is an epq helpful for medicine

2

Hi I’m in year 11 and Im picking my a levels and want to do Medicine at uni . I’m going to do Biology Chemistry and Economics as my subjects for a level . For my 4th I was thinking of doing maths but I really don’t want to , it’s not that maths at GCSE is insanely hard or anything but I feel like I’m going to find it boring and end up hating it so I was planing on doing an EPQ as my fourth . However if an EPQ is useless for medicine I really don’t see a point in doing it but if it is useful I would rather do an EPQ than maths . So I’m wondering if an EPQ is actually helpful for medicine and if not doing maths a level will put me at a disadvantage when applying to medicine .

Reply 1

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

17

Hi @heh12il

I'm currently studying Marine biology at Uni of Southampton, but my sister and have friends at uni who study medicine. I would suggest choosing maths for the 4th subject. Generally, in UCAS an alevel is seen better than EPQ given how its worth double the points as its conducted over 2 years rather than 1. Plus the general combination people take is bio, chem and maths or physics. Additionally, most universities don't address your EPQ in interviews even if its medicine related, so I would put any additional research you find in the personal statement instead to show your curiosity in the subject. Also, taking 4 alevels would allow you to have a better chance of getting the entry requirements as long as you put in the effort. If you have any specific question for undergraduate admissions you can contact [email protected] for more help.

Hope this helps you in deciding,
~Emily

Reply 2

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

19

Original post

by heh12il

Hi I’m in year 11 and Im picking my a levels and want to do Medicine at uni . I’m going to do Biology Chemistry and Economics as my subjects for a level . For my 4th I was thinking of doing maths but I really don’t want to , it’s not that maths at GCSE is insanely hard or anything but I feel like I’m going to find it boring and end up hating it so I was planing on doing an EPQ as my fourth . However if an EPQ is useless for medicine I really don’t see a point in doing it but if it is useful I would rather do an EPQ than maths . So I’m wondering if an EPQ is actually helpful for medicine and if not doing maths a level will put me at a disadvantage when applying to medicine .

I think A-level maths will be more useful than an EPQ.
Could you not start with maths and see how you go. And if need be you could always swap after the first few weeks.

Reply 3

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

17

Original post

by heh12il

Hi I’m in year 11 and Im picking my a levels and want to do Medicine at uni . I’m going to do Biology Chemistry and Economics as my subjects for a level . For my 4th I was thinking of doing maths but I really don’t want to , it’s not that maths at GCSE is insanely hard or anything but I feel like I’m going to find it boring and end up hating it so I was planing on doing an EPQ as my fourth . However if an EPQ is useless for medicine I really don’t see a point in doing it but if it is useful I would rather do an EPQ than maths . So I’m wondering if an EPQ is actually helpful for medicine and if not doing maths a level will put me at a disadvantage when applying to medicine .

Hi @heh12il

I'm a current 3rd year medical student.

Firstly I would recommend reading the eligibility criteria for universites carefully, as univerisities will differ slightly.

For example the requirements at Southampton are 3 A-levels graded AAA, with one subject being biology and an additional science. Not studying maths will not put you at a disadavntage as in most cases, as it's not considered an 'additional science'

Universities will consider the 3 subjects with the highest grades, regardless if you have a 4th A-level or not. In terms of EPQ at Southampton, an alternative offer is not made, but student's with a good grade are welcomed. I think EPQ is good in the long term as it shows your reseach abilites, which plays a huge part in medicine. Although it may not seem worthwhile for your application, it may be very useful for your portfolio as a medical student.

Lastly, I would advise doing subjects that you enjoy. A-levels can be very hard and it's important that you enjoy what your studying as they take up so much time. Doing the EPQ will only take up 1 of the 2 years and you can you do it on a topic you enjoy. If you are applying to medicine, doing a medicine related project will be useful. Alternatively, doing Maths is an extra A-level and gives you a greater chance at achieving the entry requirements as you will have 4 subjects rather than 3. Are there any other subjects you would consider instead of maths?

I hope this helps guide you to make a decision. If you have any other question, please message.

~Khadija

Reply 4

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post

by heh12il

Hi I’m in year 11 and Im picking my a levels and want to do Medicine at uni . I’m going to do Biology Chemistry and Economics as my subjects for a level . For my 4th I was thinking of doing maths but I really don’t want to , it’s not that maths at GCSE is insanely hard or anything but I feel like I’m going to find it boring and end up hating it so I was planing on doing an EPQ as my fourth . However if an EPQ is useless for medicine I really don’t see a point in doing it but if it is useful I would rather do an EPQ than maths . So I’m wondering if an EPQ is actually helpful for medicine and if not doing maths a level will put me at a disadvantage when applying to medicine .

Hi OP!

Its good that you're already thinking about your A-level choices for Medicine! Most med courses want 2 sciences (Bio,Chem,Maths,Physics +/- Psychology based on the uni) however, if you want to be 110% sure make a list of all the universities you are considering and note down their specific entry requirements. With regards to taking either maths or an EPQ, I would highly caution you against taking Maths as its a difficult subject with a heavy work load. Some universities (like Lancaster) will lower your offer from an AAA to an AAB + B in either your EPQ or 4th A-level. An EPQ would be more beneficial for Med as you can do it on a medical topic and mention it in your personal statement and Interviews. I did Bio, Chem, Maths and an EPQ and in my experience an EPQ was so much easier and beneficial to my application.

