Medicine Requirements

HopelessMedic

I got 5A* 5As at GCSE, apart from Oxbridge what uni's should I definitely not apply to based on GCSE results? Thanks

Reply 1

fatima1998

Original post by HopelessMedic

I got 5A* 5As at GCSE, apart from Oxbridge what uni's should I definitely not apply to based on GCSE results? Thanks

so you dont want to go to Oxbridge?
you can try this website --> http://search.ucas.com/
to check the requirements for A levels--> http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/content.php?r=15863-medical-school-a-level-requirement
to check the requirements for GCSEs--> http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/content.php?r=15897-medical-school-gcse-requirements
hope that helps :h:

Reply 2

HopelessMedic

Original post by fatima1998

Thanks for the reply. I have had a look at those pages, but I figured that this year uni's may place more weight on GCSE's due to the a level reforms and thus some of their requirements may have changed? Also its not that I don't want to go to Oxbridge, its just that I will almost definitely get rejected :smile:

Reply 3

fatima1998

Original post by HopelessMedic

nooo you won't get rejected :no:

you have very good grades in GCSEs and all you need to do is work harder on your A levels + plus dont forget your Personal statement :yep:

, do work experience within this field and you are more likely to get a place :yy:

Reply 4

HopelessMedic

Original post by fatima1998

nooo you won't get rejected :no:

you have very good grades in GCSEs and all you need to do is work harder on your A levels + plus dont forget your Personal statement :yep:

, do work experience within this field and you are more likely to get a place :yy:

Maybe, but its competitive enough anyway so I think Oxbridge would be a wasted choice. Thanks for the advice tho

Reply 5

UniAdmissions

5A* and 5As are pretty strong GCSEs so you shouldn't be too critical of yourself. As a general rule this won't close any options off. However medical schools will look at and score you based on your GCSE grades, with some considering them more important than others.

People can be accepted into Oxbridge with these grades, however the average successful applicant will typically have higher grades than this.

There is an increasing trend for medical schools to be very open about the way the score candidates to select for interview. For example here (http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/med/medicine.aspx?OpenSection=EntryRequirements) the University of Birmingham shows you exactly how they use GCSE and UKCAT scores to rank candidates to decide who to interview.

The best advice is therefore not to worry about your grades as they are fairly good. Research medical schools and make a shortlist of the medical schools that seem most interesting to you in terms of their course structure. Then look into each of these to see how they each rank applicants to make sure you will be strong enough to be competitive before you apply.

Hope that's helpful!

UniAdmissions

Reply 6

HopelessMedic

Original post by UniAdmissions

Thanks for the advice, I know that they still good results its just that in medicine everyone has similar. Il be sure to look at unis and start narrowing down soon

Reply 7

Helenia

When it comes to GCSEs, "Oxbridge" are not one and the same. You would stand very little chance at Oxford with those grades, because they select based on number and percentage of A* grades, alongside the BMAT. At Cambridge those GCSEs might be slightly below the average applicant's, but if you did well in the BMAT and at AS level (though how they're going to use these for selection given the changes in the system remains to be seen), you might have a shot.

Reply 8

Mutmit287

Original post by HopelessMedic

Thanks for the advice, I know that they still good results its just that in medicine everyone has similar. Il be sure to look at unis and start narrowing down soon

I would personally avoid Oxford, Cardiff, Birmingham, QUB and Edinburgh with those grades as it will likely be a wasted application because they place a lot of emphasis on GCSE grades.

But dont put yourself down, your grades are very good and you will have a good shot at getting into a lot of great medical schools providing you have a strong UKCAT/BMAT and good work experience.