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can i do a biology/similar course at uni without the science a-levels?

hi. i'm a college student who is doing a level 3 diploma in creative media production (the course is 2 years and equivalent to 3 a levels). i also do a baccalaureate course alongside that which i think (but i'm uncertain) is equivalent to an a level too. i didn't realise i would have such a big interest in biology for uni/career while i was making my post-GCSE decisions.

i passed all of my GCSEs with all A*s/As, with the exception of Bs in maths/numeracy. i got AB for science double award.

i don't exactly know what course i would like to do yet at uni but i am interested in microscopy, how the muscles and organs work during exercise/resting periods, healthy lifestyles & diet.

initially, i thought to do journalism so that i could be a journalist/magazine editor. i'm no longer interested in studying journalism at uni because i feel i will have learned enough by the end of college since i also did media studies at GCSE and my college course has significantly developed my skills. i've got other relevant GCSEs for a career in journalism. also, it isn't necessary to have a degree in journalism to become a journalist.

i'd like to develop my understanding in biology and specialise in a career linking to that. perhaps i could even combine media and biology by going into a health direction for a magazine/journalism.

my intention right now is to complete my 2 year media course for UCAS points and to not let my hard work go to waste, and i will look into online biology courses to do at the same time.

i would be grateful for opinions and advice on this. what can my next steps after college be? would my best bet be to do a foundation year first? and what type of courses seem suitable with my interests?
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post
by kyqr0
hi. i'm a college student who is doing a level 3 diploma in creative media production (the course is 2 years and equivalent to 3 a levels). i also do a baccalaureate course alongside that which i think (but i'm uncertain) is equivalent to an a level too. i didn't realise i would have such a big interest in biology for uni/career while i was making my post-GCSE decisions.

i passed all of my GCSEs with all A*s/As, with the exception of Bs in maths/numeracy. i got AB for science double award.

i don't exactly know what course i would like to do yet at uni but i am interested in microscopy, how the muscles and organs work during exercise/resting periods, healthy lifestyles & diet.

initially, i thought to do journalism so that i could be a journalist/magazine editor. i'm no longer interested in studying journalism at uni because i feel i will have learned enough by the end of college since i also did media studies at GCSE and my college course has significantly developed my skills. i've got other relevant GCSEs for a career in journalism. also, it isn't necessary to have a degree in journalism to become a journalist.

i'd like to develop my understanding in biology and specialise in a career linking to that. perhaps i could even combine media and biology by going into a health direction for a magazine/journalism.

my intention right now is to complete my 2 year media course for UCAS points and to not let my hard work go to waste, and i will look into online biology courses to do at the same time.

i would be grateful for opinions and advice on this. what can my next steps after college be? would my best bet be to do a foundation year first? and what type of courses seem suitable with my interests?


Hi there, I do not think that many universities would accept your creative media production in lieu of any A-levels, even for foundation years - foundation years often have A-level requirements anyway. But you should look into Access to Higher Education courses in biology/science, taking that course would let you get onto uni to study biology (and you'd probably find it interesting to catch up with all the cool biological content you're missing out on right now!)

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