3 or 4 A Levels for Cambridge Medicine?

If you can find the section of the admissions page which states you require 4 A-levels at all, much less 4 A*s, I will buy you a cookie.

If you can find the section of the admissions page which states you require 4 A-levels at all, much less 4 A*s, I will buy you a cookie.

A 4A* prediction would be advantageos. A prediction of A*A*A is not sufficient though as I was recently informed by the admission tutor of a college...To be accurate, he said 'whilst A*A*A prediction is 'good' it is not 'competitive'...

I always tell people who want to go to Cambridge to do 4 A levels. however for medicine, i would rather see you get top grades in the BMAT and spend your spare time doing work experience rather than extra hours studying. that said, economics isnt the hardest a level out there.

A 4A* prediction would be advantageos. A prediction of A*A*A is not sufficient though as I was recently informed by the admission tutor of a college...To be accurate, he said 'whilst A*A*A prediction is 'good' it is not 'competitive'...

Thanks for that lucrative offer. I know it isn’t required but I suspect that the minimum entry requirement for the course is not really enough to make a competitive application so I was thinking whether having 4 would be looked upon favourably.

I am currently in Year 12 and doing Maths, Biology, Chemistry amd Economics for AS. I am thinking of dropping Economics next year because I already feel like I am neglecting it due to the studying time that the sciences require. Since it is not Physics, would dropping it place me at any significant disadvantge?
Many prospective medics at my school have an attitute that unless you have 4A*s you stand no chance for Medicine especially at Cambridge but is that true?

I am currently in Year 12 and doing Maths, Biology, Chemistry amd Economics for AS. I am thinking of dropping Economics next year because I already feel like I am neglecting it due to the studying time that the sciences require. Since it is not Physics, would dropping it place me at any significant disadvantge?
Many prospective medics at my school have an attitute that unless you have 4A*s you stand no chance for Medicine especially at Cambridge but is that true?

I presume most Cambridge medics will have done 4, but given your 4th is Economics, I don't really think dropping it would matter.

They're unlikely to care much about Economics anyway.

I would email them to check about it though, as I'm not 100% sure.

I am currently in Year 12 and doing Maths, Biology, Chemistry amd Economics for AS. I am thinking of dropping Economics next year because I already feel like I am neglecting it due to the studying time that the sciences require. Since it is not Physics, would dropping it place me at any significant disadvantge?
Many prospective medics at my school have an attitute that unless you have 4A*s you stand no chance for Medicine especially at Cambridge but is that true?

40% of medical applicants are immediately rejected. In the UK, there is approximately only 3000 places for medical schools. Therefore, considering the extreme competition, many universities have a filtering process.

They immediately remove applicants below 7A*s. (Focus of Oxbridge)
They immediately remove appliants below the UKCAT threshold (Majority) (Not Oxbridge)
They immediately remove appliants who score less than (AAA) - The magic number to even be considered. Oxbridge will consider you if you have atleast (A*A*A) but more likley if you are predicted (A*A*A*).
They immediately remove applicants below the BMAT threshold they have set. (Oxbridge and BMAT universities)

Now that you've been fished from the majority of applicants, your personal statement will be considered.

Work experience: Some universities have a recommended min of 6 months volunteering (Start Now) A quality work experience, with some element of the NHS
(3-4 places).

Supercurricular: Essays, research programmes, competitions, olympiads, STEM related activties.

Extracurriculars: COMPLETELY IGNORED (As mentioned on Oxbridge websites)

Generally, the majority of successful candiates completed 4 A levels, and have 4 A*s. The reality is that you need atleast 8/9 A* to stand out, the magic number being 9/10.

Interviews: They want to recognise if you're a suitable potential student that can be accustomed to the traditional, collegiate and tutorial styled/based learning ad environment.

Now economics and med?
Should of chosen physics. Many universities want students who have got an A/A* in physics.

Requirement: A/A* in English language 7/8/9 (Preferably 8/9) A* in Sciences GCSE

Oxbridge: A* in Chemistry ( A level)
A* Biology (A level) And
A*/A in another Science subject

your're 4th related stem subject it a backup A*, to ensure you get atleast 3A*s.


This is the reality of medicine, and is the truth. IGNORE the silly anomalies and exceptions.

Why Cambridge? Its so competitive. and if you don't meet the requirements, it really isn't worth considering, unless your extremely passionate, since it would be a wasted choice.

