Can I study Medicine?

I am currently a year 13 student who is studying A-Level Physics, Maths and Computer Science in addition to EPQ. My predicted grades are AAA*. Over the most recent summer holidays, I realised that I do not want to pursue a career in computer science and would much rather study medicine instead which I feel much more passionately for. I realise that I must have A-Level Biology and Chemistry and so I am thinking of applying to a sixth form college next year to study 1-year intensive courses for both A-levels, I achieved 8's in both subjects at GCSE. Would this be a suitable route for me to go down in order to study medicine at university? I would love to apply to King's College London.

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

You don't need both biology and chemistry for all medical schools - see this thread for medicine subject requirements: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5611422

With just chemistry you'd be able to apply to 19 medical schools with your current subjects; with just biology to 13 medical schools; if you do both you could potentially apply to any.

I think just doing chemistry intensively may be a better option to give you a wide range of medical schools to choose from, while also giving you enough time to prepare for the UCAT, do work experience etc.

That said do check that you will be able to do that course at the 6th form without having to pay for e.g. the practicals or similar (you will need to do the science endorsement for any sciences you take including the new ones).

Reply 2

v4vincenzo

OP

Original post

by artful_lounger

You don't need both biology and chemistry for all medical schools - see this thread for medicine subject requirements: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5611422
With just chemistry you'd be able to apply to 19 medical schools with your current subjects; with just biology to 13 medical schools; if you do both you could potentially apply to any.
I think just doing chemistry intensively may be a better option to give you a wide range of medical schools to choose from, while also giving you enough time to prepare for the UCAT, do work experience etc.
That said do check that you will be able to do that course at the 6th form without having to pay for e.g. the practicals or similar (you will need to do the science endorsement for any sciences you take including the new ones).

Thanks for the reply! I would prefer to go to a university within London and study from home. My current biggest concern right now is whether I'll be at a disadvantage when applying as some of my A-Levels would've been taken at separate times. For example, Queen Mary's university course for Medicine states "Applicants who have taken or will take additional year(s) or interruption to complete their qualifications and achieve the minimum academic entry requirements (e.g. A*AA or 2:1) can only be considered if their extenuating circumstances fall within the Equality Act 2010", I'm unsure if this would apply to me or if I'd be at a disadvantage if I were to apply here.

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by v4vincenzo

Thanks for the reply! I would prefer to go to a university within London and study from home. My current biggest concern right now is whether I'll be at a disadvantage when applying as some of my A-Levels would've been taken at separate times. For example, Queen Mary's university course for Medicine states "Applicants who have taken or will take additional year(s) or interruption to complete their qualifications and achieve the minimum academic entry requirements (e.g. A*AA or 2:1) can only be considered if their extenuating circumstances fall within the Equality Act 2010", I'm unsure if this would apply to me or if I'd be at a disadvantage if I were to apply here.

I'd suggest just contacting them to find out. Taking an additional A-level in a gap year is usually seen differently to taking three A-levels over three years (which tends to be more of a concern for them) or e.g. taking two A-levels over the usual two year period and an additional A-level in another year, but at no point doing three full A-levels in one sitting after studying for them over the usual two year timeframe.

I also wouldn't suggest focusing on a particular location because you just make yourself less likely to get into a medical school at all. You need to apply tactically considering the full range of medical schools across the country.

Bear in mind also once you graduate and become a foundation doctor, you will be assigned essentially at random to a post somewhere in the UK, and it's very unlikely you would end up in London even if you ranked London very highly. Equally for specialty training London tends to be the most competitive area so you're much less likely to end up remaining in London unless you opt for less competitive specialties (and even then you may need to be ahead of the curve). It's very likely at some point in your medical training after graduating if not for the whole of it, that you'll end up outside of London. So there isn't much reason to constrain yourself to London at the outset and actually reduce your chances of becoming a doctor at all.

At some point you may well need to make a decision whether being a doctor or living in London is more important to you, and it's probably prudent to make that decision now rather than later...?

Reply 4

GANFYD

18

Original post

by v4vincenzo

Thanks for the reply! I would prefer to go to a university within London and study from home. My current biggest concern right now is whether I'll be at a disadvantage when applying as some of my A-Levels would've been taken at separate times. For example, Queen Mary's university course for Medicine states "Applicants who have taken or will take additional year(s) or interruption to complete their qualifications and achieve the minimum academic entry requirements (e.g. A*AA or 2:1) can only be considered if their extenuating circumstances fall within the Equality Act 2010", I'm unsure if this would apply to me or if I'd be at a disadvantage if I were to apply here.

Provided you meet their minimum requirements at the first sitting with your original 3 A levels (currently A*AA, generally, in London, unless contextual), you will not be penalised for sitting chem in a gap year, but may be asked to get an A* in it, for some London unis

Can I study Medicine?

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