Medicine at Oxford

Original post by hiddensmart

hey y'all I want to apply to Oxford for medicine but my GCSE and my alevel options are holding me back. don't judge me but I achieved three grade 6's two grade 5's two grade 4's two grade 3's and one grade 2. And I'm doing A-levels in biology and chemistry and CTEC Applied Science. And I achieved grade B in both chemistry and biology for my first mocks. If I get A*'s in a-levels and have a high bmat score would I still get an offer and I have mitigating circumstances as well and I'm a young carer too

Can I ask why Oxford in particular? It does not matter which medical school you attend as long as it is GMC accredited if you plan on working in the UK after graduation.

Reply 4

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by hiddensmart

I really don't have a particular reason it's just that I can't find other unis that accept btecs and have very low GCSE or no GCSE requirements . im so upset rn :frown:

What did you get for GCSE maths and english language?

Reply 5

artful_lounger

21

Original post by hiddensmart

I checked the Oxford requirements and it said btec also I wasn't eligible to do any other a-levels

As they said they would consider it, then it's an option. I would definitely recommend checking every medical school though, as well as checking if there are any contextual criteria you would be considered under due to being a carer that would cause them to consider the BTEC.

I would also recommend looking at medicine with a foundation/gateway year courses as these are usually designed for those meeting specific contextual/widening participation criteria which being a carer may may you eligible for. These are still competitive but the formal requirements are often slightly wider and so may include BTECs as a consideration at a wider range of medical schools :smile:

Reply 6

bigplongus

15

Original post by hiddensmart

hey y'all I want to apply to Oxford for medicine but my GCSE and my alevel options are holding me back. don't judge me but I achieved three grade 6's two grade 5's two grade 4's two grade 3's and one grade 2. And I'm doing A-levels in biology and chemistry and CTEC Applied Science. And I achieved grade B in both chemistry and biology for my first mocks. If I get A*'s in a-levels and have a high bmat score would I still get an offer and I have mitigating circumstances as well and I'm a young carer too

apply to univeristies that do contextual consideration, leeds do it its called access to Leeds, just email universities and ask if your circumstances lower the acedemic requirements needed.
also A* with the exception of some unis like oxford arent favoured over As
i dont see a reason why your circumstances wouldnt be considered but defo email them to double check, also dont put all your money on doing well in the BMAT consider the UCAT

Reply 7

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by hiddensmart

maths I got a 6 and English language I got a 4

As advised by @artful_lounger above, it would be best to focus on foundation or gateway to Medicine courses. Look at their contextual criteria and get in touch with the universities offering these courses directly explaining your situation.

I had a quick look on google and randomly clicked on this:
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/entry-requirements/entry-requirements-gateway
If you're eligible to apply here, then I think you would meet GCSE grade requirements here.

Make a list of the medical schools offering either 'Medicine with a foundation year' or 'Gateway to Medicine', then those that you would be eligible for and those that you meet grade requirements for. It'll be a lot easier to visualise what choices are available to you

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 8

artful_lounger

21

Original post by KA_P

As advised by @artful_lounger above, it would be best to focus on foundation or gateway to Medicine courses. Look at their contextual criteria and get in touch with the universities offering these courses directly explaining your situation.

I had a quick look on google and randomly clicked on this:
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/entry-requirements/entry-requirements-gateway
If you're eligible to apply here, then I think you would meet GCSE grade requirements here.

Make a list of the medical schools offering either 'Medicine with a foundation year' or 'Gateway to Medicine', then those that you would be eligible for and those that you meet grade requirements for. It'll be a lot easier to visualise what choices are available to you

PRSOM

Reply 9

hiddensmart

OP

4

Original post by KA_P

As advised by @artful_lounger above, it would be best to focus on foundation or gateway to Medicine courses. Look at their contextual criteria and get in touch with the universities offering these courses directly explaining your situation.

I had a quick look on google and randomly clicked on this:
https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/entry-requirements/entry-requirements-gateway
If you're eligible to apply here, then I think you would meet GCSE grade requirements here.

Make a list of the medical schools offering either 'Medicine with a foundation year' or 'Gateway to Medicine', then those that you would be eligible for and those that you meet grade requirements for. It'll be a lot easier to visualise what choices are available to you

Thank you so much does that mean I can't apply to Oxford anymore???

