Medicine Resit Policy: Everything You Need to Know for 2026 Entry

Last verified by Dr Dibah Jiva — March 2026

If you're considering resitting A-levels and still aiming for medicine, this is one of the most important pages you'll read. Resit policies vary enormously between UK medical schools — the difference between "accepted without conditions" and "never accepted under any circumstances" can depend entirely on which school you're applying to.

This guide covers every UK medical school's current resit policy for 2026 entry. It replaces outdated information that has been circulating since 2019 — when the landscape was completely different.

Important note before you read on: If you resit and don't check each school's policy in advance, you could waste an entire UCAS cycle applying to four schools that will reject you automatically. Get this right before you do anything else.

What Counts as a "Resit"?

Before we dive into individual policies, it's worth clarifying what medical schools mean when they say "resit":

- A-level resit = retaking any A-level module or A2 exam after the first full sitting - Restarting Year 12 = this almost universally counts as a resit at all medical schools, not a fresh start — UCL explicitly states this - Taking additional A-levels after completing your original set = counted as a resit at some schools - Access to HE Diploma after A-levels = this typically counts as a resit at schools like KCL

GCSE resits are treated very differently — most schools accept GCSE resits with minimal or no restrictions. This guide primarily covers A-level resits. Specific GCSE resit policies are noted where relevant.

The Big Picture: Three Categories of School

UK medical schools broadly fall into three categories:

Category 1: No Resits (or Exceptionally Rare Circumstances Only)

Schools in this category: - Oxford - Cambridge - Imperial College London - UCL - Glasgow - Aberdeen - Dundee - Edinburgh - Birmingham - Cardiff (A-levels) - St Andrews - Kent & Medway (KMMS)

Category 2: Resits Accepted with Conditions

Schools in this category: - Manchester - Hull York - Plymouth - Liverpool - Nottingham - Queen's Belfast - Sunderland - Lancaster - Leeds (newly liberalised — see below)

Category 3: Resits Accepted More Openly

Schools in this category: - KCL (with some caveats) - Bristol - Sheffield - Exeter - Lincoln - Southampton - UCLan - St George's - Brighton & Sussex - Edge Hill - Aston - Anglia Ruskin - Buckingham - UEA (Norwich)

The 2026 Game-Changer: Leeds Changes Its Policy

The biggest single policy change for 2026 entry — and one that will affect many resitters' school lists — is Leeds Medical School.

From 2026 entry, Leeds now accepts one resit per A-level without requiring mitigating circumstances. This is a significant liberalisation. Previously, Leeds effectively required exceptional documented circumstances for any resit consideration.

What this means in practice: - You can resit one attempt per A2 subject and still be considered - You can resit one attempt per GCSE without needing mitigation - A third attempt still requires documented evidence of mitigating circumstances at the second attempt

Leeds remains a competitive school (AAA; Chemistry AND Biology required; UCAT-ranked shortlisting), but this change opens the door for the large number of applicants who missed their target by one grade in a single subject.

Every School's Policy in Full

Oxford

Oxford considers resits only under circumstances it describes as "extreme and beyond the applicant's control" — examples include school disruption (fire, closure), bereavement, or seriously debilitating illness during exams.

Crucially: if you're resitting only 1–2 A-levels, you are not eligible to apply. To apply as a resit candidate, you must typically be retaking all three A-levels together. You must also submit mitigating circumstances through Oxford's dedicated procedure with supporting evidence.

This is one of the most restrictive policies in the UK, and it is consistently applied.

Source: Oxford medicine resit FAQ

Cambridge

Cambridge expects A\A\A in a single sitting. Resits are considered only where an applicant experienced serious disruption to their studies beyond their control. Each case is considered individually by the relevant college.

The bar is extremely high. Cambridge is not a realistic option for most resitters.

Source: Cambridge undergraduate qualifications page

Imperial College London

Imperial does not accept resits for Medicine. This is explicitly stated: qualifications that have been resat will not be considered except with exceptional mitigating circumstances and supporting evidence. Even their contextual scheme does not lower grade offers — it provides a guaranteed interview (not a lower grade threshold), and it still won't help resitters.

Re-applicants (students applying for a second year) are accepted — this is different from resitting.

Source: Imperial medicine entry requirements (2027 entry page)

UCL

UCL's policy is explicit and unambiguous: "We do not accept qualification re-sits, including re-starting Year 12." The three A-levels must be sat at the same time and within two years. Any restart of Year 12 counts as a resit.

The only exception is graduates who re-sat A-levels before their undergraduate degree — in this case they will be considered. If you're a current sixth-form student thinking about resitting, UCL is off your list.

