What uni should I choose???

4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

Reply 1

richardfeuapp

3

Original post

by l2uc1as4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

With AAB predictions and an A* EPQ, you’re in a strong position. Since you’ve already chosen Manchester, Liverpool, and MMU as your backup, your remaining choices should come down to course structure, campus feel, and city preference.

Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, and York all offer solid Biomedical Science courses with good facilities. Lancaster is more campus-focused and quieter, while Edinburgh is highly regarded but more competitive.

Since you’re taking a gap year, gaining healthcare experience will strengthen your application. Choose the universities where you can genuinely see yourself enjoying both the course and the environment.

Reply 2

Wired_1800

20

Original post

by l2uc1as4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

Liverpool, Manchester, Surrey, Southampton and ARU.

Reply 3

Scienceisgood

21

Hi;

I’m seeing a mix of IBMS accredited and non-IBMS accredited courses. Are you aware of the significance of IBMS accreditation?

Seen so many people fall into this trap where people want to work in a hospital (band 5 or higher), realise they didn’t take an accredited course and then learn they spent 3 years at uni, unable to do it (without top up modules which requires further years of study).

Reply 4

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post

by l2uc1as4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

Heyy @l2uc1as4,

That’s awesome to hear that you’re considering Lancaster as an option! Don’t stress too much, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed when thinking about universities, and you’re already doing the right thing by researching and asking questions.

One thing I’d recommend is checking out our Unibuddy platform, which allows you to chat directly with current Biomedicine students. It’s a great way to get an authentic insight into the course, workload, teaching style, and overall student experience, as you’re hearing directly from people who are actually studying the degree.

While I can’t speak much about the other universities, Lancaster is known for being quite flexible and often considers applicants who are slightly below the stated entry requirements. Many students (myself included!) were accepted despite being just below the official requirements, as the admissions team takes into account your EPQ, personal statement, and overall academic performance. Hopefully, this offers some reassurance if you’re feeling unsure about meeting the grade criteria.

It’s also worth noting that Lancaster isn’t a big university in a large city, so it can feel quieter compared to universities in major urban areas like York and Sheffield. This can be a real positive if you prefer a more focused, calm environment for studying. A smaller student body also means smaller seminar groups and more personalised support from lecturers, making it easier to get help and guidance throughout your degree. Furthermore, Lancaster is one of only nine universities in the UK that follow a collegiate system. Each college has its own accommodation, social spaces, events, and communities, which makes it easier to meet people and form lasting connections.

While I haven’t been able to go into all the details about the university itself, hopefully this gives you an overall picture of what studying in Lancaster could look like. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out!

Rachel
Lancaster University Student Ambassador

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 5

UEA Rep Daniel

12

Original post

by l2uc1as4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

Hi there,

You’ve already got a strong set of choices lined up, especially with AAB predictions and an A* in your EPQ. Even if the topic isn’t directly related, uni admissions still love the EPQ because it shows you can research, write and manage a long project.

Manchester, Liverpool and MMU cover the full range from competitive to safe, so for your remaining choices you can think about two things: the style of the course and where you’d actually enjoy living for three years. Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield and York all have solid Biomed programmes and similar entry requirements, so it often comes down to campus vibe and city size.

If you want somewhere a bit calmer, more campus based and strong in life sciences, have a look at UEA as well. They’re well regarded for Biomed, very supportive with gap year applicants and often give fair contextual offers.
Think about where you felt most at ease on open days, or which cities you can actually see yourself living in. With your grades, you’re choosing between good options rather than bad ones.

Best,
Daniel

Reply 6

LSBU

Official Rep

11

Original post

by l2uc1as4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

Hey there,

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed when you’re trying to finalise your list, especially for a course like Biomedical Science where entry requirements can feel quite high. Your grades look strong, and the A* in your EPQ still shows great research skills, even if the topic isn’t linked to Biomed.

While you’re deciding, it might help to step back and think about what kind of environment you want for your gap year and the years after. Things like teaching style, size of the campus, support, placements and the general feel of the place matter just as much as rankings when you’re actually living and studying there.

Since you mentioned you’re still unsure about your remaining choices, it could be worth looking at LSBU’s Biomedical Science course as another realistic option. The entry requirements are usually around 112 to 120 UCAS points, so you’d be well within range with AAB. The course is very hands on, with strong lab time and a focus on real world applications. Students also say they appreciate how supportive the teaching staff are, especially during practical modules.

