[emily19]

I'm considering applying for medicine, but I'm not sure which is the best route.
1. Take A levels in biology and chemistry and apply for the normal 5 year course
2. Apply for a 6 year course with a foundation year

I originally took my A levels in 2009 an got AAB in maths, English lit and physics.
All the courses say you have to have done your A levels over 2 years NOT 3, does that mean I wouldn't be accepted if I took bio and chem now?
Some 6 year courses say mature students have to have been working in a healthcare role for 3 years. I've only been a carer for 6 months. Does this count as healthcare related (I also have some hospital volunteering lined up), and would I have to wait 3 years to apply?

Any advice appreciated!

[Pkysam]

Without knowing your personal circumstances it's hard to advise, but the "a-levels completed within 2 years" rule is more about not having resat a year to improve your grades. If you took Chem and Bio now having not done them before and completed within 2 years you would meet that requirement! 6 year courses typically have other criteria you need to meet to qualify, so whether that would be best for you sort of depends on your personal circumstances.


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[FluffyTutu]

My best advice would be to contact the 4 or 5 Uni's you would be hoping to apply to, explain your situation and ask what they advise. Each will have slightly different expectations and entry requirements.

[emily19]

Ok so I've emailed a few uni's, the only one I've heard back from so far is St. George's. They said that taking A level biology and chemistry now is not acceptable, I would have to take them along with a third new a level and an AS, OR do an access course.
I don't qualify for a 6 year course (should have looked into it more carefully before i posted, sorry!) because I did a year at uni (maths) before dropping out for health reasons.

I've looked into access courses, but there aren't any colleges offering it near where i live, and uni's are specific about which access course they accept. Also, a lot of them don't accept them at all, so doing an access course would only give me a fairly limited choice of uni's.

To have more choice over where I apply, my best option i think is to completely retake my a levels. the problem is it will be expensive and take longer than an access course. looking back on my previous a levels, i don't think i'd have been able to juggle a part time job as well :/

Obviously I'd take chemistry and biology, which other 2 should I take? i've narrowed it down to english language, economics, geography or politics.
I could do further maths as my AS, but would have to check that uni's would accept it, since i covered most of it in first year at uni.