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Changing a level choices URGENT!!

So originally I was doing chem,maths,further maths and history but i switched chem to physics in October(big mistake) and today I was allowed to switch back to chem because I now know for sure I want to do medicine(so i need chem which was the only reason i was allowed to change) I know I’m not like someone who has wanted to be a doctor since they were a child but medicine is genuinely my passion and I can’t see myself in any other job.

Is it worth trying to ask to change history to bio aswell? Or would that just be impossible to catch up on both chem and bio.
Also does anyone have any tips for catching up with the chemistry content?

I’m in year 12 btw

Reply 1

Original post
by User4578
So originally I was doing chem,maths,further maths and history but i switched chem to physics in October(big mistake) and today I was allowed to switch back to chem because I now know for sure I want to do medicine(so i need chem which was the only reason i was allowed to change) I know I’m not like someone who has wanted to be a doctor since they were a child but medicine is genuinely my passion and I can’t see myself in any other job.
Is it worth trying to ask to change history to bio aswell? Or would that just be impossible to catch up on both chem and bio.
Also does anyone have any tips for catching up with the chemistry content?
I’m in year 12 btw

With you so far into Year 12 that is a difficult decision. So based on that, will your teachers allow you to switch out history for bio? Do you need to take biology for the universities you are looking for? Do you believe you would be able to catch up after missing half a term of the subject, I know how fast they are paced at A level. I mean you are having to catch up on two major STEM subjects so you would have to take that into consideration🙂

Reply 2

Original post
by User4578
So originally I was doing chem,maths,further maths and history but i switched chem to physics in October(big mistake) and today I was allowed to switch back to chem because I now know for sure I want to do medicine(so i need chem which was the only reason i was allowed to change) I know I’m not like someone who has wanted to be a doctor since they were a child but medicine is genuinely my passion and I can’t see myself in any other job.
Is it worth trying to ask to change history to bio aswell? Or would that just be impossible to catch up on both chem and bio.
Also does anyone have any tips for catching up with the chemistry content?
I’m in year 12 btw

I'm not 200% sure but do you not need chemistry and another science (bio/ physics) for medicine? So if you genuinely can't imagine yourself doing anything other than medicine, surely don't you "have" to switch to bio?
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 3

Original post
by SAA007
I'm not 200% sure but do you not need chemistry and another science (bio/ physics) for medicine? So if you genuinely can't imagine yourself doing anything other than medicine, surely don't you "have" to switch to bio?

Correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I'm aware you would need two "sciences" and since maths counts as a science surely that is acceptable?

Reply 4

Original post
by physicserrr34
Correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I'm aware you would need two "sciences" and since maths counts as a science surely that is acceptable?


Like I said before, I’m not 200% as I’m not doing anything related to medicine. If maths counts and is as equally valued as bio/ physics, then you should be fine. Depends on the uni you want to go to and their requirements.

Reply 5

Original post
by SAA007
Like I said before, I’m not 200% as I’m not doing anything related to medicine. If maths counts and is as equally valued as bio/ physics, then you should be fine. Depends on the uni you want to go to and their requirements.


yeah that's right, thank you. I guess it all depends on the course and the uni.

Reply 6

if you did triple science gcse, biology a level should be straight forward so far and you can catch up as it is november

Reply 7

Original post
by 123dz
if you did triple science gcse, biology a level should be straight forward so far and you can catch up as it is november

I did triple science and i got a 9 as i always found biology to be the easiest science for me, i honestly should’ve picked it from the start.

Unfortunately the school said I can’t switch anymore so I’m stuck with history, this was my fault though I suppose
Original post
by User4578
So originally I was doing chem,maths,further maths and history but i switched chem to physics in October(big mistake) and today I was allowed to switch back to chem because I now know for sure I want to do medicine(so i need chem which was the only reason i was allowed to change) I know I’m not like someone who has wanted to be a doctor since they were a child but medicine is genuinely my passion and I can’t see myself in any other job.

Is it worth trying to ask to change history to bio aswell? Or would that just be impossible to catch up on both chem and bio.
Also does anyone have any tips for catching up with the chemistry content?

I’m in year 12 btw


Have a look at the Medicine 2021 Entry Requirements link in the first post of the following thread:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7532244

It will help you decide if a switch to bio is really necessary.

For advice on chemistry content, search for posts by TypicalNerd in Study Help. :smile:

Reply 9

Original post
by SAA007
I'm not 200% sure but do you not need chemistry and another science (bio/ physics) for medicine? So if you genuinely can't imagine yourself doing anything other than medicine, surely don't you "have" to switch to bio?

heyy maths counts as another science but some unis might require bio, so you need to research the ones that accept maths

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