Natural Sciences

What would I study and how do courses differ?

There are currently over 14 UK universities offering a course titled Natural Science, of which only eight are in the Russell Group.

You will be signing up for either a three year BSc or a four year MSci degree. Most universities allow you to change during the course – check individual web sites for detailed information. The MSci is particularly useful if you are interested in a career in research.

The structure of the course varies significantly from university to university; some demand that you specialise early e.g. into Biological or Physical Sciences. It is important that you research your course carefully to ensure that you are interested in all of the modules/lecture courses that you will encounter. You need to investigate the subject combinations/streams/routes/pathways for each university.

Do you want a year’s work experience as part of your degree? Does the course you are applying for offer this as an option? Adding practical experience to your degree is highly valuable to your career. If you are keen to continue a Language you should also consider this as part of your short listing process.

What are typical entry requirements?

Many of the top universities are asking for A*AA. Do not be surprised if they ask for A*A*A! Durham: after the first year of Nat Sci it may be possible to transfer to a Single Honours degree if you decide that is what you want. Because of this, Admissions’ Tutors do not want Nat Sci to be seen as a back door into a Single Honours course. Hence if you are taking Physics based Nat Sci then the entry requirements will be the same as for single honours Physics e.g. A*A in Physics and Maths.

If you are taking Further Maths then Tutors require A* in Maths and A in Further Maths.

Birmingham: A*AA. The A* can be in any of the three subjects. Nottingham: A*AA or AAA. Depending on which ‘pathway’ you have chosen.

Many universities do not accept UCAS points A*AC is not the same as AAB.

The precise entry requirements can be found by consulting www.ucas.ac.uk and clicking Course Search, or researching individual university websites.

Are there any essential or recommended A Levels?

Natural Science has become popular in recent years. Two Science subjects and Maths are the commonly preferred A Levels. It really depends on what stream or path you

will be following; in some cases Maths A Level may not be a course requirement –you must research university requirements carefully. Cambridge does say that they make offers to students who only have Single Maths, but our experience is that they are looking for students with Further Maths A Level.

Which is the best university for Natural Science?

It is important that you research the courses carefully making sure that you are able to select the courses/modules that interest you. The question “What is the best university?” is really asking “What is the best university for XXX student?” and that is up to you!

Is there any special advice for Oxbridge applicants?

Oxford does not offer a course in Natural Science, preferring to keep to the traditional course titles. They do offer courses in: Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular), Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences (Geology), Chemistry and Physics. You must consider what is going to help you stand out from the crowd. Cambridge is inundated with students with very high module scores – what will make you special? Work experience and reading books will help.

Cambridge colleges ask you to take a test at interview or take the Thinking Skills Assessment which assesses critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Cambridge does say that they make offers to students who only have Single Maths, but our experience is that they are looking for students with Further Maths A Level.

What is important for my personal statement or interview?

“A good personal statement should make it clear why the candidate wants to read their particular subject and supply concrete evidence of that enthusiasm. It should reflect the distinctive style and characteristics of its author” Nicholas Shrimpton Vice-Principal Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.

Your personal statement is an opportunity to tell the university not only why you are interested in Natural Sciences but also why that university should be interested in you; those who can support their application with evidence will stand out, for the right reasons! Universities are looking for applicants who are interested in studying more than one subject throughout their three or four years of undergraduate study. They expect the personal statement to reflect this interest. If in the personal statement an interest is only expressed in a single subject, then such applicants will be less likely to receive an offer.

Use language that makes you sound enthusiastic and passionate about Natural Sciences and that you understand how it differs from a Single Honours programmme, and why that is important to you. Bring in personal qualities and achievements to show why you are suited to study at university and why Natural Sciences, in particular, appeals.

It is important that you read widely outside your A Level specification. Your reading should demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding for the subject(s) and help make you stand out from the crowd.

Enthusiastic students are also members of a professional society e.g. Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry and Society of Biology. Outside of school, have you attended talks at universities?

Do I need to do work experience?

Work experience helps demonstrate to the Admissions Tutors how motivated you are. It gives you a chance to confirm that you know something about the world of work you are about to enter and that you understand where four years of study will take you. You should speak to Mrs Nash in the Careers Office about what she has available (Year 11 will take priority) and be prepared to send your own CV with a covering letter to employers.

Nuffield Foundation Science Bursaries offer extended work placements (four to six weeks) and money towards travel costs. Headstart courses offer a very wide range of courses at different universities and are considered a worthwhile way of gaining an insight into what you will be doing at university. The Year in Industry (YINI) organisation offer help in finding gap year employers.

Which jobs can I do with Natural Sciences?

Many employers prefer the advantages of a diverse multidisciplinary Science degree. Because of the way in which the Natural Sciences programme is structured you will be used to making connections between different areas of Science, this is an important skill in the modern workplace. By combining more than one area of study you will graduate with a greater breadth of subject knowledge than Single Honours students.

Natural Sciences graduates have the potential to enter a variety of careers including: Technical Consultancy; Industrial Research; Science and Mathematics Teaching; IT support; Scientific Journalism; Accountancy and Finance; Management Consultancy; Community Work and Industrial Law. Many graduates also choose to take their studies further, to Masters or PhD level.

For many jobs the skills you have developed are more important than the content of your degree and a Natural Science degree will enable you to have developed a wealth of skills.

These include:

Ability to research, evaluate, critically interpret and analyse information Communication in written, verbal and presentational forms Ability to work methodically and accurately Decision making and ability to self-manage

Am I likely to be called for interview?

For Cambridge you can expect two demanding interviews as well as the college testing procedure. Bath: Generally, applicants are not interviewed. Nottingham University say:

“Offers to school-leavers are usually made without an interview, but all successful candidates will be invited to the UCAS visit days when they receive their offer. The aim of the visit is for you to ensure that you will be entering an institution that meets your needs and aspirations.” Durham: At present say they do not interview.

For Chemistry preparation tackle problems on Cambridge challenge. Physics: have a look at the many ‘problem solving’ books in the library as well as Isaac Physics and I want to Study Engineering. Do the problems on the and Physics/Chemistry Olympiad past papers are also good for interview preparation.

Deferred entry

Nottingham University say: “We are happy to accept applications more than 12 months before the date of admission if you have sensible plans for making use of your gap year, or good reasons for deferring. It is best to apply for your place before you take a year out as you will then know that you have a place waiting for you. If you choose to defer with a gap year then make sure you make good use of this year in your own development.”

Is there any particular reading I should do?

Your reading should be based on your interests in the subject(s) you are taking and combine with your personal statement to help make you stand out from the crowd. Quoting books from a prescribed reading list may only demonstrate just how dull you are! Best advice is just to start reading and go on from there. The school library has an excellent range of books. Book shops near universities will have a wider range of science books than those in small towns.

Related degrees

The benefit of Nat Sci is that it offers a significant flexibility of study throughout your degree. Hence related degree titles tend to make you specialise earlier. Other degrees might include: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry and Biomedical Physics. See the UCAS website for a detailed listing.