Medical A Levels

I picked Art because I think it will be an easy A for me.

I just picked my a levels this year and I'm unsure if they are suitable for medicine. I'm thinking of getting into Imperial, Queen Mary (because they just lowered and changed their requirements) or Kings College for an extended medical degree (since my school isn't a performing state school) My A Levels are Biology, Chemistry and Art. The Universities I want to get into state that the third A Level can be anything except Critical Thinking or General Studies but I'm not sure if these will suffice. I picked Art because I think it will be an easy A for me. Plus I thought Universities might like seeing an A Level that is different and unique from other candidates. Our first year of Art is curriculum based but for our second year it is a personal study. I was thinking for my second year I might do my project around human biology. Will all of this be good enough for medicine? It really is my dream to become a doctor. Thanks.

This is the problem.

If you took it, because you are a prolific artist in your spare time, have a deep love for the subject both academically and personally, and enjoy finding links between it, and your proposed course of study and career in medicine...fine. It's unusual, and perhaps may limit your choices slightly, but a reasonable decision otherwise and a fairly defensible position to hold.

However aking it because you think it will be easy is a) fallacious, as Art tends to require much more work on average than a comparable "academic" subject throughout the year, and b) disingenuous, as you are very likely to be asked about your unusual choice and if you aren't able to suitably defend it, with examples why it is better than another STEM subject or an academic humanities/social science subject, the admissions tutors will probably spot this reason.

Following from this, medicine is not a course or profession you can "coast" by in - it's an extremely academically rigorous undergraduate course, and a very demanding profession, even in "9-5" specialties (which often competition rates rivalling those of surgical specialties, although to a slightly lesser degree in the UK than the US), which requires a great deal of personal commitment and fortitude - something the admission tutors are looking for, in addition to academic strength.

I would suggest taking a STEM subject as your priorities in taking the alternate route are not sound, and it's more likely to serve as suitable preparation for you personally.

I can't see it being an issue - I don't know of any medical schools which specifically exclude art A level. As you say, they are very clear about not counting general studies or critical thinking, but I don't think there's a universal policy on art, music etc. If you want to be completely sure, you could email the universities you're thinking of applying to. I think they will have had comparatively few applicants offering art A level in the past, but I doubt they will tell you you can't apply.

You could mention your planned biology related art project at interview if they ask you about art A level. Doing an art project on human biology won't increase your chances of getting an offer, but if it's something you're interested in and passionate about then it could certainly be an interesting talking point.

Yeah I might do just that. Not sure if they would reply to my email though but Its worth a try. I did have a feeling that it wouldn't increase my chances of getting an offer but I thought it would be interested for the interview like you said. Do you have any other good alternative A Level that might make me stand out? I actually read somewhere that Hull York encourages applicants who have done Art as an Level so maybe other places might find it interesting. Thank you for your answer.

I just couldn't really find much on medical students taking art as A Level. I do however agree that I may need to develop my reasoning as to why I picked Art instead of any other STEM subject. I may consider my options again. Than you for your answer. Really appreciate it.

I think a lot of medical schools are looking for people who "broaden their horizons". I know plenty of people who took english or english literature A-level who I applied for medicine alongside. So for me, choosing an "arty" subject wouldnt be viewed as a disadvantage. In an interview, if you can justify your subject interest, I dont see how its disadvantageous.