Which option is better for applying to medicine/ which one would you advise/ tips.
Back ground info:
- moved to uk 3 years ago,started in yr 11
- got bad gcses (knowledge in gcse science is low)
- now do graphic design and psychology a-levels and applied science btech. (Will be sitting exams in May) (predicted AA merit)
- applied to diagnostic radiography and currently receiving interviews.
I have two options I was thinking of:
1. Doing diagnostic radiography (and later apply through GEM)
2. Taking a gap year and doing both biology and chemistry aqa a-levels as a private candidate and sitting UCAT (plus having to work to pay for practicals and exams bookings)
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
- moved to uk 3 years ago,started in yr 11
- got bad gcses (knowledge in gcse science is low)
- now do graphic design and psychology a-levels and applied science btech. (Will be sitting exams in May) (predicted AA merit)
- applied to diagnostic radiography and currently receiving interviews.
I have two options I was thinking of:
1. Doing diagnostic radiography (and later apply through GEM)
2. Taking a gap year and doing both biology and chemistry aqa a-levels as a private candidate and sitting UCAT (plus having to work to pay for practicals and exams bookings)
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Reply 1
Hello @ahmedosman7
Hello, I hope you’re doing well. It’s great to see your determination and thoughtfulness about your future. Both of your options are well considered, I personally would recommend pursuing diagnostic radiography as your first step. This option allows you to enter a healthcare profession, gain valuable experience, and provide financial security while keeping the door open for GEM. With your predicted grades, you are already in a good position to secure a place.
Once you qualify as a radiographer, you’ll have several advantages when applying for medicine:
1. Healthcare experience that stands out in GEM applications.
2. Financial stability to fund your postgraduate studies.
3. Time to prepare for the UCAT or GAMSAT with less pressure.
While Option 2 is not impossible, it’s a more uncertain path that requires significant time, effort, and resources. For instance, taking a gap year to study biology and chemistry could be particularly challenging. These subjects demand a strong GCSE science foundation, which you mentioned as an area of weakness. As someone who studied these subjects at A-level, I can attest that having the structured support of teachers was essential for my success. Without the structured support of a school, you would need to invest heavily in tuition, practical assessments, and exam fees. Balancing this with work could be overwhelming, and there’s no guarantee you’ll achieve the high grades needed (usually A or A* for medicine) in just one year. If your ultimate goal is medicine, diagnostic radiography is a solid, practical starting point that keeps your options open.
I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming interviews! Let me know if you need further support.
Mercy
BCU Student Rep
Hello, I hope you’re doing well. It’s great to see your determination and thoughtfulness about your future. Both of your options are well considered, I personally would recommend pursuing diagnostic radiography as your first step. This option allows you to enter a healthcare profession, gain valuable experience, and provide financial security while keeping the door open for GEM. With your predicted grades, you are already in a good position to secure a place.
Once you qualify as a radiographer, you’ll have several advantages when applying for medicine:
1. Healthcare experience that stands out in GEM applications.
2. Financial stability to fund your postgraduate studies.
3. Time to prepare for the UCAT or GAMSAT with less pressure.
While Option 2 is not impossible, it’s a more uncertain path that requires significant time, effort, and resources. For instance, taking a gap year to study biology and chemistry could be particularly challenging. These subjects demand a strong GCSE science foundation, which you mentioned as an area of weakness. As someone who studied these subjects at A-level, I can attest that having the structured support of teachers was essential for my success. Without the structured support of a school, you would need to invest heavily in tuition, practical assessments, and exam fees. Balancing this with work could be overwhelming, and there’s no guarantee you’ll achieve the high grades needed (usually A or A* for medicine) in just one year. If your ultimate goal is medicine, diagnostic radiography is a solid, practical starting point that keeps your options open.
I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming interviews! Let me know if you need further support.
Mercy
BCU Student Rep
Reply 2
13
Original post
by ahmedosman7Back ground info:
- moved to uk 3 years ago,started in yr 11
- got bad gcses (knowledge in gcse science is low)
- now do graphic design and psychology a-levels and applied science btech. (Will be sitting exams in May) (predicted AA merit)
- applied to diagnostic radiography and currently receiving interviews.
I have two options I was thinking of:
1. Doing diagnostic radiography (and later apply through GEM)
2. Taking a gap year and doing both biology and chemistry aqa a-levels as a private candidate and sitting UCAT (plus having to work to pay for practicals and exams bookings)
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
- moved to uk 3 years ago,started in yr 11
- got bad gcses (knowledge in gcse science is low)
- now do graphic design and psychology a-levels and applied science btech. (Will be sitting exams in May) (predicted AA merit)
- applied to diagnostic radiography and currently receiving interviews.
I have two options I was thinking of:
1. Doing diagnostic radiography (and later apply through GEM)
2. Taking a gap year and doing both biology and chemistry aqa a-levels as a private candidate and sitting UCAT (plus having to work to pay for practicals and exams bookings)
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Hey. I don’t know about your GCSEs. But you will need at least 5 6s. Also in top of that some unis will must need a maths and English at a 6. Those unis and which I know there is two maybe more but these 5 6s for GCSEs Must include science English and maths. You will need a 6 in English especially if you were not born in an English country. However this is very crucial don’t forget about GCSEs.
Now I don’t believe you can do A levels since trust me it’s hard at with the ucat. My advice is apply for another college once obtain the correct GCSEs then go to college for 2 years so resit this summer for GCSEs at least math and English at least but I would advice you do the rest like I said and once your done with your year find another one but college to apply bio and chem a level.
I know it’s tough managing this but why waste a lot of money and time and it is competitive.
Anymore Qs ask away!!!
Reply 3
Do not do a prior degree, it will cripple you financially.
Email Universities and see what they advise you to do. You may have to resit GCSEs and then complete an access course. In the meantime you should make every effort to work as much as possible in the clinical environment.
Email Universities and see what they advise you to do. You may have to resit GCSEs and then complete an access course. In the meantime you should make every effort to work as much as possible in the clinical environment.
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