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Is it recommended to take 4 A level subjects and not write one at AS level?

I sort of have a problem choosing between biology and physics. Both are needed to apply for medicine so now I want to do both along with Mathematics and Chemistry at A level. Is 4 subjects recommended?

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Reply 1

Sacred Ground

Original post by Laatinah

Physics is not needed to apply for medicine at all, biology is much preferred. Biology, chemistry and mathematics would suffice for ALL med schools

Reply 2

Laatinah

Original post by Sacred Ground

Physics is not needed to apply for medicine at all, biology is much preferred. Biology, chemistry and mathematics would suffice for ALL med schools

Thanks but just to be on the safe side can I do all of them or I only need 3?

Reply 3

Sacred Ground

Original post by Laatinah

Thanks but just to be on the safe side can I do all of them or I only need 3?

I'm a medical student and I did geography, biology and chemistry and received 3 offers. I don't recommend putting yourself under unnecessary stress and completing 4 A levels

Reply 4

Coolerthanapples

Unless you're going for Oxbridge/Imperial don't bother.

Reply 5

Laatinah

Original post by Sacred Ground

I'm a medical student and I did geography, biology and chemistry and received 3 offers. I don't recommend putting yourself under unnecessary stress and completing 4 A levels

Alright thanks

Reply 6

BTAnonymous

don't do physics if you're sure you want to be a med student. do 3.

our college said we could only take 3 because what's the point in doing 4 when most people drop a subject in second year.

Reply 7

mermaidecemella

Original post by Laatinah

I would not recommend doing 4 subjects at a level at all. A levels have changed so much , especially sciences, and are so much harder than before. My current sixth form that I've just left don't even allow students to take a forth subject. Especially with the subjects you are taking, you will have hell doing all 3 sciences and maths. Biology on its own is ridiculously hard let alone with 3 other a levels. I advise you to just do 3. And you can still get in to medicine without doing all 3 sciences

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Reply 8

srdavison123

Original post by Laatinah

I did and I know some others which took 4 A-levels (5 qualifications in my case). However I'd advise against it as the workload is close to insanity and you'll simply not be motivated when it comes to exams. Especially with the sheer difficulty of those subjects. A friend of mine in my Sixth Form did biology, chemistry & physics after dropping AS Maths and he's been accepted for medicine (pending results) and his sheer workload was insane for that, never-mind all 4.
Good luck though.

Reply 9

username3288902

Original post by Laatinah

What I am doing is physics as level, mathematics,chemistry and biology a level. I am doing physics as level because it is not really required but looks more impressive.
Overall whether you do extra A level or as level for physics it does not really matter if you get a good grade.

Reply 10

username3436504

I took 4 a levels, most unis asked me to get 4 grades, but Kebel at Oxford only asked me to get 3 grades, so I can completely mess up one a level and still get in :biggrin:

. So normally taking 4 makes it harder, but in my case it made it easier.

Reply 11

Laatinah

Original post by mermaidecemella

Yes I have heard a lot about it being more challenging to take all three sciences and maths. I will just have to choose between biology and physics

Reply 12

Laatinah

Original post by mermaidecemella

I will just have to choose between biology and physics then. THanks

Reply 13

Laatinah

Original post by rnineirnee

That's pretty much what I wanted to do at first then I got confused by some universities that choose biology over physics.

Reply 14

Sacred Ground

Original post by Laatinah

That's pretty much what I wanted to do at first then I got confused by some universities that choose biology over physics.

You want to study medicine and it confuses you that medical schools prefer an A level in biology rather than physics? I'm not following

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Reply 15

TheVirtualPhoton

Original post by Laatinah

I will just have to choose between biology and physics

If you want to go for medicine, choose biology. I did physics and dropped it after AS, it was helpful but the workload to take 4 to A2 was too much for me. Better getting 3 good grades than 4 average ones.

Reply 16

Laatinah

Original post by I am a Stick

I took 4 a levels, most unis asked me to get 4 grades, but Kebel at Oxford only asked me to get 3 grades, so I can completely mess up one a level and still get in :biggrin:

. So normally taking 4 makes it harder, but in my case it made it easier.

That too is an advantage of taking 4

Reply 17

Sacred Ground

Original post by I am a Stick

I took 4 a levels, most unis asked me to get 4 grades, but Kebel at Oxford only asked me to get 3 grades, so I can completely mess up one a level and still get in :biggrin:

. So normally taking 4 makes it harder, but in my case it made it easier.

Universities rarely ask for 4, especially for medicine. Which universities are you talking about?

Reply 18

Laatinah

Original post by srdavison123

Thanks a lot!

Reply 19

TheVirtualPhoton

Original post by Sacred Ground

Universities rarely ask for 4, especially for medicine. Which universities are you talking about?

I'm unsure but perhaps they meant their offers were based on the 4 A levels they were taking, rather than requiring applicants to be taking 4 A levels.