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Do I have a chance at studying medicine?

I’ve been reflecting a lot on my journey recently, and I wanted to share some thoughts. From the beginning, my heart was set on pursuing medicine. It was a dream that felt so aligned with who I am and what I want to contribute to the world. I did loads of volunteering, work experience and read around the subject every day (and continue to do so to this day).

However, life had other plans. When my nan fell ill with cancer, I took on the role of her carer. This meant missing a significant amount of school, which led to me struggling academically. I ended up with two Ds in my AS Levels( Biology and Chemistry) in Year 12, which was devastating. It felt like my dream of becoming a doctor had slipped through my fingers.

Following advice from my teachers, I switched to a new set of A Levels—Religious Studies, Criminology, and English Literature. I worked hard, earned my qualifications, and made it to the University of Birmingham, where I started studying Law. Despite the prestige of the university and the course, I felt no enthusiasm for it. My interest was always rooted in medicine and, to some extent, medical law, but my heart wasn’t in the legal field. I do have got 2As and an A* at A-level and all grades at GCSEs at grade 6 and above I have like 5 A*s).

After much contemplation, I’ve decided to leave my Law degree behind. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was necessary. I keep thinking about medicine and the possibility of becoming a doctor, wondering if there’s still a chance for me to pursue that path.

I know the road might be difficult, but I’m reaching out for advice and insight. Is there a way to reignite my dream of becoming a doctor? Can I find a pathway back to medicine, even after these setbacks?
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.
Original post by Amazingwhale4944
I’ve been reflecting a lot on my journey recently, and I wanted to share some thoughts. From the beginning, my heart was set on pursuing medicine. It was a dream that felt so aligned with who I am and what I want to contribute to the world. I did loads of volunteering, work experience and read around the subject every day (and continue to do so to this day).
However, life had other plans. When my nan fell ill with cancer, I took on the role of her carer. This meant missing a significant amount of school, which led to me struggling academically. I ended up with two Ds in my AS Levels( Biology and Chemistry) in Year 12, which was devastating. It felt like my dream of becoming a doctor had slipped through my fingers.
Following advice from my teachers, I switched to a new set of A Levels—Religious Studies, Criminology, and English Literature. I worked hard, earned my qualifications, and made it to the University of Birmingham, where I started studying Law. Despite the prestige of the university and the course, I felt no enthusiasm for it. My interest was always rooted in medicine and, to some extent, medical law, but my heart wasn’t in the legal field. I do have got 2As and an A* at A-level and all grades at GCSEs at grade 6 and above I have like 5 A*s).
After much contemplation, I’ve decided to leave my Law degree behind. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was necessary. I keep thinking about medicine and the possibility of becoming a doctor, wondering if there’s still a chance for me to pursue that path.
I know the road might be difficult, but I’m reaching out for advice and insight. Is there a way to reignite my dream of becoming a doctor? Can I find a pathway back to medicine, even after these setbacks?

try apply for manchester's foundation year medicine program! it is a 6 year program, with a year 0 that will essentially teach you the basics of a level biology and chemistry, if you pass you get transferred onto the 5 year course
the minimum entry requirement is AAA and you have to not have a STEM background at a-level!
Original post by retakingalevelsx
try apply for manchester's foundation year medicine program! it is a 6 year program, with a year 0 that will essentially teach you the basics of a level biology and chemistry, if you pass you get transferred onto the 5 year course
the minimum entry requirement is AAA and you have to not have a STEM background at a-level!

Thank you! Have you applied to this. also do you need to do the UCAT?
Original post by Amazingwhale4944
Thank you! Have you applied to this. also do you need to do the UCAT?

i personally didnt apply, but i did apply to the standard medicine degree as i have the a-level subjects, i believe you would need to take the UCAT between June-Sept of this year, for 2026 entry x
Original post by retakingalevelsx
i personally didnt apply, but i did apply to the standard medicine degree as i have the a-level subjects, i believe you would need to take the UCAT between June-Sept of this year, for 2026 entry x

Thank you sm! Do you have any tips for the UCAT and intterview pls??
Original post by Amazingwhale4944
Thank you sm! Do you have any tips for the UCAT and intterview pls??

yess i have done my ucat twice and have gotten 3 interview invites so far! feel free to ask anything 🙂
Original post by retakingalevelsx
yess i have done my ucat twice and have gotten 3 interview invites so far! feel free to ask anything 🙂

Thank you I'll PM you x

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