When considering an application to Oxbridge, the first thing to consider is that you can only apply to one of the two: Oxford OR Cambridge. Given that these prestigious universities are mutually exclusive options, it is important to understand the differences in degree choices, structure and content. In this detailed article, I will break down how an application to the Natural Science (NatSci) course at Cambridge works, what content is covered in the NatSci course and how it compares to the equivalent standalone subjects at Oxford, and how to decide whether studying science at Oxford or Cambridge is more suitable for you. Let's get to it!
Contents:
Natural Sciences overview and comparison with Oxford
Both Oxford and Cambridge use interviews to select applicants and both have a collegiate system, but when it comes to most science subjects that's where the similarities end!
First of all, at Cambridge, you cannot apply for a degree in a single science subject, but rather science is taught under the Natural Sciences framework. NatSci is a broad degree that combines physical and biological sciences from 16 departments. It lasts 3 or 4 years depending on your subject choices with a gradual movement towards specialisation by the end of your degree. The only science-related subjects that can be taken as a degree in isolation at Cambridge are Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Engineering and Psychological and Behavioural Sciences. At Cambridge, the 'core' scientific disciplines of Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science are built into the NatSci framework. At Oxford, this group of subjects, as well as Biomedical Sciences, Earth Sciences and Human Sciences are all available as individual degrees. Natural Sciences is not a degree option at Oxford.
Natural Sciences application process and subject requirements
You may be asking yourself? How does Natural Sciences at Cambridge work then? The first step is that when applying on UCAS, students must select if they are interested in 'Biological' or 'Physical' sciences. This decision is largely shaped by your A-Level/IB/equivalent subject choices. For 2018, 2019 and 2023 entries to Natural Sciences (Biological), Maths, Biology and Chemistry were each taken by over 95% of successful applicants, whereas only 29% and 36% took Physics and Further Maths, respectively. For Natural Sciences (Physical), 97% took Physics, 92% took Further Maths, 89% took Chemistry, and all successful applicants took Maths. Only 9% took Biology. In other words, to apply for Natural Sciences, you need Maths regardless (also a mandatory subject for all science degrees at Oxford except for Biology, Biomedical Sciences, and Human Sciences), and probably Chemistry too. Essentially, if you take Chemistry with Physics or Further Maths and not Biology, it's Physical Natural Sciences for you. If you take Chemistry with Biology and not Physics, it's Biological Natural Sciences. The reason for choosing between 'Physical' and 'Biological' is to ensure you are given an appropriate interview.
Natural Sciences first-year content
Once accepted for Natural Sciences at Cambridge, you will work with a Director of Studies to choose your first-year subjects, choosing three science subjects and one maths subject.
Experimental Science:
Biology of Cells
Chemistry
Earth Sciences
Evolution & Behaviour
Introduction to Experimental Psychology
Materials Science
Physics
Physiology of Organisms
Maths:
Mathematics
Mathematical Biology
The figure below, taken from the Cambridge Natural Sciences course website, shows the subject requirements for each subject.
Making sense of Natural Sciences first-year subjects and comparison to Oxford equivalents
These subjects, shape your future subject choices in the later years of your degree and put you towards a path of specialisation. This point is crucial. Natural Sciences is not a general broad science degree where you loosely study Chemistry, Biology and Physics for four years. Instead, you are given the freedom to choose a range of subjects in first year to help guide your specialist subject by the end of your degree.
So perhaps you are unsure about what each of these NatSci subjects contain, how they fit together and what their equivalents at Oxford would be?
For example, Evolution and Behaviour would be a significant component of the Oxford Biology degree first-year course. It takes a 'species-level view' of Biological systems. Biology of Cells covers biological macromolecules and membranes, genetics, cell division and is equivalent to the core content of first-year Biochemistry at Oxford. Physiology of Organisms takes an 'organ-level' view of human biology, and also includes plant and microbial physiology as well. Its somewhat of a fusion between the first-year programme of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences and Biochemistry programme at Oxford. For someone who loves studying biological systems in all possible ways, these three subjects would be a perfect combination. Pairing one or two of these with Experimental Psychology and/or Chemistry would also be a suitable combination. For applicants to Physical NatSci, the choice is probably more clear cut: Maths and Physics with Earth Sciences or Material Sciences.
Natural Sciences in years 2 and beyond
How does your first year set up the rest of your Nat Sci degree? In your second year, you choose 3 subjects from a broader range of around 20 more specialised subjects and your options are highly dependent on your choices in your first year.
