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Average UCAT score, A*A*A* predicted, which universities should I apply to

I am an international student and I’ve done GCSEs and currently studying for my A levels.

GCSE-
6 total subjects; 5A* 1A
Biology- A*
Chemistry- A*
Physics- A*
Mathematics- A*
Computer science- A*
English Language- A

I only took 6 GCSE subjects as I didn’t have any idea that taking less would affect my future application prospects and I was never made aware of this by my school either. What’s done is done though.

UCAT- 2530; Band 3
VR- 580
DM- 680
QR- 630
AR- 640
Average comes out to be 632.5

Predicted A levels- Biology, Chemistry and Physics- A* A* A*

Fairly strong extracurriculars- Headboy of the school; President of the community service club, Lead roles in multiple stage plays; MUNs. Some might sound a bit irrelevant but I can easily link them all to required skills in a doctor so there’s that.

Finding medical work experience as a high school student in India is next to impossible, still:-
Observed at a local hospital for a week.
Talked to a few doctors about their life experiences and career in general
Conducted food and plantation drives which should count as interaction with the community.

Still, I feel like I’m lacking in every aspect one way or another and it’s kind of frustrating because I’ve always managed to get top notch grades (again, I did not realize that I should’ve taken more than 6 GCSEs, like 8 or 9 perhaps) and yet I have minimal application possibilities.

I need advice on which universities should I apply to.

Current shortlisted ones-

King’s College London
Cardiff University
Plymouth University
Brunel university

Other options that I might consider-

Aberdeen university
Norwich (UEA)
Exeter university
Queen Mary university London (would love more info about its standard as per entry requirements and if I’m fit for it)

I was pretty optimistic about Cardiff until I realised they score you out of your best 9 GCSEs so having 6 would obviously put me at a great disadvantage. Any input is highly appreciated!🥂
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GCSE Requirements for Medicine
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Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
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Funding medicine as a second degree

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Original post by Aaditya27
I am an international student and I’ve done GCSEs and currently studying for my A levels.
GCSE-
6 total subjects; 5A* 1A
Biology- A*
Chemistry- A*
Physics- A*
Mathematics- A*
Computer science- A*
English Language- A
I only took 6 GCSE subjects as I didn’t have any idea that taking less would affect my future application prospects and I was never made aware of this by my school either. What’s done is done though.
UCAT- 2530; Band 3
VR- 580
DM- 680
QR- 630
AR- 640
Average comes out to be 632.5
Predicted A levels- Biology, Chemistry and Physics- A* A* A*
Fairly strong extracurriculars- Headboy of the school; President of the community service club, Lead roles in multiple stage plays; MUNs. Some might sound a bit irrelevant but I can easily link them all to required skills in a doctor so there’s that.
Finding medical work experience as a high school student in India is next to impossible, still:-
Observed at a local hospital for a week.
Talked to a few doctors about their life experiences and career in general
Conducted food and plantation drives which should count as interaction with the community.
Still, I feel like I’m lacking in every aspect one way or another and it’s kind of frustrating because I’ve always managed to get top notch grades (again, I did not realize that I should’ve taken more than 6 GCSEs, like 8 or 9 perhaps) and yet I have minimal application possibilities.
I need advice on which universities should I apply to.
Current shortlisted ones-
King’s College London
Cardiff University
Plymouth University
Brunel university
Other options that I might consider-
Aberdeen university
Norwich (UEA)
Exeter university
Queen Mary university London (would love more info about its standard as per entry requirements and if I’m fit for it)
I was pretty optimistic about Cardiff until I realised they score you out of your best 9 GCSEs so having 6 would obviously put me at a great disadvantage. Any input is highly appreciated!🥂
Post this exact post on to the new which med school should i apply to thread.
Im no expert, but ill say that kings may not be the best choice as it is know for its high cut offs and ur ucat score doesnt help your case i think the same would apply for queen mary. The 3 other short listed ones seem fine. Ppl on that thread r way more experienced than I am.
Also checkout buckingham,uclan maybe?
hope it all works out!
(edited 3 weeks ago)
Reply 3
Original post by qu33n of the 3ee
Post this exact post on to the new which med school should i apply to thread.
Im no expert, but ill say that kings may not be the best choice as it is know for its high cut offs and ur ucat score doesnt help your case i think the same would apply for queen mary. The 3 other short listed ones seem fine. Ppl on that thread r way more experienced than I am.
Also checkout buckingham,uclan maybe?
hope it all works out!


Just did! Thanks for the advice🤝🏻
Reply 4
Hey, check out Keele! Low UCAT cutoff but they look at and score your personal statement - I think you have plenty of good stuff to get in there.
Good luck!
Reply 5
Original post by snowblob
Hey, check out Keele! Low UCAT cutoff but they look at and score your personal statement - I think you have plenty of good stuff to get in there.
Good luck!


I did look into Keele and it seems to be a safe option but I’m not sure if I would prefer living in a secluded location so far away from any cities. I think Birmingham is the closest from Keele? 74kms which is like an hour’s distance. I know my UCAT isn’t high enough to be making demands here😂but thanks! I’ll reconsider Keele.
Reply 6
Just to add to it: some more extracurriculars are-
Taught 3 underprivileged kids (aged over 10) how to read, write and count over a span of 2-3 months which made me a more versatile and adaptive teacher.
Multiple public speaking experiences at major events in school- annual function, chairperson in world parliament, an event held annually at my school, consistently volunteering to conduct regular school assemblies, etc. if that counts for anything.

