Can I do medicine with a 5 in English language?

Hi
Mainly a question for those in universities or those who are experts at this sort of thing.
Just started A level doing bio Chem and maths.
Did amazing in maths and sciences with 8s and a 9 but got a 5 in English language.
Its not that I'm bad at English ( for reference I'm in set one in arguebly the best public school in the city)
but just didn't do so well in the exam.
Hoping to apply for medicine at Aston and UoB which both require a 6.
I've applied fro programmes such as RO and HE+ and as part of our post 16's super curriculum I'm doing a research journal every half term (to somewhat prove that my capabilities in English and essay writing isn't reflected in my exam plus I would argue the research papers are a better comparison than exam papers for the kind of thing I would be writing a uni.
Is it possible with a great personal statment and experiences to get in for medicine

Reply 1

morteamie

8

Have you considered resitting your English GCSE? it definitely does not disadvantage your application, and if Aston and Birmingham's minimum requirement is a 6 then your going to need that unless you are a contextual applicant or could have a different offer due to an access programme?

Reply 2

MonzaLuna

2

It will restrict the universities that you can apply for. You have to meet the basic requirements to get to the next stage of screening. Best to retake

Reply 3

KA_P

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

20

Original post by IsaYas84

Hi
Mainly a question for those in universities or those who are experts at this sort of thing.
Just started A level doing bio Chem and maths.
Did amazing in maths and sciences with 8s and a 9 but got a 5 in English language.
Its not that I'm bad at English ( for reference I'm in set one in arguebly the best public school in the city)
but just didn't do so well in the exam.
Hoping to apply for medicine at Aston and UoB which both require a 6.
I've applied fro programmes such as RO and HE+ and as part of our post 16's super curriculum I'm doing a research journal every half term (to somewhat prove that my capabilities in English and essay writing isn't reflected in my exam plus I would argue the research papers are a better comparison than exam papers for the kind of thing I would be writing a uni.
Is it possible with a great personal statment and experiences to get in for medicine

As mentioned above, I strongly recommend resitting Enlish language to get at least a grade 6. Speak to your school about how you can arrange this

Reply 4

username7315759

0

10

Russel group universities such us Bristol, need a Grade 6 as the minimum grade requirement to do Medicine. But it is better to not get a grade 6 and try aim for a grade 7, 8 or a 9 given how competitive universities are these days. In the end, it does mainly depend on what type of universities you are going for but overall, retaking is the best option.

Reply 5

username7315759

0

10

If your planning a retake, you will either have to do it in 2 weeks as that is when the November resit is happening or take it in June.

Reply 6

mariamlol

4

Original post by IsaYas84

Hi
Mainly a question for those in universities or those who are experts at this sort of thing.
Just started A level doing bio Chem and maths.
Did amazing in maths and sciences with 8s and a 9 but got a 5 in English language.
Its not that I'm bad at English ( for reference I'm in set one in arguebly the best public school in the city)
but just didn't do so well in the exam.
Hoping to apply for medicine at Aston and UoB which both require a 6.
I've applied fro programmes such as RO and HE+ and as part of our post 16's super curriculum I'm doing a research journal every half term (to somewhat prove that my capabilities in English and essay writing isn't reflected in my exam plus I would argue the research papers are a better comparison than exam papers for the kind of thing I would be writing a uni.
Is it possible with a great personal statment and experiences to get in for medicine

You can apply for unis that doesnt put emphasise on gcse grades like uni of Plymouth (that is abviously another way of thinking)

Reply 7

Tay_Ti

14

Original post by mariamlol

You can apply for unis that doesnt put emphasise on gcse grades like uni of Plymouth (that is abviously another way of thinking)

But u still need to meet the entry requirements

Reply 8

miffy122233

12

Original post by Tay_Ti

But u still need to meet the entry requirements

at least its not grade 6 in bio

Reply 9

IsaYas84

OP

5

Original post by morteamie

Have you considered resitting your English GCSE? it definitely does not disadvantage your application, and if Aston and Birmingham's minimum requirement is a 6 then your going to need that unless you are a contextual applicant or could have a different offer due to an access programme?

Birmingham does not allow resit grades. I know it's a weird and harsh one but it is what it is

Reply 10

Jonjon7

13

Original post by IsaYas84

Hi
Mainly a question for those in universities or those who are experts at this sort of thing.
Just started A level doing bio Chem and maths.
Did amazing in maths and sciences with 8s and a 9 but got a 5 in English language.
Its not that I'm bad at English ( for reference I'm in set one in arguebly the best public school in the city)
but just didn't do so well in the exam.
Hoping to apply for medicine at Aston and UoB which both require a 6.
I've applied fro programmes such as RO and HE+ and as part of our post 16's super curriculum I'm doing a research journal every half term (to somewhat prove that my capabilities in English and essay writing isn't reflected in my exam plus I would argue the research papers are a better comparison than exam papers for the kind of thing I would be writing a uni.
Is it possible with a great personal statment and experiences to get in for medicine

If you want to give yourself more medical schools to consider come next year after your year 12 EoY exam and UCAT, you would ideally be retaking your GCSE English. Otherwise you are limiting yourself to which med schools (only handful) you can apply to eventually.

Personal statement and experiences are not score for interview selection, apart from a few like Keele (PS scored heavily at 15 points). Plus PS is "obsolete" from next year onwards, replaced by 3 questions but I believe they are still very much PS structure oriented.

What are the rest of your GCSE grades like?

Can I do medicine with a 5 in English language?

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