Want to be a Sonographer but didn't take science A-levels — help pls 😭
Hi, I’m doing A-level Spanish, Sociology, and Psychology — predicted ABC.
I’ve always been into science and wanted to do something in healthcare, but I chose easier A-levels at the time and now I fully regret not picking a science. Nothing I can do about it now though.
My goal is to become an Obstetric Sonographer and work in a private clinic one day. I’ve accepted that I’ll need to take the longer route because I don’t have science A-levels, and I’ve got an offer for Biomedical Science with a foundation year at LSBU.
I was planning to do that degree, then try and get into a radiography apprenticeship, and then do a sonography apprenticeship after that. But now I’m not so sure…
A few things I’m worried about:
Is this route even realistic? Or is there an easier/better way to get into sonography?
Biomed seems too lab-based for me — I want something more hands-on and patient-focused.
I’m thinking of going through clearing and maybe looking for something more like health & social care or something closer to radiography?
Also… people keep saying LSBU is a bad environment, like always police, fights, etc. It’s really close to me which is why I picked it, but now I’m doubting it 😭
I feel so stuck and don’t want to waste time doing a degree that won’t lead me to where I want. If anyone’s been through something similar or knows more about this route, I’d seriously appreciate the help 🫶
Thanks x
I’ve always been into science and wanted to do something in healthcare, but I chose easier A-levels at the time and now I fully regret not picking a science. Nothing I can do about it now though.
My goal is to become an Obstetric Sonographer and work in a private clinic one day. I’ve accepted that I’ll need to take the longer route because I don’t have science A-levels, and I’ve got an offer for Biomedical Science with a foundation year at LSBU.
I was planning to do that degree, then try and get into a radiography apprenticeship, and then do a sonography apprenticeship after that. But now I’m not so sure…
A few things I’m worried about:
Is this route even realistic? Or is there an easier/better way to get into sonography?
Biomed seems too lab-based for me — I want something more hands-on and patient-focused.
I’m thinking of going through clearing and maybe looking for something more like health & social care or something closer to radiography?
Also… people keep saying LSBU is a bad environment, like always police, fights, etc. It’s really close to me which is why I picked it, but now I’m doubting it 😭
I feel so stuck and don’t want to waste time doing a degree that won’t lead me to where I want. If anyone’s been through something similar or knows more about this route, I’d seriously appreciate the help 🫶
Thanks x
Reply 1
20
Reply 2
Original post
by amal.settiHi, I’m doing A-level Spanish, Sociology, and Psychology — predicted ABC.
I’ve always been into science and wanted to do something in healthcare, but I chose easier A-levels at the time and now I fully regret not picking a science. Nothing I can do about it now though.
My goal is to become an Obstetric Sonographer and work in a private clinic one day. I’ve accepted that I’ll need to take the longer route because I don’t have science A-levels, and I’ve got an offer for Biomedical Science with a foundation year at LSBU.
I was planning to do that degree, then try and get into a radiography apprenticeship, and then do a sonography apprenticeship after that. But now I’m not so sure…
A few things I’m worried about:
Is this route even realistic? Or is there an easier/better way to get into sonography?
Biomed seems too lab-based for me — I want something more hands-on and patient-focused.
I’m thinking of going through clearing and maybe looking for something more like health & social care or something closer to radiography?
Also… people keep saying LSBU is a bad environment, like always police, fights, etc. It’s really close to me which is why I picked it, but now I’m doubting it 😭
I feel so stuck and don’t want to waste time doing a degree that won’t lead me to where I want. If anyone’s been through something similar or knows more about this route, I’d seriously appreciate the help 🫶
Thanks x
I’ve always been into science and wanted to do something in healthcare, but I chose easier A-levels at the time and now I fully regret not picking a science. Nothing I can do about it now though.
My goal is to become an Obstetric Sonographer and work in a private clinic one day. I’ve accepted that I’ll need to take the longer route because I don’t have science A-levels, and I’ve got an offer for Biomedical Science with a foundation year at LSBU.
I was planning to do that degree, then try and get into a radiography apprenticeship, and then do a sonography apprenticeship after that. But now I’m not so sure…
A few things I’m worried about:
Is this route even realistic? Or is there an easier/better way to get into sonography?
Biomed seems too lab-based for me — I want something more hands-on and patient-focused.
I’m thinking of going through clearing and maybe looking for something more like health & social care or something closer to radiography?
Also… people keep saying LSBU is a bad environment, like always police, fights, etc. It’s really close to me which is why I picked it, but now I’m doubting it 😭
I feel so stuck and don’t want to waste time doing a degree that won’t lead me to where I want. If anyone’s been through something similar or knows more about this route, I’d seriously appreciate the help 🫶
Thanks x
Hey @amal.setti
I completely understand how overwhelming it can feel when your heart is set on something, but the path there seems complicated. I’m currently studying diagnostic radiography, and if becoming an obstetric sonographer is your goal, radiography is the route I’d recommend. Sonography is usually a postgraduate specialism you go into after qualifying as a radiographer, so it gets you working closely with patients and is much more hands-on than biomedical science.
It can be competitive to get into, which is why doing diagnostic radiography as your undergrad can really help you get that clinical experience and edge. If you feel like biomed isn’t right for you, Clearing might be a great chance to explore radiography or other healthcare degrees that are more aligned with your passion.
At the end of the day, it’s your decision and your journey. Try not to let what others say about certain universities put you off. Every place has pros and cons and it’s really about the support you get and how motivated you are — which you clearly are. You’ve already done the hardest part by thinking ahead and being open to change. You’ve got this.
Mercy
BCU Student Rep
Reply 3
As someone else has said, the best route is probably an undergraduate in radiography and a postgraduate in sonography.
You could try and get into a radiography course through clearing, but if that's not possible, you might want to consider sitting A-levels in more relevant subjects and reapplying with them.
Most radiography courses will want you to have A-levels in chemistry, physics, and/or biology, and maths and further maths also look preferable. Some also seem to be alright with psychology, which is useful as you have already taken it. These entry requirements will likely change from course-to-course, so if you want to go down this route, I suggest you find some radiography degrees that interest you and look at their individual entry requirements.
This route seems quicker/more direct than the route you proposed, but that would work too if you still want to do it that way.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me. 😊
You could try and get into a radiography course through clearing, but if that's not possible, you might want to consider sitting A-levels in more relevant subjects and reapplying with them.
Most radiography courses will want you to have A-levels in chemistry, physics, and/or biology, and maths and further maths also look preferable. Some also seem to be alright with psychology, which is useful as you have already taken it. These entry requirements will likely change from course-to-course, so if you want to go down this route, I suggest you find some radiography degrees that interest you and look at their individual entry requirements.
This route seems quicker/more direct than the route you proposed, but that would work too if you still want to do it that way.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me. 😊
Reply 4
20
Original post
by amal.settiHi, I’m doing A-level Spanish, Sociology, and Psychology — predicted ABC.
I’ve always been into science and wanted to do something in healthcare, but I chose easier A-levels at the time and now I fully regret not picking a science. Nothing I can do about it now though.
My goal is to become an Obstetric Sonographer and work in a private clinic one day. I’ve accepted that I’ll need to take the longer route because I don’t have science A-levels, and I’ve got an offer for Biomedical Science with a foundation year at LSBU.
I was planning to do that degree, then try and get into a radiography apprenticeship, and then do a sonography apprenticeship after that. But now I’m not so sure…
A few things I’m worried about:
Is this route even realistic? Or is there an easier/better way to get into sonography?
Biomed seems too lab-based for me — I want something more hands-on and patient-focused.
I’m thinking of going through clearing and maybe looking for something more like health & social care or something closer to radiography?
Also… people keep saying LSBU is a bad environment, like always police, fights, etc. It’s really close to me which is why I picked it, but now I’m doubting it 😭
I feel so stuck and don’t want to waste time doing a degree that won’t lead me to where I want. If anyone’s been through something similar or knows more about this route, I’d seriously appreciate the help 🫶
Thanks x
I’ve always been into science and wanted to do something in healthcare, but I chose easier A-levels at the time and now I fully regret not picking a science. Nothing I can do about it now though.
My goal is to become an Obstetric Sonographer and work in a private clinic one day. I’ve accepted that I’ll need to take the longer route because I don’t have science A-levels, and I’ve got an offer for Biomedical Science with a foundation year at LSBU.
I was planning to do that degree, then try and get into a radiography apprenticeship, and then do a sonography apprenticeship after that. But now I’m not so sure…
A few things I’m worried about:
Is this route even realistic? Or is there an easier/better way to get into sonography?
Biomed seems too lab-based for me — I want something more hands-on and patient-focused.
I’m thinking of going through clearing and maybe looking for something more like health & social care or something closer to radiography?
Also… people keep saying LSBU is a bad environment, like always police, fights, etc. It’s really close to me which is why I picked it, but now I’m doubting it 😭
I feel so stuck and don’t want to waste time doing a degree that won’t lead me to where I want. If anyone’s been through something similar or knows more about this route, I’d seriously appreciate the help 🫶
Thanks x
The traditional route into sonography is to take a degree in diagnostic radiography, therapeutic radiography, nursing or midwifery, gain work experience after graduation, and then apply for a sonography training position (it is very competitive).
Most unis require one science at grade B for DR and some accept psychology for this - UWE Bristol, Exeter, Herts, Plymouth, City St George's, Salford and Suffolk are some of the unis that do. There are also DR courses with foundation years that don't have a science requirement - Worcester, SHU, Plymouth, etc. Some nursing courses don't require a science, so that might also be an option for you.
Consider clearing and if that doesn't work out, take a gap year and reapply with achieved grades. Bear in mind that healthcare courses interview (even in clearing) and ideally you will need shadowing experience in a DR department and public-facing work/volunteering experience.
Reply 5
Original post
by amal.settiHi, I’m doing A-level Spanish, Sociology, and Psychology — predicted ABC.
I’ve always been into science and wanted to do something in healthcare, but I chose easier A-levels at the time and now I fully regret not picking a science. Nothing I can do about it now though.
My goal is to become an Obstetric Sonographer and work in a private clinic one day. I’ve accepted that I’ll need to take the longer route because I don’t have science A-levels, and I’ve got an offer for Biomedical Science with a foundation year at LSBU.
I was planning to do that degree, then try and get into a radiography apprenticeship, and then do a sonography apprenticeship after that. But now I’m not so sure…
A few things I’m worried about:
Is this route even realistic? Or is there an easier/better way to get into sonography?
Biomed seems too lab-based for me — I want something more hands-on and patient-focused.
I’m thinking of going through clearing and maybe looking for something more like health & social care or something closer to radiography?
Also… people keep saying LSBU is a bad environment, like always police, fights, etc. It’s really close to me which is why I picked it, but now I’m doubting it 😭
I feel so stuck and don’t want to waste time doing a degree that won’t lead me to where I want. If anyone’s been through something similar or knows more about this route, I’d seriously appreciate the help 🫶
Thanks x
I’ve always been into science and wanted to do something in healthcare, but I chose easier A-levels at the time and now I fully regret not picking a science. Nothing I can do about it now though.
My goal is to become an Obstetric Sonographer and work in a private clinic one day. I’ve accepted that I’ll need to take the longer route because I don’t have science A-levels, and I’ve got an offer for Biomedical Science with a foundation year at LSBU.
I was planning to do that degree, then try and get into a radiography apprenticeship, and then do a sonography apprenticeship after that. But now I’m not so sure…
A few things I’m worried about:
Is this route even realistic? Or is there an easier/better way to get into sonography?
Biomed seems too lab-based for me — I want something more hands-on and patient-focused.
I’m thinking of going through clearing and maybe looking for something more like health & social care or something closer to radiography?
Also… people keep saying LSBU is a bad environment, like always police, fights, etc. It’s really close to me which is why I picked it, but now I’m doubting it 😭
I feel so stuck and don’t want to waste time doing a degree that won’t lead me to where I want. If anyone’s been through something similar or knows more about this route, I’d seriously appreciate the help 🫶
Thanks x
Hey there!
You are definitely not alone! A lot of people realise later what they actually want to do and that is completely ok. The bio-med science with a foundation year at LSBU is a valid option, but it is quite lab-based as you mentioned. If you're more into hands-on, patient-facing work, it might not fully suit you long term. Your route (biomed → radiography apprenticeship → sonography) is possible, but it’s quite long and competitive. If sonography is your goal, something like Diagnostic Radiography might be a more direct route (we do offer that course).
I have been studying at LSBU for over 7 years and I have loved the environment and people. I have felt well supported in a diverse and inlcusive community. The campus has had major investment recently, and it’s in a great location with strong NHS connections. Most of my friends who are studying health care courses say that if you stay focused and make the most of the support, it’s a great place to study.
If you’re unsure about biomed, it’s completely okay to rethink things. What is great is that you are already thinking things through carefully, and that’s a really strong place to start.
If you would like to chat to someone on our course, you can use the Unibuddy feature on our LSBU website: https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/course-finder/bsc-hons-diagnostic-radiography
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
Caroline
LSBU Admissions Ambassador
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