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Medicine foundation year

I recently moved into the country where the curriculum were different. I got low grades on my gcse exams
Higher math-4
Foundation Combined science and-54 and
English-5
Due to the short time i had( came in two months before the exam) i couldn’t do the other subjects due to risk of failing.
I am currently in sixth form year 12 studying sociology, applied science and health and social care. I wish to become a medical doctor with a foundation year. Do i still have a chance?

Reply 1

I would retake/do more GCSEs if possible as most foundation years require 6s at minimum - because of the competitive nature of the foundation year course most people still tend to have all 8s/9s. If that’s not an option then consider graduate entry medicine. It is quite tough to get in after a degree but if you really want it then you can work for it via high ucat/work experience.
Also, looking at your A Level choices, your best choice is to do graduate entry medicine as most foundation year courses still require A Levels (Bio, Chem) - just at a lower grade like BBC.

Reply 2

I would email any potential universities with this information. Now or after current admissions cycle has ended for quicker responses. Not promising anything but it *COULD* potentially count towards mitigating circumstances. But every university is different. But I would email them, they can advise best.

Reply 3

Original post
by marsaria
I would email any potential universities with this information. Now or after current admissions cycle has ended for quicker responses. Not promising anything but it *COULD* potentially count towards mitigating circumstances. But every university is different. But I would email them, they can advise best.

Thank you for replying.I emailed some and some of them are still considering. I was told if i wxcel really well i could partake in them. I think Bristol university has something about taking a HE diploma and immediately transferring to the standard med program but im not too sure

Reply 4

Thank you for replying.I emailed some and some of themare still considering. I was told if i wxcel really well i couldpartake in them. I think Bristol university has somethingabout taking a HE diploma and immediately transferringto the standard med program but im not too sure.

Reply 5

Some universities let you take subjects such as biomedical sciences and if you do well in the first year, you can transfer into a first year medicine course

Reply 6

Original post
by MillieeM2
Some universities let you take subjects such as biomedical sciences and if you do well in the first year, you can transfer into a first year medicine course

Really??!! Oh my gosh that would be amazing. Could you tell me any university in mind and are they a russell universities or just a good university overall? Thank you so much!!!☺️

Reply 7

Original post
by kenny3
Really??!! Oh my gosh that would be amazing. Could you tell me any university in mind and are they a russell universities or just a good university overall? Thank you so much!!!☺️


It’s ok!
Queen Mary University of London, Exeter and Cardiff are Russell group universities that offer this route. Here is a link:

https://www.medicmind.co.uk/medicine-ucas-guide/can-i-transfer-between-medical-courses/

The universities in this link are all really good

Reply 8

Original post
by kenny3
Thank you for replying.I emailed some and some of them are still considering. I was told if i wxcel really well i could partake in them. I think Bristol university has something about taking a HE diploma and immediately transferring to the standard med program but im not too sure

Hey, I’m in the same position and wanting to pursue a career in medicine with similar subjects that you have. What universities have you applied to and what do I need to ask them in order for them to consider my courses etc? Let me know what route you think of taking!

Reply 9

Original post
by A.x17
Hey, I’m in the same position and wanting to pursue a career in medicine with similar subjects that you have. What universities have you applied to and what do I need to ask them in order for them to consider my courses etc? Let me know what route you think of taking!

Hey! So nice to meet you. Well i applied to aston uni, exeter, bristol and plymouth. I applied to them and Plymouth university said i could be eligible for the foundation year program if i get a good score. Im not sure if they might say the same thing if you don’t have the same circumstances but thats what they told me. I think Nottingham university said i could do nursing or pharmacy. Hope this helps😊

Reply 10

Original post
by kenny3
Hey! So nice to meet you. Well i applied to aston uni, exeter, bristol and plymouth. I applied to them and Plymouth university said i could be eligible for the foundation year program if i get a good score. Im not sure if they might say the same thing if you don’t have the same circumstances but thats what they told me. I think Nottingham university said i could do nursing or pharmacy. Hope this helps😊

Hi! Nice to meet you too. Unfortunately I would not be applicable unless I take a gap year and do 2 science a levels, hence I will most likely be taking the graduate programme entry.

Reply 11

Original post
by kenny3
I recently moved into the country where the curriculum were different. I got low grades on my gcse exams
Higher math-4
Foundation Combined science and-54 and
English-5
Due to the short time i had( came in two months before the exam) i couldn’t do the other subjects due to risk of failing.
I am currently in sixth form year 12 studying sociology, applied science and health and social care. I wish to become a medical doctor with a foundation year. Do i still have a chance?

No, not in uk. Uk requires certain GCSE grades such as 6 and above for Russell Group Universities which are the only unis to offer medicine. I would try and apply abroad maybe USA such as Georgia of even Greece Cyprus. Maybe they'll accept you. Just check their entry requirements and what grades you need for your 3 subjects.

Reply 12

you have to bear in mind that most medicine with a foundation year courses have additional requirements. If you are not classified as a home student your choices are limited, and you have to meet extra widening participation ie deprived post code, being on free school meals etc. Not to mention it is also very competitive, usually the standard entry is 10 applicants per place offer whereas for foundation courses it can be 20 applicants per place. It is much more competitive, but doable as I have an offer for one. Most also need a science a level like bio/chem. Some accept Extended BTEC diploma but you need to do your research. Here are the options you can take

1) finish your a levels and do a degree (biosciences preferably) and apply for grad entry med
2) drop out and sit extra GCSEs to qualify for science A levels (very short time frame though)
3) research going to med school abroad
4) search high and low and see if some foundation years will accept you.

1st and 3rd option seems like the most realistic

Reply 13

Original post
by kenny3
I recently moved into the country where the curriculum were different. I got low grades on my gcse exams
Higher math-4
Foundation Combined science and-54 and
English-5
Due to the short time i had( came in two months before the exam) i couldn’t do the other subjects due to risk of failing.
I am currently in sixth form year 12 studying sociology, applied science and health and social care. I wish to become a medical doctor with a foundation year. Do i still have a chance?


Hello 👋🏾
Please I’m currently in the same situation and would just like to ask what unis do you think would be best to apply for and would you like include your grades of any exam you took in your country before coming over here

Reply 14

Original post
by Hannahbx_40
Hello 👋🏾
Please I’m currently in the same situation and would just like to ask what unis do you think would be best to apply for and would you like include your grades of any exam you took in your country before coming over here

i originally thought plymouth and southampton, and if you did take any significant exams in your country then yeah, i think you should include it. Good luck!!

Reply 15

Original post
by kenny3
i originally thought plymouth and southampton, and if you did take any significant exams in your country then yeah, i think you should include it. Good luck!!


Okay Thank You

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