What A Levels are Required for Medicine?

Applying to medical school in the UK is a highly competitive process, and admission requirements can be quite stringent. If you’re considering a career in medicine, you’ve likely already started to think about the A Levels you need to take to apply for medical school. 

In the UK, there are specific A Level requirements that you must meet if you want to study medicine. In this article, we will explore the A Level requirements for medicine and highlight the subjects that are favoured, as well as provide a list of schools and their subject requirements.

What A Level subjects are required for medicine?

Before diving into the details, it’s important to note that there is no set formula for getting into medical school. Each medical school has specific requirements, so it’s important to research the schools you’re interested in and find out their A Level requirements. That being said, there are some general A Level requirements that most medical schools will look for.

Most medical schools in the UK require a minimum of three A Levels, with some schools requiring four. The required grades can vary between schools, but applicants will typically need at least three A grades, with some schools specifying which subjects should be taken at A Level. 

A Level Chemistry is deemed necessary by 24 Medical Schools, while 13 of them require both A Level Biology and A Level Chemistry. These include:

1. Aston
2. Birmingham
3. Brighton & Sussex
4. Cardiff
5. Edge Hill
6. Exeter
7. Hull York
8. Imperial
9. King’s College London
10. Lincoln
11. Nottingham
12. St George’s
13. UCL

1-1 UCAT Tutoring

UCAT Tutoring with personalised plans to support you in increasing your UCAT score by up to 30%

Buy Now

If Biology is not taken, approximately 19 medical schools are open to considering applications with A Level Chemistry and either Physics or Maths as the second subject. Some of these are:

1. Aberdeen
2. Bristol
3. Cambridge 
4. Dundee
5. Edinburgh
6. Glasgow
7. Liverpool
8. Oxford
9. Queen’s Belfast 
10. St Andrews
11. UCLan 

For roughly 16 Medical Schools, Chemistry A Level is not mandatory, and they may consider applicants with Biology and another science subject or Maths. Some of these are:

1. Buckingham
2. Leeds
3. Norwich (UEA)
4. Anglia Ruskin
5. Barts 
6. Brunel 
7. Sunderland
8. Kent Medway – if you didn’t take both Chemistry and Biology for A Level, you’d be advised to take Physics, Maths, Psychology, or Computer Science
9. Lancaster – allows you to apply with Chemistry, Biology, or Psychology
10. Newcastle – though there are no specific subject requirements, they don’t consider certain subjects, i.e., General Studies, Use of Mathematics, World Development, Communication and Culture, or Critical Thinking

Additionally, 8 medical schools accept Psychology as a second science subject. These include Keele, Leicester, Manchester, and Sheffield, to name a few.

Regarding the third A Level subject, most medical schools do not specify any preference. However, Cambridge notes that many applicants have A Level Chemistry along with two of the following: Biology, Physics, or Maths. 

In contrast, Brighton & Sussex welcomes applicants who choose a third subject outside of Science or Maths, as these subjects are believed to expand academic horizons.

The best way to find out what specific grades and subjects each school requires is to check their entry requirements. However, there are a few subjects that are generally favoured by most medical schools, and we will explore those in more detail below.

UCAT Online Course

The Best UCAT Course: 2000+ practice questions, 100+ lessons, and more!

Buy Now!£69

Subjects favoured by medical schools

A Level Biology

Biology is an essential subject for anyone looking to study medicine. It is a fundamental part of the curriculum for most medical degrees and is therefore highly valued by medical schools. Many medical schools require applicants to have a good understanding of biology, and some universities even specify that a minimum of two A Levels should be in biology and chemistry.

A Level Chemistry

Chemistry is also a core subject for medical school applicants. It is a crucial part of the medical curriculum and is essential for understanding the scientific basis of medical treatments. Chemistry is also a favoured subject because it is a good indicator of a student’s ability to think critically and solve complex problems, which are important skills for a career in medicine.

A Level Mathematics

While not as essential as biology and chemistry, mathematics is still a favoured subject for medical school applicants. Mathematics is useful for medical students because it helps develop analytical and problem-solving skills. Many medical schools will require students to have a good understanding of mathematics and may even ask for specific grades in the subject.

A Level Physics

Physics is not always a required subject for medical school, but it is still valuable. Physics helps students understand the scientific principles that underpin medical treatments and can be particularly helpful for those interested in areas such as radiology or medical physics.

A Level Subjects You Should Avoid!

It’s important to steer clear of certain A Level subjects if you’re considering applying to Medical School. General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, and Global Perspectives are generally not accepted by most Medical Schools. 

These subjects are often seen as ‘soft’ subjects and do not provide the same level of academic rigour as other A Level subjects. It’s important to research the specific requirements of the medical schools you’re interested in and ensure that you meet their A Level requirements. 

In addition, it’s worth noting that subjects that have overlapping content may not be accepted or may only be counted as one subject. Examples of such subjects include Maths and Further Maths or Biology and Human Biology.

It is also worth noting that grades are not the only factor medical schools consider when assessing applications. Other factors that may be taken into account include work experience in a healthcare setting, extracurricular activities, and personal statements. It is important for students to have a well-rounded application and to showcase their passion for medicine in various ways.

While there is a plethora of information available on the A-level entry requirements for studying Medicine, the overarching message is unambiguous: A level Chemistry is a mandatory subject, and Biology, Physics, and Maths should be selected as the other three options if you are confident in achieving top grades on four A-levels. However, if you are unable to do so, note that Oxford and Cambridge tend to favour students who excel in three relevant subjects rather than struggle across four.

FAQs