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Biology, chemistry and environmental science A level combination?

Hello all. I'm in year 11 and would like to pursue medicine at university. I'm definitely doing biology and chemistry A-levels, but I'm having trouble deciding on my 3rd one.

I'm not aiming for any top universities or anything. In fact, my preferred uni is Southampton. The entry requirements state that you need AAA in biology, another science subject (chemistry, maths, physics, psychology, sociology, geography etc).

So I've been considering environmental science. Essentially, I want an A level that isn't too hard. I know that all A levels are hard, but I'm talking in terms of comparison to other A levels- and from what I've seen on the specification and past papers, environmental science seems to be a strong contender.

However, there is an issue. I don't know why, but I can't help but feel like it's not a respected A-level, and I feel like it's very niche and not impressive compared to others.

I'm worried that if someone else were to take, say, maths, they would be picked over me.

I haven't found any examples of anyone being accepted into med with bio, chem and environmental science.

For this reason, I'm very hesitant on doing it.

Can anyone advise me on this matter?
Many thanks :smile:

Reply 1

afaik medicine doesn't really prefer any A Level for the third option (apart from Media/Film Studies? iirc some unis don't consider them highly) but I'm not sure about environmental science. You could try and message them to see, but they definitely don't care about maths being a third, that's for sure

Reply 2

2025 entry requirements for each UK Med School - this will show you which subjects are required or preferred for each degree - Entry requirements | Medical Schools Council

Useful Mooc (free, short online course) to have a look at over the summer - Applying for Medical School - Online Course - FutureLearn
Original post
by School_Student12
Hello all. I'm in year 11 and would like to pursue medicine at university. I'm definitely doing biology and chemistry A-levels, but I'm having trouble deciding on my 3rd one.
I'm not aiming for any top universities or anything. In fact, my preferred uni is Southampton. The entry requirements state that you need AAA in biology, another science subject (chemistry, maths, physics, psychology, sociology, geography etc).
So I've been considering environmental science. Essentially, I want an A level that isn't too hard. I know that all A levels are hard, but I'm talking in terms of comparison to other A levels- and from what I've seen on the specification and past papers, environmental science seems to be a strong contender.
However, there is an issue. I don't know why, but I can't help but feel like it's not a respected A-level, and I feel like it's very niche and not impressive compared to others.
I'm worried that if someone else were to take, say, maths, they would be picked over me.
I haven't found any examples of anyone being accepted into med with bio, chem and environmental science.
For this reason, I'm very hesitant on doing it.
Can anyone advise me on this matter?
Many thanks :smile:

Hi, thank you for sharing your journey it’s really inspiring that you already know what you want to do and where you would like to study at this stage. Southampton is a wonderful choice for medicine.

It’s great that you checked the university website carefully. For your third subject, maybe you could consider starting with four A-levels if it’s not too much, and then later, when you feel more settled, you could drop one when you decide which one interest you more. A lot of students do this just to keep their options open in the beginning.

Another idea could be to choose the subject you feel most confident and comfortable with right now, and then wait until your GCSE results come out. Once you see your results, it might help you feel more certain about which subject you would enjoy continuing at A-level.

You’re already doing so well by planning ahead and thinking carefully about your choices. Please try not to stress too much you are on a really good path.
Wishing you all the best, and we’ll be looking forward to hearing great news from you in a few years’ time!

Best wishes
Junfan

Reply 4

Original post
by Uni of Southampton Students
Hi, thank you for sharing your journey it’s really inspiring that you already know what you want to do and where you would like to study at this stage. Southampton is a wonderful choice for medicine.
It’s great that you checked the university website carefully. For your third subject, maybe you could consider starting with four A-levels if it’s not too much, and then later, when you feel more settled, you could drop one when you decide which one interest you more. A lot of students do this just to keep their options open in the beginning.
Another idea could be to choose the subject you feel most confident and comfortable with right now, and then wait until your GCSE results come out. Once you see your results, it might help you feel more certain about which subject you would enjoy continuing at A-level.
You’re already doing so well by planning ahead and thinking carefully about your choices. Please try not to stress too much you are on a really good path.
Wishing you all the best, and we’ll be looking forward to hearing great news from you in a few years’ time!
Best wishes
Junfan


Thank you so much for the help and your kind words!

I decided against environmental science because I find geography a lot more interesting, and on my colleges welcome day I am trying out biology, chemistry, geography and maths so I can decide which third A level to do then.

Thank you again for the help, best regards

Reply 5

Original post
by School_Student12
Hello all. I'm in year 11 and would like to pursue medicine at university. I'm definitely doing biology and chemistry A-levels, but I'm having trouble deciding on my 3rd one.
I'm not aiming for any top universities or anything. In fact, my preferred uni is Southampton. The entry requirements state that you need AAA in biology, another science subject (chemistry, maths, physics, psychology, sociology, geography etc).
So I've been considering environmental science. Essentially, I want an A level that isn't too hard. I know that all A levels are hard, but I'm talking in terms of comparison to other A levels- and from what I've seen on the specification and past papers, environmental science seems to be a strong contender.
However, there is an issue. I don't know why, but I can't help but feel like it's not a respected A-level, and I feel like it's very niche and not impressive compared to others.
I'm worried that if someone else were to take, say, maths, they would be picked over me.
I haven't found any examples of anyone being accepted into med with bio, chem and environmental science.
For this reason, I'm very hesitant on doing it.
Can anyone advise me on this matter?
Many thanks :smile:


Not sure if this is any help but I have been accepted into Exeter Uni and Cardiff Uni to study law with an A Level in environmental science!

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