Medicine - A levels

[BB49]

DD is in her first year of 6th form (Y12) and is doing A levels Maths, Biology, Business and PE. She has no real idea of what she would like to study at University yet, but is a high achiever, got mostly 9s in her GCSEs. She is suddenly thinking about Medicine, but has realised it will be difficult to apply without Chemistry A-level.

Has anyone got any experience? I am not sure what to advise her.

Surely her school would be best placed to give her advice, or the universities themselves?

The schools career guidance would be over the moon to receive this question!

But yes it is definitely an expected a level

but not a deal breaker if she excels in the others

There is a poster @mumsneedwine (hope the tag works) who knows a lot about this.

Yes many medicine degrees require chemistry, but by no means all. Just as not all require biology (different ones obvs). Uni of Leicester for example is happy with either as long as she has maths. You will probably also need the UCAT.

If you browse the various unis with med schools you can find out which she can apply to. As I understand it it doesn't make a difference going forward where you did your degree.

Thank you! I’ll ask her to speak to her school careers guidance people. It’s good to know that the university you get your degree in isn’t so important for medicine.

https://www.medschools.ac.uk/for-students/applying-to-medical-school/entry-requirements

she’s fine without chem. she can use this link to make a list of unis that will accept her a levels and GCSEs as a starting point.

There are 12 Unis that don't need Chemistry. Can send you my spreadsheet if Uni requirements if drop me a DM. It does limit choices but still possible.

If she wants to pursue Medicine, it would be a good idea to look into work experience opportunities now, in Year 12. This can be anything, from paid jobs and volunteering for care homes to Girl Guide volunteering, etc. Ideally, she should look for in-person or online medical-related opportunities. Hospital work experience placements or NHS volunteering roles are good, as they help candidates understand whether they even like to be in that environment.