Can I still study medicine?

My love for medicine has been reignited.
My grades so far are
AS level chemistry at grade A (Had to drop the A-level due to extreme unforeseen circumstances)
Cambridge Tech cert at Distinction
A level Biology at grade B
A level Geography at grade B
As you can see I don't have the normal traditional '3' A-levels instead I have 2 and a half with a cert. Medical schools don't go by UCAS points unfortunately instead they want 3 full grades.
I am now 21 and unable to go to college to redo my A-levels. I'm unsure if I'm even capable of doing such privately nor will it be accepted by medical schools based on what I've read.
Is there a way at all in which I can just do one A level again? Even if I was to take myself outside the UK and study in europe. I still do not have a third A level. Is graduate entry medicine my only choice? I have read about the access to healthcare diploma but will i be eligible as someone who has had the chance to go to college already?
Many thanks though I think i'm very cooked

hi 🙂 I don't know if this is any help but it's crazy I'm in a similar situation but in y13 I've only geography a level this year and am repeating y13 for biology and chemistry due to extenuating circumstances. I think you could look at universities individually asking about their foundation medicine programmes or considering doing an undergraduate degree and then postgraduate medicine, while it is a lengthy process you get 2 degrees out of it and you'll have so so much more experience! I know there are some universities I believe like Exteter which consider 2nd year I think please correct me if I'm wrong a few students are predicted a 2:1 or a 1st in their degree for their medicine programme. However, since you say you are at college to resit your a-levels, many prestigious universities like even Cambridge would consider your application as they understand extenuating circumstances and you'd be a mature student. Still, if you aim to achieve the grades they require, I am so sure you'll have a good chance!! But just know it isn't the end at all and keep going your doing so well-- also consider European universities entry to medicine (Medlink) have a look- I hope I was some help

Thank you so much, you've been great help. I am going to look into exeter in more details.
I have finished college but I don't know if I will be able to re-enrol again to do my third A-level because all I have at the moment is 2 and a half A-levels and I doubt if it's going to be appropriate for university applications. Looking to study at europe a lot of them seem to want the tradition 3 A levels as well which I do not possess. I think by law it is too late to even do my third A level and I don't think universities will even accept me based on this either. I think my best option is graduate entry medicine. I have had offers from nursing and ODP in the past and I don't mind trying again but it's just such a lengthy process.

I'm sure there are alternative routes that are quite lengthy unfortunately but I know a friend who is studying biological sciences at university which doesn't have specific subject requirements to be considered but I believe just UCAS tariff points which would be ideal for you especially since if you have enough points in your two a levels to meet the requirement, they wouldn't mind that you don't have the conventional 3. Following your undergraduate degree which is 3 years, as long as you have a 2:1 or 1st you'd be able to do graduate medicine, of course, there are some terms to it but if you have a look then I'm sure youll find something! All the best )

My love for medicine has been reignited.
My grades so far are
AS level chemistry at grade A (Had to drop the A-level due to extreme unforeseen circumstances)
Cambridge Tech cert at Distinction
A level Biology at grade B
A level Geography at grade B
As you can see I don't have the normal traditional '3' A-levels instead I have 2 and a half with a cert. Medical schools don't go by UCAS points unfortunately instead they want 3 full grades.
I am now 21 and unable to go to college to redo my A-levels. I'm unsure if I'm even capable of doing such privately nor will it be accepted by medical schools based on what I've read.
Is there a way at all in which I can just do one A level again? Even if I was to take myself outside the UK and study in europe. I still do not have a third A level. Is graduate entry medicine my only choice? I have read about the access to healthcare diploma but will i be eligible as someone who has had the chance to go to college already?
Many thanks though I think i'm very cooked

My love for medicine has been reignited.
My grades so far are
AS level chemistry at grade A (Had to drop the A-level due to extreme unforeseen circumstances)
Cambridge Tech cert at Distinction
A level Biology at grade B
A level Geography at grade B
As you can see I don't have the normal traditional '3' A-levels instead I have 2 and a half with a cert. Medical schools don't go by UCAS points unfortunately instead they want 3 full grades.
I am now 21 and unable to go to college to redo my A-levels. I'm unsure if I'm even capable of doing such privately nor will it be accepted by medical schools based on what I've read.
Is there a way at all in which I can just do one A level again? Even if I was to take myself outside the UK and study in europe. I still do not have a third A level. Is graduate entry medicine my only choice? I have read about the access to healthcare diploma but will i be eligible as someone who has had the chance to go to college already?
Many thanks though I think i'm very cooked

Let me tell you, there are MANY pathways into Medicine, so please don't worry. Even if you haven't taken the traditional A-levels for Medicine, there are still plenty of options. This country desperately needs doctors, so you don’t need to worry about going to Europe; you can do it here.
The traditional route involves taking the right A-levels, achieving the necessary grades, doing well on the UCAT, and passing the interview.
However, if you need to retake A-levels, that’s also an option. Many medical schools accept resits, whether it’s one, two, or even all three A-levels. You can find more information on resit policies here: (https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/choosing-a-medical-school/medical-school-a-level-resit-policies/).
For students who haven't taken the required A-levels, you have two options:
1. **Take Chemistry A-level in one year**: This is challenging since the course is designed for two years, but it’s achievable with dedication. You’ll need to apply after achieving the grade and obtain a reference from your old school or college for UCAS.
2. **Do an Access to Medicine course**: This is designed for those without science A-levels and is available at many colleges. You can get an Advanced Learner Loan to pay for it, which will be written off once you go to university. Many medical schools accept this qualification, so it’s definitely worth looking into.
Lastly, there's the option of **Graduate Entry Medicine**. You can do a degree in healthcare or, if that’s not possible, in another field. Some graduate entry medical schools accept non-healthcare degrees. For more information, check out this guide: [Graduate Entry Medicine](https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/graduate-entry-medicine/).
Many universities accept non-science degrees.
As you can see, there are many pathways into Medicine. If you really want it, you’ll get there!

My love for medicine has been reignited.
My grades so far are
AS level chemistry at grade A (Had to drop the A-level due to extreme unforeseen circumstances)
Cambridge Tech cert at Distinction
A level Biology at grade B
A level Geography at grade B
As you can see I don't have the normal traditional '3' A-levels instead I have 2 and a half with a cert. Medical schools don't go by UCAS points unfortunately instead they want 3 full grades.
I am now 21 and unable to go to college to redo my A-levels. I'm unsure if I'm even capable of doing such privately nor will it be accepted by medical schools based on what I've read.
Is there a way at all in which I can just do one A level again? Even if I was to take myself outside the UK and study in europe. I still do not have a third A level. Is graduate entry medicine my only choice? I have read about the access to healthcare diploma but will i be eligible as someone who has had the chance to go to college already?
Many thanks though I think i'm very cooked

Couldn’t you do an access course ?

I'm looking into the access courses, many say it's for mature students who do not have traditional grades such as GCSE or A-levels and others say if you're out traditional education for more than 3 years then you can apply. I am trying to see which is the case for me. If it is 3 years for me then I can begin this access course Sept 2025. I hope this is the case as I can do the access course whilst still working full-time. I'm no longer eligible to do another A-level resit nor am I able to due to current circumstances of being moved out and independent etc. If not access course it will be studying abroad or GEM entry.