Can i study medicine at a good university with these grades

Hi,I'm worried about whether I could study medicine as i had achieved 77777775 (5 in foundation Arabic)
And i came to the UK in year eleven and now I'm studying biology, chemistry, maths and geography.Can I still go to a Russell group university.pls tell me your thoughts.thank you

Reply 1

franksinatra1

i dont want to give you any misinformation so ill start by making it clear that i know very little about medicine. However, if you are doing your A levels currently, I would say that as long as you come out of your A levels with stellar grades (medicine is very competitive) then im sure having slightly lower (but still very good!) GCSE grades will not affect your chances at medicine, particularly if you are very passionate about it.

Reply 2

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

Russell Group and ‘good’ unis are pretty irrelevant terms so far as med degree is concerned. Apply to four choices that match your profile, don’t chase meaningless prestige.

Reply 3

McGinger

As above - it doesn't matter where you train as a doctor, all UK degrees are accredited as equal by the GMC, all teach the same set syllabus and all courses lead to exactly the same qualification. The NHS won't care about the name of the Uni, and your future patents will never ask you.

List of the 2026 entry requirements for each UK Medical School - UK medical school entry requirements - Medical Schools Council

Reply 4

McGinger

Lots of online/virtual coming up from Uni of Leicester specifically for Year11 and 12 students - for example, Virtual Applying to Medicine talk on 26 November 2025, 6.00pm-7.30pm. Register for each event to be sent link. Outreach | Leicester Medical School | University of Leicester

Reply 5

Sweet122

Original post

by fvgbu

Honestly, the most important grade for med is the UCAT/BMAT. A levels are also important for meeting requirements but UCAT/BMAT is the determining factor. My advice would be to start practising asap

Reply 6

fvgbu

Original post

by Sweet122

Honestly, the most important grade for med is the UCAT/BMAT. A levels are also important for meeting requirements but UCAT/BMAT is the determining factor. My advice would be to start practising asap

Thanks for the advice

Reply 7

FiBox

Quite a few universities weigh GCSEs; you probably need to avoid those. Others just require minimum GCSE grades which it looks like you have. In all cases you will need maths and English language GCSE . You will need good A level predictions and it is worth bearing in mind that four A levels offer no advantage over three, so if you struggle with the work load you would be better dropping to three in order to get the best grades in those. I would hang onto Chemistry if you did this to maintain the best range of options. Also check English language requirements - not sure if GCSE is enough or not if from a non-English speaking country.

You also want to do some voluntary work and work experience. BMAT has stopped, it is just UCAT now.

Reply 8

bobjeffandam

Original post

by fvgbu

You have the minimum for many universities. Some unis do not “care” about your gcses beyond this. As long as you get the A level requirements for these schools, and do relevant extra and supercurriculars if possible anddd do good enough at your UCAT in the summer, you are very likely to receive at least one interview- just make sure you apply strategically. This is something to worry about in year13 tho :smile: