Choosing your A-levels or international baccalaureate options can seem like a huge decision. If you wish to do a degree in medicine, the task may seem even trickier with every medical school in the UK asking for a different set of subjects and varying grades. Trying to do your own research can quickly become overwhelming but don’t panic! There’s no simple answer but there are a few key things you should consider when making your A-level choices and in deciding where to apply once you’ve picked your subjects. In this blog post, I’ve outlined the 4 key questions you should be asking yourself when considering which A-levels to take.

1. Which subjects are essential?

Whilst it’s true that there is no simple answer for what combination of subjects you should choose, there is some common ground on which subjects most medical schools require. You might naturally first think about Chemistry and Biology and a large proportion of UK medical schools will ask for both so you’re probably thinking along the right lines! 

1a. Do I need Chemistry?

“But Chemistry is so hard - can I just not do it?” In short, you probably should. Nearly every medical school in the UK will require applicants to have studied Chemistry to A2 level. There are however a couple of exceptions to this rule. Even if you don’t take Chemistry at all, all is not lost! Some universities ask for either Chemistry or Biology, plus another science (generally Physics or Maths).

Other schools will allow Psychology as an alternative science subject. See the table below for which Medical schools you could apply to without Chemistry A2. Also check how the recent A-level reforms affect your requirements from the university.

1b. What if I don’t study Biology?

It’s also very common for UK medical schools to ask specifically for A-level Biology. Aside from simple requirements though, spare a thought for how the subject may actually help you at medical school. An A-level in Biology will give you a good foundation for understanding human physiology - a key aspect of Medicine. However, like Chemistry there are exceptions with a number of medical schools asking for either Chemistry OR Biology and a number specifying just Chemistry and any other science. The table below also lists UK medical schools which don’t require Biology to A2 level.

Many schools, such as Aberdeen and Manchester, will consider Human Biology instead of Biology so this could be another option. The schools which state this explicitly in their admissions policies are included in the table below but if you are interested in taking Human Biology instead of Biology then it is worth checking what your university requires. 

Medical School Policy on Required Subjects (Universities that don't require both biology and chemistry)

• Anglia Ruskin - Chemistry or Biology; and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics
  
• Aberdeen - Chemistry, and at least one from Biology, Human Biology, Physics or Maths
• Barts - Chemistry or Biology with at least one other from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths
• Bristol - Chemistry and either Biology, Physics or Mathematics
• Buckingham - Chemistry and at least one from Maths or Biology. If Biology is not studied to A level, should have at least a B at GCSE level
• Cambridge - Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Maths, and Physics
• Dundee - Chemistry and at least one from Biology, Maths or Physics
• East Anglia - Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry
• Edge Hill - Biology and Chemistry
• Edinburgh - Chemistry and one subject from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics
• Glasgow - Chemistry and at least one from Biology, Maths or Physics.
• Keele - Chemistry or Biology with at least one other from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths
• Kent and Medway - Chemistry or Biology and one of Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics, and Psychology
• Leeds - Chemistry or Biology. If Chemistry is not offered then Biology must be offered with either Physics or Maths
• Leicester - Chemistry or Biology and one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Psychology
• Manchester - Chemistry or Biology/Human Biology and one other science, including Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths
• Newcastle - No biology or Chemistry required for 2020 onwards
• Norwich Medical School - Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry
• Nottingham - Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry
• Oxford - Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Maths or Physics.
• Plymouth - Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and Psychology
• Queens Belfast - Chemistry plus at least one other from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics at A2. If not offered at A2, Biology/Human Biology AS is required.
• Sheffield - Chemistry or Biology with at least one from Maths, Physics, Biology/Human Biology or Psychology
• St Andrews - Chemistry and at least one from Biology, Maths, or Physics.
• St Georges - Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology
• Sunderland - Biology or Chemistry plus another designated science subject Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/Further Maths/Statistics
• University of Central Lancashire - Chemistry and one other science subject

What about the third subject?

So we’ve covered the essentials, but what next? What about that remaining subject?

2a. Science or non-science?

One of the commonest dilemmas future medical school applicants face when choosing their A-levels is whether to study three sciences or to choose a non-science subject as their third option. Our advice is to choose what you’re interested in. If you are interested in a subject you’re much more likely to be motivated to get the grade you need. Although no medical schools in the UK require three science subjects, their views on it differ.