Can I go into biochem or work in the medical field with these alevels?

I'm about to go into y12, and my alevels are the following:
Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and Chemistry.
I was going to swap further maths for bio but i decided this around results day and I called up my school and biology is full so I can't do it (I got a 9 in bio so my grade is not the problem, it is genuinely just full and theyve never seen so many people want to do it)
I want to know if I can still study something medicine related at a uni say Imperial. I don't want to be a doctor but I want to work in the field and my favourite subjects are chemistry and maths. Biochem looks interesting but I was wondering if I would be really disadvantaged as a candidate considering I don't have biology
Thanks for reading, am just a bit stressed is all :smile:

Reply 1

BankaiGintoki

21

Original post by soutu

I'm about to go into y12, and my alevels are the following:
Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and Chemistry.
I was going to swap further maths for bio but i decided this around results day and I called up my school and biology is full so I can't do it (I got a 9 in bio so my grade is not the problem, it is genuinely just full and theyve never seen so many people want to do it)
I want to know if I can still study something medicine related at a uni say Imperial. I don't want to be a doctor but I want to work in the field and my favourite subjects are chemistry and maths. Biochem looks interesting but I was wondering if I would be really disadvantaged as a candidate considering I don't have biology
Thanks for reading, am just a bit stressed is all :smile:

Yes you can. Biochemistry at ntu: https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/0c69664d-e0d1-3ac5-4397-a19fe24c4f10?SearchText=
Requires 2 of biology, chemistry, physics or maths
Shamelessly advertising the degree I chose…

(edited 8 months ago)

Original post by soutu

I'm about to go into y12, and my alevels are the following:
Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and Chemistry.
I was going to swap further maths for bio but i decided this around results day and I called up my school and biology is full so I can't do it (I got a 9 in bio so my grade is not the problem, it is genuinely just full and theyve never seen so many people want to do it)
I want to know if I can still study something medicine related at a uni say Imperial. I don't want to be a doctor but I want to work in the field and my favourite subjects are chemistry and maths. Biochem looks interesting but I was wondering if I would be really disadvantaged as a candidate considering I don't have biology
Thanks for reading, am just a bit stressed is all :smile:

Hi @soutu 👋

Each university will have different entry requirements but I can give you an idea of some degrees you could do if you chose to study at Essex that could lead to a career in the medical field:

BSc Biochemistry
https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/ug00033/1/bsc-biochemistry
GCSE: Maths C/4
A-levels: BBB, including Chemistry or Biology and a second science or Mathematics.
Psychology, Statistics, Physics, Applied Science, Human Biology, Geography, PE and Sociology (on a case by case basis) are all acceptable as second science A-levels.

BSc Biomedical Science
https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/ug00039/1/bsc-biomedical-science
GCSE: Maths C/4
A-levels: BBB, including Chemistry or Biology and a second science or Mathematics.
Psychology, Statistics, Physics, Applied Science, Human Biology, Geography, PE and Sociology (on a case by case basis) are all acceptable as second science A-levels.

BSc Genetics
https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/ug00178/1/bsc-genetics
GCSE: Maths C/4
A-levels: BBB, including Biology (or equivalent). Acceptable A-level equivalents are Chemistry or Life and Health Sciences

BSc Human Biology
https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/ug01340/1/bsc-human-biology
GCSE: Maths C/4
A-levels: BBB, including Biology (or equivalent). Acceptable A-level equivalents are Chemistry or Life and Health Sciences

BSc Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience
https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/ug00362/1/bsc-psychology-with-cognitive-neuroscience
GCSE: Maths C/4
A Levels: ABB (any A Levels)

Hope this helps to see that you don't always need biology to do a bio degree. The fact you're studying two sciences plus maths, it will set you in great stead for university applications. I'd recommend mentioning in your personal statement for applications that you wanted to pursue biology for A Level but scheduling conflicts wouldn't permit it. You chose to focus on the other sciences and now you're looking forward to studying biology modules again within your chosen degree.

If you enjoy maths and chemistry I think you'd really like biochem. I study biomed but we have a lot of overlapping modules in the first year and one of my friends is on the biochem course.

Best of luck in what you choose to do next 😊
Essex Student Rep - Hayley

Reply 3

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

15

Original post by soutu

I'm about to go into y12, and my alevels are the following:
Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and Chemistry.
I was going to swap further maths for bio but i decided this around results day and I called up my school and biology is full so I can't do it (I got a 9 in bio so my grade is not the problem, it is genuinely just full and theyve never seen so many people want to do it)
I want to know if I can still study something medicine related at a uni say Imperial. I don't want to be a doctor but I want to work in the field and my favourite subjects are chemistry and maths. Biochem looks interesting but I was wondering if I would be really disadvantaged as a candidate considering I don't have biology
Thanks for reading, am just a bit stressed is all :smile:

Hi @soutu

From my experience applying, most universities require chemistry and another science A level to apply for biochemistry - so you should be fine!

However, I've found that my biology A level did help me when I was starting my degree in terms of providing background knowledge so maybe pick up a revision guide (CGP might do one?) to read through or watch a few videos on YouTube to help you with your application and make sure you definitely want to study a bioscience at university?

Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)