What A-Levels do you need to study medicine?

I want to help you achieve the grades you (and I) know you are capable of; these grades are the stepping stone to your future. Even if you don't want to study science or maths further, the grades you get now will open doors in the future.

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[helpimstillintherestaurant]

Second year medical student here - I did Biology, Chemistry, Maths and History. Most of my friends who did Medicine did not do triple science and maths: they did three of those subjects, plus History, English, Economics, French etc etc. I think that while Dance A Level might not be suitable, other non-'science' subjects really are. Most universities do NOT care what your extra A level is, so take something sensible and rigorous sure (humanities, languages, economics, English), but don't feel like you have to do something 'sciencey'.

Plus I didn't get asked at any of my three interviews about my A Level choices so don't get too worried about justifying your subject choices. Even if you do have to justify your extra choice, humanities and English Lit demonstrate an analytical, critical appraisal side to yourself - an important part of being a doctor. A language will allow you to better communicate with certain patients, work abroad, and maximise the opportunity of your elective and to work with MSF you have to be fluent in another language. Economics relates to health economics (part of my curriculum) and helps you make financial decisions, key part of NHS leadership. Religious Studies helps you better understand different cultures and religions, super important part of being a doctor etc etc etc

[adamlashen]

French or any language is liked very much by medical schools actually, as it shows you have a skill that someone who takes maths biology chemistry and physics doesn't.

[nuha]

I want to study psychiatry (inshaallah) but is it ok if i take bio chem and *psychology*?

[elladenise]

I would love to become a doctor and have always wanted to, but I honestly don't know if I have the intelligence for Alevel Chemistry :/ I would say I am fairly clever and am willing to work very hard to achieve but I've been told so many times that chemistry is difficult! Any advice? X

[hannahxxx]

Hi I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you. I'm 15 years old and have just finished year 10 at school. This year I sat 10 gcse exams a year early as this is our school policy. My teachers put me in to triple science last September as they said I had the capability to achieve good grades however I've known that science isn't my strongest subject at all. In my mocks I got an E in Biology, D in Chemistry and U in Physics. I couldn't understand as I was in top set and I have always been hard working and put in a lot of revision. I knew something had to change as my gcses were 7 weeks away. My friend suggested your channel and it's safe to say I binged watched all your science videos for WJEC. It's hard to find videos directly to my exam board. I worked so hard and whilst I was certain to have gotten U's in my exams (in higher tier grades are A*-C and then a U) but I didn't!! In fact I got an A in Biology, B in Chemistry and B in physics. I was so shocked and couldn't believe it. It was all thanks to your great and useful videos. I am now doing additional science throughout year 11 and am on course to get an A too. THANK YOU 😊

[foteininikolaou]

This video is exactly what I was looking for.

[Sam-xwpl]

I just wanted to tell someone so I'll say it here.
I got:
a 4 in English Language
a 5 in English Literature
a 6 in Maths
a C in German
an A in Geography
an A in Chemistry
an A* in Catering
an A* in Rs
an A* in Biology
an A* in Physics

some disappointments but overall yay

[rachelsmoth]

I am doing medicine and I was always told by teachers to do chemistry, biology and an essay subject. Maths is not essential and if you're going to struggle it is so much better to do something you'll enjoy and get a good grade in. Essay subjects develop your writing and critical analysis skills which you'll use in research and when you're a doctor!!

[thomism]

I went to medical school 25 years ago. Chemistry is by FAR the most important A level subject. 👍🏾

[katierobinson]

I'm taking Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Geography I am not set on doing medicine but I want to keep my options open and I think these Alevels do

[anatomyofastudent]

For those who want to know, I searched many Universities for medicine and the requirements. The best A-Levels are:

Chemistry (Compulsory)
Biology (Compulsory in most unis)

Physics and Maths are the most preferred as the other A-Levels. Languages and Psychology are also great subjects to take as a third choice. Hope this helps :)

[rosyrosa]

so if I take biology and chemistry and psychology, will I be mostly okay as if I wont take
maths ?

[britishproblemz]

Could you do a video like this on getting into teaching? This format is really helpful

[rosyrosa]

thanks for putting all the UNIs together

[mollyunknown]

What if you chose chemistry, physics and English literature will medicine course be open?

[Morgan-zdig]

The interviews are nothing to do with A-level choices. If you want to dance and it meets the criteria go for it, the interviews are completely separated from that sort of stuff - it won't matter to the interviewers because they won't know your A-levels anyway. And in terms of comments saying AAA students won't get in over A*A*A* students, don't believe it. Most unis work off of a tiered system. As long as you meet the minimum (AAA usually) then they forget about your A level predictions and use the aptitude tests, then interviews to get the offers. If you fail in one you won't get through to the next stage but having AAA with dance is not any disadvantage over A*A*A* in three sciences.

[sabzzbrown]

Also for you're next video can you please do one about btecs and the entry requirements for nursing because I'm really interested in that.

[rosetinman]

Hello, I'm taking the International Baccalaureate (IB) this year and looking to go on to study medicine at Oxbridge. Do you think that these sound like good choices: Chemistry, Biology and English Lit (for my highers) and Psychology, Spanish and Maths - highest level for maths is standard- (for my standard level subjects). Thank you and I love your videos and your baby is sooo cute! Please do loads and loads of Chemistry, Bio and Maths A-level / IB videos next year (the courses are quite similar) :)

[priya]

I would like to become a doctor and I am doing A level biology and level 3 extended diploma in health science(lab skills) which is equivalent to 2 A Levels. I am not doing chemistry as A level but there's some chemistry in health science diploma. My question is will I be able to do medicine with this? Even with a pre-foundation degree.

[anonsecondname]

Does anyone know what happens if, for example, you pick a set of a-levels then decide (too far in to change) that you want to go down a completely different career path, what would you do?
Could you still go for pretty much any career still or do you cut off options completely, no amount of work can help you, once you do a-levels?

Because as much as I love psychology, I know there's other options, and I'm worried 2 years will pass and I'll totally change my mind (even if I feel confident now).