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Further education

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

Original poster

Four A levels? Vet Sci/Med aims

34 replies

CervixSampler · 23/08/2025 19:56

Dd is doing chemistry, biology and was doing history but is doubting her choice now. She’s aiming to go on to study veterinary science/medicine at uni. She got a 6 in history which was unexpected. I think she was predicted at least a 7. It’s been a strong subject and she doesn’t know what happened and can’t figure out the grade boundaries because the codes don’t match, or something. She’s now considering physics or maths as her third A level and would like to do a fourth subject too, for fun. Maybe French (she got a 6 taking it two years early). When I was at school most people did 3 plus general studies but that was a long time ago and things have changed.
Do people do 4? Is it a regular thing or do most do 3?
Any recommendations on the third and potentially fourth subject?

She took history, geography and drama as her options for GCSE. Geography is strong with an 8. She was doing extended maths but dropped it to focus on actual maths and her sciences.

TIA

OP posts:
user2848502016 · 23/08/2025 20:56

I would stick with 3 and get the best possible grades in them because she will need top grades for vet/medicine. Most people who do 4 only do a 4th because it’s maths & further maths.

Geography fits better with Biology and Chemistry and she did well in it at GCSE, I would do that.
Physics without maths is quite difficult and she may struggle to get the top grades.

Original poster
CervixSampler · 23/08/2025 20:51

She’s definitely taking chemistry and biology. She was 3 marks off a 9 in chemistry and got 9s in her other sciences. She enjoys physics so might do that.

OP posts:
PinkFlloyd · 23/08/2025 20:42

DD has just finished her A levels. She took maths, physics and chemistry and got straight As. Our local sixth form wanted at least a 7 (but preferably an 8) at GCSE to study these subjects. The only 4th subject she considered was further maths. As far as we could see three As was preferable to taking four and dropping grades.
DD said chemistry was the toughest of the three, and the one she was most concerned about the grade. Your daughter will need chemistry, mine didn't and regretted taking it as the grade boundaries are so high due to the calibre of students who need chemistry. She never felt that with maths and physics.

Hairyfairy01 · 23/08/2025 20:31

My friends kid has just got into Vet school, has been volunteering at various farms, rescue centres, horse stables etc for a while now. As others have said, not only does she need those top grades she also needs that work experience, so probably no time to do an Alevel just for ‘fun’.

TheCurious0range · 23/08/2025 20:29

Don't lots do EPQ now instead of general studies?

Original poster
CervixSampler · 23/08/2025 20:27

Thank you. I’ve reminded her about the experience she needs. Nowhere would take her prior to 16. She emailed the local vets today to see if things have changed now she’s left school. The hedgehog one is as good option, I’ll get her to look into that.

OP posts:
LizzieLazzie · 23/08/2025 20:20

Hi, Sixth Form tutor here. For vet/medicine Chemistry is the most important A Level. In addition, taking Biology plus Maths/Physics (or both) will give her the widest choice of universities re entry requirements. As with all very competitive subjects there will be many candidates applying for every place and achieving the highest grades is a given. To give herself the edge she needs to do some volunteering/work experience in a related field. For example, Hedgehog rescue centres often accept and train volunteers from age 16. This will show her commitment and give her a talking point at interview.

Pigsinpants · 23/08/2025 20:02

I did vet med 20+ years ago, we did AS levels then, so I did chem/bio/maths and added on geography in case maths was too hard, thinking I could drop one of them down to an AS level at the end of year 12 if necessary. I did manage to do all 4 in the end, but it was hard work and no study periods during the week and I did mine modular which spread out the work/revision.

if she wants to go to vet school she will need straight As and work experience in her own time. I would be worried about doing anything extra “for fun” unless you genuinely think she has capacity. If she spreads herself too thin and misses her A in chemistry then she could blow it.

ConBatulations · 23/08/2025 20:02

For vet medicine do 3 and get the highest grades possible. Spend the time saved on whatever work experience is possible.