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am I still able to get into top universities for medicine 2026?

Hi, I have just gotten my gcse results and I got 998877765 ( a 8 in biology, 7 in physics , 6 in chemistry , 7 in maths, 9 in English literature and 8 in English language) . I am still able to do a-level chemistry at my sixth form , if I am able to achieve AAA/A*AA and a high BMAT/UCAT - would I still have a chance in getting in top universities for medicine , eg : Imperial , Cambridge and UCL? Or would there be no point in applying for these top universities and restricting my chance in getting into medical school?
Reply 1
Original post by unknown_xx2
Hi, I have just gotten my gcse results and I got 998877765 ( a 8 in biology, 7 in physics , 6 in chemistry , 7 in maths, 9 in English literature and 8 in English language) . I am still able to do a-level chemistry at my sixth form , if I am able to achieve AAA/A*AA and a high BMAT/UCAT - would I still have a chance in getting in top universities for medicine , eg : Imperial , Cambridge and UCL? Or would there be no point in applying for these top universities and restricting my chance in getting into medical school?

Not all med schools use GCSE grades. They just require you to achieve the minimum requirements.

For UCL it's grade 6 or above in English Language and Maths (which you got). For shortlisting, they look at UCAT scores.
For Imperial it's the same, but they only require grade 6 in English language.
For Cambridge, GCSE grades are considered within the context of the school you went to. So if you did better than most people, then you stand a strong chance. If not, then I'm not too sure.

For all of them, just make sure you do well on your UCAT, and you'll most likely be shortlisted for interview. Then, it's all down to your skill at interviews, your preparation, and your readiness for medicine.
Original post by unknown_xx2
Hi, I have just gotten my gcse results and I got 998877765 ( a 8 in biology, 7 in physics , 6 in chemistry , 7 in maths, 9 in English literature and 8 in English language) . I am still able to do a-level chemistry at my sixth form , if I am able to achieve AAA/A*AA and a high BMAT/UCAT - would I still have a chance in getting in top universities for medicine , eg : Imperial , Cambridge and UCL? Or would there be no point in applying for these top universities and restricting my chance in getting into medical school?

Hi, there are top univerisities, which might include places like Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Durham, LSE, and then there are the best universities for medicine. They are not necessarily the same thing.

In fact if you are a UK citizen there is no difference at all between any of the medical schools in the UK as they are all regulated by the GMC. So graduating from Uni A, will have no difference from Uni N or Uni Z. The best one is the one that you can get into. When you apply for jobs in the NHS they won’t even know where you studied.

So once you have done your UCAT before year 13 - then you will want to work out the most strategic med school choices for you. The advice then will be based on a combination of UCAT, GCSEs, and other factors like volunteering and work experience. So don’t worry about your GCSEs for now, or UCAT, just focus on your A levels for now - and sourcing some medical work experience, and other forms of public facing work like hotels or restaurants etc.

Good luck.
Reply 3
Original post by George&Mary
Hi, there are top univerisities, which might include places like Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Durham, LSE, and then there are the best universities for medicine. They are not necessarily the same thing.
In fact if you are a UK citizen there is no difference at all between any of the medical schools in the UK as they are all regulated by the GMC. So graduating from Uni A, will have no difference from Uni N or Uni Z. The best one is the one that you can get into. When you apply for jobs in the NHS they won’t even know where you studied.
So once you have done your UCAT before year 13 - then you will want to work out the most strategic med school choices for you. The advice then will be based on a combination of UCAT, GCSEs, and other factors like volunteering and work experience. So don’t worry about your GCSEs for now, or UCAT, just focus on your A levels for now - and sourcing some medical work experience, and other forms of public facing work like hotels or restaurants etc.
Good luck.


do you reckon that if I get a high ucat and alevels , my 6 in chem won't impact me as HEAVILY?? I am still doing alevel chem ofc
Original post by unknown_xx2
do you reckon that if I get a high ucat and alevels , my 6 in chem won't impact me as HEAVILY?? I am still doing alevel chem ofc

Ita about being strategic. As it stands at the moment there ar places that don't look at GCSEs beyond the basics of Maths and English. But nobody can guarantee what the position will be when you apply.

I will be honest, a 6 in chem isnt perhaps ideal, but nor is it the end of your dream. It would be disregarded if you resat it, so just put your face forward and push for 3 As at A level.
Reply 5
Original post by George&Mary
Ita about being strategic. As it stands at the moment there ar places that don't look at GCSEs beyond the basics of Maths and English. But nobody can guarantee what the position will be when you apply.
I will be honest, a 6 in chem isnt perhaps ideal, but nor is it the end of your dream. It would be disregarded if you resat it, so just put your face forward and push for 3 As at A level.


thankyou so much for responding !! do you recommend resitting chem or would that just be a waste of time ? Its just that I'd still like the chance of applying at UCL and imperial for medicine🥲🥲
Original post by unknown_xx2
thankyou so much for responding !! do you recommend resitting chem or would that just be a waste of time ? Its just that I'd still like the chance of applying at UCL and imperial for medicine🥲🥲

Most places do not accept resits for GCSEs except if you have serious extenuating circumstances. (Except if you are resitting English Langauage)

I personally would let it go. As I said, a 6 in Chem for many med schools is not the end of the world but it will limit your choices. This is my opinion only.

Just push as hard as you can for an A in Chem and your A levels.

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