What A-Levels Do You Need to Become a Doctor?
Medicine is a tough but rewarding career choice. Any role in medicine takes years of dedication and study, can result in long hours and a high workload, but is also one of the most rewarding career paths you can take. You will be using your vast knowledge to help people from all walks of life, you’ll likely have a hand in saving many lives, and the cherry on top for a lot of prospective doctors is that you’ll also come out with a fantastic pension!
How long does it take to become a doctor?#
A standard medical degree typically takes five years. However, some universities offer extended courses which can include a foundation year for students who perhaps didn’t have the right A-Levels or need to catch up in a specific subject. Intercalated degrees are also an option, which are taken over six years, but with the extra year inserted between your second and third year.This extra year would be used to study something completely different to medicine or dentistry, and it means you would come out with two degrees instead of one.
After graduating medical school, there can be between 4-10 extra years of training needed to progress to your chosen specialty. All doctors must undertake foundation training, which lasts for two years and is typically carried out in hospitals under the supervision of other doctors.
You would then enter onto the next stage of the training, which can take up to three years for general practice, and five to seven years for other specialties.
In total, from starting medical school, it can take between 10-16 years to become a fully qualified and independent doctor, so it’s really not for the faint of heart!
The Importance of A-Levels in Your Medical Career Journey#
Just like with many career choices, your A-Level grades won’t have a huge impact on the jobs you can apply for. A-Levels serve as foundation knowledge and qualifications that you need to progress to the next stage of your educational journey, meaning that an employer won’t necessarily turn you down because you scored a B in psychology instead of an A - they will be infinitely more interested in your university degree.
Many university courses don’t require you to take specific A-Levels for entry. You can apply for a law degree, for example, with A-Levels in music, maths and mandarin - as long as you get the grades. Although, it is a good idea to choose subjects that will help you prepare for your degree, so English and history would be good A-Level choices for a law degree, as they can help you refine your essay-writing skills.
In order to get into medical school, you will need to research in advance which A-Levels subjects you need to take.
Essential A-Level Subjects and Requirements for Becoming a Doctor#
For aspiring doctors, the planning must start before you even leave school. Choosing the right A-Levels is a crucial step to being accepted into medical school.
Do you need chemistry to become a doctor?#
In the UK, almost all medical schools will require you to have taken chemistry as one of your A-Level subjects.
Do you need biology to become a doctor?#
Biology is also a common requirement - it is safe to say that if you want to become a doctor, you should absolutely choose biology as one of your A-Level subjects.
Is It Possible to Enter Medicine without an A-Level in Biology?#
Biology is often required by medical schools in the UK, however if you have strong grades in chemistry and another science subject such as physics or maths, there are medical schools that may consider you as a candidate. It is always worth reaching out and discussing this with individual universities.
How Do Different Universities View Chemistry and Biology A-Levels?#
If you want to play it safe (and we absolutely recommend you should!) you want to choose chemistry and biology as your first two A-Levels. This will give you the best chance at appealing to a wide variety of medical schools. Some of the best medical schools in the UK specifically require that you have an A-Level in both biology and chemistry. Here are some of their entry requirements:
Oxford and Cambridge: Chemistry with either Maths, Further Maths, Biology or Physics.
Imperial College London: Requires Chemistry and Biology.
University College London (UCL): Requires Chemistry and Biology.
King's College London: Requires Chemistry and Biology or Chemistry and Mathematics with AS level Biology.
Can I Become a Doctor If I'm Not Good at Science?#
Sometimes not being strong in a particular subject stems from a lack of enjoyment in that subject. Therefore, the first thing you need to ask yourself, is do you truly enjoy science, and can you really see it as being the main focus of your career?
If the answer is yes, then it still may be possible to get into medical school and follow your dream of becoming a doctor. Here are some practical steps you can take and things you should consider if your heart is still set on a career in medicine:
1. Strengthen Your Science Background#
Extra Tuition and Support: Consider getting extra help through tutoring, online courses, or summer schools focused on science subjects. This can help you improve your skills and understanding.
Retake Exams: If you didn't perform well in your science subjects initially, you might consider retaking your A-Levels to achieve better grades.
