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Secondary education

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Original poster

A levels for medicine

34 replies

Spaghettionaspoon · 27/08/2019 11:19

Dd has to pick her a level options tomorrow and is struggling at the moment as she wants to do medicine and so has always said that she’d do biology chemistry and maths with an AS in either Spanish or an EPQ but has started toying with the idea of biology chemistry and history with an AS in maths this morning. She really loves history and unfortunately her school doesn’t offer it as an AS but is sure she wants to study medicine and so doesn’t want to put herself at a disadvantage in applying. Would not having the full maths a level do this? We know the unis say that maths isn’t necessary if have biology and chemistry but we’re wondering if it’s a sort of unwritten preference

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sleepismysuperpower1 · 27/08/2019 11:27

I think personally i would go for full a level maths, just because from what i understand, a lot of applicants have this so it might be seen as a disadvantage? i'm not too sure but thats my perspective on it x

lionfish · 27/08/2019 12:03

We've been having similar conversations with DD @spaghettionaspoon. She also wants to do Medicine but isn't keen on doing Maths. The overwhelming advice she's been given is to do what she's most likely to get the grades in rather than choosing the 'right' subjects. I know of students who have gained places this year at various Medical Schools without Maths so it must be possible. Good luck to your DD, they're making such huge decisions aren't they?

Original poster
Spaghettionaspoon · 27/08/2019 12:47

lionfish they are! Seems like such a huge, future-deciding decision to make in a day with no experienced teachers to talk to. Dd thinks she’s much more likely to do very well in history than maths as although she did excellently in both at gcse feels she may trip at a level level.
She’s doing a lot of hanging around me as if she’s looking for me to give her the perfect advice but just don’t have it Sad

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berlinbabylon · 27/08/2019 13:10

Does her school/college offer core maths as an enrichment activity? She could do that alongside biology, chemistry and history rather than the EPQ (as well as might be too much work but she could weigh that up).

Original poster
Spaghettionaspoon · 27/08/2019 13:11

If she did biology chemistry and history she’d do an as level in maths instead of an EPQ

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Ohwiseone · 27/08/2019 14:56

My son is going into his third year at Nottingham studying medicine. He did Chemistry, Biology and Maths A-levels, Spanish As level and an EPQ on phantom limb pain and neural pathways (or something like that!) his best friend on the course did Chemistry, Biology and Geography as this was a subject he really enjoyed and knew he’d get the highest grades in.
So I’d say as long as the 3rd subject is one they really enjoy and will attain a high grade in, I don’t think not having maths will in anyway impede your dds chances.
Good luck to your daughter, I wish her well For the next 2 years

berlinbabylon · 27/08/2019 15:12

I didn't realise AS levels were still a thing. Sounds like the perfect solution.

naoch4n · 27/08/2019 17:09

If she is good at maths and enjoys it then definitely take it over history. If she would get a much better grade in history then take it, but maths is definitely preferred I think. Everyone I know that wants to take medicine does maths.

Michaelbaubles · 27/08/2019 17:10

We’ve been enrolling students today and the advice from the principal was that aspiring medics should do maths, biology and chemistry to have the best chance. And that they’re better with three A-levels than 4.

ElleDubloo · 27/08/2019 17:11

For the application, I don’t think it would make a big difference. It depends on what she enjoys more, and which she’ll get a better grade in.

For the future, I think full Maths A levels has its advantages. There’s quite a lot of Stats at medical school. Though it’s very possible to pick this up later.

It also depends on what sort of medical school she goes to. The old fashioned ones (Oxbridge) do a LOT of essay-writing, throughout the year and in the exams. I found this really tricky as I only did Sciences and Maths at A-level. History or English would have helped. But a lot of medical schools don’t do essays anymore so that wouldn’t be a problem.

portia1997 · 27/08/2019 17:14

Doing A-Levels that pupils will enjoy and succeed in is most important. Having said that, A-Level requirements for medicine are quite specific; Maths and Chemistry are two key ones. It is worth finding out from the medical school you intend to apply to as some require Biology at AS while some do not require Biology at all; they are looking for the brightest candidates and will teach them all the Biology they need to know. Physics has become a desirable third subject with the huge advances in Medical Physics.

freyaegw · 27/08/2019 17:22

hi, I wanted to do medicine so I researched it a tonne, but, if she does history, it will actually give her an edge as not many people will have that and they will have the clichéd maths. if she enjoys it more, she will more likely do better in it anyway, hope this helps :))

sharmockb · 27/08/2019 17:26

My son did Bio, chem and economics. Let her pick easy subject for her third choice. My son did econs but he find it challenging because he did not like it. Thank God he got 3As that he needed for medicine.
I learnt sociology is easy to get enough grade. My friend's daughter is doing Maths but find it though. She has to do what she lobe but l think history is demanding. Good luck

mumsneedwine · 27/08/2019 17:32

DDs friends have biology, chemistry and a variety of 3rds - drama, art, textiles, history, psychology, German and maths. Chose the one they like the most as they will get the best grade in it. That's what will count in getting in.

