Medicine A levels

0

Hi,

Are these A levels good for Medicine? Should I replace any? I am looking to apply to Oxford, imperial, king’s and cardiff

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
EPQ
First language ( my native language)

Thanks

Reply 1

Talkative Toad

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

22

There’s no need to do this many subjects.

Just do bio and Chem then whichever other A-level you prefer out of physics or history. Scrap the rest.

Do you prefer Physics or History?

Reply 2

username7600107

OP

0

2

Original post by Talkative Toad

There’s no need to do this many subjects.
Just do bio and Chem then whichever other A-level you prefer out of physics or history. Scrap the rest.
Do you prefer Physics or History?

I actually enjoy my chosen subjects besides I am fluent in my native language and already do past papers where I got full marks like 100% ( in yr 11) And EPQ is interesting as I have this topic I am really passionate about and this is an excuse to write an essay on it lol. And I picked three sciences because I like bio and chem and I picked physics because some unis require three science/maths. And history is my fav subject and also something different and more essay based. But I’ll drop One if I feel there is too much pressure I won’t sacrifice my grades.

Reply 3

username7600107

OP

0

2

Original post by Fudge_cake

I actually enjoy my chosen subjects besides I am fluent in my native language and already do past papers where I got full marks like 100% ( in yr 11) And EPQ is interesting as I have this topic I am really passionate about and this is an excuse to write an essay on it lol. And I picked three sciences because I like bio and chem and I picked physics because some unis require three science/maths. And history is my fav subject and also something different and more essay based. But I’ll drop One if I feel there is too much pressure I won’t sacrifice my grades.

But I am still unsure 🤷🏻*♀️ because I was told unis don’t even look or want to hear of your other A levels if you have more than 3.

Reply 4

Talkative Toad

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

22

Original post by Fudge_cake

I actually enjoy my chosen subjects besides I am fluent in my native language and already do past papers where I got full marks like 100% ( in yr 11) And EPQ is interesting as I have this topic I am really passionate about and this is an excuse to write an essay on it lol. And I picked three sciences because I like bio and chem and I picked physics because some unis require three science/maths. And history is my fav subject and also something different and more essay based. But I’ll drop One if I feel there is too much pressure I won’t sacrifice my grades.

The only university I’ve heard of requiring 3 STEM a levels for medicine is Cambridge (which you’re not applying to). Have you checked the entry requirements of the specific universities that you’re interested in?

if history is your favourite subject then do Biology, Chemistry and History. There’s no point in doing the rest (it’ll give you no advantage).

Original post by Fudge_cake

But I am still unsure 🤷🏻*♀️ because I was told unis don’t even look or want to hear of your other A levels if you have more than 3.

That’s right, hence my suggestion that you only do Biology+Chemistry+ History or Physics (not both and do the one that you enjoy the most which seems to be History). Ditch the rest, waste of time.

Anything else will be useless, at best the EPQ might give you something to talk about in your application if (emphasis on if) that’s relevant.

Reply 5

purple turtle 18

6

Original post by Fudge_cake

Hi,
Are these A levels good for Medicine? Should I replace any? I am looking to apply to Oxford, imperial, king’s and cardiff
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
EPQ
First language ( my native language)
Thanks

Hi, just consider the workload. Most people find that 3 A levels are a struggle, especially since three of them are sciences and another an essay subject (that
i think has coursework). All of that combined with UCAS Aplications, Personal Statements and Interviews for med can be a lot to handle in year 13, especially when people say to treat interview prep like an additional A level to study for. Most unis only consider 3 A levels and some don't even look at EPQs so just think about whether it would be better to do really well in the subjects you need to by focusing your attention more on them rather than trying to spread yourself across multiple. The workload for A levels is so so much more than GCSEs despite having less subjects to deal with so just keep that in mind.

Reply 6

FiBox

11

Some universities treat A levels in your native language differently so if you are dropping A levels I wouldn’t use your native language as your third unless you have to.

Reply 7

jasmineva3128

14

Based on what you've told others, take biology, chemistry, history, and an EPQ or your native language. I think this sounds best.

Reply 8

klafow

14

Original post by username7600107

Hi,
Are these A levels good for Medicine? Should I replace any? I am looking to apply to Oxford, imperial, king’s and cardiff
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
EPQ
First language ( my native language)
Thanks

if i were you i'd go for bio, chem, your native language (easy A*) and the EPQ, and ditch physics and history. as said in one of the replies above you don't need three stem subjects if you aren't applying to cambridge. and honestly year 12 gets so busy for medicine applicants because on top of your a-levels you need to fit in work experience, volunteering, wider reading and eventually ucat prep, which will take up a lot of your time. i do know some people who managed four and the epq when applying for med but definitely not five and epq. no one's saying you aren't capable of managing all of this, it's just that you really don't need to work this hard when your time could be better spent on other things to improve your med application.

Reply 9

coolcatbea

10

Original post by username7600107

Hi,
Are these A levels good for Medicine? Should I replace any? I am looking to apply to Oxford, imperial, king’s and cardiff
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
EPQ
First language ( my native language)
Thanks

Hi im pretty sure you need a level maths for medicine

Reply 10

klafow

14

Original post by coolcatbea

Hi im pretty sure you need a level maths for medicine

you don't

Reply 11

pspspsp

13

Original post by username7600107

Hi,
Are these A levels good for Medicine? Should I replace any? I am looking to apply to Oxford, imperial, king’s and cardiff
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
EPQ
First language ( my native language)
Thanks

ur gonna negatively impact ur application with that many subjects, would u rather 3 A* and a med offer or 6 B/Cs + flop interviews. ik im being blunt but theres genuinely 0 point doing mroe than 3 a levels for med, only extra one u put that is good is EPQ

Reply 12

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post by username7600107

Hi,
Are these A levels good for Medicine? Should I replace any? I am looking to apply to Oxford, imperial, king’s and cardiff
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
EPQ
First language ( my native language)
Thanks

Biology and Chemistry are certain choices.
You really dont want to have the workload of 6 a levels at once- thats insanity!
Is there a possibility you could do your native language a level at the end of year 12 to reduce pressure?
I would recommend picking either physics or history. If youre not planning to apply for Cambridge then you only need 2 stem subjects as far as i know.
Have you considered doing an EPQ on a topic of interest relating to physics or history, maybe also linking to medicine?
So basically biology, chemistry, one other and EPQ sounds like a good option. If you can take the native language a level with no need to prepare properly (preferably in year 12) and you think that it’s important then do so however id recommend checking 1) whether unis will accept it because some wont accept native language a levels in offers so theres no point 2) if unis will accept an a level taken in year 12 3) if theres parts of the a level you would have to study for eg: you need to study a book and a film so that’ll take work id assume.
If youre trying to weigh up physics and history then im sure @Geo Lover 7 will be happy to answer questions on history and @mayarpapayar might be able to answer questions about physics 🙂
One thing i will say, given that i have some experience of a level physics is that it is a difficult subject even if you get a 9 at gcse and it requires a great deal of skill in maths so is especially tricky if youre not doing maths a level.

Reply 13

Geo Lover 7

17

Original post by DerDracologe

Biology and Chemistry are certain choices.
You really dont want to have the workload of 6 a levels at once- thats insanity!
Is there a possibility you could do your native language a level at the end of year 12 to reduce pressure?
I would recommend picking either physics or history. If youre not planning to apply for Cambridge then you only need 2 stem subjects as far as i know.
Have you considered doing an EPQ on a topic of interest relating to physics or history, maybe also linking to medicine?
So basically biology, chemistry, one other and EPQ sounds like a good option. If you can take the native language a level with no need to prepare properly (preferably in year 12) and you think that it’s important then do so however id recommend checking 1) whether unis will accept it because some wont accept native language a levels in offers so theres no point 2) if unis will accept an a level taken in year 12 3) if theres parts of the a level you would have to study for eg: you need to study a book and a film so that’ll take work id assume.
If youre trying to weigh up physics and history then im sure @Geo Lover 7 will be happy to answer questions on history and @mayarpapayar might be able to answer questions about physics 🙂
One thing i will say, given that i have some experience of a level physics is that it is a difficult subject even if you get a 9 at gcse and it requires a great deal of skill in maths so is especially tricky if youre not doing maths a level.

The user deleted their account.

Reply 14

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post by Geo Lover 7

The user deleted their account.

Yeah i saw that, Im hoping that either they will check the thread without an account/with a new account and take the advice people are giving or if not that it can help someone else in the future 🙂

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 15

UCLan_Rebecca

Official Rep

8

Hey everyone!

I know the original account has been deleted but here’s some advice from someone who’s been there with applying for medical school !

❓Do I do 3 Alevels or more?

Such a good question and there are always lots of conflicting opinions …
There are usually core subjects that universities want you to have at A-Level - these often include Biology +/- chemistry (university dependent) and then a 3rd academic subject.
I would always check what a university classes as a science if they ask for 2 science subjects as not all will class the same subjects as science (psychology is a classic which some do and some don’t!)
A-Level maths isn’t always needed but if in doubt, check with your universities of choice!

⁉️ Do I need all A’s at GCSE
Absolutely not! Whilst it’s true that some universities will have different GCSE requirements , having all A’s isn’t a requirement!

Some universities will use your GCSE grades to help decide who goes to interview, some will just have a minimum requirement of maths and English (usually a grade 6 or above).

⁉️ EPQ
This was heavily debated when I was at college and it’s not changed since 🤣
An EPQ can definitely be helpful by giving you something to talk about at interview but often with courses like medicine , you don’t get any extra UCAS points from it.
It’s a good way to show extra academic interests but as I said, doesn’t usually form part of your offer!

❓ How do I know what each university wants

Ask! Most universities will have a general course enquires email address where you can send your questions to. If you are deciding on alevel subjects or you’re confused about entry requirements, pop and email over and they can normally clarify really quickly!

I hope this helps some future applicants!

-Rebecca, University of Central Lancashire Ambassador, MBBS

Reply 16

mcmste1809

6

Original post by username7600107

Hi,
Are these A levels good for Medicine? Should I replace any? I am looking to apply to Oxford, imperial, king’s and cardiff
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
EPQ
First language ( my native language)
Thanks

Yes

Reply 17

AnanyaDiya

3

Original post by username7600107

Hi,
Are these A levels good for Medicine? Should I replace any? I am looking to apply to Oxford, imperial, king’s and cardiff
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
EPQ
First language ( my native language)
Thanks

I am in year 12 right now and I took Bio Chem Maths and History looking to do medicine, but I’m only doing history at AS because I found I don’t have enough time for my friends. Please make sure you prioritise your mental health and grow as a person: you are a human being before you are a student! ❤️❤️

But if u were you, I would start with four a levels and maybe an EPQ (you seem very smart). Take Bio and Chem for definite and maths should be high on your list. Choose between physics and history. I found that history got a lot more difficult for me, because I was only writing essays for that (I got worse at writing).

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best!!

Medicine A levels

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