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

@becausethenight thanks for your useful insight. what’s your advise in this case. Which four options I should consider?

Thanks ecolier. I don’t want to drop Art & Design as it offer a good distraction and helps me in focusing more on my core Bio, Chem & Maths subjects. I like writings essays that’s why thinking of EPQ in Biology. Between Cambridge and Oxford which university will offer higher chances of getting admission. Consider meeting all criteria (High GCSE score, High BMAT score, High A level score). There must be a probability of succeeding one over other.

Please help, I can't decide between the both of these. I know RS migh fair better than computing but, which one will help me the most in medicine. Please anyone help!!!!

Also, shall I consider that admission in Qxford is more difficult than Cambridge? Or vice versa.

Is Biology, Chemistry and English Lit a good combination for applying to Medicine courses?

For most unis, yes, but some unis like Oxbridge require you to take a third science if you want to apply there

Also, it is not all colleges at Cambridge, only a select few.

James 😊
Y2 Oxford Medical Student
Medic Mind

Also, shall I consider that admission in Qxford is more difficult than Cambridge? Or vice versa.

Ultimately, if you look good on paper, go for Oxford, if you look less good on paper, but you back yourself at interview, then Cambridge is a better bet. Ofc this is all just my opinion. The evidence basis for this advice is shaky at best.

I'd suggest its more complicated than that.

Firstly, no one knows how many Cambridge interview - not even Cambridge themselves. They don't collect centralised data on it, and they acknowledge it 'varies between courses' - I suspect that for courses with more applicants than average, they interview fewer.

Secondly, the difference is perhaps smaller than you might think. Lets take the oft-cited '75%' interview rate as a conservatively high estimate - that would make the chance of success following Cambridge interview about ~34%, versus Oxford's ~40% (from here). So a 6% absolute chance of it making a difference.

Thirdly, you have to remember that Oxford interviews a lot more thoroughly than Cambridge. Oxford typically does 3-5 interviews over 2 days, whereas Cambridge typically does 1-2 interviews in a single day (I understand). At Oxford there are colleges that only consider interview performance in making offers - that is a lot less likely at Cambridge.

So I'm really not sure where I'd apply if I believed I were poor at Oxbridge style interviews. Probably neither!

I'd suggest its more complicated than that.

Firstly, no one knows how many Cambridge interview - not even Cambridge themselves. They don't collect centralised data on it, and they acknowledge it 'varies between courses' - I suspect that for courses with more applicants than average, they interview fewer.

Secondly, the difference is perhaps smaller than you might think. Lets take the oft-cited '75%' interview rate as a conservatively high estimate - that would make the chance of success following Cambridge interview about ~34%, versus Oxford's ~40% (from here). So a 6% absolute chance of it making a difference.

Thirdly, you have to remember that Oxford interviews a lot more thoroughly than Cambridge. Oxford typically does 3-5 interviews over 2 days, whereas Cambridge typically does 1-2 interviews in a single day (I understand). At Oxford there are colleges that only consider interview performance in making offers - that is a lot less likely at Cambridge.

So I'm really not sure where I'd apply if I believed I were poor at Oxbridge style interviews. Probably neither!

Cambridge - for Home students, around 80% get an interview, but only 17% of all applicants got an offer in 2020 (1,800 applicants, 300 offers, 295 acceptances), although I think the ratio is better for Home than International. They basically interview anyone they believe might get A*A*A, so actually the interview to offer rate is a lot lower than Oxford. The number of Cambridge applicants has been rising for years now:

I’m from Canada, 22 years old and just found out ill be eligible for student loans as the spouse of a UK citizen in 2024! I thought it was impossible until now. I will be taking my GCSE’s and A-levels as I didn’t take enough science based subjects in Canadian high school. I have a couple questions I’m hoping for some help with I desperately want to attend the University of Manchester so I don’t have to relocate, I also really love the campus and school itself.

1. How should I take GCSE’s and A-levels? Does it make a difference how long it takes me to finish or how many I take at once? I’m considering just paying for a course online, then sitting the exams privately. Will this negatively affect my application?

2. I have to work full-time as well. If I switch to a job in caring or anything health care related, is this a high level of experience? Any job recommendations. Anything above minimum wage is suitable! :P

Thank you!

I’m not an expert on grad applications at all, but the order you do GCSEs and A levels in shouldn’t really matter as long as it’s all within the requirements a uni sets out (eg A levels over 2 years only). I’d definitely get in touch with Manchester (and other schools you apply to - medicine is hugely competitive so if you can it is better to apply to 4 schools) just to confirm everything will be suitable.

I don’t think working in healthcare is a direct advantage for admissions, but it has soft advantages like facilitating work experience (as you can just ask doctors you work with) and sounding good at interview. You can have a look at the NHS Jobs website, probably something like a healthcare assistant role, phlebotomist sort of thing?

Hi thanks for your reply! I'm not a graduate, just applying to standard entry in 2024. Ill be applying for healthcare roles and confirming which GCSEs and A levels are suitable. Thank you again