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Medicine after failing gcse science

Hi I’ve just finished GCSEs and achieved brilliant results nearly all 7s apart from science where I achieved a 4/3. I have had extreme mitigating circumstances (not talking about covid) leading me to miss 3-4 years of secondary school non consecutively so hence I have a massive gap in my education but I am very lucky to be quite naturally academic receiving all my results without revision for any so the others were quite easy to grasp but with science it’s so content specific so you do need to learn it which is why it was my only low grade as due to my mitigating circumstances I was never able to learn it although science Was always being my strong suit it was impossible for me to achieve a high grade. So I’m really keen on going on to medicine and hopefully be either a palliative care doctor or a psychiatrist and I was wondering what can I actually do! I’m unable to take science a levels because of my results so I’m about to take psychology English literature and music for a levels but medicine is honestly my dream career I have had lots of work experience and am a quick learner so found it easy to grasp and I completely understand that medical school is extremely tough and complex however it is really what I want to do so please could someone tell me what options I have to be able to go to medical school? Really appreciate any suggestions as it’s really difficult and i don’t know how to get to medical school!
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

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.
Original post by Anonymous
Hi I’ve just finished GCSEs and achieved brilliant results nearly all 7s apart from science where I achieved a 4/3. I have had extreme mitigating circumstances (not talking about covid) leading me to miss 3-4 years of secondary school non consecutively so hence I have a massive gap in my education but I am very lucky to be quite naturally academic receiving all my results without revision for any so the others were quite easy to grasp but with science it’s so content specific so you do need to learn it which is why it was my only low grade as due to my mitigating circumstances I was never able to learn it although science Was always being my strong suit it was impossible for me to achieve a high grade. So I’m really keen on going on to medicine and hopefully be either a palliative care doctor or a psychiatrist and I was wondering what can I actually do! I’m unable to take science a levels because of my results so I’m about to take psychology English literature and music for a levels but medicine is honestly my dream career I have had lots of work experience and am a quick learner so found it easy to grasp and I completely understand that medical school is extremely tough and complex however it is really what I want to do so please could someone tell me what options I have to be able to go to medical school? Really appreciate any suggestions as it’s really difficult and i don’t know how to get to medical school!

You won't be able to get into medicine the traditional way with no science A levels (I don't think they count psychology). Your only option would be to access medicine through a Foundation Year, so try and have a look at which medicine foundation years you would be eligible for.

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