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Third A-Level Option - Medicine

I want to do a degree in medicine and originally for my a level options I wanted to do chemistry, biology and psychology. A teacher at the college I want to go to has advised me against that as they said that psychology is a very content heavy subject and to save my sanity in the 2nd year i should pick something a little easier. I was thinking to do an a level in business instead as I do it as a GCSE option and I find it enjoyable and most of it is common sense and I believe I can do well in it quite easily, however I was wondering if universities are looking for someone with a more academic third option or just for the good grades? My backup option would be doing a degree in psychology if I could not in Medicine, so this is why I am so conflicted.

Reply 1

Original post
by phoebegreavesx
I want to do a degree in medicine and originally for my a level options I wanted to do chemistry, biology and psychology. A teacher at the college I want to go to has advised me against that as they said that psychology is a very content heavy subject and to save my sanity in the 2nd year i should pick something a little easier. I was thinking to do an a level in business instead as I do it as a GCSE option and I find it enjoyable and most of it is common sense and I believe I can do well in it quite easily, however I was wondering if universities are looking for someone with a more academic third option or just for the good grades? My backup option would be doing a degree in psychology if I could not in Medicine, so this is why I am so conflicted.
Do Maths, especially since Cambridge University ask for 3 Science/Maths A-Levels.

Also, there are YouTube channels such as: ExamSolutions, TLMaths, BicenMaths and HindsMaths.

Reply 2

Original post
by phoebegreavesx
I want to do a degree in medicine and originally for my a level options I wanted to do chemistry, biology and psychology. A teacher at the college I want to go to has advised me against that as they said that psychology is a very content heavy subject and to save my sanity in the 2nd year i should pick something a little easier. I was thinking to do an a level in business instead as I do it as a GCSE option and I find it enjoyable and most of it is common sense and I believe I can do well in it quite easily, however I was wondering if universities are looking for someone with a more academic third option or just for the good grades? My backup option would be doing a degree in psychology if I could not in Medicine, so this is why I am so conflicted.

Hi,

The third a level can be ANYTHING (literally, as long as it is an 'a level', and not a Level 3 qualification)
Anything from A-level Fine art and A-level drama to A-level maths and physics is fully acceptable (providing u get at least A)

Literally, trust me. I have emailed at least 10 medical unis, such as Imperial, Oxford, Kings college London, Manchester, Sheffield and Leciester, and ALL have said the third subject does NOT matter at all.

People have applied to Oxford (and got an offer) with these a levels:
Biology, Chemistry, Maths
Biology, Chemistry, History
Biology, Chemistry, English Literature
Biology, Chemistry, Psychology
Biology, Chemistry, Economics
Biology, Chemistry, Geography
Biology, Chemistry, Drama
Biology, Chemistry, Fine art
Biology, Chemistry, Sociology
Biology, Chemistry, you get the point....

So to answer your question, unis DO NOT look for someone with a more academic third option. Someone with maths as a third will have equal consideration as someone taking drama/art/dance A LEVEL as a third!!!
Original post
by phoebegreavesx
I want to do a degree in medicine and originally for my a level options I wanted to do chemistry, biology and psychology. A teacher at the college I want to go to has advised me against that as they said that psychology is a very content heavy subject and to save my sanity in the 2nd year i should pick something a little easier. I was thinking to do an a level in business instead as I do it as a GCSE option and I find it enjoyable and most of it is common sense and I believe I can do well in it quite easily, however I was wondering if universities are looking for someone with a more academic third option or just for the good grades? My backup option would be doing a degree in psychology if I could not in Medicine, so this is why I am so conflicted.

Any third subject is fine for all medical schools except:

Cambridge, which requires a STEM subject as your third.

Liverpool, which requires the third subject to be "academic", although I can't find how this is qualified.

I believe there was another in the same boat as Liverpool but can't find it atm. All others don't care what your third subject is.

Reply 4

Original post
by phoebegreavesx
I want to do a degree in medicine and originally for my a level options I wanted to do chemistry, biology and psychology. A teacher at the college I want to go to has advised me against that as they said that psychology is a very content heavy subject and to save my sanity in the 2nd year i should pick something a little easier. I was thinking to do an a level in business instead as I do it as a GCSE option and I find it enjoyable and most of it is common sense and I believe I can do well in it quite easily, however I was wondering if universities are looking for someone with a more academic third option or just for the good grades? My backup option would be doing a degree in psychology if I could not in Medicine, so this is why I am so conflicted.

Listen to uncle @artful_lounger - he is right :smile:

I wouldn't think of busines studies as an 'easy option' in the way you are. It will still require a lot of work and focus to get an A/A* in.

Reply 5

I see that everyone is saying "do maths"... and I'm here to say: please don't please, please don't.
It's very hard. I'm applying to medicine next year and I'm doing Biology, Chemistry, and Maths. I failed maths earlier this year (it's at an A now thanks to hard work), but I would seriously say: do something you're passionate about.
Even though I got a 9 in GCSE Maths, I never liked it. I just picked it thinking I did well in GCSEs but A-level Maths is a whole different ball game. Do it if you're genuinely passionate about it, but I highly recommend not doing it otherwise.

Reply 6

Hi i posted this 2 years ago and i ended up picking psychology and it ended up being my favourite subject im very glad i chose that over business!!! off to uni in september to still study medicine (if i get the grades) so all has turned out well!

Reply 7

Original post
by phoebegreavesx
Hi i posted this 2 years ago and i ended up picking psychology and it ended up being my favourite subject im very glad i chose that over business!!! off to uni in september to still study medicine (if i get the grades) so all has turned out well!

yay, i hope it all went well and best of luck to study medicine in september

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