Year 10 - Medicine or Engineering?

I’m currently in Year 10 and really torn between pursuing medicine or engineering.

I’m extremely strong in science and maths — I completed my GCSE Maths externally in Year 8 and got a grade 9, and I’m currently doing COMPOS, which prepares you for engineering-style questions and the PAT. However, I’ve also read lots of med books since Year 8, as I’ve been set on medicine for a while.

If I choose medicine, COMPOS probably won’t be valuable because it focuses on physics and maths. But if I choose engineering, I worry I might regret not following medicine, since I enjoy biology and think I’d enjoy healthcare work more.

I’m also torn over A-Level choices. My current plan for medicine is Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Maths, but I worry about missing out on Further Maths, which I really enjoy. If I swapped Physics for Further Maths, I’d still feel like I’m missing something. For engineering, I could do Maths, Further Maths, and Physics, but I’d be missing biology and chemistry, which I’m good at and like. I don't think I would be up for 5 A-Levels.

I know it’s early, but this is stressing me out. I’d really appreciate honest advice from anyone who’s been through something similar. What would you do if you were me?

This is not a decision you need to make now.
Also you don't ned A-level Biology for medicine. You could just as well do physics, chemistry, maths and FM and be able to apply to either.
But it's still essentially pointless to be thinking about this now. All you need to focus on is doing as well as you can do in your GCSEs.

Thanks, I see what you mean. I still want to take Biology because I really enjoy it and it gives a solid foundation for medicine, alongside Chemistry, which is obviously essential. I also want to take Further Maths because it challenges me and keeps my options open for courses like Engineering or Medicine that value strong problem-solving skills.
I understand it might seem early to be thinking about this, but I want to plan ahead so I can make the most of my GCSEs and A-level choices. Thinking about it now helps me focus on the subjects that will keep multiple paths open, rather than having to change direction later. It also just makes life easier as I know what extracurriculars I need to build upon that line up with my career choices.

Having a specific career in mind would give me a clearer focus in my studies, because knowing the path I want to pursue helps me identify the skills and traits I need to develop to become a strong applicant. I understand that extracurriculars won’t count yet, but having a goal means I can start preparing strategically—for example, aiming for a high UCAT score if I lean towards medicine, or a strong PAT score if I choose engineering—so that I’m ready for whichever path I ultimately follow and whatever uni I want to go to.
Given my strengths and interests, what do you think would be the best career path for me?

What sector of engineering would you want to go into and what engineering course would you be looking to do at university?

I’m currently in Year 10 and really torn between pursuing medicine or engineering.
I’m extremely strong in science and maths — I completed my GCSE Maths externally in Year 8 and got a grade 9, and I’m currently doing COMPOS, which prepares you for engineering-style questions and the PAT. However, I’ve also read lots of med books since Year 8, as I’ve been set on medicine for a while.
If I choose medicine, COMPOS probably won’t be valuable because it focuses on physics and maths. But if I choose engineering, I worry I might regret not following medicine, since I enjoy biology and think I’d enjoy healthcare work more.
I’m also torn over A-Level choices. My current plan for medicine is Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Maths, but I worry about missing out on Further Maths, which I really enjoy. If I swapped Physics for Further Maths, I’d still feel like I’m missing something. For engineering, I could do Maths, Further Maths, and Physics, but I’d be missing biology and chemistry, which I’m good at and like. I don't think I would be up for 5 A-Levels.
I know it’s early, but this is stressing me out. I’d really appreciate honest advice from anyone who’s been through something similar. What would you do if you were me?

honestly i'd go for medicine. (as an engineering applicant)
however since you like biology and chemistry, you could consider degrees like biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, biochemical engineering?
i think you should possibly try to get some work experience in both fields to see what an actual career would be like.
Starting supercurriculars early is great, and it gives you a lot of time to build a strong personal statement

Hi, thank you so much! I am considering chemical engineering however I think its harder to get work experience for engineering than medicine? But tbh I haven't looked much into it so I'll look around. Also it might make the idea of COMPOS seem like a waste of time as it is not related to medicine (though I really enjoy doing it).

Also with engineering completing your own individual projects can also really help to improve your CV and your personal statement

Hi, thank you so much! I am considering chemical engineering however I think its harder to get work experience for engineering than medicine? But tbh I haven't looked much into it so I'll look around. Also it might make the idea of COMPOS seem like a waste of time as it is not related to medicine (though I really enjoy doing it).

That's reassuring what kind of work experience did you do and what kinds of projects if you don't mind me asking?

Im applying for chemical engineering!! 🙂
But yes, i did struggle to find work experience for it, however that could be due to the fact im from a small town in scotland lol
like what that other person said - completing your own projects is amazing for personal statements.
Just carrying out your own experiment at home at writing a report on it is great, it doesnt have to be anything big.
My friends applying for medicine found it quite easy to get work experience in hospitals, carehomes etc so if you choose that route you will be fine

One at an energy company and one at a company that designs and manufactures showers, and my projects were mostly CAD focused. I would highly recommend getting some work experience whilst at school at an engineering company as this could really help determine if it is something you would like to go into when you are older!

I’m currently in Year 10 and really torn between pursuing medicine or engineering.
I’m extremely strong in science and maths — I completed my GCSE Maths externally in Year 8 and got a grade 9, and I’m currently doing COMPOS, which prepares you for engineering-style questions and the PAT. However, I’ve also read lots of med books since Year 8, as I’ve been set on medicine for a while.
If I choose medicine, COMPOS probably won’t be valuable because it focuses on physics and maths. But if I choose engineering, I worry I might regret not following medicine, since I enjoy biology and think I’d enjoy healthcare work more.
I’m also torn over A-Level choices. My current plan for medicine is Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Maths, but I worry about missing out on Further Maths, which I really enjoy. If I swapped Physics for Further Maths, I’d still feel like I’m missing something. For engineering, I could do Maths, Further Maths, and Physics, but I’d be missing biology and chemistry, which I’m good at and like. I don't think I would be up for 5 A-Levels.
I know it’s early, but this is stressing me out. I’d really appreciate honest advice from anyone who’s been through something similar. What would you do if you were me?

Firstly you’re still young and have plenty of time, additionally with engineering it’s generally far more accessible than medicine so if you chose to focus your supercurricula activities and opted for maths, physics, chem & bio you essentially give yourself several more years before you have to decide.
Additionally id note you have to try and think about what atmosphere you would enjoy, medicine as a career is very people focused and relies on many thousands of human interaction whereas engineering is much more independent analytical work and engaging with generally the same handful of stakeholders for months or years at a time. So you have to think about what appeals to you.

Your last sentence depends on the company. Some do many one-off projects e.g for a university department so you are dealing with many different people.