GCSE requirements for biochem, biosciences, neuroscience

I’m a year 12 student studying bio, chem, and eng. lit, I’m very interested in fields such as biochem, biosciences, neuroscience, etc etc. but most of these courses (as they are stem courses ofc) require a grade 6 in GCSE maths. I was predicted a 7 in maths, but I was really ill both throughout year 11 and during exams, and ended up getting a 5. I’m worrying about unis not being able to make like any sort of extenuating circumstance exceptions to this, as I’m aware that contextual offers only affect a level grades.

If anyone knows anything about this pls let me know, as I would hate to not be able to do what I love.

Reply 1

martin7

Original post

by ophie!!

I’m a year 12 student studying bio, chem, and eng. lit, I’m very interested in fields such as biochem, biosciences, neuroscience, etc etc. but most of these courses (as they are stem courses ofc) require a grade 6 in GCSE maths. I was predicted a 7 in maths, but I was really ill both throughout year 11 and during exams, and ended up getting a 5. I’m worrying about unis not being able to make like any sort of extenuating circumstance exceptions to this, as I’m aware that contextual offers only affect a level grades.
If anyone knows anything about this pls let me know, as I would hate to not be able to do what I love.

Have you considered resitting your maths GCSE?

You can apply through UCAS with a pending GCSE resit, and if necessary universities will make an offer conditional on the GCSE grade as well as your A-level grades.

Reply 2

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post

by ophie!!

I’m a year 12 student studying bio, chem, and eng. lit, I’m very interested in fields such as biochem, biosciences, neuroscience, etc etc. but most of these courses (as they are stem courses ofc) require a grade 6 in GCSE maths. I was predicted a 7 in maths, but I was really ill both throughout year 11 and during exams, and ended up getting a 5. I’m worrying about unis not being able to make like any sort of extenuating circumstance exceptions to this, as I’m aware that contextual offers only affect a level grades.
If anyone knows anything about this pls let me know, as I would hate to not be able to do what I love.

Hello!

One option is to defo resit your maths - however I have noticed that looking around not all Biochemistry/Biomedical Sciences degrees need a 6. At Queen's Belfast and Lancaster they ask for a 5, and here at Bath we ask for a 4 for both our placement and non-placement courses. All of these are high-performing for Biosciences. If you take a look on the complete university guide's Bioscience league table then there are loads more that offer similar courses you could look at - it depends which particular subject you are looking at and what your predicted grades are. Depending on this you may not need to resit.

Have you considered going to a few open days in the summer to see some course presentations and look around a few places? This could be a really good chance to compare Biochem VS Biomed VS Neuroscience VS Biosciences, as well as meeting some current students from those courses to ask what they think.

I hope some of this helps and reassures - best of luck!

(edited 4 weeks ago)

Reply 3

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post

by ophie!!

I’m a year 12 student studying bio, chem, and eng. lit, I’m very interested in fields such as biochem, biosciences, neuroscience, etc etc. but most of these courses (as they are stem courses ofc) require a grade 6 in GCSE maths. I was predicted a 7 in maths, but I was really ill both throughout year 11 and during exams, and ended up getting a 5. I’m worrying about unis not being able to make like any sort of extenuating circumstance exceptions to this, as I’m aware that contextual offers only affect a level grades.
If anyone knows anything about this pls let me know, as I would hate to not be able to do what I love.

Hiya lovely try not to panic a GCSE maths 5 does not automatically rule you out of bioscience/biochem/neuroscience courses. Many unis only require a 4 or 5, and only some ask for a 6.

Also, serious illness during Year 11/exams can be considered as extenuating circumstances. Your school can mention it in your UCAS reference, and you can email admissions directly to explain they do take that context into account.

Unis also care much more about your A-levels (especially Bio and Chem) than one GCSE, so strong predicted/achieved grades will matter far more.

You’re definitely not locked out of STEM because of one GCSE, especially when you were predicted a 7 and had genuine medical issues.

Good look with everything

Kind regards Aneta PhD Chemistry

Reply 4

normaw

Original post

by ophie!!

Ask your school if you can resit your GCSE maths in November. The November exam wouldn't conflict with your A levels and gives you all summer to prepare.

Reply 5

UEA Rep Jas

Official Rep

Hey there!
I had a look for you, and both BSc Biochemistry and BSc Biological Sciences at UEA only require a grade 4 in english and maths at GCSE, so you should be fine! Both A level entry requirements are ABB as the standard offer, or BBC as a contextual offer. UEA does not offer neuroscience as a bachelors, only as a masters level course (MSc Cognitive Neuroscience). Hopefully this helps!

Jas :smile:

UEA Rep

Reply 6

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by ophie!!

I’m a year 12 student studying bio, chem, and eng. lit, I’m very interested in fields such as biochem, biosciences, neuroscience, etc etc. but most of these courses (as they are stem courses ofc) require a grade 6 in GCSE maths. I was predicted a 7 in maths, but I was really ill both throughout year 11 and during exams, and ended up getting a 5. I’m worrying about unis not being able to make like any sort of extenuating circumstance exceptions to this, as I’m aware that contextual offers only affect a level grades.
If anyone knows anything about this pls let me know, as I would hate to not be able to do what I love.

Could you not retake maths GCSE at 6th form?

Reply 7

LSBU

Official Rep

Original post

by ophie!!

I’m a year 12 student studying bio, chem, and eng. lit, I’m very interested in fields such as biochem, biosciences, neuroscience, etc etc. but most of these courses (as they are stem courses ofc) require a grade 6 in GCSE maths. I was predicted a 7 in maths, but I was really ill both throughout year 11 and during exams, and ended up getting a 5. I’m worrying about unis not being able to make like any sort of extenuating circumstance exceptions to this, as I’m aware that contextual offers only affect a level grades.
If anyone knows anything about this pls let me know, as I would hate to not be able to do what I love.

Hey there, I am so sorry you were ill during that period. I hope you are better now? For London South Bank University, the typical entry requirements for our Biomedical Science BSc are 112 to 128 UCAS tariff points. This is usually from three A levels, including Biology, and we also accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

In terms of GCSEs, we normally ask for GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above. So a grade 5 in Maths does meet our standard requirement. As always, we assess applications carefully and look at your overall academic profile, especially your science subjects. If you are studying Biology and Chemistry at A level and doing well, that strengthens your application further.

You are very welcome to come and check out London South Bank University and see what student life is like. It is one thing reading about a course online, but it is completely different walking around campus and picturing yourself here. We have a Southwark Open Day on Saturday 21st March 2026 where you can meet lecturers, explore the facilities, and get clear answers about courses and support (https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days). If you cannot make it for an open day, you can book a campus tour on a day that suits you (https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days). You can also chat with our current students on Unibuddy to hear their experiences and ask your questions directly (https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat).

LSBU Admissions Ambassador