Trying to decide what educational path is better for me.

Hi everyone,
I hope you are all well. I am trying to seek some advice for my path into university. I am currently studying a BTEC level 3 National Diploma in Applied Science alongside A-Level Sociology.

I am aiming to get into medicine and I am aware that this would be very difficult to do given the qualifications I am currently working towards, but I have two routes that I can do that will allow me to get into medicine:

1. There is a local private college near my house that will allow me to take both chemistry and biology A-Levels at the cost of around £4,000. This seems like an ideal route for me but, I will need to do these examinations while working towards my two other qualifications (which are both equal to 3 A-Levels) so I do not want to jeopardize my grades. Doing this will give me the 3 needed A-Levels to get into medical school (if I get the grades). I am also quite wary about this route as I must pay in full and the £4,000 does not include tuition, this just includes both the practical side for both of the subjects and the examination entry cost. This means I will need to pay an additional cost for a tutor which can vary from £20-40/hr. If I was to do this route I would possibly take a gap year in-between year 13 and university to focus on my studies.

2. My second option is to go through the graduate entry route. This is MUCH more expensive, time consuming, and competitive but this way I would be able to focus on studying (WHICH I LOVEEEEEEEE). If I was to go this way I will do a BN (hons) degree in Adult (or child) nursing. I will then go onto apply for a graduate entry medicine programme. I know this seems like a lot of time but in general it is only (not really only but oh well) 7 years which in comparison to other universities like oxford or other 6 year medicine programs i would only be one year behind.

I am currently leaning towards the second route as (as much as I hate to say it) it is a lot less of a hassle and I would be foung one year of extra work that I am not too interested in doing if I was going to pick the first option. The best way would be to go straight into medicine with the current qualifications i am working to get. But, as far as I am aware, no university will take them.

Any opinions?

Thanks in advance,
Kieran.

What is the reason for not just doing 3 A levels now?
What age are you?
Do you have any WP flags? Some Foundation courses accept BTECs
Most med schools want 3 A levels achieved in one sitting, so doing sociology one year followed by chem and bio the next year may not satisfy requirements.
GEM is the hardest route into medicine, so I would carefully check out all alternatives before settling on this

1. All of the colleges near me (that are free of entry) were filled up.

2. I am 16.

3. Yes.

I have mostly been looking at universities near me (southampton, ect) which haven’t stressed that A-Levels will need to be sat in one year and I will be able to sleep the two private collage A-Levels during next year.

You would be far better restarting Yr 12 with 3 A levels, to include chem and bio, as this would keep the most options open to you. But ideally, it should be 3 new subjects, as otherwise, you are limited to med schools that accept resits.
Otherwise, look at the Foundation Courses and see if you qualify for them, as most med schools ask for 3 A levels in one sitting.
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/media/3060/uk-medical-school-entry-requirements-2024-entry.pdf