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Medicine entry requirements

Hi, I'm a year 12 student and thinking to apply to medicine at uni. I'm predicted A in biology, B in history, B in chemistry. I didn’t choose Math A-level which puts me on a slight disadvantage when applying for medical schools. I understand that medicine is a very competitive course, however I really need to know what approach I can have to get the best maximum results. My GCSE grades:
8888877664. I got a 7 in chemistry and a 6 in math and biology, which is very disappointing as I was predicted minimum 8s for both. Although I am thinking to resit my maths GCSE as I am sure i can get a 7. Also thinking to do a gap year so I can gain more work experience and strengthen my profile. I'm also eligible for majority of two criterias on the widening contextual offer requirements for most unis. Do I have a good chance at getting an offer on a fairly good medical school?
I’m also involved in debating club at school, student leadership team and volunteering at charity for kids with disadvantaged abilities. I’m also involved in writing research papers for my local university on Biology and AI. I’m also hoping to get hospital experience locally and abroad (I was involved with charities in my home country). should I take a gap year and work more towards getting the best skills? What are some other alternatives I can take if applying to med schools is risky?

P.s My backup option is Law although my main priority is Med school as I am really passionate about it.

I'm considering UCL, Imperial, Manchester, Brunel, Queen Mary, and St Andrews.

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 immucool191
Hi, I'm a year 12 student and thinking to apply to medicine at uni. I'm predicted A in biology, B in history, B in chemistry. I didn’t choose Math A-level which puts me on a slight disadvantage when applying for medical schools. I understand that medicine is a very competitive course, however I really need to know what approach I can have to get the best maximum results. My GCSE grades:
8888877664. I got a 7 in chemistry and a 6 in math and biology, which is very disappointing as I was predicted minimum 8s for both. Although I am thinking to resit my maths GCSE as I am sure i can get a 7. Also thinking to do a gap year so I can gain more work experience and strengthen my profile. I'm also eligible for majority of two criterias on the widening contextual offer requirements for most unis. Do I have a good chance at getting an offer on a fairly good medical school?
I’m also involved in debating club at school, student leadership team and volunteering at charity for kids with disadvantaged abilities. I’m also involved in writing research papers for my local university on Biology and AI. I’m also hoping to get hospital experience locally and abroad (I was involved with charities in my home country). should I take a gap year and work more towards getting the best skills? What are some other alternatives I can take if applying to med schools is risky?
P.s My backup option is Law although my main priority is Med school as I am really passionate about it.
I'm considering UCL, Imperial, Manchester, Brunel, Queen Mary, and St Andrews.


Your GCSE for chem and bio are good dont worry ! All your other gcse results shows you are capable of doing well so just focus on your alevels and work experience ❤️

Reply 3

Original post
by futuredrlawyer
Your GCSE for chem and bio are good dont worry ! All your other gcse results shows you are capable of doing well so just focus on your alevels and work experience ❤️


I really hope so! Thank u so much ❤️

Reply 4

Original post
by immucool191
Hi, I'm a year 12 student and thinking to apply to medicine at uni. I'm predicted A in biology, B in history, B in chemistry. I didn’t choose Math A-level which puts me on a slight disadvantage when applying for medical schools. I understand that medicine is a very competitive course, however I really need to know what approach I can have to get the best maximum results. My GCSE grades:
8888877664. I got a 7 in chemistry and a 6 in math and biology, which is very disappointing as I was predicted minimum 8s for both. Although I am thinking to resit my maths GCSE as I am sure i can get a 7. Also thinking to do a gap year so I can gain more work experience and strengthen my profile. I'm also eligible for majority of two criterias on the widening contextual offer requirements for most unis. Do I have a good chance at getting an offer on a fairly good medical school?
I’m also involved in debating club at school, student leadership team and volunteering at charity for kids with disadvantaged abilities. I’m also involved in writing research papers for my local university on Biology and AI. I’m also hoping to get hospital experience locally and abroad (I was involved with charities in my home country). should I take a gap year and work more towards getting the best skills? What are some other alternatives I can take if applying to med schools is risky?
P.s My backup option is Law although my main priority is Med school as I am really passionate about it.
I'm considering UCL, Imperial, Manchester, Brunel, Queen Mary, and St Andrews.


Hi, I definitely think you have a good chance.
Your work experience and volunteering sounds really unique which is great!
As long as you focus on your A-levels and the UCAT you should be absolutely fine!

Reply 5

Not doing maths doesnt impact you for any uni apart from cambridge I did law as a back up as Well

Reply 6

Original post
by lilysilly_5454
Not doing maths doesnt impact you for any uni apart from cambridge I did law as a back up as Well


Hi, but I’m pretty sure lots of uni look at your gcses when shortlisting, right? that’s one of my concern. Also did you end up choosing law or medicine? And how was the application process and demands looking like for them?
Thank uuu

Reply 7

Original post
by immucool191
Hi, but I’m pretty sure lots of uni look at your gcses when shortlisting, right? that’s one of my concern. Also did you end up choosing law or medicine? And how was the application process and demands looking like for them?
Thank uuu


Most do look at the GCSEs but some weight it way more than others
For example for some, as long as you meet the minimum requirements they’re not too bothered about them
This website was super helpful for me when I applied: https://www.medschools.ac.uk/studying-medicine/how-to-apply-to-medical-school-in-the-uk/entry-requirements

Reply 8

Original post
by immucool191
Hi, but I’m pretty sure lots of uni look at your gcses when shortlisting, right? that’s one of my concern. Also did you end up choosing law or medicine? And how was the application process and demands looking like for them?
Thank uuu

Yes they do but they weigh them differently like I have lower gcses that you but applied strategically and got an offer I decided to comprimise like I did work experience and new I liked med more so used all the 4 for that and looked for a uni that didnt read P.S and applied for that as my 5th option I know right now I like medicine a lot so probably Will firm that but may insure law

The application for law can be difficult depending on if you do lnat or non lnat unis while with med ucat makes it like stressful but its just about being strategic like after ucat I kinda knew cognitive exams Were not my strong suit so opted for non lnat unis plus lnat and ucat are quite pricy If not eligible for bursary

Reply 9

The website above is useful but be careful cause some unis score gcses but they put minimum as 6 in maths and eng lang like kcl so just Cross check with other sources

Reply 10

You will need to improve your predicted A levels: even with widening access the minimum offer for most of those universities is AAB.
(edited 10 months ago)

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