since my school offers it, I just didn’t take it…)

Can you self study as fm and join in y13

Reply 6

Original post
by Muu9
Can you self study as fm and join in y13
I don’t think my school allows it… I could do the Edexel Maths Advanced Extension Award but not FM

Reply 7

Original post
by heavenly-home
I don’t think my school allows it… I could do the Edexel Maths Advanced Extension Award but not FM

Can you take as FM as a private candidate

Reply 8

Original post
by heavenly-home
Hi, I’m in Year 12 and thinking about uni choices. I’m taking Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Latin. I want to study chemistry but the broader range of subjects in natsci also intrigues me? I’m still not sure if I want to study purely chemistry or a mix of sciences. Should I apply to Oxford chemistry or Cambridge NatSci? I like Cambridge the city more than Oxford having been to both but I’m worried that without further maths, I would be disadvantaged if I apply for physical NatSci at Cambridge.
Does anyone know if I specify that I mainly want to study chemistry, would I be disadvantaged without further maths?
Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

hi! i'm a cambridge natsci offer holder and take maths, fm, physics and chem. if you aren't 100% sure that you want to study a single science, you're much better off going for natsci because you can always specialise later down the line, instead of locking yourself out of options early on as a single science degree could do. that being said, with your supercurricular activities, it'd be ideal for you to explore a range of areas to decide if it is the broad content you'd study in natsci that interests you, or just chemistry - i found myself wanting to read extensively from different areas of science so that told me natsci was the right choice

i actually met the director of chemistry at a cambridge open day and he did say that it's very useful for chemistry students to have taken further maths, so i think with that in mind, it would be ideal for you to do some advanced maths course regardless of which you apply to from cambridge or oxford. if nothing else, doing more maths than a level single maths will set you up better for your degree and interviews so it's worth doing even if not a formal requirement.

i do hope this helps, and best of luck!

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