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manchester medicine

I'm hoping to study medicine and I really like Manchester, however they require 7 GCSEs grade 7 or higher and I only have 6, is it still worth applying or are the GCSES super important?

Reply 1

Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

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Megathreads
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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
Medicine 2024 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2024 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2024 Entry
2024 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2024 Entry

2025 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2025 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
GAMSAT 2025 / 2026 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2025 Entry Discussions Megathread


Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 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
Funding medicine as a second degree

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Reply 2

Original post by stellastennett
I'm hoping to study medicine and I really like Manchester, however they require 7 GCSEs grade 7 or higher and I only have 6, is it still worth applying or are the GCSES super important?

If they require 7 x 7s and you don't have them, you have not met requirements and will be rejected, I'm afraid

Reply 3

Yes, in med applications GCSEs are super important. As the vast majority of applicants don’t have A levels at the point of application then the majority of schools base their sifting to screen for interview on GCSEs and UCAT (and possibly contextual factors) in some combination.

If they state a GCSE profile is a minimum requirement, then you must have those GCSEs or you won’t move to the next stage - (unless you have strong extenuating circumstances which they accept).

Some unis also state a minimum UCAT score, sometimes a threshold, but more often it’s a minimum SJT band.

If you don’t have the basic entry requirements (incl A level subjects) then you won’t get past the door.

Sadly it doesn’t guarantee you an interview if you meet the entry requirements as there are so many applicants. So they then have to rank or assess everybody who applies and meets the entry requirements to decide who to invite to interview. So they may do some type of formula or scoring of GCSEs/UCAT. Only those that meet that next level will be invited to interview. So it is extremely important to apply strategically.

You can cut some out if your A level subjects aren’t right or you don’t meet the GCSE requirements and then assess the rest to see your best chance of interview when you have your UCAT score. Read the application policies on their websites.

And put your info into the which medical school thread when you have your UCAT to sense check your options.

Good luck.
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 4

Original post by stellastennett
I'm hoping to study medicine and I really like Manchester, however they require 7 GCSEs grade 7 or higher and I only have 6, is it still worth applying or are the GCSES super important?


I think the best thing would be to ring them and ask! I’m a med applicant and I remember that Manchester consider the UCAT A LOT, but i’m not too sure on how much they take gcses into consideration so just ring them and ask honestly

Reply 5

Original post by Idk5677
I think the best thing would be to ring them and ask! I’m a med applicant and I remember that Manchester consider the UCAT A LOT, but i’m not too sure on how much they take gcses into consideration so just ring them and ask honestly

The first place to start is with a med school's website, as the information is often on there. And click all the links and read any documents.

Reply 6

Original post by stellastennett
I'm hoping to study medicine and I really like Manchester, however they require 7 GCSEs grade 7 or higher and I only have 6, is it still worth applying or are the GCSES super important?

check if you can meet their wp critera , as for that they only require 6 GSCE at grade 7 + if i remember correctly

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