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*MEGATHREAD* Medicine A-Level subjects queries UPDATED for 2022 entry

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Is psychology considered a real science by universities? for medicine
Original post by Stefanothebrano
Is psychology considered a real science by universities? for medicine

Generally*, when medical schools ask for sciences they mean lab or natural science subjects i.e. biology/chemistry/physics.

Psychology, is, of course, still a "real science" though.

*Manchester is one exception: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2019/01428/mbchb-medicine/entry-requirements/

Full details here: https://www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2357/msc-entry-requirements-for-uk-medical-schools.pdf
(edited 5 years ago)
Reply 62
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DrDanB
13
What are you other A-levels (or options if you have yet to choose)?

If universities require, "chemistry, one other science and another subject (not general studies or critical thinking)", then the answer is no - psychology is not a science. However, you can still study it, as long as you still have the other sciences, i.e. chemistry or biology or both etc..
Original post by Democracy
Generally*, when medical schools ask for sciences they mean lab or natural science subjects i.e. biology/chemistry/physics.

Psychology, is, of course, still a "real science" though.

*Manchester is one exception: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2019/01428/mbchb-medicine/entry-requirements/

If i wanted to take chemistry biology and psychology in A-levels, would you think that is a wise choice for medicine?
Original post by Elastichedgehog
Psychology undergrad here, and I heavily doubt it. You'll need biology/chemistry most likely for medicine.

what if i took Biology, chemistry and psychology for A-level? would that be good for medicine?
Original post by Stefanothebrano
what if i took Biology, chemistry and psychology for A-level? would that be good for medicine?


It's worth checking the course requirements at the Universities you're interested in. Other people's answers have said, certain courses often request different subjects. But yes, generally those subjects should be fine.
Original post by Stefanothebrano
what if i took Biology, chemistry and psychology for A-level? would that be good for medicine?

Yh that should be just fine! I originally wanted to do medicine and I'm doing these A-Levels but also i have friends who are applying for uni with the same a levels as us!
Good luck with applications and your exams!
Original post by Stefanothebrano
what if i took Biology, chemistry and psychology for A-level? would that be good for medicine?


I know some people do go with this combination for medicine but tbh I think maths might be more useful than psychology
Original post by DrDanB
What are you other A-levels (or options if you have yet to choose)?

If universities require, "chemistry, one other science and another subject (not general studies or critical thinking)", then the answer is no - psychology is not a science. However, you can still study it, as long as you still have the other sciences, i.e. chemistry or biology or both etc..

I am planning to take chemistry, biology and psychology, do you think that would enhance the chances of me doing medicine?
Original post by Stefanothebrano
what if i took Biology, chemistry and psychology for A-level? would that be good for medicine?

Yes that would be fine.
Original post by mimisiddiqi
I know some people do go with this combination for medicine but tbh I think maths might be more useful than psychology

Not really.
Original post by Elastichedgehog
It's worth checking the course requirements at the Universities you're interested in. Other people's answers have said, certain courses often request different subjects. But yes, generally those subjects should be fine.

Great thank you, what if i were to take computer science instead of psychology?
Original post by mimisiddiqi
I know some people do go with this combination for medicine but tbh I think maths might be more useful than psychology

Im not really a fan of maths which is why im planning to take psychology
Original post by mini.me
Yh that should be just fine! I originally wanted to do medicine and I'm doing these A-Levels but also i have friends who are applying for uni with the same a levels as us!
Good luck with applications and your exams!

Thank you! I was also considering doing Computer science instead of psychology as i'm quite interested in it. do you think that would be wise for medicine
Reply 73
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DrDanB
13
Original post by Stefanothebrano
I am planning to take chemistry, biology and psychology, do you think that would enhance the chances of me doing medicine?


Firstly, you want to go study medicine at university and that combination will permit you to study anywhere given that the rest of your UCAS application is strong (but worry about this later on).

Secondly, you might hear people saying, 'take maths instead of psychology becasue its more useful' and to some degree that is true, but phsychology will certainly give you skills that maths doesn't encompass.

However, do what you enjoy and what you will get an A*/A in, and if that not maths, definitely don't take it. Universities won't look down at you in any way and you will be just as competetive with A*AA predictions with your combination as someone with biology, chemistry and maths with A*AA predictions.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by Stefanothebrano
Im not really a fan of maths which is why im planning to take psychology


ahh dw you should be fine with your combination of chem, bio and psych

(my college just normally recommends maths, bio and chem)
Original post by mimisiddiqi
ahh dw you should be fine with your combination of chem, bio and psych

(my college just normally recommends maths, bio and chem)

Right ok that's good
Original post by DrDanB
Firstly, you want to go study medicine at university and that combination will permit you to study anywhere given that the rest of your UCAS application is strong (but worry about this later on).

Secondly, you might hear people saying, 'take maths instead of psychology becasue its more useful' and to some degree that is true, but phsychology will certainly give you skills that maths doesn't encompass.

However, do what you enjoy and what you will get an A*/A in, and if that not maths, definitely don't take it. Universities won't look down at you in any way and you will be just as competetive with A*AA predictions with your combination as someone with biology, chemistry and maths with A*AA predictions.

Right ok, that's great to hear as i'm not a fan of maths although how much of the medicine course includes a-level maths?
Reply 77
Avatar for DrDanB
DrDanB
13
Original post by Stefanothebrano
Right ok, that's great to hear as i'm not a fan of maths although how much of the medicine course includes a-level maths?


A-levels maths doesn't teach you anything new that you can't already figure out, wether in your other a-levels or in medicine.

Biology/Chemistry/Medicine really doesn't use too much maths, and the maths it does use is basic GCSE level logic and how to use a calculator, so don't worry.
Original post by DrDanB
A-levels maths doesn't teach you anything new that you can't already figure out, wether in your other a-levels or in medicine.

Biology/Chemistry/Medicine really doesn't use too much maths, and the maths it does use is basic GCSE level logic and how to use a calculator, so don't worry.

Wow ok, thank you for clearing that up for me
Biology chemistry and maths are preferred

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