Source: UCL 2026 entry requirements

Glasgow

Glasgow's position is stated more clearly than almost any other school: "Re-sits or additional time to sit qualifications is not permitted. The required grades and subjects must be obtained at one sitting and at the first attempt." This applies to SQA Highers, UK A-levels, International A-levels, and IB equally.

There is no exception clause, no appeal on grounds of circumstances, and no contextual variation.

Source: Glasgow medicine entry requirements

Dundee

Dundee's policy is equally clear — grades must be achieved in one sitting. No resits are accepted. The school explicitly requires qualifications achieved at first attempt.

Source: Dundee medicine entry requirements

Aberdeen

Aberdeen does not normally accept A-level resits for medicine. Only exceptional circumstances with supporting evidence will be considered. The bar is comparable to Oxford and Cambridge.

Source: Aberdeen medicine entrance requirements

Edinburgh

Edinburgh's official wording: "We are often unable to offer places to applicants who have taken resits." The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine operates particularly restrictive criteria — resits are considered only when applicants experienced serious disruption to their studies.

Edinburgh also has a UCAT minimum of 1650/2700 for 2026 entry and rejects anyone with SJT Band 4 automatically.

Source: Edinburgh resits page | Edinburgh Applying for Medicine booklet 2026 (PDF)

Birmingham

Birmingham's stated policy: "Resit grades for GCSEs, A Levels or equivalent qualifications are not considered except as detailed in extenuating circumstances." This is a firm no for the vast majority of resitters. Contextual offer is AAA (vs standard A\*AA), but the resit restriction applies regardless.

Source: Birmingham entry requirements

Cardiff

Cardiff does not accept A-level resits except in exceptional circumstances. However, GCSE resits are accepted within one year of the original sitting. English Language GCSE can be taken at any time.

Source: Official Cardiff admissions guidance

St Andrews

St Andrews states directly: "Applicants who re-take their advanced level studies to meet the entry requirements for Medicine will not normally be considered." Borderline cases with extenuating circumstances (typically within one grade of requirements) may be considered case-by-case.

GCSE resits are permitted to meet specific requirements. All qualifications must be within 3 years.

Source: St Andrews academic requirements

Kent & Medway (KMMS)

KMMS does not accept A-level resits. The only pathway for resit applicants is through the extenuating circumstances process — and KMMS is clear that this is not a standard route.

GCSE resits are accepted but must be completed before applying. KMMS does not use predicted grades at any point in its selection process.

Source: KMMS entry requirements 2025

Manchester

Manchester accepts resits but with specific conditions: - Resit accepted for one of Year 12 OR Year 13 — not both - Where Year 13 A-levels were attempted: minimum ABB at first sitting required - Resit offer: A\A\A (significantly higher than standard AAA offer) - Contextual offer: AAB; care-experienced/refugee offer: ABB (contextual GCSE resits also permitted)

The A\A\A resit offer is a meaningful hurdle — you need to achieve three top grades rather than two. This is deliberately designed to raise the bar for resitters.

Source: Manchester MBChB 2026 entry page

Leeds

This is the big change for 2026. Leeds now accepts: - One resit attempt per A2 subject without mitigating circumstances - One resit attempt per GCSE without mitigating circumstances - Third attempts require documented evidence of mitigating circumstances at the second attempt

Standard offer remains AAA (Chemistry AND Biology required). UCAT is used for ranking above academic screening.

Leeds's Access to Leeds contextual offer (ABB) continues for eligible students.

Source: Leeds MBChB course page

Hull York (HYMS)

HYMS accepts Year 13 resitters provided they achieved a minimum of BBB at their first sitting (a B in every subject — no equivalences accepted). Year 12 may be repeated or restarted once with no restrictions. All A-levels must be completed within a 3-year period.

Biology AND Chemistry are both required regardless of resit status.

Source: HYMS entry requirements

Plymouth

Plymouth considers resitters if they achieved ABB or above at A-level first sitting. If below ABB, the applicant must resit and then apply only once they've achieved the required grades (with achieved grades, not predicted). Qualifications must be within 3 years. Widening Participation resit offer: ABC.

Source: Plymouth entry requirements

Liverpool

Liverpool accepts resit applicants who achieved ABB or above at first sitting. Extenuating circumstances must be noted in the academic reference AND the Liverpool online form. Resit offer may be raised to A\*AA.

Source: Official Liverpool admissions guidance

Nottingham

Nottingham's resit conditions: - A-levels must have been taken within the past 12 months - At least ABB including an A in Biology or Chemistry at first sitting - Must achieve AAA including Biology and Chemistry after resit

All three conditions must be met simultaneously.

