imperfect gcse grades for medicine

i've got grade 9 for all 3 science subjects and Maths but my English language sucks(a grade 5, i am going to retake it ) Also, i had only 7 GCSE subjects taken. The grades of the another 2 subjects are decent, around grade 7. As an international student, I am not sure if the number of GCSE subjects is enough for applying to medical schools of the G5 universities and will they consider my GCSE english language retake?

i've got grade 9 for all 3 science subjects and Maths but my English language sucks(a grade 5, i am going to retake it ) Also, i had only 7 GCSE subjects taken. The grades of the another 2 subjects are decent, around grade 7. As an international student, I am not sure if the number of GCSE subjects is enough for applying to medical schools of the G5 universities and will they consider my GCSE english language retake?

as far as I know, most G5 unis care about first-attempt GCSE results in math and english, especially Oxford and LSE, as these results can determine your essential linguistic and mathematical ability which is emphasized by any degree. medicine, in particular, is always one of the most competitive degrees ever in G5 unis, hence you need exemplary grades (in both A-levels and BMAT/MCAT) and a good personal statement to stand out from the crowd. as an international student, you are even more disadvantaged as you'll be competing with talents worldwide for only a few quotas. however, note that your A-level predictions, personal statement and interview performance are more important, so try to aim for a high grade in A-levels to give prestigious med schools a decent shot! best of luck!

fyi an alumnus from my school (international) received 10 9s in GCSE and 45 predicted in IB, was a medallist in numerous competitions like science and math olympiads, and did a shadowing programme guided by a famous professor from a prestigious uni. unfortunately, he was rejected by Cambridge and he's now reading medicine at UCL instead. international applications to UK medical schools are always cruel, sadly.

Thank you for you reply. Are there things i can do to compensate my decent gcse grades? Which med schools weigh gcse less?

A-level predicted grades, performance in your personal statement and interviews should smh compensate for this, however, most schools value your basic linguistic and mathematical ability by looking at your gcse math & english grades, especially G5 ones. would suggest you probably retake gcse english again if possible

Ok thank you for your advice

LSE do not even offer medicine.
None of them look at your PS and only at Cambridge are A levels beyond minimum requirements likely to gain you anything.
Imperial and UCL simply ask for a 6 in maths and English and both allow resits.
Cambridge and Oxford have zero specific GCSE requirements, but both may use them in making final decisions for offers. They are not keen on resits without extenuating circumstances.

Imperial and UCL will ask for A*AA predicted at A level, 6s in maths and English and then shortlist on BMAT score, with the interview deciding whether you get an offer
Oxford want A*AA predicted/achieved, then shortlist on BMAT, but may use all information in deciding re offers - with the interview being most heavily weighted
Cambridge interview pretty much anyone they think can make A*A*A at A level and then use all information post interview to decide re offers.

None of them have released what they are doing when the BMAT goes, to my knowledge, but it would be reckless to apply to 3 or 4 BMAT unis, as you do not get your results until after you have applied, so if you do not do as well as hoped in the test, you have lost most/all your options. Obviously, you can only apply to 1 of Cambridge or Oxford.

Thank you for your precise explanation. So do you mean that actually gcse grades are less important (although it's still important) than a level and BMAT in G5 med schools as long as i met the specific GCSE requirements like grade 6 or above in both english and maths? I actually wanted to apply to King's College London as well as it's a med school that looks at UCAT. But i've heard that they weigh GCSE quite heavy. So i guess applying to King's college London is probably not a good idea? I am definitely going to retake GCSE english but even if my new english grade turns out being good, i don't know if my overall gcse result is consider a good one for medicine as i have only taken 7 GCSE subjects in total.