I’m pretty certain that my letters of recommendation will be really positive and strong as well as I’ve always maintained a very respectful and close relationship with my teachers. I’m getting them from my chemistry and physics school teachers as they’ve known me the best. However, would it be more valuable to get one of them from the biology teacher instead? Although I doubt he knows me as closely as the other two.
Also, another query; about UCL and imperial and if I’m up to the mark for them.
Thanks, again.
Original post by Aaditya27
Just did! Thanks for the advice🤝🏻

Sure thing.
Original post by Aaditya27
Just to add to it: some more extracurriculars are-
Taught 3 underprivileged kids (aged over 10) how to read, write and count over a span of 2-3 months which made me a more versatile and adaptive teacher.
Multiple public speaking experiences at major events in school- annual function, chairperson in world parliament, an event held annually at my school, consistently volunteering to conduct regular school assemblies, etc. if that counts for anything.
I’m pretty certain that my letters of recommendation will be really positive and strong as well as I’ve always maintained a very respectful and close relationship with my teachers. I’m getting them from my chemistry and physics school teachers as they’ve known me the best. However, would it be more valuable to get one of them from the biology teacher instead? Although I doubt he knows me as closely as the other two.
Also, another query; about UCL and imperial and if I’m up to the mark for them.
Thanks, again.

Imperial is known to have pretty high cut off scores for admissions test for medicine. This is their first year using the ucat, however based on the bmat cut offs of the previous years its suspected to be quite high
Reply 9
Original post by qu33n of the 3ee
Imperial is known to have pretty high cut off scores for admissions test for medicine. This is their first year using the ucat, however based on the bmat cut offs of the previous years its suspected to be quite high


Understood. I had such high hopes of applying to Cambridge, Birmingham, Edinburgh and what not but UCAT messed it all up💀👍🏻 Only prepared for 3 weeks though. I started doing mocks 4 days before the actual exam and I was getting 1400-1600 but still managed to get 2530 in the actual one so can’t beat myself up over it too much I guess.
Original post by Aaditya27
Understood. I had such high hopes of applying to Cambridge, Birmingham, Edinburgh and what not but UCAT messed it all up💀👍🏻 Only prepared for 3 weeks though. I started doing mocks 4 days before the actual exam and I was getting 1400-1600 but still managed to get 2530 in the actual one so can’t beat myself up over it too much I guess.
Yh definitely dont beat urself up try staying optimistic yet realistic 🙂
At the end of the day getting one acceptance is better than none. Im kind of in a similarish position to u but its way too complicated
Good luck with ur application!
Reply 11
Original post by qu33n of the 3ee
Yh definitely dont beat urself up try staying optimistic yet realistic 🙂
At the end of the day getting one acceptance is better than none. Im kind of in a similarish position to u but its way too complicated
Good luck with ur application!


Thanks! Best of luck to you as well. You’re a home student, I’d assume? Or you’re international as well?
Original post by Aaditya27
Thanks! Best of luck to you as well. You’re a home student, I’d assume? Or you’re international as well?

Thank u! International too : )
Reply 13
Which country and what’re your stats if you don’t mind me asking? Sorry if I’m asking too much, just signed up on the student room recently so curious to meet someone who’s on the same boat as me.
Original post by Aaditya27
Which country and what’re your stats if you don’t mind me asking? Sorry if I’m asking too much, just signed up on the student room recently so curious to meet someone who’s on the same boat as me.
Oh its fine i dont feel too comfortable sharing my nationality, but ill tell u that im low income
My stas r as follows;
4a* at alevels maths, chem, physics, biology
5a* 1a at ig the total number of subjects my school offers was 8 at ig 💀
Ucat score b2 2490
Yet to finish up my application, so undecided abt some of my 4 slots.
Check out the international med 2025 thread
(edited 3 weeks ago)
Reply 15
I see, pretty similar in terms of igcse and ucat. You’d be looking out for scholarships as well then? Which tend to be far and scarce for medicine in the UK. How do you even apply for scholarships or look for them because I also need em for sure. Since you’ve already achieved your A level grades, maybe you should look at Exeter. They give more points to achieved a levels than predicted
Original post by Aaditya27
I see, pretty similar in terms of igcse and ucat. You’d be looking out for scholarships as well then? Which tend to be far and scarce for medicine in the UK. How do you even apply for scholarships or look for them because I also need em for sure. Since you’ve already achieved your A level grades, maybe you should look at Exeter. They give more points to achieved a levels than predicted
I forgot to mention these are my predicted alevel grades, as to how you look for scholarships, any financial info u require for a uni is on its website. Unless u want to apply to scholarship provided by organization/ government. The way you apply is dependent entirely on the scholarship you are applying for. For a great deal of them are targeted at a specific nationality. I suggest you have look at the unis website finances part abt info, the fees can drastically change from uni to another and the scholarships provided likewise.
As I previously mentioned, my case is kind of complicated for a multitude of reasons, so the whole thing is kind of different for me : )
Good luck
(edited 3 weeks ago)

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