The Target Oxbridge Podcast

Hope Oloye, Founder of Thinking Black, joins Naomi to discuss studying Biomedical Sciences at Oxford.  Biomedical Sciences focuses on the science underpinning human biology, with the option to pursue Cells and Systems Biology or Neuroscience. Hope highlights that whilst the course overlaps with Medicine, it differs by focusing on the scientific fundamentals instead of on disease and treatment – it's a great option if you love the science related to Medicine but don’t want to be a doctor, or aren’t sure yet!  Hope speaks about the skills she developed through lab work and essay writing on her course and how she has used them whilst completing her PhD research into the use of technology in mental health diagnoses. She shares that her peers have gone onto a range of careers, including medicine, law, consulting and banking, and speaks about her work running creative writing and educational programmes for young Black students through Thinking Black.   You can learn about Thinking Black here: http://thinkingblack.co.uk/    Hope recommends reading:   Phantoms in the Brain by V.S. Ramachandran: https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/v-s-ramachandran/phantoms-in-the-brain/9781857028959   How We Live and Why We Die by Lewis Wolper: https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/lewis-wolpert/how-we-live-and-why-we-die/9780571239122  

Francesca Richards joins Naomi to speak about studying Education at Cambridge. Francesca’s interest in English, social sciences and creativity attracted her to Education. She explains that it isn’t a teacher training course, but instead provides the opportunity to think critically about education as a social, cultural and political entity as well as how we construct and value knowledge. She also talks about the Education department’s non-traditional approach to assessment which gave her the opportunity to be examined through art portfolios and drama pieces.   Francesca shares her journey after her degree, which has included a Master’s at Oxford in Higher Education and a PGCE, which is a teacher training course. She also speaks about her friends from the course who have gone on to careers with charities, NGOs, the Civil Service, law firms and consulting firms. To end, Francesca shares her tips for applying to Education at Cambridge and preparing for interview.

Tobi Olaitan, a consultant, joins Naomi to speak about studying Biochemistry at Oxford. Tobi chose Biochemistry due his to interest in how cells and the human body works. The course combines Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths across a number of modules like Organic Chemistry and Biophysical Chemistry. Tobi shares that his course involved lab work and scientific essay writing, and that he used his optional fourth year Master’s to research the genes that cause sepsis and the genes that cause the fast twitch muscle in sprinters. Tobi speaks about his career as a consultant working with Life Sciences companies and highlights how the ability he developed at university to analyse and communicate large amounts of information has been essential in his role. Tobi also shares his top tips for the application process and an insight into the interview questions he was asked.   Recommended Reading: ‘Life Ascending’ - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Ascending-Great-Inventions-Evolution/dp/1861978189

Skai Campbell joins Naomi to discuss studying Biological Sciences at Oxford, a course he was drawn to because of his interest in animals with weird features, like the mantis shrimp. Skai speaks about the course’s lectures, essays and problem sheets, as well as the practical experiments in the lab and through field trips. He highlights the wide choice of module options and the optional fourth year to complete a Master’s level research project.   He also shares how Biological Sciences led to a career in the creative industries, which started with Skai making his own short films and completing a BBC internship before securing a job working on nature documentaries. Skai shares that his peers have gone onto a range of careers, including journalism, consulting, research, technology and creative roles. To conclude, Skai discusses his top tips for preparing for the application process and provides an insight into the questions he was asked at interview.

Victoria Chris, a PhD research student, joins Naomi to discuss what it is like to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge. Victoria’s interest in the multidisciplinary nature of the sciences meant that Natural Sciences was a great fit for her. She was able to explore Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Physiology in her degree before deciding to specialise in Biochemistry for her optional integrated Master’s. Victoria shares what the Natural Sciences course structure is like, including what it is like to work in a lab. She speaks about her research projects to date, which have explored the genetic drivers of antibacterial resistance and investigating new ways to treat urinary tract infections. She also discusses the application processes for both her Natural Sciences undergraduate degree and her current PhD programme, providing tips on how to prepare. Useful links referenced in this episode: - Natural Sciences course: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences-ba-hons-msci - Find a PhD: https://www.findaphd.com/