This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

cambridge natsci or oxford biochem?

i dont really know which one to choose
cambridge natural science or
oxford biochemistry, cellular and molecular
natsci in cam gives me more flexibility but the course is oxford is easier to get in

help me please!!!!!!!!

Reply 1

munro90

12

natsic in cam!!!! More Nobel prize winners (and andrew wyllie :love:

)
the flexibility of the course is brilliant and will let you follow your interests as they develop. PLUS cambridge is a much nicer place than oxford
just my two penneth :smile:

Reply 2

xinolisss

10

I think flexibility is definitely a plus in Cambridge, bias aside obviously.

You may think that Biochem is not for you after a year or two, and hence there are many more routes for you through Cambridge NatSci. This said, I don't know exactly about the internal procedures for BioChem at Oxford you may be able to switch too, but there are definitely more options at Cambridge. For instance you can switch to Maths, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering...

Reply 3

overtherainbow

10

Cambridge is normally classed as the better uni for sciences but then by posting in this forum you're going to get a cambridge bias...

Reply 4

epicist

I was in a similar dilemma when I applied last October- stuck between cambridge natsci and oxford biochem. In the end I chose to apply to Cambridge simply because of the flexibility which others have already mentioned; I wasn't sure that if I was willing to specialise in biochemistry and liked the fact that natural sciences allowed you to move into other disciplines.

Do you solely want to study Biochemistry? Would you mind or enjoy studying other scientific subjects?

And also, I seem to remember there not being a huge difference between success rate in Oxford and Cambridge for the 2 courses, so it shouldn't play a major factor in your decision.

Reply 5

MC REN

14

pretty sure getting into the oxford course won't be a walk in the park

Reply 6

ixivxivi

11

At oxford there basically isn't any choice at all in the course until 4th year. Plus I think the fact that so many people seem to change from what they originally wanted to do on the NatSci course slightly disturbing, since here scientists don't really have the option. On the other hand, Oxford is so much nicer than Cambridge :p:

I (biochem, ox) didn't really have any choice since I only did Chem & Bio A-level equivalents, and I think there was v. little option in the NatSci course if I didn't want to do lots of macro-biology or geology. Plus I hearted Oxford when I visited, but never really clicked with Camb.

Another thing, tho' no idea how it is compared to Cam - I'm not that convinced that the tutorial system works very well for Biochemistry. I think for Biology apparently it's fine because there's room for debate, and in Chem & Physics & also the more physical, mathsy bits of biochem it's quite good in a kind of logic-puzzle kind of way, and it's good there for finding out what you're doing wrong, but the large majority of Bioch seems to involve just kind of learning big swathes of pathways or protein functions, which while it can be pretty interesting, is fairly useless to tute on - you've done your essay on the subject before the tute, if you've done it well, you'll know everything the tutor will bring up & the tute'll be pointless except as a kind of simplified revision lecture, and if you've done the essay badly then the tute will still be pretty useless since the point is just to learn lots in detail, which you don't get from an hour of someone talking, but do from reading.

Reply 7

psyche87

8

I'd definitely prefer natsci to biochem (then again I'm probably biased as I really like the way the natsci course is structured).

Before I came to university, if you asked me what I thought I might like to specialise in I might have said biochemistry (though this may have been due to a lack of knowledge beyond a passing acquaintance with the other fields of biology).

After the first two years (as a medic; but the same principle of flexibility applies), having learnt bits of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, neurobiology and reproduction, I decided that though biochemistry was still interesting, I was far more interested in pathology.

Am now doing my third year in pathology - and it's an aspect of biology that didn't even cross my mind three years ago when I was applying for university!

Reply 8

Nimbus

12

Hey guys, sorry for intruding..xD

I'm just wondering, if you weren't involved in any "research projects" (e.g. like the nuffield thing), would this disadvantage you in any way since the people I know who applied/got into cambridge for Natsci all did some sort of "work experience". Just wondering.

And also, what kind of "science experience" should you gain if you want to apply to either? Thanks! =D

Reply 9

cpchem

14

Nimbus

Hey guys, sorry for intruding..xD

I'm just wondering, if you weren't involved in any "research projects" (e.g. like the nuffield thing), would this disadvantage you in any way since the people I know who applied/got into cambridge for Natsci all did some sort of "work experience". Just wondering.

And also, what kind of "science experience" should you gain if you want to apply to either? Thanks! =D

It's very difficult to get any kind of meaningful scientific work experience while you're still at school, so lack of such experience won't be looked down upon.

Reply 10

Jenii

15

Natscis have lectures on Saturdays!! But the course has more flexibility.

Reply 11

Zygroth

14

Nimbus

Hey guys, sorry for intruding..xD

I'm just wondering, if you weren't involved in any "research projects" (e.g. like the nuffield thing), would this disadvantage you in any way since the people I know who applied/got into cambridge for Natsci all did some sort of "work experience". Just wondering.

And also, what kind of "science experience" should you gain if you want to apply to either? Thanks! =D

You should try Emailing your regional coordinator and see if any new spots have come up for the Nuffield Bursaries (London?) - I only found out about it sometime in March/April, and applied way past the deadline. All the places were filled up originally, but the coordinator found me a place after I sent a few Emails :smile:

Reply 12

Nimbus

12

Thanks and Zygroth for the help. ^__^
Ouuu, Saturday lectures! Tbh, I ACTUALLY want to go to one.... xD

Zygroth

You should try Emailing your regional coordinator and see if any new spots have come up for the Nuffield Bursaries (London?) - I only found out about it sometime in March/April, and applied way past the deadline. All the places were filled up originally, but the coordinator found me a place after I sent a few Emails :smile:

Yep I've tried last week but I still haven't heard anything from them, should I wait for a while or send another though? o__O (btw, my region is "not so science-active" :p:

it's the south btw. xD).

I was just wondering, are there any other similar "summer" things? I'm planning to attend some science lectures and conferences (only if I can get in tho..o__o), are they worth it?
Also, (sorry about the questions! >_<), would a science residential course count as a "science experience"? xD Or are they more like the lecture/conferences?

Reply 13

Zygroth

14

Nimbus

Yep I've tried last week but I still haven't heard anything from them, should I wait for a while or send another though? o__O (btw, my region is "not so science-active" :p:

it's the south btw. xD).

As in they're not even replying? :/ Try another region that's close to you, maybe you can find something there? If not, don't worry too much about it; I learnt very, very little on mine, and it seemed most others in London thought the same.

Reply 14

Nimbus

12

Zygroth

As in they're not even replying? :/ Try another region that's close to you, maybe you can find something there? If not, don't worry too much about it; I learnt very, very little on mine, and it seemed most others in London thought the same.

Well, I can't really say on that, it's just I haven't had a reply at all. Hmm, will try (might try London actually..hehehe..xD).
Btw, just out of interest, what did you and other alike, do on the course? Did you carry out experiments and worked on real research? Thanks a lot for the help! ^_^

Reply 15

Zygroth

14

Nimbus

Well, I can't really say on that, it's just I haven't had a reply at all. Hmm, will try (might try London actually..hehehe..xD).
Btw, just out of interest, what did you and other alike, do on the course? Did you carry out experiments and worked on real research? Thanks a lot for the help! ^_^

Well you could try calling them, so they can't really ignore you :p:

The problem with applying for a placement so far away is you have to get there a few times a week for at least 4 weeks. You could always just go around asking institutions themselves if they'll do it, cause I think they get paid for taking a student on this thing so you might have some luck there.

cambridge natsci or oxford biochem?

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated