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Can i study medicine at cambridge with bad gcses

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Reply 20

Original post
by stilllearning123
This is what I said and people were really trying to argue with me to say they would get into Cambridge and medicine easily 🙃
If it was to be possible, which I think OP is misunderstanding what it would take, they would have to get into a competitive foundation year course and then get into medicine afterwards, which from others experiences I would say is very very unlikely.
Where are you in your school so far? Are you into uni yet or are you already past it?


Oh I think you misunderstood me, I'm not in uni at all 😅 I'm applying this year (not to medical school). I simply shared this because I have a cousin who was in a similar position. She wanted to do med but averaged 5s/4s in GSCEs (not as extreme as the OP's situation but similar). I was only passing on some advice that people gave to her, so I hope someone more knowledgeable can help the OP more.

Reply 21

Original post
by pagan-scimitar
Oh I think you misunderstood me, I'm not in uni at all 😅 I'm applying this year (not to medical school). I simply shared this because I have a cousin who was in a similar position. She wanted to do med but averaged 5s/4s in GSCEs (not as extreme as the OP's situation but similar). I was only passing on some advice that people gave to her, so I hope someone more knowledgeable can help the OP more.


Ahh makes sense now.
So have you applied already or is the date for other courses still not here yet?

Reply 22

Original post
by stilllearning123
Ahh makes sense now.
So have you applied already or is the date for other courses still not here yet?


The deadline is in january, but I already applied (mid november).

Reply 23

Original post
by pagan-scimitar
The deadline is in january, but I already applied (mid november).

Best of luck to you then! where did you apply to?

Reply 24

Original post
by stilllearning123
Best of luck to you then! where did you apply to?


A bit off topic from the main thread now but I'll answer you anyway 😅

I've applied to Warwick, UCL, Bath, Bristol (offer received 3/12/24), and Birmingham (offer received 20/11/24) all for economics.

Aight imma stop posting here now tho, I don't want to hijack this person's thread.

Reply 25

Original post
by stilllearning123
I don't mean to be so harsh, but it is the case where everyone who applies to medicine has A's in gcses, has a lot more than 3, has all A's at a-level, an above average ucat, and they still don't get in.
So why would someone with less than none of these get in over someone that does?

depends on more than just exams. but they will need very good alevels. they may need to consider an access course

Reply 26

Original post
by naldhafiri
I am currently in year 12 study 3 a level, biology, chemistry and psychology but i am studying online and this course is a two year course. My gcses were bad with only 3 passes in math, english language and english literature with a grade 4. I was looking at entry requirements for medicine in cambridge and they havent outlined any requierments for gcse but i am not really sure about that. Would they accept md, will they ask for my gcse results?

Hi there. Unfortunately, Oxbridge really care about the GCSEs, however, if you have extenuating circumstances, that could help them look at your grades with a bit of lenience, however that’s not a guarantee. You should really strive to get as many A*s as possible in your A-levels, and it may be a good idea to resit your chem and bio GCSEs this year (or next year actually, I forgot it’s already December!!) - side note: I think many London unis require at least a grade 6 in English Language. I know LSE does as I am applying there this year, so check that criteria.

For medicine, you’ll also need to sit the UCAT - a high UCAT score can be a game changer for other strong med schools. Cambridge can be your aspirational choice. Also remember that studying medicine anywhere in the UK is a good choice and medicine itself is a hard and strenuous course, you’ll need to have the academic and mental rigor for it. You’ll need to give it your all these next two years. Good luck!

Reply 27

Hi there!

Unfortunately Cambridge do have GCSE requirements for the Medicine course

They ask for a 7 or above in Chemistry and another science or Maths

It might be worth contacting their enquiries team to see if there is any contextual offers available if you miss the GCSE requirements but meet all the other requirements (A-levels, UCAT score etc)

Good luck!
Jorja (Student Rep)

Reply 28

Original post
by naldhafiri
I am currently in year 12 study 3 a level, biology, chemistry and psychology but i am studying online and this course is a two year course. My gcses were bad with only 3 passes in math, english language and english literature with a grade 4. I was looking at entry requirements for medicine in cambridge and they havent outlined any requierments for gcse but i am not really sure about that. Would they accept md, will they ask for my gcse results?

Hi there which sixth form will accept grades 4 in biology and chemistry in London.. can anyone help please

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