Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Importance of GCSEs to top universities?

username1999581

If I were to only get a few A*s at GCSE (3-5) rest being As and Bs, would it matter much to them if I were to get minimum A*A*A*A for A levels (hoping to study Medicine at university)? How important are GCSE grades to universities like Cambridge and Oxford? I know that other things are important like the interview and such, but moving them aside, would somebody be likely to be accepted?

Reply 1

*pitseleh*

You need to stop thinking about your application in terms of 'top universities'; it doesn't work like that in Medicine.

But, since you ask, most people who apply successfully to Oxford and Cambridge will have more than 3-5 A* at GCSE.

Reply 2

ifyouseelaura

Firstly, with medicine, the reputation of the university is less important as all medical degrees are very similar in quality.

Secondly, with medicine, I think most universities only look at your first 8/9 gcses as not everyone has the chance to take more. They always look at maths, english and science grades, so if your a*s are in these your application will be stronger. They give each grade a certain number (say 10 for an a*, 8 for an a etc) and then calculate a total, which they use to compare candidates.

Thirdly, very few people get A*A*A*A at a level, particularly if you've only got 3 a*s at gcse.