Applying to medicine without biology AS?

Hi, thanks in advance for the help!

I'm currently in Year 12 and planning to apply for medicine for 2017 entry. I only made this decision recently, and I'm not taking biology AS (currently taking chemistry, physics, maths and further maths AS).

Just to confirm, I will not apply to a university that specifically states biology A level as a requirement (so that piece of advice is unnecessary), I am referring to what is preferable and recommended for universities that don't require it.

Because of the new A levels, I cannot take biology AS in Year 13. Is it recommended to complete the entire A level in one year? Is it worth it if I'm more likely to get a good grade in the A levels I'm currently taking?

Thank you again!

Hi, thanks in advance for the help!

I'm currently in Year 12 and planning to apply for medicine for 2017 entry. I only made this decision recently, and I'm not taking biology AS (currently taking chemistry, physics, maths and further maths AS).

Just to confirm, I will not apply to a university that specifically states biology A level as a requirement (so that piece of advice is unnecessary), I am referring to what is preferable and recommended for universities that don't require it.

Because of the new A levels, I cannot take biology AS in Year 13. Is it recommended to complete the entire A level in one year? Is it worth it if I'm more likely to get a good grade in the A levels I'm currently taking?

Thank you again!

Can't you do the AS in year 13 for biology only as many medical schools require only the AS biology.
I'm pretty sure you can.


Posted from TSR Mobile

That's what I would have said. But I don't think it's possible anymore with the new a level. There will be no AS exams next year for them to sit. The last ones are this year I think.
You could attempt it in one year. I'm not sue if you'd be eligible for any foundation courses but have a look.


Posted from TSR Mobile

You would only be able to get the certificates of the AS if that makes sense, so she can sit the AS biology in year 13 which the year 12's sit.
Although, I'm not sure how your school does it.
Some schools do mocks instead of taking exams in year 12 which are sent to university instead



Posted from TSR Mobile

That's the thing. I think they're being phased out completely. A lot of schools aren't gonna be sitting them at all. OP might have to do it outside of school. The best thing is to speak to someone at school to find out their options.


Posted from TSR Mobile

I think you might find yourself in a tricky situation. A lot of medical schools don't view further maths as separate to maths, so may only see you as doing three A-levels without a fourth as (if f.maths is what you're planning on dropping, or only having two a-levels if you drop physics ). I would email the medical schools that don't require biology and see if they would accept the subjects you're doing at the moment.

Whilst doing Biology in a year would probably open a lot of doors for you, it would also be risky in itself. You will still need AAA and you don't want to jeopardise that by taking on too much.

That's the thing. I think they're being phased out completely. A lot of schools aren't gonna be sitting them at all. OP might have to do it outside of school. The best thing is to speak to someone at school to find out their options.


Posted from TSR Mobile

Yes, exactly. AS exams are being phased out completely- there won't be an option to take them at any schools next year as far as I'm aware.

Thanks for your help. I know this about further maths, so if I don't take biology, I will either carry on with 4 next year or drop FM. Will it be a problem that it might be viewed that I only did 3 AS's?Do you know if they will consider it as an A* for my offer or ignore it completely?

But the year 12's currently are doing the new AS's?


Posted from TSR Mobile

This is the last year. And not all schools are doing them. Some schools are only doing them for a few subjects.


Posted from TSR Mobile