If you want somewhere with a friendly, diverse student community and a course that gives you solid lab skills, LSBU might be a good addition while you figure out your final picks. Don’t rush the decision; choose places where you can picture yourself feeling comfortable and supported day to day.

You are always welcome to explore LSBU a bit more and get a real feel for what student life is like here. We actually have a virtual open day today from 12:30 to 1:30 pm where you can hear more about our courses and support. If you would prefer to see the campus in person you can book a tour https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days/campus-tours on a day that suits you and get a sense of the spaces you would be studying in. You can also chat to our current students https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat to hear honest experiences and get answers to any course questions you might have.

LSBU Admissions Ambassador

Reply 7

Scotney

20

Original post

by l2uc1as4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

If you are planning a gap year no need to panic.Do go to open days and get a feel for each uni.Worst comes to worst apply next year with grades in hand.

Reply 8

thegeek888

18

Original post

by l2uc1as4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

Either Edinburgh or York.

Reply 9

University of Sheffield Students

Official Rep

16

Original post

by l2uc1as4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

Hello,

You have great predicted grades that match the entry requirements for biomedical sciences at the University of Sheffield! The requirement on the website specifically states that:
"AAB including two science subjects".

In terms of deciding the final unis to put on your application - I would recommend open days so that you can speak to lecturers and current students. While the course is important, the city is also something to consider to. When I was looking at places to apply for, I visited a few universities where I was interested in the course, however the specific facilities at Sheffield and the location of the different university buildings and how they were interspersed with big green spaces is what drew to Sheffield over other universities.

Also, you can have a look at the optional modules that are available at the different universities and see which ones are of the most important to you. Another thing is consider is co-curricular activities. These are extracurriculars that are ran by students where you can apply your degree knowledge to real projects. A biomedical project that could be interesting to you that is available at Sheffield is called iGEM. This is a project surrounding synthetic biology for students to collaborate on innovative ideas like biosensors. Experiences like this at uni is great for you CV and strengthening your skills in relevant topics that will be useful for industry.

I hope this helps and let me know if you have any more specific questions about Sheffield!
Jivanthika

Reply 10

LancashireRep4

Official Rep

12

Original post

by l2uc1as4

I was really confused and panicked about what uni I should choose. My predicted grades are AAB and I did an EPQ (Finance) and got an A* but the topic is irrelvant to my uni course (Biomedical Science) I am planning to take a gap year and now I have choose Manchester and Liverpool for sure and MMU as my backup in my choice but I dont know what other uni I should choose (Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Sheffield, York or Edinburgh).
Can someone give me some advice on this? Thank you very much!!!!

Hi,

You have made some great choices. It can be difficult to chose all 5 choices, so here are some of my recommendations for comparing the universities:

- Modules 📚- Head onto the university website and compare the modules for your course of interest. This way you can see which course is more closely tailored to your interests.
- Distance 🛣️- This depends on how much you value being in close distance to home, therefore varying importance to everyone.
- Quality 🎓- What's the reputation of the course? You could look at other students opinions, awards and more.
- Cost of living 💵- Which is more affordable? This could take into account travel costs or accommodation costs.

Remember to consider some factors that are personally important to you. This could be the sports or societies offered or even just the vibe of the place.

Alternatively, you could apply for an alternative course at the same university you have already applied to if your really determined to go there.

I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Lancashire)

Reply 11

PreciousDiamond

10

i would recommend applying to the nearest from your home cos all the unis you have listed are fantastic Russell groups

Reply 12

l2uc1as4

OP

4

Original post

by richardfeuapp

With AAB predictions and an A* EPQ, you’re in a strong position. Since you’ve already chosen Manchester, Liverpool, and MMU as your backup, your remaining choices should come down to course structure, campus feel, and city preference.
Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, and York all offer solid Biomedical Science courses with good facilities. Lancaster is more campus-focused and quieter, while Edinburgh is highly regarded but more competitive.
Since you’re taking a gap year, gaining healthcare experience will strengthen your application. Choose the universities where you can genuinely see yourself enjoying both the course and the environment.

Ok thank you!

What uni should I choose???

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