NATURAL SCIENCES IS DIFFICULT | Cambridge University 🌌🔭
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2021
- This is Part 2 of my videos explaining Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where I tried to cover more information and give a honest review of the course!
If you would like to see Part 1, where I explain more about supervisions and the general NatSci life by comparing it to the movie depiction in The Theory of Everything, it is here!
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More detailed information about the Natural Sciences course at Cambridge can be found on the website at this link:
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Please leave a comment if you have any questions that you would like clarified, or if you have any suggestions or requests for another video e.g. explaining the Natural Sciences course in more detail! Alternatively you can find me on instagram @naproud and message me there :)
By the way, I thought I would clarify that the Natural Sciences course is often shortened to 'NatSci' (pronounced nat-ski, which you might hear me using interchangeably in this video). 'Phys NatSci' is what we use to call people who study physical natural sciences.
tags:
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hi! Please feel free to comment below any questions and I’ll try my best to answer them! Also any video suggestions are welcome :)
As a fellow Cambridge NatSci I definitely agree with basically everything you’ve said. It’s a lot! There’s so much work! And I constantly feel stupid but I know I’m doing the right thing and I couldn’t get a degree like cam NatSci anywhere else
yeah it’s really true! thank you for your comment though, and hope that tripos is going okay for you atm!
Helped me with my Natsci application, tyvm! :3
you’re welcome, glad I helped! :)
Is there any way you could go down a biophysics route? I love the idea of combining bio and physics, especially neurophysics- but that sort of course is only offered at king's college atm I think
Hi I’m not too sure about neurophysiology specifically but I have a friend who did half subject physics and half bio, so I think this would be possible :)
me and my best friend from my old school (different country) both applied for natsci and we only found out when she complained about the nsaa on her story ahahah. i know the chances are like 0 but i hope we both get in so we both already have a friend :D
the same thing happened with me except my friend applied for vet med! :) we ended up both getting in actually so maybe there’s a higher chance than you might think :D good luck to both of you!!!
how did it go?
Hi, I was just wondering if i am studying maths chemistry and geography, i have a hunch physical natural sciences will be the ideal course type, but when applying to Cambridge do you have the option of picking a branch of natural sciences like Physical or Biological ???
Yes you can! You can choose your subjects and most people will end up going either the physical route OR the biological route. In 2nd and 3rd year you will choose fewer subjects so your field of study will become more narrow :)
Do you think I'd need to study Further Maths at A Levels for NatSci? I defo want to do a course in biology for natsci, but for my 2nd one, I'm thinking to mix it up with chem or physics not sure tho. Also, I'm still in year 11 so what do you suggest I do from now and onwards at being successful in natural sciences?
Hello! If you're planning to become a Bio Natsci, I would say Further Maths is not necessary (although it will be helpful, especially if you study Maths B and physics).
Since you're still in Y11 you have plenty of time! I would say important things are to make sure your basics are really down (everything in the IGCSE and A-level syllabus for STEM subjects). You can also try to explore topics outside the syllabus, which are still biology/physics/chemistry, through youtube videos, for example. This will also help you to figure out which sciences are right for you :)
Hi thanks for the video 0v0
I wanted to ask how hard are the practicals and how much of the final grade consists of the practicals.
I think I am not that good but I got lucky and got a conditional (still waiting for results day)
If I actually got lucky and got in, I am particularly worried about the practicals because my high school lab has very basic equipment and I have never seen or used any ‘pro’ lab equipment before ;-;
Btw if i met the conditions I am planning to do phys chem material and math B :)
Compared to medicine, which is more difficult in terms of understanding, contact hours etc?
Hey! I can’t say for certain since I haven’t studied medicine, but I’ll try my best. I think in first year natscis have more contact hours, but after that medics have more and also have to do clinical training (plus their course is also much longer, 6 years instead of 3). In terms of understanding, I would guess maybe bio nat sci requires deeper understanding of fewer topics, while medics might require broader but not as deep level of understanding. I’ve also seen my medic/vet friends having supervisions quite late in the evening eg 8pm, but I don’t think that’s common for natscis.
Hope that helped! I can also try to ask my medic friends if you have any more questions :)
Taking physics, maths and further maths for a levels, do you think that’s enough to get into the course or do I also need chemistry.
