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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

A-levels for Medicine

118 replies

Clovie · 16/08/2021 15:53

My dd has just enrolled at college. She wanted to do 4 A-Levels in history, maths, biology and chemistry, but after enrolment today she is now very unsure. She is a high achiever (all 8 and 9 in GCSE) and wants to do medicine. She was told at her enrolment that 4 subjects is too much and she’d be better concentrating on 3. She is now panicking about which subjects to choose and only has until Thursday to decide. Any recommendations? It’s hard to know whether she should stick with maths or show that she’s more rounded and choose history.

OP posts:
jojojowo · 16/08/2021 16:37

I did history, chemistry and biology and got into medicine. If she loves history do that instead of biology or maths depending on the requirements of where she wants to apply. Two of the ones i applied to said they liked people doing different subjects as the require different sills and show passion in different areas

GlacindaTheTroll · 16/08/2021 16:37

Sorry -slow typing, so cross-post

Berthatydfil · 16/08/2021 16:36

The only one she needs is chemistry. There are resources on line that show each medical schools requirements. Some ask for biology.
See the Student room forums for advice.

I don’t think any ask for maths and in fact some medical schools like subjects like history as it shows a more rounded set of subjects.
They don’t count maths and further maths as 2 separate subjects and also don’t count general studies.
They will also usually take Welsh bac or Epq.

Having had 2 dc go to med school I would say apart from chemistry chose subjects she thinks she will achieve the best grades in and will enjoy.

She should only do maths if she is pretty sure she will get an A/A*

GlacindaTheTroll · 16/08/2021 16:36

@NoNotHimTheOtherOne

Def needs chemistry and maths.

This is incorrect.

There is a difference between what is absolutely required

But there is also what is most widely seen as desirable and of the 4 subjects OP lists, chemistry and maths are the most useful (and chemistry is the most frequently absolutely required)

Does she have a short list of where she would like to study? Do any of those places have formally required subjects, or it is more a case of looking at the most useful?

The other thing she needs to start looking at now is getting some useful volunteering, work experience underway. If that's still difficult because of covid, then look at online courses (try places like FutureLearn, which is an offshoot of the OU)

Original poster
Clovie · 16/08/2021 16:31

We’ve had a good look and most need chemistry and maths/biology/physics plus one other subject. The trouble is she is quite set on Oxford, which doesn’t require biology, but if she doesn’t get in she will probably stay at home (Southampton) and they require chemistry and biology. She equally loves history and maths, but she is going to have to choose.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 16/08/2021 16:31

Chemistry, biology and maths is a classic combo for medical school application for a reason.

Awkward77 · 16/08/2021 16:31

I am a Science teacher and can tell you that she will need chemistry, biology and either physics or maths. There are a small handful of universities that do not require maths or physics but they are in the minority.

NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 16/08/2021 16:26

Def needs chemistry and maths.

This is incorrect.

NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 16/08/2021 16:26

Doing biology and chemistry will keep the widest range of options open for medicine, although there are plenty of medical schools that only require one of these (and one that doesn't require either). If she does these two it doesn't matter whether the third is maths or history, unless she wants to apply to Cambridge: she should do whichever she thinks she'll get the better grade in.

In terms of preparation for university study I'd say history is probably better, as so many medical students struggle with academic writing. Many people would disagree with me, though.

follygirl · 16/08/2021 16:24

Sorry pressed send my mistake.

My daughter is applying for Vet Med do we're in a similar situation.

Original poster
Clovie · 16/08/2021 16:22

I guess she should stick with biology, chemistry and maths then. It seems such a shame for her to have to drop history, which she loves. She can do a history extension or do history for her extended project I suppose.

When I was doing my A-Levels (I’m 39) it was perfectly normal to do 4 subjects, I knew a few people doing 5. I guess things change.

OP posts:
GetTaeFuck · 16/08/2021 16:11

Both RG Unis near me require Biology and Chemistry, no mention of Maths.

follygirl · 16/08/2021 16:10

She has to do Biology and Chemistry, then pick whichever she'll get an A grade in.
Having said that I think some Unis (Cambridge) may prefer maths so if I were you I'd check the requirements.
My daughter is

Parsley1789 · 16/08/2021 16:08

Def needs chemistry and maths. I would lean towards biology.

GetTaeFuck · 16/08/2021 16:08

Biology and Chemistry are the most important followed by another strong subject, I’d go for whichever she will easily achieve the highest grade in.

muddyford · 16/08/2021 16:06

Drop history. It won't help her with her medical studies.

CovidCorvid · 16/08/2021 16:04

Drop history. Keep chemistry, biology and maths. They’re the standard “medic” a levels. Medical schools aren’t interested in history.

GlacindaTheTroll · 16/08/2021 15:55

The two I would say she most needs to keep are maths and chemistry

Then whichever she fancies of the other two

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