Reply 10

zac777

6

Original post by bigplongus

apply to univeristies that do contextual consideration, leeds do it its called access to Leeds, just email universities and ask if your circumstances lower the acedemic requirements needed.
also A* with the exception of some unis like oxford arent favoured over As
i dont see a reason why your circumstances wouldnt be considered but defo email them to double check, also dont put all your money on doing well in the BMAT consider the UCAT

NOT TRUE, i got rejected for having A*A*A rather than A*A*A* for durham cs

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 11

Original post by hiddensmart

Thank you so much does that mean I can't apply to Oxford anymore???

I can't give a concrete answer on that (it would be best to get in touch with them directly)

Once again, it really doesn't matter which medical school you study at in the UK - focus on what the course offers along with teaching style and other things like frequency of placement or other opportunities. It's a 5-6 year course and you need things that will keep you motivated and reasons that keep you rooted into staying on the route to a career in medicine.

If you're applying through UCAS, then you will have 4 choices in total to apply to medicine so it's best to research about it carefully before applying as you should want to apply strategically according to your stats to utilise your 4 choices fully

Reply 12

Original post by artful_lounger

PRSOM

PRSOM back at you :jumphug:

Reply 13

Thenewguy123

7

Original post by KA_P

PRSOM back at you :jumphug:

PRSOM back at both of you

Reply 14

hiddensmart

OP

4

Original post by artful_lounger

PRSOM

do you think doing nuffield research help with medicine applications?

Reply 15

Original post by hiddensmart

do you think doing nuffield research help with medicine applications?

It may be useful depending on how you reflect on it in the interview, what skills do you think you will gain from it?

Reply 16

GANFYD

18

Original post by zac777

NOT TRUE, i got rejected for having A*A*A rather than A*A*A* for durham cs

For medicine, only about 5 unis consider A levels as anything other than a minimum requirement, so in that way, it is different to many degrees

Reply 17

GANFYD

18

Original post by hiddensmart

hey y'all I want to apply to Oxford for medicine but my GCSE and my alevel options are holding me back. don't judge me but I achieved three grade 6's two grade 5's two grade 4's two grade 3's and one grade 2. And I'm doing A-levels in biology and chemistry and CTEC Applied Science. And I achieved grade B in both chemistry and biology for my first mocks. If I get A*'s in a-levels and have a high bmat score would I still get an offer and I have mitigating circumstances as well and I'm a young carer too

You need to check if you meet widening participation flags (young carer counts at some med schools) as that would open up Foundation Year courses, who are more likely to accept a BTEC (and hence I assume a CTEC)
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2951/entry-requirements-document-2023-entry.pdf

A few med schools will accept a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma for standard entry but many need it in addition to 1 or 2 A levels. I have no idea if a CTEC would also be acceptable to them. Those who openly state it is acceptable are
Aston
BSMS (plus chem and bio A levels)
Bristol (want Distinctions in specific chemistry modules)
Exeter (plus chem and bio A levels)
Possibly Lancaster, but not accepted on its own
Leicester (plus chem and bio/science A levels)

Oxford requirements for an applicant taking BTEC qualifications would typically be:
· BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science
· BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science plus 1 A-level
· BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate or Foundation Diploma in Applied Science plus 2 A-levels (one of which must be in Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics)
They also accept applications from candidates with 2 A-levels in Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics, plus a BTEC Level 3 qualification in another subject.
Applicants will be required to achieve grades of D*DD or the equivalent.
Plymouth (but applicants required to sit the GAMSAT)
Southampton (plus chem and bio A levels)

Some of these will not accept your GCSE results, though, so I think you are basically down to Oxford, Exeter and Plymouth A100 unless you resit some GCSEs.

Alternatively, you could apply for extenuating circumstances to see if med schools would count them as sufficient to waive your GCSE results - but bear in mind most expect you to have declared any difficulties to the exam board at the time and they will make allowances in marking.

Reply 18

GANFYD

18

Original post by hiddensmart

I don't think any uni wants me I guess I will become a housewife my dreams are ruined :frown:

A tad dramatic, but fair enough :smile:

Reply 19