Graduate medicine

mark2003

Hi,
I've been intrigued by the prospect of graduate entry medicine and was wondering if it was possible without having studied chemistry or biology at A-level. I'm in my 2nd year of a BSc Economics degree at the University of Bristol having studied Maths, Physics and Economics at A-level (A*AA). If so, which medical schools would consider me? Thanks!

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

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The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
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Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work

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Official Undergraduate Medicine 2023 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2023 Entry
Medicine 2023 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2023 Entry
Medicine Interview discussion 2023 Entry
2023 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Index of Individual Medical School Applicants' threads 2023 Entry

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Official Undergraduate Medicine 2024 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2024 Entry
GAMSAT 2024 / 2025 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2024 Entry Discussions Megathread

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Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2025 Entry

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GCSE Requirements for Medicine
Everything you need to know about the BMAT
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
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MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application

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Reply 2

TheMedicOwl

Original post by mark2003

I'm a graduate medicine student from a humanities/social science background, and I don't have biology or chemistry at A-level either (or any science, come to that - I was much more interested in languages at that point in my life). Based on your current qualifications, there are five medical schools that would consider your application: Newcastle, Nottingham, Swansea, Southampton, and Warwick. They don't use A-levels in the selection process at all, so it doesn't matter that you have no biology or chemistry. They only look at your degree result and your performance in the aptitude tests. Southampton does have a minimum GCSE requirement - grade C/4 or above in English language, maths, biology, and chemistry - but it sounds as if you've met that.

You need a 2:i or better in your degree and to score above the threshold on the relevant aptitude test. Newcastle, Warwick, and Southampton use UCAT. The other two are GAMSAT universities. I only took UCAT, which is designed as a test of reasoning rather than scientific knowledge. You can practise for it, but you don't have to memorise anything. GAMSAT does favour people with some science knowledge, but you're in a good position with A-level physics, and I doubt you'd have difficulty teaching yourself the necessary bio and chem. Plenty of non-science grads have done well on it. However, I should warn you that these tests can be an unexpected Achilles' heel for many grads, because the threshold that medical schools set for GEM is typically higher than the one they use for the standard five-year courses. Don't overprepare, but don't be complacent either.

The final thing to mention is work experience. Warwick has set requirements (at least 70 hours of hands-on care work, spread across at least two different settings). Without this you won't be shortlisted for interview. The other med schools I listed don't stipulate what exactly you should do, but as the interview will explore commitment to and insight into medicine as a career, you need to make sure you have something relevant to reflect on there.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. :smile: