Last verified by Dr Dibah Jiva — March 2026
If you're applying to medical school, A-levels are the single most important academic hurdle. Get the grades wrong — or choose the wrong subjects — and the majority of UK medical schools won't even read your UCAS form. This guide covers every UK medical school's A-level requirements for 2026 entry, the subjects you need, and the key differences between institutions.
The Quick Answer: What A-Levels Do You Need for Medicine?
Most UK medical schools require AAA at A-level, and a growing number of top schools now require A\*AA. Chemistry is the most common compulsory subject; Biology is required at many schools but not all. You almost always need three full A-levels — and General Studies, Critical Thinking, and Citizenship Studies are never accepted.
But those are the headlines. The detail matters enormously when you're building your school list.
The Growing Shift from AAA to A\*AA
One of the most significant trends in UK medical admissions over the past five years is the upward creep in A-level grade requirements. Schools that used to offer standard AAA are now requiring A\*AA, and this trend shows no sign of reversing.
Schools that now require A\*AA (or higher) for 2026 entry: - Cambridge: A\A\A (the highest standard offer in the UK) - Oxford, Imperial College London, UCL, King's College London (KCL) - Birmingham, Exeter (standard), Aston, Keele, Leicester, Queen's Belfast
This is not just about prestige. Schools like Aston and Keele — which were historically AAA institutions — have raised their requirements to A\*AA in recent years as competition for places has intensified. If you're targeting any of these schools with predicted AAA, you need to reassess your school list.
Why is this happening? The abolition of BMAT in October 2023 means that all major universities now rely more heavily on A-level grades (alongside UCAT) to differentiate applicants. With every school now using the UCAT on a 900–2700 scale, A-level grades have become the primary academic filter at shortlisting.
Subject Requirements: What Do You Actually Need?
The Chemistry Rule
Chemistry is the most universally required A-level subject for medicine in the UK. The vast majority of medical schools require Chemistry as a compulsory subject, either on its own or paired with Biology.
There are a small number of schools where Chemistry is not strictly compulsory — Newcastle, UEA, Kent & Medway, Manchester, Sheffield, Lancaster, Anglia Ruskin, Sunderland, and Buckingham — but even at these institutions, Chemistry or Biology (or both) is still expected.
Never acceptable: General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies — at any UK medical school.
The Four Main Subject Patterns
| Pattern | Schools | |---|---| | Chemistry AND Biology (both compulsory) | Cardiff, UCL, Birmingham, Aston, Keele, KCL, Brighton & Sussex (2026), Edge Hill, Hull York, Nottingham, St George's, Lincoln | | Chemistry + one of Biology/Physics/Maths | Oxford, Cambridge (some colleges require two sciences), Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Bristol, St Andrews | | Biology + one science | Southampton (Biology compulsory; Chemistry/Physics/Psychology/Sociology as second), Plymouth (Biology compulsory) | | Chemistry OR Biology (either accepted) | Newcastle, UEA, Sheffield, Manchester, Lancaster, Kent & Medway, Anglia Ruskin, Sunderland, Buckingham, Exeter |
Important Subject Notes
- Human Biology is accepted in place of Biology at most schools that accept Biology, but not all. Check individually — Birmingham, for instance, does not accept Human Biology as a substitute. - Psychology is accepted as a science A-level at several schools including Keele, Leicester, Southampton, Plymouth, and Lancaster. - Further Maths is accepted as a third subject (not usually as a primary science) at most schools. - Biology + Human Biology taken together is not accepted at Bristol (they count as one subject). - Practical endorsements must be passed at all schools — failing your practical endorsement is rare but disqualifying.
