A-levels best for Veterinary medicine

Hi all,

I'm going to be taking my A-levels in September and have decided on chem, biology, geography and history. I'm looking to study veterinary medicine, and while I know that work exp. is a huge part of the application process, how would these A-levels be viewed?, would not taking maths or physics greatly affect my chances of acceptance? (as far as maths and physics are concerned I wouldn't consider myself particularly confident in them).

Sorry if similar questions have been posted before, looking foward to any resonses.

Emma.

Reply 1

Retrospect

I don't think having maths specifically would benefit you and physics is not specified as a requirement, but I'd concentrate on doing well in sciences & maths at gcse (at least B's in both; most medical schools ask for this plus i'm sure you're aware of the amount of competition).

And if you don't feel particularly confident about taking them anyway, by all means do Geography and History, it shows great diversity. Good luck. :smile:

Reply 2

skatealexia

Go post in the vet section part of this site, you'll get loads of help ^^.

Reply 3

skatealexia

But as an aside, you definately need chemistry.

Then either biology, maths, and physics, 2 out of these.

Then take which you want.
But two sciences and maths, or three sciences is appreciated :smile:

Reply 4

skatealexia

Edit;. Maybe take phychology? If you don't like a third science or maths? As its seen as a sort of science.

Reply 5

Annaconda

they will be fine. you will limit your choice slightly by not doing 3 sciences but apart from that it wont make any difference

Reply 6

Willsh16

Am going for vet aswell unfortunately screwed up my as levels

As long as you keep chem n bio on at a level thenit doesn't matter just make sure you don't do 4 at a level cos itll kill u my mate is hating it

Reply 7

imemma

Thanks for all your replies. I'd been advised that environmental studies may be more useful for ved med than physics but as far as I'm aware it's probably less well regarded than physics.

Reply 8

imemma

Willsh16

Are you resitting your AS levels this year, or taking resits in your A2 year? If you don't mind me asking.

Reply 9

Willsh16

imemma

Are you resitting your AS levels this year, or taking resits in your A2 year? If you don't mind me asking.

Am in A2 and resitting probably 4 exams over the nxt yr
predicted grades were ABB so teachers thought it was a bad idea to apply this yr.
Ive applied for 1 yr foundation courses at lincoln n rvc, if i pass them i get straight into vet school.
I couldn't b bothered to resit AS again.
Best advice i can give is wrk ur ass off in AS and u'll have no problems

Reply 10

emilyyy

At the end of the day imemma...

Four of the seven uni's don't require physics or maths, just chemistry and biology (and a decent phys/maths GCSE pass). The other subjects you choose are entirely up to you and as long as one of them isn't general studies the uni's aren't generally allowed to discriminate on what you've chosen. You won't be lowering your chances of acceptance in the slightest.

The only thing you will be reducing, as Annaconda says, is the choice you have over which universities you can apply to. The other three require either physics or maths, so without these subjects you would only be able to apply to the four I mentioned above (for your reference these are Notts, Liv, RVC and Bristol).

Good choice of subjects in my opinion, as long as you know you'll enjoy them. Strong subjects that show you are academically able. Fabby :smile:

Though do check the prospectuses for confirmation of everything I've said, just to get it straight in your head :yep:

Reply 11

charlie6591

Glasgow doesnt require maths/physics as a third science either. before i applied i emailed the admissions officer and asked her and she sent me the specification. so its only edinburgh and cambridge that want chem, bio and maths/physics.

good news for me cuz after one year of maths i was pretty reluctant to put up with another year of it lol. and now doing chem bio and geog A2.

Reply 12

ch0c0h01ic

charlie6591

When I applied to Cam (several years back now) they weren't bothered at all that I hadn't chosen 3 sciences, unless it's changed recently?

Just contact admissions and ask for their final decision if in any doubt.

Reply 13

Annaconda

it says in the Cam prospectus that not all colleges want 3 sciences, so its worth looking at the individual college requirements

Reply 14

Shockley

I'm a graduate applicant applying next year, and I'm retaking Biology, Chemistry and Physics. I was originally going to pick Psychology as the third one but as I'm applying to Cambridge I know they prefer maths or physics and I need all the luck I can get!!

Reply 15

AmyDron

I appreciate that this is a very old post and i doubt i will get a reply from you, but i am looking at vet med or animal related courses (eg zoology) and am taking as levels in bio, chem, maths and geog, which are the same as yours. I was just wondering which subject you dropped for A2 and if you did go to a vet uni and what grades you achieved/needed for this? If you dont mind me asking! Thanks