2. Alternative Entry Routes#
Foundation Courses: Some universities offer foundation or gateway courses designed for students who do not have the required science background. These courses typically last an extra year and aim to bring students up to the required level in sciences.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM): If you have a strong degree in another subject, you can apply for a graduate entry medical program. These are usually four-year courses designed for graduates from various academic backgrounds. To qualify, you may need to take certain science modules or demonstrate equivalent knowledge.
3. Leverage Other Strengths#
Non-Academic Skills: Medical schools also look for a range of skills and attributes beyond academic performance, such as communication skills, empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Strong applications often include relevant work experience, volunteering, and a well-rounded personal statement.
Admissions Tests: Perform well on admissions tests like the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test). High scores can help offset weaker academic records to some extent.
4. Consider Different Medical Careers#
Allied Health Professions: Explore careers in allied health professions such as nursing, physiotherapy, or physician associate roles, which also play crucial roles in healthcare and may have different entry requirements.
Research and Support Roles: Consider careers in medical research, healthcare administration, or public health, where your passion for medicine can be applied in a supportive role rather than direct patient care.
5. Choose the Right Medical Schools#
Flexible Entry Requirements: Research medical schools that have more flexible entry requirements or that place a heavier emphasis on non-academic criteria. Some schools may be more accommodating to students who demonstrate potential through other means.
What other A-Level subjects can you choose to study medicine?#
Suitable Third Subjects for a Well-rounded Application#
Whilst undoubtedly chemistry and biology are the two most important A-Levels in many cases, you have a bit more freedom with your third choice. You should try and ensure that it is something that is going to complement your application, and some good choices are as follows:
Maths: Maths can help develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills. It is highly valued by medical schools and is solid proof that you can handle challenging topics and content.
Physics: Having physics as an A-Level is attractive to medical schools because it shows that you have a thorough and well-rounded understanding of science. It also has the added benefit of giving you an understanding of how some medical equipment such as X-Rays and MRI machines work, which is great if you want to become a doctor.
Psychology: This can be a good choice if you have a particular interest in psychiatry or other medical fields that involve mental health. It complements biology by providing a deeper understanding of how and why the human body functions as it does.
Avoiding Potentially Detrimental A-Level Choices#
Try to avoid any subjects that can be seen as less academically challenging, such as art, drama, or photography. Any subjects that focus on creativity rather than academic ability won’t help your medical school application.
Try to choose a third subject that you are interested in, whilst sticking to strong academic subjects. You can always check the entry criteria for particular universities.
The Role of GCSEs in Medical School Admissions#
It is common to hear that GCSE results don’t matter once you leave school, as their sole purpose is to get you into college, however, that’s not always the case! Especially when it comes to medical school. There are a few reasons that GCSEs may count towards a good application, some of these being:
- Some medical schools set minimum grade requirements across GCSEs, especially in core subjects like English, maths, and science. You may not get offered an interview if your GCSE grades aren’t high even, even if you’ve smashed your A-Levels.
- If you want to become a doctor, a strong set of GCSEs can demonstrate good overall academic ability, so having mainly 8 and 9’s can boost your application.
- GCSE grades can be used to break ties - if you and another applicant have the same A-Level grades, medical schools can look to GCSE grades to decide which application to take further.
- Oxford places a strong emphasis on GCSEs and expects high grades from applicants. They will often use GCSE grades when it comes to shortlisting.
Summary of Essential Steps Toward Achieving Your Goal as a Doctor#
The road to becoming a doctor can be challenging and exhausting. You have to excel in academic performance at every step of the way, and you have to spend a lot of time studying before you can start reaping the rewards of your new career.
If you want to become a doctor, this is something you ideally need to know by the time you’re ready to leave school, as A-Level subject choices play a very important part. You need to figure out which route is right for you, how many years of study you’re willing to undertake, and ideally know which university you want to study at, so you can ensure you choose A-Levels that will boost your application.
If you’re not sure which university is right for you, this is where StudentCrowd comes in. We have thousands of reviews from students who want to share their experiences with the students of the future. This insight is valuable when it comes to choosing the perfect university.