I would say that's enough, as it depends on the subjects that you take in first year and there are other options you can take that isn't chemistry :)
great video!!
Thank you!!!!
Any tips for the Personal Statement if you want to apply for nat science?
I would say including some readings or a project that you’ve done which relates to the course content is always a good way to show interest - for example, i wrote about special relativity & a project to did on geoengineering in my personal statement! :)
To choose say physics as one of the subjects would you have to have studied it at A-level? I feel anxious about choosing 4 subjects because won’t I be at a disadvantage if I haven’t studied it at A-level? 😢
It’s definitely better to have studied it at a-level. I think most directors of studies (they help you make academic decisions in Cambridge) would also not recommend/allow people who haven’t studied it at a level to take it in first year! Although of course there are always exceptions :)
is it worth studying earth science/natural science/environmental science if the last time you did geography as a subject was year 8? I'm in year 12 right now.
Hey I was in the same situation and I took earth sciences!
I think geography would be helpful for earth sciences but it’s not required. Actually the main thing I really remember was we studied rocks and fossils a LOT. If you’re interested in that then it would be worth it! Also, we went on a week-long trip to Arran as part of the course, which was quite memorable (which I think they have every year, COVID permitting of course).
As for natural sciences in general, you can actually just choose some other subjects which are completely unrelated to geography eg materials science.
I’m not sure about environmental science unfortunately! But hope that answered your question :)
@@naproud Hi thank you so much for your reply! It has helped me a lot. I don't think I have much interest in studying rocks and fossils, so maybe natural science would be a better course for me! I will look into environmental science too, just in case, as I did enjoy studying it at AS level for GCSE :)
@@aflan8109 You're welcome, and I'm really glad I was able to help!
I don't think I was clear enough previously, but the overall course in Cambridge is called 'Natural Sciences'! Within the Natural Sciences course, you can pick from options such as bio, chem, phys, earth sci, materials sci etc.
Feel free to ask if this doesn't make sense!
Is the Saturday lectures a thing for all 4 years of just 1st year?
and do you have to go to lectures in person (when not online) or are they recorded
After 1st year, there will be some subjects that have lectures on a Saturday, so it depends on what you take! I personally only had Saturday lectures in 1st year (in 2nd year I took maths, physics A and physics B).
But imo it's better from 2nd year onwards anyways, as there aren’t as MANY lectures per week, e.g. in second year, I had 9 hours of lectures across 3 days as opposed to 12 lectures across 6 days.
@@itsrahul6325 right now everything is recorded, although I don’t know what will happen after COVID restrictions ease! There's no obligation to go to the lectures in person, and imo it doesn't really make a difference (nobody cares if you don't go, if you hand your work in on time). The only reason you might want to go in-person lectures is that the recorded ones may be released with a delay e.g. 1 or 2 days :)
Hi! Thanks for this video. I’m currently in Year 12 studying Biology, Chemistry and Maths A Level. I was wondering whether I can still apply for this course without doing Physics? Will it hinder my chance of being selected?
Hi, not at all, unless you’re planning to apply to study physics (which I’m guessing no). For example, I didn’t take biology a level, and I applied for physical natural sciences.
@@naproud thank you! I want to focus more on the chemistry side, however my reason for wanting to do natural science is because I love all three sciences, including physics, which is why I’m sad I’m not taking it. I wanted to ask, are the modules specific to one science or do they use concepts from all across the science spectrum? (I hope this makes sense lol)
@@caledooniya941 Hi yep that makes sense! There's very clear distinction between the 'basic' science options like chemistry, physics and biology (pretty similar to how a-levels are). But there are also options like materials science/earth sciences, which use concepts from all across the science spectrum! Like for example in earth sciences, we learnt about fossils (kind of biology concepts) but also rocks and minerals (more physics/chemistry concepts).
@@naproud thank you so much! You're really convincing me to apply for it haha. Earth sciences sounds great. Did you ever think about doing a single science degree before you decided on natural sciences?
@@caledooniya941 you're welcome! I actually also applied for physics at Imperial, so I did consider it. But because I wasn't tooo sure yet if I wanted to just do physics, I really though natsci was the best option (e.g. instead of applying for physics at oxford, for example). In retrospect, I think 1st year was difficult for me, since we had to study many subjects at the same time. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the flexibility and also got to specialize in history and philosophy of science in 3rd year, which is one of the natsci options and I found it a lot of fun :) hope that helps!
Is it better for those who are going to take natural science to write GCSEs or IGCSEs?
I don’t think the syllabi are that different! The difference is international students take IGCSEs, but students in the uk take GCSEs :)
As an Indian what should I take for study???!Sis, I don't know much about this .. that's why I keep asking questions over and over again....
@@keerthi3232 it's ok, I'm happy to answer! ☺ I think there are 2 systems you can use to apply to UK universities like cambridge.
1) IGCSE for y10-11 (when you're 15-16 years old) and A levels for y12-13 (when you're 17-18 years old) OR
2) IB system
Your pained expression when describing the life of phys natscis is such a mood HAHAHA
I didn't really realise while editing, but watching it back now I seem quite grumpy about being a natsci hahahaha
What jobs can you get? I'm finishing up my associates next semester and wondering if i should specialize in something for undergrad.
A lot of people go into research or academia (further study)! Some people might go into consulting, change track to finance/investment banking etc :) I’m currently working as a tutor myself!
Sis..what are the qualifications for entry into Cambridge?can you please answer 🙏
Hi it depends on the course but you can look on the Cambridge website! Most courses will require something like 3 A/A*s at A-level in certain subjects related to your course.
Will u be doing study with me videos ?
Hi! I’ve actually just finished exams so no, but I’ll be making more videos about my uni experience soon! :)
Do you know anyone who reapplied after a gap year and got in? Is it possible? Thanks!
Many people have applied after taking a gap year, it’s totally possible! And you’re welcome :)
@@naproud That’s great to hear! Do you have any tips/any idea what the successful reapplicants did differently, or did during their gap year! Tysmm
As far as I’ve seen, some people retake exams and so have better marks to apply with, and might do an internship (usually related to their subject). I think that also just having achieved the grades in end-of-year exams when reapplying, instead of just predicted grades, helps as well if the grades are high!
I did this. The first time I didn’t even get an interview. What I did differently was revise lots for the NSAA and just prepare for the interview by practising thinking out loud.
Big like 👍
So say I specialise into physics, what would the degree be called? Just a physics degree or a NatSci/physics degree
Hi! I'm actually not 100% certain but I think it's always called a "Natural Sciences Tripos BSc' degree if you graduate with a bachelors (after 3 years), but if you continue to masters (4th year) then it also includes 'Masters in Physics'!
The name of everyone’s degree from Cambridge is just BA, regardless of your subject you graduate with the Cambridge BA. It is only on your transcript that you can see your specialisation.
Hi will I be able to do natural sciences with biology geography and maths a levels?
Hi, yes I think you will be able to if you choose biological natural sciences! I'm not an expert on Bio Nat Sci though, so you may want to check on the website - you might need chemistry as well :)
@@naproud ohhh ok thank you so much ! I’ve been trying to find more information about bio Nat sci and I can’t seem to find it much. Also, I don’t quite understand the website where it says year one part 1A and the different options as it says to choose three different subjects. So does each option on the website (eg earth sciences) count as one topic or more ?
@@hibari5774 Each option on the website counts as one subject! So in first year you will have to take maths then you can choose 3 other options. For example, you might choose biology, earth sciences and chemistry :) I hope that is clear!
@@naproud oh ok ! Thank you so much !
Is there only CBSE students will enter Cambridge University? Then how do we get into Cambridge? I'm a 13-year-old girl in the eighth grade. I want to study there and I'm curious to know what your answer is ?please dont avoid my comment...please...
Hi I don’t know much about cbse unfortunately! But you can apply if you have a-level qualifications (some exams you take in your last 2 years of high school)
Also nice pfp ;)
@@naproud thank you So much sis❤️❤️🥺✨
Have a whine; Cambridge is the epitome of choice and adaption.
Are u a Cambridge student
yes I am! currently studying remotely though :)
I am very much fascinated by Natural Science in Wikipedia.
I want to know full Natural Science from Wikipedia.
Along with that I also want to do
BSc in Natural Science
MSc in Natural Science
PhD in Natural Science
Post Doctoral in Natural Science
I want to become a Natural Scientist 🥼
best of luck with your aspirations! 🙌💫
@@naproud Thanks a lot!🙌