Complete A-Level Requirements by Medical School (2026 Entry)
This table covers all UK medical schools for 2026 entry. Schools are listed alphabetically.
| Medical School | Grade Requirement | Required Subjects | Key Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Aberdeen | AAA | Chemistry + one of Biology/Human Biology, Maths or Physics | All in same sitting | | Anglia Ruskin (ARU) | AAA | Chemistry or Biology + one of Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics | All qualifications within 5 years of application | | Aston | A\*AA | Chemistry AND Biology (practical endorsements required) + any third | — | | Birmingham | A\*AA (standard); AAA (contextual) | Chemistry + one of Biology/Physics/Maths | Predicted minimum AAA; practical elements must pass | | Brighton & Sussex (BSMS) | AAA (standard); AAB (contextual) | Biology AND Chemistry (2026); changes to Biology OR Chemistry + second science for 2027 | No General Studies | | Bristol | AAA | Chemistry + one of Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths | Biology + Human Biology not accepted as two separate sciences | | Buckingham | ABB | Chemistry OR Biology | No UCAT required; qualifications within 5 years | | Cambridge | A\A\A | Chemistry + one of Biology/Human Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths | Some colleges require two sciences; UCAT used for shortlisting | | Cardiff | AAA | Chemistry AND Biology | A-level resits not accepted except exceptional circumstances | | Dundee | AAA | Chemistry OR Biology + another science (Maths accepted) | Must be achieved in one sitting | | Edge Hill | AAA | Biology AND Chemistry + one other (not General Studies/Critical Thinking/Citizenship) | All qualifications within 2 years prior to application | | Edinburgh | AAA | Chemistry + one of Biology/Human Biology, Maths or Physics | UCAT minimum 1650 (2026 entry) | | Exeter | A\*AA (standard); AAB (contextual) | Chemistry AND Biology (grade A in each required) | UCAT or GAMSAT accepted depending on applicant type | | Glasgow | AAA | Chemistry + one of Maths, Physics or Biology | Grades must be achieved at first attempt, one sitting | | Hull York (HYMS) | AAA (first sitting); BBB minimum first sit for resitters | Biology AND Chemistry | Resits accepted with minimum BBB at first sit | | Imperial College London | A\AA (A\ in Biology or Chemistry) | Chemistry AND Biology + third subject | No resits except exceptional mitigating circumstances | | Keele | A\*AA | Biology or Chemistry + second academic science/social science + any third | Must complete within 2 years; no third-year applicants unless grades already achieved | | Kent & Medway (KMMS) | AAB | Chemistry and/or Biology; if only one, must include Physics, Maths, Psychology or Computer Science | Does not use predicted grades; no resits | | KCL | A\*AA | Chemistry AND Biology (grade A in each) | Resits considered but non-resit applicants viewed more favourably | | Lancaster | AAA–AAB (AAB + EPQ grade B) | Two of Biology, Chemistry, Psychology + third subject | Typical resit offer A\*AA | | Leeds | AAA | Chemistry AND Biology (Human Biology, Sports Science, FM, Statistics not counted) | From 2026: one resit per A-level now accepted without mitigation | | Leicester | A\*AA (or AAA + Biology, Chemistry + EPQ grade B) | Chemistry or Biology + one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology | Strict resit requirements | | Lincoln | AAA (standard); AAB (contextual) | Biology/Human Biology AND Chemistry | Does not use predicted A-level grades | | Liverpool | AAA (A\AB also considered) | Chemistry + one of Biology, Physics or Maths + third academic | Resit offer may be A\AA | | Manchester | AAA (contextual AAB; care-experienced ABB) | Chemistry or Biology/Human Biology + one of Chemistry, Biology/HB, Physics, Psychology, Maths or FM | Resit offer A\A\A | | Newcastle | AAA | No specific compulsory subjects (General Studies/Critical Thinking not accepted); practical pass required | Contextual offer available | | Norwich (UEA) | AAA | Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry + practical pass | One resit per subject allowed | | Nottingham | AAA | Biology/Human Biology AND Chemistry + practical pass | Both Biology and Chemistry required in final grades | | Oxford | A\*AA | Chemistry + one of Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths | Must be in same academic year; UCAT used for shortlisting | | Plymouth | A\*AA–AAB | Biology + one of Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology | Qualifications within 3 years | | Queen's Belfast | A\AA–AAA | Chemistry + one of Biology, Maths or Physics | Multiple grade combinations accepted depending on A\ profile | | Sheffield | AAA (or AAB + EPQ grade A) | Chemistry OR Biology (grade A) + second science | UCAT minimum 1800/2700 (absolute cut-off) | | Southampton | AAA | Biology + one other science (Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Studies or Geography) | One resit per subject allowed for up to 3 subjects | | St Andrews | AAA–AAB | Chemistry + one of Biology, Maths or Physics | Resits not normally considered; qualifications within 3 years | | St George's (SGUL) | A\*AA–AAA | Chemistry AND Biology | All A-levels within maximum 2-year sitting period | | Sunderland | AAA (one sitting) | Chemistry or Biology + second science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/FM/Statistics) | Contextual offer AAB | | UCL | A\AA (A\ in Chemistry and Biology) | Chemistry AND Biology + any third subject | No resits accepted under any circumstances | | UCLan | AAA | At least two science subjects including Chemistry | North West England applicants only; resits accepted in same academic year |
Schools Requiring Both Chemistry AND Biology
If you only have Chemistry (not Biology), or only have Biology (not Chemistry), your options narrow considerably. The following schools require both Chemistry and Biology as compulsory A-levels:
- Cardiff, UCL, Birmingham, Aston, Keele, KCL, Brighton & Sussex (2026 entry), Edge Hill, Hull York, Nottingham, St George's, Lincoln
This means that if you're only taking Chemistry + Maths + Physics, for example, around half of UK medical schools are immediately off your list. Plan your A-level choices in Year 11 — it's significantly harder to change course once you're in Sixth Form.
Schools Where Chemistry Is Not Compulsory
A smaller but important group of schools accept applications without Chemistry, as long as you have Biology or another relevant science:
- Newcastle — no specific compulsory subjects stated (General Studies/Critical Thinking excluded) - UEA (Norwich) — Biology/Human Biology OR Chemistry accepted - Sheffield — Chemistry OR Biology accepted (grade A required in whichever you take) - Manchester — Chemistry or Biology/Human Biology plus one other science - Lancaster — Two of Biology, Chemistry, or Psychology (Chemistry not uniquely required) - Kent & Medway — Chemistry and/or Biology accepted - Anglia Ruskin — Chemistry or Biology + second science - Sunderland — Chemistry or Biology + second science - Buckingham — Chemistry OR Biology - Southampton — Biology is the compulsory subject; Chemistry is only one option for the second subject - Plymouth — Biology is compulsory; Chemistry is one option for second
This matters if you're stronger in Biology than Chemistry, or if you're taking a non-standard subject combination.
The EPQ Route: Lower Grade Offers at Some Schools
A handful of schools recognise the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) with a modified offer:
- Sheffield: AAB + EPQ grade A is accepted alongside standard AAA. However, the EPQ adjustment does not apply for resit applicants. - Lancaster: AAB + EPQ grade B is accepted at the lower end of their AAA–AAB range. - Leicester: AAA + Biology + Chemistry + EPQ grade B may be accepted (vs standard A\*AA).
The EPQ is not a backdoor to medicine — you still need excellent grades — but for applicants predicted AAB who are strong in every other area, it's worth knowing which schools formally recognise it.
Contextual Admissions: Lower Grade Offers
Many UK medical schools offer reduced grade requirements for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These are not charity offers — they recognise that identical grades from students with very different educational contexts represent different levels of achievement.
| Medical School | Contextual Offer | Standard Offer | |---|---|---| | Birmingham | AAA | A\*AA | | Exeter | AAB | A\*AA | | Plymouth | AAB | A\*AA–AAB | | Manchester | AAB (care-experienced: ABB) | AAA | | Leeds | ABB (via Access to Leeds) | AAA | | Bristol | Usually 2 grades lower than typical | AAA | | Sunderland | AAB | AAA | | Hull York | ABB (WP programme only) | AAA | | Brighton & Sussex | AAB | AAA | | Kent & Medway | AAB (partner school only) | AAB | | Lincoln | AAB | AAA |
Eligibility criteria differ by institution and typically involve a combination of postcode (area deprivation), school type (non-selective, low-progression school), and personal circumstances (free school meals, care experience, first generation). Check each school's widening participation page directly.
International and Alternative Qualifications
Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
Scottish students typically apply with Highers and Advanced Highers. Most English and Welsh schools will ask for equivalent grades — check each school individually. Scottish medical schools (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews) all accept Highers.International Baccalaureate (IB)
IB is widely accepted. Typical equivalent offers: - AAA equivalent: 36–37 IB points (with 6,6,5 or 6,6,6 at Higher Level) - A\*AA equivalent: 38–39 IB points (with 7,6,6 or 7,7,6 at HL) - Chemistry and/or Biology must be taken at Higher LevelBTECs and Access to HE
The majority of UK medical schools do not accept BTECs as a primary qualification for medicine. Some contextual routes at lower-entry schools may consider BTEC alongside A-levels — check the specific school's page. Access to HE Diplomas are similarly rarely accepted for standard entry.UCAT: The Other Side of the Academic Picture
Almost every UK medical school requires the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) in addition to A-levels. The only exception is Buckingham, which uses its own assessment instead.
Key facts for 2026 entry: - The UCAT consists of 3 cognitive subtests: Verbal Reasoning (VR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Reasoning (QR) - Total score: 900–2700 (each subtest scores 300–900) - Plus the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), scored as Bands 1–4 (separate from the total) - The UCAT now has no Abstract Reasoning subtest — it was removed in 2025
A strong UCAT score can compensate for borderline predicted grades at some schools (Bristol uses UCAT as its primary shortlisting tool after academic screening). A weak UCAT score below the Sheffield threshold of 1800 will result in immediate rejection at that school. Understand how each school on your list uses UCAT before you sit the test.
Practical Advice: Building Your School List
Step 1: Check your subjects first
Before anything else, confirm your A-level subjects are accepted. If you're not taking Chemistry, remove every school that requires Chemistry + Biology. This is non-negotiable.Step 2: Be realistic about predicted grades
Most medical schools use predicted grades (not achieved grades) for initial shortlisting. If your predicted grades are AAB and a school requires A\*AA — even with contextual consideration — it's probably not worth an application unless you meet contextual criteria.Step 3: Range your school list
Include 4 schools (you can apply to up to 4 medical schools via UCAS): - 1–2 ambitious choices (A\AA schools if you're predicted A\AA) - 1–2 well-matched choices (AAA schools where your UCAT and academics fit comfortably) - Consider one school with more open entry criteria if you're concerned about borderline gradesStep 4: Check resit policies early
If there's any chance you might need to resit, read the resit policies before you apply — not after results day. Some schools (UCL, Oxford, Imperial, Glasgow, Dundee) will not consider resitters under almost any circumstances.Key Takeaways
- Most UK medical schools require AAA; a growing number now require A\*AA - Chemistry is compulsory at the majority of schools; Biology is compulsory at many - No BMAT: since October 2023, all former BMAT schools (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Leeds, Brighton & Sussex, Lancaster) now use UCAT - UCAT is out of 2700 (3 subtests: VR, DM, QR) — there is no Abstract Reasoning section - ~44–47 medical schools now exist in the UK — significantly more than a few years ago - Contextual admissions exist at most major schools and can reduce grade requirements by one to two grades - Always verify requirements directly on each university's admissions page — they do change year to year
Sources: Medical Schools Council entry requirements tool | UCAS Medicine | Individual university admissions pages (verified March 2026)
Last verified by Dr Dibah Jiva — March 2026