Art a-level/foundation…followed by medicine?! Is this crazy?

[Flockchaise]

DD a while off having to make decisions, but with an older sibling off to uni in the autumn, she loves to talk and think about it 😂

She is currently set on studying medicine, and has been for several years. She is very academic but also loves art - wins prizes at school blah blah. Two questions-

Dd plans to do biology, chemistry, history and art a-levels. Her school always starts them on four. Might the art a-level work against her? Aware unis usually offer on three - but with medicine being so competitive, surely she’ll be up against candidates with 3 sciences plus maths or whatever? Her sibling has an Oxbridge offer - also does art a-level, and their offer excluded it! 🤪

She is quite keen on doing an art foundation before she starts her medicine degree. Would this be nuts? We are in London so she could live at home…

Totally aware things might change before lots of people tell me this is all premature thinking! But just mulling at this point and thought it would be useful to get thoughts x

Pop over to the Medicine 2026 thread as lots of help and support on their. Is she doing UCAT this year ?

Don’t need maths. Don’t even need Chemistry. If you’d like my spreadsheet of how each Uni selects for interview and required subjects just send me a DM.

Absolutely fine. No Unis care about the 3rd A level

When I was promoting my university at UCAS fayres (admittedly 20 odd years ago) Medic staff were saying they actually like to see a non-Maths/Sciencey 4th A-Level, as it shows the candidates have a rounded personality beyond Medicine. I think the Art foundation course would be a mistake though - Medicine courses are long and expensive enough already without adding a completely irrelevant year into the mix.

Oh, and Maths is a must - probably instead of History

DD’s friend got in with biology, chemistry, maths and music, apparently it was music that really swung it (I happen to know the admissions tutor) they have so many candidates they can pick and choose. The medical school my friend worked at prefers 3 sciences plus a fourth non science a level, they particularly value history as its great prep for writing factually and referencing! The official entry is 2 sciences including chemistry, reality and the official entry requirements aren’t the same, oh and over half do have 4 a levels fir medicine there at least, it’s a tough course

No, it absolutely won't go against her.
She needs top grades in sciences, a great UCAT and work experience.

She is a whole person, and if seizing the opportunity to study art formally makes her happy, she should do so.

By the way, I work in education with Y12/13's and see the result of students applying to medicine with mixed subjects.

NO IT IS NOT. If you are going to post gets facts right.

Stop.
She is 16 years old, and is still exploring her options. She SHOULD still be exploring her options.
Taking art and sciences opens loads more doors. And at 16, they often change their mind, so it makes sense for her to widen her arc of subjects rather than narrow it.

Many successful applicants take a gap year.

Plus OP's daughter hasn't even started A levels yet, so may change her mind

Gap year sounds awesome. Could still apply in year 12 and defer. Then have best of both worlds.

I’m really surprised at the change in entrance requirements. Back in the 90s it was at least four A Levels, with Chemistry and Maths essential. (Realistically you needed a tonne of extra curricular stuff too and a Special paper didn’t hurt).

Nope. 3 A Levels, some need Chem, some Bio, some both and one needs neither (Newcastle). You need a fantastic UCAT. Do not need loads of work experience and any you do have can be in any caring environment not necessarily a hospital or GP.

Every person can apply who wants to apply. Applicants have a portfolio interview. The best get through.
Many institutions offer Foundation Art Diplomas. People can apply to more than one.
OP's daughter hasn't even started A levels yet, she may change her mind.
Many people on art diplomas change their career focus because of the course.

Actually you just need a decent UCAT. Some score GCSEs, some A levels and some just rank by UCAT.

Special papers not been a thing for a long time 😊

Have seen students get through with Bio/ Chem/ Drama

And Chem, PE and Art. Many combinations are possible, Unis are v clear about what they need.

As a doctor most of these replies are making me so cross. Yes medicine is a vocation and it is now ( unreasonably in my opinion) hard to get in but a medical career is long. There is no rush and a creative outlet outside medicine is so important.

@Soundofshuna so agree. What’s the rush ? Enjoy everything life throws at you ! I know a doctor is taking time out to attend RCMusic for a year

Apologies, as per my previous post my knowledge is a bit rusty (and similarly unsurprising if I mixed up which stems were the musts - I thought it was Maths and Chemistry, but not Biology, which I remember being surprised at at the time, but very possible I’ve misremembered!).

The issue is that the offer will likely be made on biology chemistry and history. So will the art A level distract her from getting the grades in the other subjects?

The "everyone starts four A levels" thing helps the situation where someone realises at Christmas that they're really not coping with one of their choices, or that sociology isn't what they thought it would be. Catching up a whole term of something else is a tall order. If they do four for the first term, then they should be clearer about which to drop.
One of our local schools imposes it just on those doing further maths - because that's one that people often drop.

NO IT WON’T. I’m shouting because it’s not true. Offer will be based on 3 A levels, although QML and Oxbridge might give you a 4 A level offer if you do 4. QML will get you more points though

Completely agree. Brighton & Sussex say this on their website 'Please be reassured that while many students are advised to study Maths or Physics by their schools or colleges, we do not specify the nature of the third A-level subject*. We actively welcome applicants who study subjects outside of the mathematical and physical sciences, as we recognise their value in broadening academic horizons.'
This makes me a bit nervous that my DD will in fact be at a disadvantage for taking Chem, Bio & Maths! But she is doing the maths as it is her strongest subject after bio and I feel she will enjoy it most and bet chance of an A or A star.

OMG so many people on this have NO IDEA what they are talking about.
The offer will be made on the best 3 A level results. So if you take 4 A levels your offer would usually be on 3, most often two to be sciences, quite often one to be Chem, but not at every medical school. As said by others.
So if you take 4 Alevels and your grade in Art is higher than History that will be the grade to count....
The only downside of 4 A levels is if it means your grades drop.
Art is hard work. But the exam part is a lower amount and over before exam based A levels start, leaving more time for traditional A level revision.