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Applying to Medicine at Cambridge

I’m aware that Cambridge doesn’t care much about GSCE’s but because the course is Medicine, is it worth applying with the GSCE grades below? Although I fit into a lot of the widening participation criteria, I want to apply strategically. This is even if the predicted A-levels are A*A*A* and the personal statement is perfect.

9888887754

Reply 1

Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.

Megathreads
(Please read the first post, before then posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work

2024 Applicants :
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2024 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2024 Entry
GAMSAT 2024 / 2025 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2024 Entry Discussions Megathread
Medicine 2024 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2024 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2024 Entry
2024 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2024 Entry

2025 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2025 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
GAMSAT 2025 / 2026 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2025 Entry Discussions Megathread
Medicine 2025 entry for resit/ retake/ gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2025 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2025 Entry
2025 entry A100/ A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2025 Entry

Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 Entry

Useful Articles:
GCSE Requirements for Medicine
Everything you need to know about the BMAT
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
Funding medicine as a second degree

For Community Feedback:
Medicine Community Feedback and Suggestions

If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.

Reply 2

Original post
by kazinobibi
I’m aware that Cambridge doesn’t care much about GSCE’s but because the course is Medicine, is it worth applying with the GSCE grades below? Although I fit into a lot of the widening participation criteria, I want to apply strategically. This is even if the predicted A-levels are A*A*A* and the personal statement is perfect.
9888887754

If you manage to get 2900+ in UCAT and 3 A*'s as predicted then yes you certainly have a shot.

Reply 3

Original post
by ash210
If you manage to get 2900+ in UCAT and 3 A*'s as predicted then yes you certainly have a shot.


Thank you!

Reply 4

Hi,
I am currently in year 22 and I am planning to apply to Cambridge for medicine. I got 99999999888 (8s were in English language, English literature and Spanish) and I was wondering if my GCSE grades are good enough to consider applying since I got 3 8s and not all 9s.
I am also only taking 3 A levels in maths, biology and chemistry. In terms of volunteering/ work experience, I help out at my old primary school with SATs preparation, I help out at year 7 science club, I do science mentoring at school, I tutor GCSE chemistry and I am doing a teaching programme at school where you develop skills to become a teacher. I am also part of the Kucy Cavendish AAP scheme. I have done 1 day of work experience with a paediatrian at a hospital.
Is there anything else I would need to consider to make my application as competitive as possible to study medicine at Cambridge?

Reply 5

Original post
by ganime_15
Hi,
I am currently in year 22 and I am planning to apply to Cambridge for medicine. I got 99999999888 (8s were in English language, English literature and Spanish) and I was wondering if my GCSE grades are good enough to consider applying since I got 3 8s and not all 9s.
I am also only taking 3 A levels in maths, biology and chemistry. In terms of volunteering/ work experience, I help out at my old primary school with SATs preparation, I help out at year 7 science club, I do science mentoring at school, I tutor GCSE chemistry and I am doing a teaching programme at school where you develop skills to become a teacher. I am also part of the Kucy Cavendish AAP scheme. I have done 1 day of work experience with a paediatrian at a hospital.
Is there anything else I would need to consider to make my application as competitive as possible to study medicine at Cambridge?

Cam needs 3A*'s predicted, or at least 2 but definitely A* in chemistry and your UCAT should be at least close to 3000.

Reply 6

you need more health related expeience.

Reply 7

Yes I have a family friend who works as a paediatrian, so I have asked to do a weeks worth of work experience with him in February half term and I am planning to volunteer at a care home in the summer.
Is there anything else you would recommend?

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