The Student Room Group

Idk what to do anymore, where can I go for university???

My parents are both Indian immigrants who aren’t as open minded to failure or any other career paths other than medicine/high profile jobs. After years of negotiating I decided to aim for a job in the hospital but I don’t know what I can do.

I take A-Level Environmental science, BTEC health and social care and lastly BTEC business studies. How can I go into medicine with these subjects????

I though that the idea of diagnostic imaging is pretty cool and it’s a job I’d honestly enjoy but does anyone know any Universities that would accept me with a C - B/A range of grades??

I feel so hopeless now can someone help me I don’t know where I’m going in my future and honestly some form of guidance would be so helpful 💕
(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

Original post by mable_mat15
My parents are both Indian immigrants who aren’t as open minded to failure or any other career paths other than medicine/high profile jobs. After years of negotiating I decided to aim for a job in the hospital but I don’t know what I can do.
I take A-Level Environmental science, BTEC health and social care and lastly BTEC business studies. How can I go into medicine with these subjects????
I though that the idea of diagnostic imaging is pretty cool and it’s a job I’d honestly enjoy but does anyone know any Universities that would accept me with a C - B/A range of grades??
I feel so hopeless now can someone help me I don’t know where I’m going in my future and honestly some form of guidance would be so helpful 💕

Hey as a fellow south asian i just wanted to remind you that this is your life and no matter how threatening your parents are they will eventually accept you with whatever career path you want to take. If what i said is not the case then ignore it haha.

In relation to your career i would reccomend you going into nursing - a hospital related field without necesarily needing biology or chemistry. Also from what ive seen around the grade requirements are lower . You might need to check but i think nursing at kings college is BBC which should be managable and u get into a russel group uni.

Reply 2

Original post by mable_mat15
My parents are both Indian immigrants who aren’t as open minded to failure or any other career paths other than medicine/high profile jobs. After years of negotiating I decided to aim for a job in the hospital but I don’t know what I can do.
I take A-Level Environmental science, BTEC health and social care and lastly BTEC business studies. How can I go into medicine with these subjects????
I though that the idea of diagnostic imaging is pretty cool and it’s a job I’d honestly enjoy but does anyone know any Universities that would accept me with a C - B/A range of grades??
I feel so hopeless now can someone help me I don’t know where I’m going in my future and honestly some form of guidance would be so helpful 💕

(I think by diagnostic imaging, I’ll assume you mean diagnostic radiography)
Hi! I’m applying for diagnostic radiography this year. Most universities want a 3 B’s but I’m not sure whether they accept 2 BTECs but try look at university websites and see what they have said (it should be okay as long as it’s equivalent to an a level grade, I think distinction is around a B)
I’ve seen some universities accept 2 B’s and a C so just try look at different ones! The university you go to doesn’t matter unless it’s not a HCPC verified course so don’t be too worried about that!
*Also, something the previous person flagged up, make sure to check if the uni wanted you to study a specific subject*
It’s a great degree choice because the job of a diagnostic radiographer always has a high demand in healthcare field. Many undergraduates enter higher education or attain a job in around 6-8 months after their degree so it has good job opportunities. You also have the ability to further pursue diverse imaging techniques you find interesting, either by training at your job or doing further education at university. Contrary to popular belief, diagnostic radiography is a very diverse course and most people start at Band 5 but work their way up to Band 6 in about 2-3 years.
All in all it’s a great opportunity!, if you’re worried about grades, you could always try to apply contextually? They might give you an offer a grade or 2 below the standard one depending on what their requirements are.
Just make sure to do your research on:

whether they accept BTEC as an A-level grade equivalent for the course (either by looking on their website or calling/emailing them.

Within those universities, look to see if they do any contextual offers (and if you can apply for it)

Also people who pick diagnostic radiography and end up working for the NHS are allowed a grant of 5,000-6,000 pounds I think but I’m not too sure on which universities do offer that or which don’t but it’s something for you to look into :smile:


I wish you all the best, good luck! :smile:

Reply 3

Original post by Winta:)
(I think by diagnostic imaging, I’ll assume you mean diagnostic radiography)
Hi! I’m applying for diagnostic radiography this year. Most universities want a 3 B’s but I’m not sure whether they accept 2 BTECs but try look at university websites and see what they have said (it should be okay as long as it’s equivalent to an a level grade, I think distinction is around a B)
I’ve seen some universities accept 2 B’s and a C so just try look at different ones! The university you go to doesn’t matter unless it’s not a HCPC verified course so don’t be too worried about that!
*Also, something the previous person flagged up, make sure to check if the uni wanted you to study a specific subject*
It’s a great degree choice because the job of a diagnostic radiographer always has a high demand in healthcare field. Many undergraduates enter higher education or attain a job in around 6-8 months after their degree so it has good job opportunities. You also have the ability to further pursue diverse imaging techniques you find interesting, either by training at your job or doing further education at university. Contrary to popular belief, diagnostic radiography is a very diverse course and most people start at Band 5 but work their way up to Band 6 in about 2-3 years.
All in all it’s a great opportunity!, if you’re worried about grades, you could always try to apply contextually? They might give you an offer a grade or 2 below the standard one depending on what their requirements are.
Just make sure to do your research on:

whether they accept BTEC as an A-level grade equivalent for the course (either by looking on their website or calling/emailing them.

