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A levels too low for medicine. Alternative routes in?

Hello, I am a current a level student completing my A levels in Bio Chem and Psychology. I would like to do medicine however I’m almost sure my grades will be nowhere near med standards, this is because of a combination of private issues that occurred during my year 12 and 13. For reference in my last spring mocks I achieved C D U in Bio psych chem respectively.
I am not delusional and I’m aware these grades are extremely low and medicine is a pipe dream. I however do intend to enroll into a foundation biomedical science course and complete it (hopefully graduating with a 2:1 or above) and then do a post grad in med or either a physicians associate degree and then go on to specialise. My only concern is besides having to go the postgraduate route, will my A levels impact my ability to become a doctor and then perhaps specialise in surgery? Will the uni I achieve my biomed degree at (currently looking at Middlesex and ARU) impact the chances I have of being able to get into a med school?
Any help is appreciated and I am very thankful to those who have read this, i also welcome any criticism as I may have an overly ideal view.
Thank you
Edit: I’m currently in year 13 sitting a levels currently
Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

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.
Reply 2
Original post by TSR Hippocrates
Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:
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.
thank you
Reply 3
Original post by HyperActiv3
Hello, I am a current a level student completing my A levels in Bio Chem and Psychology. I would like to do medicine however I’m almost sure my grades will be nowhere near med standards, this is because of a combination of private issues that occurred during my year 12 and 13. For reference in my last spring mocks I achieved C D U in Bio psych chem respectively.
I am not delusional and I’m aware these grades are extremely low and medicine is a pipe dream. I however do intend to enroll into a foundation biomedical science course and complete it (hopefully graduating with a 2:1 or above) and then do a post grad in med or either a physicians associate degree and then go on to specialise. My only concern is besides having to go the postgraduate route, will my A levels impact my ability to become a doctor and then perhaps specialise in surgery? Will the uni I achieve my biomed degree at (currently looking at Middlesex and ARU) impact the chances I have of being able to get into a med school?
Any help is appreciated and I am very thankful to those who have read this, i also welcome any criticism as I may have an overly ideal view.
Thank you
Edit: I’m currently in year 13 sitting a levels currently


I would pick biomedical science if you feel like even if you don't get into medicine you would be happy in having a career in biomed. Have u looked into internal transfer pathways. Anglia ruskin had them and for biomed I belive you can transfer after first year and third year of biomed or if you choose the optom or medical science course you can transfer after first year of them.
Reply 4
Original post by Alaska17
I would pick biomedical science if you feel like even if you don't get into medicine you would be happy in having a career in biomed. Have u looked into internal transfer pathways. Anglia ruskin had them and for biomed I belive you can transfer after first year and third year of biomed or if you choose the optom or medical science course you can transfer after first year of them.


You would need to have a decent ucatto be selected for interview and then instead of a-level you would need to meet a minimum percentage in the first year to transfer. I didn't get alevel that are needed for med so this pathway was a good option.
Reply 5
Your A-level grades might not be ideal for med school, but acing your degree could really boost your chances for postgrad studies.
Original post by HyperActiv3
Hello, I am a current a level student completing my A levels in Bio Chem and Psychology. I would like to do medicine however I’m almost sure my grades will be nowhere near med standards, this is because of a combination of private issues that occurred during my year 12 and 13. For reference in my last spring mocks I achieved C D U in Bio psych chem respectively.
I am not delusional and I’m aware these grades are extremely low and medicine is a pipe dream. I however do intend to enroll into a foundation biomedical science course and complete it (hopefully graduating with a 2:1 or above) and then do a post grad in med or either a physicians associate degree and then go on to specialise. My only concern is besides having to go the postgraduate route, will my A levels impact my ability to become a doctor and then perhaps specialise in surgery? Will the uni I achieve my biomed degree at (currently looking at Middlesex and ARU) impact the chances I have of being able to get into a med school?
Any help is appreciated and I am very thankful to those who have read this, i also welcome any criticism as I may have an overly ideal view.
Thank you
Edit: I’m currently in year 13 sitting a levels currently

a lot of graduate entry courses or entering standard 5 year courses as a grad will have minimum A level requirements e.g. BBB. grad entry med and sometimes also doing 5 year standard course as a grad is also a lot more competitive than standard entry. i'd say try the best with your a levels, then see what results u get, and there is a possibility to resit them and take a gap year so u can enter standard entry medicine, there are some med schools that accept resits, especially with extenuating circumstances.
(edited 8 months ago)
Your dream is possible, Lydia Martin a YouTuber achieved BCD in her A levels, did another degree and is now in final year at medical school.

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