If I resit A-levels, could I study med?

I achieved ABB at A-levels and am now deciding my next steps. If I resit in January 2025, achieving at least AAA, should I apply to medicine?

I understand it’s safer to go the degree route, get my undergrad and do GEM but I don’t want to struggle for money for too long or be in education without income which is bothering me.

I am waiting for my Nursing place to be offered through clearing. Do I back out now and do a gap year? Does anyone have experience?

Reply 1

ellawheeler

Original post by 09548ru

I achieved ABB at A-levels and am now deciding my next steps. If I resit in January 2025, achieving at least AAA, should I apply to medicine?
I understand it’s safer to go the degree route, get my undergrad and do GEM but I don’t want to struggle for money for too long or be in education without income which is bothering me.
I am waiting for my Nursing place to be offered through clearing. Do I back out now and do a gap year? Does anyone have experience?

Maybe check if universities will allow you to resit for medicine because sometimes the universities do not allow people to resit levels unless there are extenuating circumstance. (If you are are thinking about resting).
If not are there no unis that offer medicine with ABB?

Reply 2

GANFYD

Original post by 09548ru

I achieved ABB at A-levels and am now deciding my next steps. If I resit in January 2025, achieving at least AAA, should I apply to medicine?
I understand it’s safer to go the degree route, get my undergrad and do GEM but I don’t want to struggle for money for too long or be in education without income which is bothering me.
I am waiting for my Nursing place to be offered through clearing. Do I back out now and do a gap year? Does anyone have experience?

If you want to study medicine, a gap year and resitting is shorter, cheaper and less competitive than GEM

Reply 3

Ata178

Original post by GANFYD

If you want to study medicine, a gap year and resitting is shorter, cheaper and less competitive than GEM

@GANFYD I got BBB for my A levels and missed out on my med offer - gutted!! What would you advise?

Reply 4

GANFYD

BBB at first sit limits the med schools you can apply to
Aston
Bristol
Exeter
Sheffield
Southampton
Kings
Edge Hill
Newcastle

Of those Aston and Kings need A*AA anyway and EXETER needs A*A*A* predicted to have a reasonable chance. Newcastle would need the same, as thye require an A* in any resat subject.
Sheffield, Bristol and Southampton need high UCATs.

So I guess it depends a bit what you think you can achieve in resits and UCAT.
If you think you can get a really high UCAT, resit and reapply. If not, it may be one of the few occasions where GEM may be the better option, but choose a course that leads to a career you would be happy with long term, as GEM is even more competitive.

But also check out if you meet any WP flags, as these can lower requirements considerably.

Reply 5

Ata178

Original post by GANFYD

BBB at first sit limits the med schools you can apply to
Aston
Bristol
Exeter
Sheffield
Southampton
Kings
Edge Hill
Newcastle
Of those Aston and Kings need A*AA anyway and EXETER needs A*A*A* predicted to have a reasonable chance. Newcastle would need the same, as thye require an A* in any resat subject.
Sheffield, Bristol and Southampton need high UCATs.
So I guess it depends a bit what you think you can achieve in resits and UCAT.
If you think you can get a really high UCAT, resit and reapply. If not, it may be one of the few occasions where GEM may be the better option, but choose a course that leads to a career you would be happy with long term, as GEM is even more competitive.
But also check out if you meet any WP flags, as these can lower requirements considerably.

Thanks @GANFYD
Would HYMS be an option?

Reply 6

GANFYD

Original post by Ata178

Thanks @GANFYD
Would HYMS be an option?

Yes, they would, missed them off my list, sorry!

Reply 7

EclipseZ

Original post by GANFYD

If you want to study medicine, a gap year and resitting is shorter, cheaper and less competitive than GEM

@GANFYD I got ABBC in A Levels with A in Biology and C in Chemistry and A* in EPQ. What would you advise? Should I resit to get into Medicine??
I am only eligible for bristol gateway which needs below AAB, so should I resit or not, as resitting would interfere with the gateway??

Reply 8

Mvt083

Original post by 09548ru

I achieved ABB at A-levels and am now deciding my next steps. If I resit in January 2025, achieving at least AAA, should I apply to medicine?
I understand it’s safer to go the degree route, get my undergrad and do GEM but I don’t want to struggle for money for too long or be in education without income which is bothering me.
I am waiting for my Nursing place to be offered through clearing. Do I back out now and do a gap year? Does anyone have experience?

I know someone that got ABB, ended up resitting biology and got an offer from uni for medicine. I think its worth trying if medicine is truly ur passion. Ur fifth option let it be pharmacy maybe so u dont waste another yr.

Reply 9

GANFYD

Original post by EclipseZ

I think it unlikely that if you meet Bristol Gateway requirements, you do not meet any other med schools contextual requirements, so check them carefully to see if you meet them, what grades they accept and if they will accept resits, as many med schools require ABB minimum first sit requirements, so you would need to cross reference those against the ones that do not require chemistry (provided you have another science in the BB?)
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5611422
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6649138

If you meet WP requirements then the first sit requirements will almost certainly be lower and you may meet enough to have a reasonable application as things stand