TheArbiter1 · 27/08/2019 17:32

If your daughter can cope with the pressure the best option would be to take all 4 A-Levels: Biology, Chemistry, Maths and History. But maths is highly valued and is definitely better off as a full A level. An option if your daughter likes history is to do a History EPQ which would allow her to study history and pick whatever topic she wants, she could also tie it into medicine by doing medical history. However that loses the advantage of having a pure medicine EPQ which is a ready made topic perfect for interviews. Also check if she'd enjoy the content and topics in her schools specific course for history. Another option would be to take History in school which would cover all lessons but do the AS exam externally either in an another college/sixth form or privately. It all depends on how much your daughter wants to study history. But my recommendation is an EPQ in medical history instead of a full history A Level.

politics10 · 27/08/2019 17:34

Professional opinion here. Your DD needs three A / A grades with one in Chemistry. Maths will help with Chemistry, though check if your school does a maths for science A Levels' booster course. It would probably be worth investing in a tutor for chemistry if the maths becomes and issue. Subjects wise MedSchools do not care beyond chemistry, all credible candidates have 3 or more A / As at A Level. Dd should focus on the USP (s) for her application, as mentioned a medical focussed epq, volunteering work in a care giving field. It is a highly competitive field but the government is increasing places so the market is in her favour. Especially if she indicates she'd like to be a GP, rather than the aspirational surgeon that most candidates embark upon. Best of luck to her. Make sure she knows it's relatively poor pay and hard work in relation to the effort and cost of studying ( at least for the first 7 years). Recommend she reads 'this is going to hurt' by Adam Kay, give a great reality check.

Sunflower20 · 27/08/2019 17:41

Definitely do Maths. We actually use it at work. History not so much.

Original poster
Spaghettionaspoon · 27/08/2019 17:49

She’s listened and feels it’d be safer to stick with maths although is upset at leaving history and do her AS in Spanish as something she enjoys more (although not as much as history). Her only worry is about the step up and that she won’t be good enough but with a 9 at gcse I think she’ll cope fine (?) Hmm

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Pepermintea · 27/08/2019 17:52

DD is going into her second year at med school and we went to many open day talks and read selection criteria of many more med schools. Doing chemistry and biology A level will give a big choice of places - it's only some Oxbridge colleges that want a 3rd science (maths or physics). She should do the one she thinks she'll get the best grade in

mumsneedwine · 27/08/2019 17:56

She does not need to do maths. The girl who did drama as a 3rd has found it so useful in talking to patients.

And a lot of Unis now don't read their Personal Statements anymore for Medicine. Get GCSE grades, get A level Predictions and ace UCAT/BMAT. A bit of work experience so you know what you're letting yourself in for. And a medical EPQ, not because it helps with Admissions mostly (Sheffield it does) but because it gives you a subject to discuss at interview that you can talk knowledgeably about.

fergusthefrog · 27/08/2019 17:59

I'm a new-ish doctor who didn't do maths and actually it's really a fuss over nothing as it's pretty irrelevant. Do what she's best at. And what she enjoys. I regret taking biology and chemistry at all at a level - I wish I'd done history and English literature and then done the foundation year into medicine as I would've enjoyed that far more.

Maths vs no maths really isn't a big deal. Get her going on the work experience and months of volunteering ASAP - that's what's important!

summermadsession · 27/08/2019 18:12

"Recommend she reads 'this is going to hurt' by Adam Kay, give a great reality check." I'm reading this at the moment it I think it should be compulsory reading for anyone wishing to take a medical degree. (I'm only half serious!)

june2007 · 27/08/2019 18:23

ok were talking some years ageo now. (1990's) But my 1 sister did physics chemistry maths and German and went to medicine. The other went to medicine more recently but her A levels were Biology Chemistry Maths and German.

titchy · 27/08/2019 18:31

I'd say history and maths AS actually. An essay subject is regarded highly by most med schools. And some post-GCSE maths is great!

Original poster
Spaghettionaspoon · 27/08/2019 18:34

And she’s swung back around again Shock will be a long day today

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