Im gonna tag you here because you dismiss fake news well @Doonesbury

Right these were the words of the "Lecturer" who runs the medicine society. She began the medicine society, with the neccessary requirements of med schools, and she wanted to be frankly honest. The following is an account on her explanation: (DISCLAIMER)

40% of medical applicants are immediately rejected. In the UK, there is approximately only 3000 places for medical schools. Therefore, considering the extreme competition, many universities have a filtering process.

They immediately remove applicants below 7A*s. (Focus of Oxbridge)
They immediately remove appliants below the UKCAT threshold (Majority) (Not Oxbridge)
They immediately remove appliants who score less than (AAA) - The magic number to even be considered. Oxbridge will consider you if you have atleast (A*A*A) but more likley if you are predicted (A*A*A*).
They immediately remove applicants below the BMAT threshold they have set. (Oxbridge and BMAT universities)

Now that you've been fished from the majority of applicants, your personal statement will be considered.

Work experience: Some universities have a recommended min of 6 months volunteering (Start Now) A quality work experience, with some element of the NHS
(3-4 places).

Supercurricular: Essays, research programmes, competitions, olympiads, STEM related activties.

Extracurriculars: COMPLETELY IGNORED (As mentioned on Oxbridge websites)

Generally, the majority of successful candiates completed 4 A levels, and have 4 A*s. The reality is that you need atleast 8/9 A* to stand out, the magic number being 9/10.

Interviews: They want to recognise if you're a suitable potential student that can be accustomed to the traditional, collegiate and tutorial styled/based learning ad environment.

Now economics and med?
Should of chosen physics. Many universities want students who have got an A/A* in physics.

Requirement: A/A* in English language 7/8/9 (Preferably 8/9) A* in Sciences GCSE

Oxbridge: A* in Chemistry ( A level)
A* Biology (A level) And
A*/A in another Science subject

your're 4th related stem subject it a backup A*, to ensure you get atleast 3A*s.


This is the reality of medicine, and is the truth. IGNORE the silly anomalies and exceptions.

Why Cambridge? Its so competitive. and if you don't meet the requirements, it really isn't worth considering, unless your extremely passionate, since it would be a wasted choice.

Wait- do you mean 8/9 A* AT A LEVEL? Who does 9 A Levels, let alone 9 linear ones?
I had asked my carreers advisor at my school about Physics when I was choosing my A Levels but she advised me against it because she said that no university requires it and that some universities actually like a contrasting subject.

Right these were the words of the "Lecturer" who runs the medicine society. She began the medicine society, with the neccessary requirements of med schools, and she wanted to be frankly honest. The following is an account on her explanation: (DISCLAIMER)

40% of medical applicants are immediately rejected. In the UK, there is approximately only 3000 places for medical schools. Therefore, considering the extreme competition, many universities have a filtering process.

They immediately remove applicants below 7A*s. (Focus of Oxbridge)
They immediately remove appliants below the UKCAT threshold (Majority) (Not Oxbridge)
They immediately remove appliants who score less than (AAA) - The magic number to even be considered. Oxbridge will consider you if you have atleast (A*A*A) but more likley if you are predicted (A*A*A*).
They immediately remove applicants below the BMAT threshold they have set. (Oxbridge and BMAT universities)

Now that you've been fished from the majority of applicants, your personal statement will be considered.

Work experience: Some universities have a recommended min of 6 months volunteering (Start Now) A quality work experience, with some element of the NHS
(3-4 places).

Supercurricular: Essays, research programmes, competitions, olympiads, STEM related activties.

Extracurriculars: COMPLETELY IGNORED (As mentioned on Oxbridge websites)

Generally, the majority of successful candiates completed 4 A levels, and have 4 A*s. The reality is that you need atleast 8/9 A* to stand out, the magic number being 9/10.

Interviews: They want to recognise if you're a suitable potential student that can be accustomed to the traditional, collegiate and tutorial styled/based learning ad environment.

Now economics and med?
Should of chosen physics. Many universities want students who have got an A/A* in physics.

Requirement: A/A* in English language 7/8/9 (Preferably 8/9) A* in Sciences GCSE

Oxbridge: A* in Chemistry ( A level)
A* Biology (A level) And
A*/A in another Science subject

your're 4th related stem subject it a backup A*, to ensure you get atleast 3A*s.


This is the reality of medicine, and is the truth. IGNORE the silly anomalies and exceptions.

Why Cambridge? Its so competitive. and if you don't meet the requirements, it really isn't worth considering, unless your extremely passionate, since it would be a wasted choice.