Second year subject list for 2024-25
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology of Disease
Cell and Developmental Biology
Chemistry A
Chemistry B
Earth Sciences A
Earth Sciences B
Ecology & Conservation
Evolution & Animal Diversity
Experimental Psychology
History and Philosophy of Science
Materials Science
Mathematical and Computational Biology
Mathematics
Neurobiology
Pharmacology
Physics A
Physics B
Physiology
Plant and Microbial Sciences
Quantitative Environmental Science
For example, to study Chemistry in year 2, itself split into Chemistry A (physical, computational and inorganic) and B (organic and biological). you need to study Chemistry in your first year. It works very much the same for Physics. On the other hand, second-year subjects like Biology of Disease, Ecology & Conservation do not require any specific subjects from the first year, but naturally, students would benefit from having taken relevant courses such as Biology of Cells or Evolution and Behaviour. Completely new subjects such as Quantitative Environmental Science, Pharmacology and History and Philosophy of Science are also introduced as options. By the second year of NatSci at Cambridge, you have the option to really specialise: a student who took Chemistry, Materials Science and Biology of Cells may end up studying Chemistry A, B and Materials Science or Pharmacology. This clearly lends itself towards a scientific specialisation as a synthetic chemist, drug development researcher or materials scientist. Ecological conservationism and astrophysics are remote possibilities at this stage. However, you can still choose to remain relatively broad, although not all subject combinations will be permitted.
It is only in your third year that you can finally commit to a single subject, some of which lead to a four-year MSci degree, while others see you finish with a B.A degree after 3 years. The full list of subjects for years three and four are detailed here. Students can also choose a more general course, either Biological and Biomedical Sciences or Physical Sciences, and complete their NatSci degree after 3 years with both breadth and depth.
Should I study science at Oxford or Cambridge?
Now that we understand how the NatSci at Cambridge works, let's discuss the pros and cons and whether studying science at Oxford may be a more suitable option.
Clearly, the benefit of applying to read NatSci at Cambridge is that you allow yourself more time to decide on your academic and professional interests. This can be extremely important. Whilst not always the case, physicists are typically more likely to retrain or work in fields such as chemistry and biology, than the other way around. A student unsure between Chemistry and Physics who chooses to study Chemistry at Oxford would put themselves at a greater disadvantage should they want to retrain and work in a more physics-related field. The equivalent Natural Sciences student can continue with both Physics and Chemistry until the second year and make an informed decision, perhaps after gaining some laboratory experience during a summer internship.
The disadvantage of applying to read NatSci instead of a standalone Oxford course is that the entry requirements are higher at Cambridge. This is especially notable when it comes to the biological sciences. At Oxford, Biochemistry requires A*AA at A-Level, with two science subjects (Maths not required) and the A* in one of them with no admissions test. Biology at Oxford is similar: A*AA in biology and one other science, and no admissions test. On the other hand, a student applying to NatSci (Biological), will require A*A*A at a bare minimum in three science subjects including Maths. In reality, NatSci students need A*A*A* (or equivalent): in 2018, 2019, and 2023, 76% of successful applicants for NatSci (Biological) and 97% of NatSci (Physical) achieved A*A*A*. On top of this, all NatSci applicants must take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT), a multiple-choice exam composed of an obligatory Maths 1 module and a choice of two modules from Maths 2, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. A student interested in Physics will find that an application to Oxford or Cambridge almost equally hard. Both require an admissions test (Oxford uses the Physics Assessment Test), although Oxford only sets a minimum of A*AA to be considered.
So, who might benefit from studying science at Oxford instead of Cambridge? Probably a student who is clear in their subject interest and doesn't feel the need to have a broad interdisciplinary education for 2 to 3 years. Students confidently interested exclusively in Biochemistry or Biology may particularly benefit from an application to Oxford due to the easier admissions requirements if getting an Oxbridge degree is the ultimate aim.
Ultimately, there are many factors that have to be taken into account to decide between Oxford and Cambridge, and not just academic and admissions-related ones. The vibes of each city, the facilities associated with a particular college (see my advice on choosing a college here), and travel, geography and family reasons may also come into play. Regardless of whether you choose Oxford or Cambridge, getting accepted into either of these world-class universities is an exceptional achievement.
How can ElvisOxfordCoach help?
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