Source: Official Nottingham admissions guidance

Queen's Belfast

Queen's Belfast has a very specific resit route: - Applicant must have applied at first attempt - Must have held a conditional firm offer from Queen's - First-sit grades must have been AAB + A in AS at minimum - Resit offer: AAA + A in fourth AS - Only one resit cycle (two total attempts) allowed

This is one of the most narrowly defined resit policies in the UK — it's essentially a "near-miss" safety net, not a general resit pathway.

Source: Official Queen's Belfast admissions guidance

Sunderland

Sunderland's stated policy for new applicants is to achieve grades in one sitting. However, resitters are accepted if: - They achieved AAB at first sitting - Only the B subject is being resitted (one attempt only)

GCSE resits are accepted (maximum 2 resit attempts per subject, must be awarded before application). UCAT top 8 deciles required; SJT Bands 1–3.

Source: Sunderland MBChB page

Lancaster

Lancaster has a structured tiered approach: - ABB or above at first attempt: eligible to apply during resit year - BBB–CCC at first attempt: requires exceptional circumstances - Below CCC at first attempt: can only apply after achieving A\*AA (with achieved grades, not predicted) - Standard resit offer: A\*AA - All qualifications must be within 3 years

Source: Official Lancaster admissions guidance

KCL (King's College London)

KCL's position is nuanced. Resits are considered in standard admissions, but applicants who achieved A\*AA in their standard 2-year A-level period are viewed more favourably. Second resits (third attempts) are only considered with significant mitigating circumstances (requires Mitigating Circumstances form submission).

Taking the same subject again at any level — including an Access to HE Diploma — counts as a resit at KCL.

Source: KCL medicine entry requirements

Bristol

Bristol explicitly states it will consider applicants who resit qualifications, and it does not require A-levels to be taken in a single sitting. Full academic history from age 16 is required (so Bristol can see everything). Contextual offers are typically two grades lower than the standard offer.

Bristol uses UCAT 100% as its shortlisting tool once academic requirements are met — so a strong UCAT is critical.

Source: Bristol admissions statement 2026 (PDF)

Sheffield

Sheffield accepts A-level resits. Standard offer AAA (or AAB + EPQ grade A). The EPQ adjustment does not apply for resit applicants. GCSE resits are accepted (same single sitting; one resit per GCSE). UCAT minimum of 1800/2700 applies regardless of resit status.

Source: Sheffield medicine admissions

Exeter

Exeter's policy is among the most genuinely open in the UK: resit grades are treated equally to first-sit grades. Contextual offer AAB. Uses UCAT (school leavers) or GAMSAT (graduates).

Source: Exeter BMBS FAQs

Southampton

Southampton allows one resit per A-level subject for up to three subjects. There are no restrictions on GCSE resits. Standard offer AAA (Biology compulsory).

Source: Official Southampton admissions guidance

UEA (Norwich Medical School)

UEA allows one resit per subject. Resitting applicants are expected to achieve at least one A\* grade in their resit sitting.

Source: Official UEA admissions guidance

Lincoln

Lincoln permits A-level resits. Must achieve AAA (or AAB contextual with A in Biology). Should normally be completed within 2 years of initial sit. Lincoln does not use predicted A-level grades in selection, so you need achieved grades.

GCSE resits permitted but must be awarded before application.

Source: Lincoln medicine page

St George's (City St George's, University of London)

St George's accepts A-level resits provided qualifications are completed within one sitting across a maximum of two years. Standard offer range A\*AA–AAA.

Source: Official St George's admissions guidance

Aston

Aston accepts A-level resits. All final qualifications must be completed within 3 academic years, with only one permitted resit year. Must still meet A\*AA.

Source: Official Aston admissions guidance

Edge Hill

Edge Hill accepts one resit. All A-level qualifications must have been obtained within 2 years prior to application. Must still meet AAA including Biology and Chemistry.

Source: Edge Hill medicine page

Anglia Ruskin (ARU)

ARU accepts A-level resits. Final grades must be AAA. All qualifications within 5 years of application. Minimum at first sitting: AAB (or BBB via Widening Access route).

Source: ARU medicine page

Buckingham

Buckingham accepts A-level resits. Predicted grades are not considered for resit applicants — only achieved grades. Academic qualifications must not be older than 5 years. The relatively accessible ABB entry requirement means many resitters will meet this threshold.

Source: Buckingham MB ChB page

UCLan

UCLan accepts resits if all resit exams are taken in the same academic year. Only one attempt permitted per A2 subject. Note that UCLan medicine is for North West England applicants only.

