Reduced Offers for My Circumstances
Hiya!
I'm looking to apply for medicine for 2026 entry. I've been having a lot of chronic health issues over the last 4 years which has lead me to not attend school for long periods of time. I know that you are able to gain contextual offers but I was wondering if there was anything else specifically for missing such a large chunk of my education. My grades have always been very good but despite my best efforts it looks like my illness is finally catching up with my education. Its always been my dream to go to university and really don't want to have to throw it all away due to all of this.
Any responses would be greatly appreciated!
I'm looking to apply for medicine for 2026 entry. I've been having a lot of chronic health issues over the last 4 years which has lead me to not attend school for long periods of time. I know that you are able to gain contextual offers but I was wondering if there was anything else specifically for missing such a large chunk of my education. My grades have always been very good but despite my best efforts it looks like my illness is finally catching up with my education. Its always been my dream to go to university and really don't want to have to throw it all away due to all of this.
Any responses would be greatly appreciated!
Reply 1
20
Original post
by TTaylor.Hiya!
I'm looking to apply for medicine for 2026 entry. I've been having a lot of chronic health issues over the last 4 years which has lead me to not attend school for long periods of time. I know that you are able to gain contextual offers but I was wondering if there was anything else specifically for missing such a large chunk of my education. My grades have always been very good but despite my best efforts it looks like my illness is finally catching up with my education. Its always been my dream to go to university and really don't want to have to throw it all away due to all of this.
Any responses would be greatly appreciated!
I'm looking to apply for medicine for 2026 entry. I've been having a lot of chronic health issues over the last 4 years which has lead me to not attend school for long periods of time. I know that you are able to gain contextual offers but I was wondering if there was anything else specifically for missing such a large chunk of my education. My grades have always been very good but despite my best efforts it looks like my illness is finally catching up with my education. Its always been my dream to go to university and really don't want to have to throw it all away due to all of this.
Any responses would be greatly appreciated!
You would not be eligible for a lower grade Contextual offer just because of illness. You can notify your Unis about any 'Extenuating Circumstances' that have impacted your grades, and they *may* be able to take that into consideration when you get your results in August. But - having missed 'a large chunk' of your education' they could also realistically expect you to simply repeat Year 12. You also need to remember that Med is tough, demanding course and career. Would repeating Year 12 also allow you to fully recover before going to Uni.
One example of how to notify a Uni about Eventuating Circumstances -
Policy for applicants with extenuating circumstances - University of Birmingham
Reply 2
I agree with what’s been said above however it’s also important to mention that if you have good predicted grades and have relevant experience etc then you have nothing to loose by sitting this ucat this year and applying (if you are well enough)! More than a year is plenty of time to bring your grades up for actual alevels so as long as your predicted grades are good then you should be okay.
Maybe speak to your teachers about this- every school does it differently, they may be able to give you some allowance especially if your grades have been good previously.
Another option is just focusing purely on alevels for now and then taking a gap year where you can do your ucat/work experience so that you can focus on making your grades good.
Also, some unis offer ‘transfers’ where you join a course for one year then can transfer onto medicine or you can do the 3 year undergrad and be guaranteed a med interview (I believe Exeter does this- I could be wrong). Maybe look into backup courses like biomedical/neuroscience/biology then look into grad entry?
Like mentioned, you can look into ‘Extenuating circumstances’, some unis will accept this.
Also maybe look at the other requirements for contextual offers at particular unis, your school/postcode/parents not going to uni may help with this- I recommend looking around uni websites and checking as some are more lenient than others.
Also potentially seeing if you can do any widening participation programmes or summer schools which will qualify you.
Overall, there are several options, I recommend speaking with your teachers/head of years. If you can get good predicted grades then really focus on smashing your UCAT and then on alevels- you have plenty of time if you are in year 12, try not to beat yourself up about it! It sounds like you are super resilient which is essential for a career in medicine anyway and all of this is experience which you can eventually talk about at interview.
I know lots of people in med who took gap years or several gap years so that option is always there and maybe one to consider-there are lots of pros to doing so!
Good luck with everything and let me know if you have any questions 😊
Maybe speak to your teachers about this- every school does it differently, they may be able to give you some allowance especially if your grades have been good previously.
Another option is just focusing purely on alevels for now and then taking a gap year where you can do your ucat/work experience so that you can focus on making your grades good.
Also, some unis offer ‘transfers’ where you join a course for one year then can transfer onto medicine or you can do the 3 year undergrad and be guaranteed a med interview (I believe Exeter does this- I could be wrong). Maybe look into backup courses like biomedical/neuroscience/biology then look into grad entry?
Like mentioned, you can look into ‘Extenuating circumstances’, some unis will accept this.
Also maybe look at the other requirements for contextual offers at particular unis, your school/postcode/parents not going to uni may help with this- I recommend looking around uni websites and checking as some are more lenient than others.
Also potentially seeing if you can do any widening participation programmes or summer schools which will qualify you.
Overall, there are several options, I recommend speaking with your teachers/head of years. If you can get good predicted grades then really focus on smashing your UCAT and then on alevels- you have plenty of time if you are in year 12, try not to beat yourself up about it! It sounds like you are super resilient which is essential for a career in medicine anyway and all of this is experience which you can eventually talk about at interview.
I know lots of people in med who took gap years or several gap years so that option is always there and maybe one to consider-there are lots of pros to doing so!
Good luck with everything and let me know if you have any questions 😊
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