Hope this helps!
Jade
Lancaster Student Ambassador
Year 3 Medicine and Surgery

Reply 5

user_17

11

Original post

by heh12il

Hi I’m in year 11 and Im picking my a levels and want to do Medicine at uni . I’m going to do Biology Chemistry and Economics as my subjects for a level . For my 4th I was thinking of doing maths but I really don’t want to , it’s not that maths at GCSE is insanely hard or anything but I feel like I’m going to find it boring and end up hating it so I was planing on doing an EPQ as my fourth . However if an EPQ is useless for medicine I really don’t see a point in doing it but if it is useful I would rather do an EPQ than maths . So I’m wondering if an EPQ is actually helpful for medicine and if not doing maths a level will put me at a disadvantage when applying to medicine .

I've just got an offer for medicine, and I did neither! I did bio chem psych, no EPQ. If your EPQ is medicine related it'll be good to talk about in your personal statement, and could be good in interviews. It could also help you confirm if you defo want to do medicine. 4 A levels, especially bio chem and maths would be really hard, which could negatively impact your grades, especially trying to juggle all 4 with applications in year 13, and your grades are more important. if you don't get the grades you need (minimum AAA for most) it doesn't matter what you're 4th subject is.

Reply 6

dak123

8

Original post

by heh12il

Hi I’m in year 11 and Im picking my a levels and want to do Medicine at uni . I’m going to do Biology Chemistry and Economics as my subjects for a level . For my 4th I was thinking of doing maths but I really don’t want to , it’s not that maths at GCSE is insanely hard or anything but I feel like I’m going to find it boring and end up hating it so I was planing on doing an EPQ as my fourth . However if an EPQ is useless for medicine I really don’t see a point in doing it but if it is useful I would rather do an EPQ than maths . So I’m wondering if an EPQ is actually helpful for medicine and if not doing maths a level will put me at a disadvantage when applying to medicine .

Hi, I'm in y12 now so may not be in the best position to give advice, but I want to do medicine and I originally picked 4 alevels (Bio Chem French Maths) and dropped maths as I just wasn't enjoying it. I looked at all the uni websites and the only one you can't get into doing bio chem + a 3rd random subject is cambridge (and i think maybe in specific colleges you can still but its harder?). So as I knew I don't want to go to Cambridge, and all other unis are fine with just bio and chem, I dropped it and started an EPQ.
I think maths could be good and ig it helps keep your maths skills good for the UCAT but apart from that, at the end of the day you need to do super super well in your a levels (AAA or more) to get in, so don't pick maths if you think you will struggle to get an A , if you pick a third subject that you love and will do well in you'll be happier overall and do better in the others too!
The benefits of an EPQ is that it shows passion for the subject and gives you something to talk about at interviews and shows you're very good at independently leading yourself. It's also worth half an A Level in UCAS points. You will also probably find it more interesting than maths because you can pick whatever subject you want and it can be super niche! Bear in mind though you have to be quite organised and put a lot of work in.

Sorry that was super long but basically go for bio + chem then what you enjoy and think you will do well in bc you don't want to be miserable all the way through a levels. If you can, maybe pick 4, see how they go and ask the EPQ advisor at your sixth form if you can sit in the taught skills having not dropped a subject yet? Then you can see how they all go and make a well informed decision.

Reply 7

LancashireRep4

Official Rep

12

Original post

by heh12il

Hi I’m in year 11 and Im picking my a levels and want to do Medicine at uni . I’m going to do Biology Chemistry and Economics as my subjects for a level . For my 4th I was thinking of doing maths but I really don’t want to , it’s not that maths at GCSE is insanely hard or anything but I feel like I’m going to find it boring and end up hating it so I was planing on doing an EPQ as my fourth . However if an EPQ is useless for medicine I really don’t see a point in doing it but if it is useful I would rather do an EPQ than maths . So I’m wondering if an EPQ is actually helpful for medicine and if not doing maths a level will put me at a disadvantage when applying to medicine .

Hi @heh12il

I see you have had some great replies. 😊

Similar to other replies, I would also highly recommend you check out the entry requirements for the universities you may put as your five options, even if these change later it may give you an idea. Medicine entry requirements can be specific and really vary across different universities. Some universities may value maths, while others may be fine with just the two sciences. If you want to ask specifically, I recommend emailing the admissions and asking their opinion on whether maths is a large deciding factor for their medicine course. You can find this contact on the university website. For example, at the University of Lancashire, we require AAA at A2 with at least two science subjects including Chemistry, alongside GCSE Maths and English at Grade B or 5.

I'd also like to add that the universities will focus on your top three A-level grades and they will much prefer to see you have 3 excellent A-levels, than 4 mediocre A-levels. If you feel the EPQ will allow you to prioritise your other A-levels more, alongside having a chance to explore medicine further through your EPQ, then this may be the better choice. You can use the information you have learnt from your EPQ to enhance your personal statement by evidencing deeper exploration of the subject.

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

(edited 4 weeks ago)

Reply 8

rebekahohh

7

Original post

by heh12il

Hi I’m in year 11 and Im picking my a levels and want to do Medicine at uni . I’m going to do Biology Chemistry and Economics as my subjects for a level . For my 4th I was thinking of doing maths but I really don’t want to , it’s not that maths at GCSE is insanely hard or anything but I feel like I’m going to find it boring and end up hating it so I was planing on doing an EPQ as my fourth . However if an EPQ is useless for medicine I really don’t see a point in doing it but if it is useful I would rather do an EPQ than maths . So I’m wondering if an EPQ is actually helpful for medicine and if not doing maths a level will put me at a disadvantage when applying to medicine .

Hello, HYMS [Hull/York] student here. The only reason I'd recommend doing an EPQ is if you don't have many extracurriculars to put in your personal statement already. Other than that, I had friends who did an EPQ and it didn't really help them out much as it took a lot of time out of their revision for their subjects. In terms of subject choices, choose whichever one you enjoy the most - 99% of medical schools really don't care about your third choice, and they actually find it more intriguing if you do something out of the "ordinary" [i.e. economics in your case]
Hope this helps :]

is an epq helpful for medicine

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