Source: Official UCLan admissions guidance

Complete Resit Policy Quick-Reference Table

| School | Resit Policy | Conditions | |---|---|---| | Oxford | No (exceptional extreme circumstances only) | Must retake all 3 A-levels; formal mitigating process required | | Cambridge | No (serious disruption only) | Each case individual | | Imperial | No (exceptional circumstances only) | Re-applicants (2nd year) accepted | | UCL | Absolute no (including restarting Yr 12) | Graduates who resit before degree excepted | | Glasgow | Absolute no | All grades must be at first attempt, one sitting | | Dundee | No | One sitting, first attempt | | Aberdeen | Not normally | Exceptional circumstances with evidence only | | Edinburgh | Very rarely | Serious disruption only; UCAT min 1650 | | Birmingham | No (extenuating circumstances only) | Contextual offer AAA but same resit rule | | Cardiff | No A-level resits | GCSE resits accepted within 1 year | | St Andrews | Not normally | Borderline extenuating circumstances only; 3-year limit | | KMMS | No | Extenuating circumstances process only | | Manchester | Yes — one year only (Yr 12 OR Yr 13) | ABB minimum first sit; resit offer A\A\A | | Leeds | Yes — one resit per subject (NEW 2026) | Third attempt needs documented mitigation | | Hull York | Yes | Minimum BBB first sit; 3-year limit | | Plymouth | Yes | ABB or above first sit; 3-year limit | | Liverpool | Yes | ABB or above first sit; resit offer may be A\*AA | | Nottingham | Yes | ABB+A(Biol/Chem) first sit; within 12 months; AAA after | | Queen's Belfast | Yes (narrow) | Must have applied previously AND held firm offer; AAB+AS at first sit | | Sunderland | Yes (limited) | AAB first sit; only B subject resit; one attempt | | Lancaster | Yes (tiered) | ABB+ = apply during resit; below BBB = exceptional circumstances needed | | KCL | Yes (with caveats) | Non-resit applicants favoured; second resit needs mitigation | | Bristol | Yes | No conditions; open policy | | Sheffield | Yes | EPQ route not available to resitters | | Exeter | Yes | Treated equally to first sit | | Southampton | Yes | One resit per subject (up to 3 subjects) | | UEA | Yes | One resit per subject; expect at least one A\* | | Lincoln | Yes | Within 2 years; no predicted grades used | | St George's | Yes | Within 2-year sitting period | | Aston | Yes | 3-year limit; one resit year only | | Edge Hill | Yes | One resit; within 2 years of application | | Anglia Ruskin | Yes | AAB minimum first sit; within 5 years | | Buckingham | Yes | Achieved grades only; within 5 years | | UCLan | Yes | Same academic year only; one attempt per A2; NW England only |

GCSE Resit Policies: The Separate Question

Most UK medical schools are significantly more flexible about GCSE resits than A-level resits. This makes sense — GCSEs are taken at age 15–16, and a student who struggled with one GCSE at that age but has since demonstrated academic ability should not necessarily be penalised forever.

Schools with specific GCSE resit restrictions: - Lancaster: Does not generally accept GCSE resits without exceptional circumstances (unusual — check this carefully) - Keele: GCSE requirements must be met before applying - Kent & Medway: GCSE resits accepted but must be completed before applying - Sheffield: GCSE resits accepted; must be taken in same sitting; one resit per GCSE; maximum 2 years of study - Sunderland: Maximum 2 resit attempts per subject; must be awarded before application - Cardiff: Within 12 months of original sitting (except English Language)

Most other schools (including UCL, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol) accept GCSE resits with no significant restrictions.

What to Do If You Need to Resit

Step 1: Categorise your first-sit grades

Step 2: Be strategic with your UCAS application

Step 3: Target a higher UCAT score

Step 4: Explain your circumstances honestly in your UCAS application

The Bottom Line

If you've resit A-levels, roughly half of UK medical schools are effectively closed to you — including some of the most prestigious names. This is a harsh reality, but it's better to know it now than to apply and receive four rejections.

The positive side: there are still genuine, high-quality medical schools that actively welcome resitters. Schools like Bristol, Sheffield, Exeter, Southampton, St George's, and Lincoln produce excellent doctors and have no meaningful prejudice against resit applicants. Your A-level journey does not define your medical school journey.

Build your school list around your resit status as a first priority. Then worry about geography, teaching style, and UCAT.

Sources: Official university admissions pages (verified March 2026) | Medical Schools Council entry requirements tool | Leeds MBChB course page | Individual school admissions policies as cited throughout

Last verified by Dr Dibah Jiva — March 2026