Within those universities, look to see if they do any contextual offers (and if you can apply for it)

Also people who pick diagnostic radiography and end up working for the NHS are allowed a grant of 5,000-6,000 pounds I think but I’m not too sure on which universities do offer that or which don’t but it’s something for you to look into :smile:


I wish you all the best, good luck! :smile:

Do you think I can actually get into radiography with my current subjects?? It seem like a difficult path to take but it’s a career I’m interested in, do you think there’s a way I can get in if I don’t get into uni?

Reply 4

Original post by studiousayesha
Hey as a fellow south asian i just wanted to remind you that this is your life and no matter how threatening your parents are they will eventually accept you with whatever career path you want to take. If what i said is not the case then ignore it haha.
In relation to your career i would reccomend you going into nursing - a hospital related field without necesarily needing biology or chemistry. Also from what ive seen around the grade requirements are lower . You might need to check but i think nursing at kings college is BBC which should be managable and u get into a russel group uni.

Thank you for the options!! Nursing is my last option honestly almost a safety net if all fails but it seems as though I may have to follow that option, but can I get into nursing without doing bio and chem???

Reply 5

Original post by mable_mat15
Thank you for the options!! Nursing is my last option honestly almost a safety net if all fails but it seems as though I may have to follow that option, but can I get into nursing without doing bio and chem???

Yess !! my friends going into nursing and she has doesnt do sciences at alevel.

Reply 6

As someone who has 2 immigrant bulgarian parent I would only recommend you look into a law degree. This is a high profile thats well respected and isn't too difficult (depending on the university) to get into. Honestly with your subjects you would be fine applying to mid range unis to do a law degree. It would make your parents happy and honestly personality i quite like it.

Reply 7

Original post by mable_mat15
My parents are both Indian immigrants who aren’t as open minded to failure or any other career paths other than medicine/high profile jobs. After years of negotiating I decided to aim for a job in the hospital but I don’t know what I can do.
I take A-Level Environmental science, BTEC health and social care and lastly BTEC business studies. How can I go into medicine with these subjects????
I though that the idea of diagnostic imaging is pretty cool and it’s a job I’d honestly enjoy but does anyone know any Universities that would accept me with a C - B/A range of grades??
I feel so hopeless now can someone help me I don’t know where I’m going in my future and honestly some form of guidance would be so helpful 💕

You need to look at Bristol University, as they offer a gateway into medicine. However, as you did environmental science you might find that you need to target schools like Plymouth Uni

Reply 8

Original post by mable_mat15
My parents are both Indian immigrants who aren’t as open minded to failure or any other career paths other than medicine/high profile jobs. After years of negotiating I decided to aim for a job in the hospital but I don’t know what I can do.
I take A-Level Environmental science, BTEC health and social care and lastly BTEC business studies. How can I go into medicine with these subjects????
I though that the idea of diagnostic imaging is pretty cool and it’s a job I’d honestly enjoy but does anyone know any Universities that would accept me with a C - B/A range of grades??
I feel so hopeless now can someone help me I don’t know where I’m going in my future and honestly some form of guidance would be so helpful 💕

Why do you want to do that? What are you passionate about? Cosmetic Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics might be of interest based on your quals. Have you looked at NHS apprenticeships, as a route?

Reply 10

Original post by CJM_1
Why do you want to do that? What are you passionate about? Cosmetic Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics might be of interest based on your quals. Have you looked at NHS apprenticeships, as a route?

I’ve considered apprenticeships but it’s my last resort if I can’t get into uni, I think diagnostic radiography is what interests me the most in the hospital field that’s why I chose it, my subjects don’t help me as much as I’d hope they could tho

Reply 11

Original post by mable_mat15
I’ve considered apprenticeships but it’s my last resort if I can’t get into uni, I think diagnostic radiography is what interests me the most in the hospital field that’s why I chose it, my subjects don’t help me as much as I’d hope they could tho

Have you thought about Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy. You are doing Environmental Science, have you looked at becoming an Environmental Science Officer?

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