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The path to take: biochem or medicine?? (urgent)

Posting this again because my first admissions deadline is in 7 days!!!
As a GCSE student picking his A levels, I have chosen biology and chemistry, yet I am not sure about my third and am debating between maths and psychology
I have several options here
- Chose maths, do an EPQ based on psychology
- Chose psychology, do core maths (if offered) or an EPQ
- Chose BOTH maths and psychology
I am predicted - as of now - a 9 in maths, bio, and chem
I am also predicted 8 in English lang and 7-8 in lit
If I choose 4 a levels, I would like to do them without the intention to drop one, since I've hear that this practice is generally frowned upon. But I do not know if I need 4 a levels, I just know I would like to do psychology, and that maths is very useful
The thing is, I don't hate maths, I like it, but I'm not SUPER passionate about it. I look at it as a skill to use in other subjects and doing questions is fun. We never get a taste of psychology at GCSE level, but I'm interested in it and I imagine it will be quite fascinating.
Additionally, I also looked at universities, and for medicine and biochem, generally I only need bio and chem and a third a level of choice. For biochem, I would imagine maths is preferred, and more medicine, it doesn't matter that much. But I also asked my teacher for advice (he has friend's who work in medicine) and he said that while medicine is very interesting, one downside is it is not very organised. I know both are quite employable, and pay well, but I don't know what path to go down here. I'm interested in both, yet I don't want any regret.
What do I do? Also, please tell me about other biochem jobs that are medicinal or pharma.

Reply 1

If you are not 100% committed to Medicine, then pick something else. Its a hard mountain to climb - both the degree and the career, and you need more than just a vague thought of doing Medicine.

Have a look at some other degrees/ careers :
Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences | Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences | Newcastle University
Undergraduate | School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine | University of Bristol (scroll down for courses)
Biosciences undergraduate courses - Swansea University
Choosing between Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Discover Law at Birmingham - University of Birmingham

Reply 2

Original post
by McGinger
If you are not 100% committed to Medicine, then pick something else. Its a hard mountain to climb - both the degree and the career, and you need more than just a vague thought of doing Medicine.
Have a look at some other degrees/ careers :
Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences | Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences | Newcastle University
Undergraduate | School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine | University of Bristol (scroll down for courses)
Biosciences undergraduate courses - Swansea University
Choosing between Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Discover Law at Birmingham - University of Birmingham

It is not just a vague thought. I have wanted to do medicine for a long time, but recent things on the news has thrown me off, and I've just heard that life in medicine is disorganised until you have good experience in it
Original post
by Bananaman575
Posting this again because my first admissions deadline is in 7 days!!!
As a GCSE student picking his A levels, I have chosen biology and chemistry, yet I am not sure about my third and am debating between maths and psychology
I have several options here
- Chose maths, do an EPQ based on psychology
- Chose psychology, do core maths (if offered) or an EPQ
- Chose BOTH maths and psychology
I am predicted - as of now - a 9 in maths, bio, and chem
I am also predicted 8 in English lang and 7-8 in lit
If I choose 4 a levels, I would like to do them without the intention to drop one, since I've hear that this practice is generally frowned upon. But I do not know if I need 4 a levels, I just know I would like to do psychology, and that maths is very useful
The thing is, I don't hate maths, I like it, but I'm not SUPER passionate about it. I look at it as a skill to use in other subjects and doing questions is fun. We never get a taste of psychology at GCSE level, but I'm interested in it and I imagine it will be quite fascinating.
Additionally, I also looked at universities, and for medicine and biochem, generally I only need bio and chem and a third a level of choice. For biochem, I would imagine maths is preferred, and more medicine, it doesn't matter that much. But I also asked my teacher for advice (he has friend's who work in medicine) and he said that while medicine is very interesting, one downside is it is not very organised. I know both are quite employable, and pay well, but I don't know what path to go down here. I'm interested in both, yet I don't want any regret.
What do I do? Also, please tell me about other biochem jobs that are medicinal or pharma.


You can go into medicine or biochemistry with either maths OR psychology. Maths is not required for medicine at Cambridge, and it's only strongly preferred for biochemistry as far as I know at Oxford and or usually in some capacity necessary for natural sciences at Cambridge. For essentially every other biochemistry course I'm aware of maths isn't specifically necessary or strongly preferred for admissions purposes.

That said my understanding is that a stronger mathematical background is useful for when you're actually on the degree - bear in mind that getting onto the course is only step one, you then need to actually complete the multi-year course successfully.

If you don't really enjoy maths I would not suggest continuing to A-level. Lots of people seem to slouch into taking it at A-level due to believing it's "better" than other options even when not necessary, then panic post on TSR mid year 12 about how they're only getting Cs so far and aren't sure what to do as a result...

Reply 4

Original post
by artful_lounger
You can go into medicine or biochemistry with either maths OR psychology. Maths is not required for medicine at Cambridge, and it's only strongly preferred for biochemistry as far as I know at Oxford and or usually in some capacity necessary for natural sciences at Cambridge. For essentially every other biochemistry course I'm aware of maths isn't specifically necessary or strongly preferred for admissions purposes.
That said my understanding is that a stronger mathematical background is useful for when you're actually on the degree - bear in mind that getting onto the course is only step one, you then need to actually complete the multi-year course successfully.
If you don't really enjoy maths I would not suggest continuing to A-level. Lots of people seem to slouch into taking it at A-level due to believing it's "better" than other options even when not necessary, then panic post on TSR mid year 12 about how they're only getting Cs so far and aren't sure what to do as a result...

honestly mate...good point

Reply 5

Original post
by artful_lounger
You can go into medicine or biochemistry with either maths OR psychology. Maths is not required for medicine at Cambridge, and it's only strongly preferred for biochemistry as far as I know at Oxford and or usually in some capacity necessary for natural sciences at Cambridge. For essentially every other biochemistry course I'm aware of maths isn't specifically necessary or strongly preferred for admissions purposes.
That said my understanding is that a stronger mathematical background is useful for when you're actually on the degree - bear in mind that getting onto the course is only step one, you then need to actually complete the multi-year course successfully.
If you don't really enjoy maths I would not suggest continuing to A-level. Lots of people seem to slouch into taking it at A-level due to believing it's "better" than other options even when not necessary, then panic post on TSR mid year 12 about how they're only getting Cs so far and aren't sure what to do as a result...

do you think 4 is too much? Do you think I could choose 4 and drop one if I dislike it?
Original post
by Bananaman575
do you think 4 is too much? Do you think I could choose 4 and drop one if I dislike it?

Yes, 4 is too many and unnecessary.

Whether you start with 4 and drop one is dependent on your school.

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