Applying to medicine at undergrad or GEM? (with arts degree and no science A Levels)
Hi!
I was hoping for some advice, as I am not 100% sure what I should be doing at the moment. I am hoping to apply for Medicine (2024 entry, obviously if everything went perfectly which is unlikely).
I have just completed my undergraduate degree at KCL in History, in which I will receive either a 1st or 2:1. I have 4 A Levels at A (History, Economics, Philosophy, and Politics). I also have 10 GCSEs, at 6A* (including Bio, Chem, Phys) and 4As.
My question is: does it make more sense to apply to GEM courses with what I have (plus UKCAT/GAMSAT) or do Biology and Chemistry A-Levels in the next year (which I am confident I could get at least an A in) and apply as an Undergraduate?
I suppose Bio/Chem would give me more options about where to apply (and ideally I would like to stay in London - I know St Georges has the option for GEM with an arts degree - know this is a bit of a beggars can't be choosers situation though).
Any advice would be appreciated, I know it is not an easy decision I am making.
Thanks
I was hoping for some advice, as I am not 100% sure what I should be doing at the moment. I am hoping to apply for Medicine (2024 entry, obviously if everything went perfectly which is unlikely).
I have just completed my undergraduate degree at KCL in History, in which I will receive either a 1st or 2:1. I have 4 A Levels at A (History, Economics, Philosophy, and Politics). I also have 10 GCSEs, at 6A* (including Bio, Chem, Phys) and 4As.
My question is: does it make more sense to apply to GEM courses with what I have (plus UKCAT/GAMSAT) or do Biology and Chemistry A-Levels in the next year (which I am confident I could get at least an A in) and apply as an Undergraduate?
I suppose Bio/Chem would give me more options about where to apply (and ideally I would like to stay in London - I know St Georges has the option for GEM with an arts degree - know this is a bit of a beggars can't be choosers situation though).
Any advice would be appreciated, I know it is not an easy decision I am making.
Thanks
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Megathreads
(Please read the first post, before then posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work
2023 Applicants:
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
2024 Applicants :
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2024 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2024 Entry
GAMSAT 2024 / 2025 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2024 Entry Discussions Megathread
Other application years:
Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2025 Entry
Useful Articles:
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)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
Megathreads
(Please read the first post, before then posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work
2023 Applicants:
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
2024 Applicants :
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2024 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2024 Entry
GAMSAT 2024 / 2025 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2024 Entry Discussions Megathread
Other application years:
Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2025 Entry
Useful Articles:
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)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
Original post by m_rrisa
Hi!
I was hoping for some advice, as I am not 100% sure what I should be doing at the moment. I am hoping to apply for Medicine (2024 entry, obviously if everything went perfectly which is unlikely).
I have just completed my undergraduate degree at KCL in History, in which I will receive either a 1st or 2:1. I have 4 A Levels at A (History, Economics, Philosophy, and Politics). I also have 10 GCSEs, at 6A* (including Bio, Chem, Phys) and 4As.
My question is: does it make more sense to apply to GEM courses with what I have (plus UKCAT/GAMSAT) or do Biology and Chemistry A-Levels in the next year (which I am confident I could get at least an A in) and apply as an Undergraduate?
I suppose Bio/Chem would give me more options about where to apply (and ideally I would like to stay in London - I know St Georges has the option for GEM with an arts degree - know this is a bit of a beggars can't be choosers situation though).
Any advice would be appreciated, I know it is not an easy decision I am making.
Thanks
I was hoping for some advice, as I am not 100% sure what I should be doing at the moment. I am hoping to apply for Medicine (2024 entry, obviously if everything went perfectly which is unlikely).
I have just completed my undergraduate degree at KCL in History, in which I will receive either a 1st or 2:1. I have 4 A Levels at A (History, Economics, Philosophy, and Politics). I also have 10 GCSEs, at 6A* (including Bio, Chem, Phys) and 4As.
My question is: does it make more sense to apply to GEM courses with what I have (plus UKCAT/GAMSAT) or do Biology and Chemistry A-Levels in the next year (which I am confident I could get at least an A in) and apply as an Undergraduate?
I suppose Bio/Chem would give me more options about where to apply (and ideally I would like to stay in London - I know St Georges has the option for GEM with an arts degree - know this is a bit of a beggars can't be choosers situation though).
Any advice would be appreciated, I know it is not an easy decision I am making.
Thanks
Can you afford to do a 5 year degree as the funding available to you will be much less than for GEM? This might make your mind up for you.
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