CONSULTATION ON ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

GCSE Requirements

Medical schools require GCSE Maths, English and Sciences, with the majority of medical schools asking for at least a B/6. Nonetheless, the majority of successful applicants will score A and A* grades (7-9s) in most of their subjects due to the competitive nature of the application process. Please check the university websites for updated knowledge.

A level Requirements

A level subject requirements range from AAA-A*A*A, depending on the medical school. Typical combinations of subjects are Biology and Chemistry, with a third subject which can range from Mathematics and Physics, or English and History. Practical elements of science subjects must also be passed. General studies and Critical Thinking are usually not accepted as an A level subject in the requirements. Different medical schools have different subject preferences, but as a general rule, Biology and Chemistry are expected.

How to chose your A levels for Medicine: https://www.themedicportal.com/blog/choose-levels-medicine/

The entry requirements for these medical schools are stated below. Please note that these are often subject to change so for up-to-date and specific information, access the university websites:

University GCSE Requirements A level Requirements

Aberdeen

Grade 5 pass in Maths and English, triple science recommended, combination of grade 6-9 passes at GCSE with special focus on science subjects

AAA

Chemistry and one from Biology, Maths and Physics. 

Anglia Ruskin

5 GCSEs at grade A-C (9-4) including English language, Maths and at least 2 science subjects

AAA

At least one of Chemistry and Biology, and one other of Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics.

Aston

5 GCSEs at grade 6 or above including English, Maths, and double science

AAA-AAB

Chemistry, Biology and third subject

Barts (Queen Mary, University of London)

3 subjects at grade 7 and 3 at grade 6 including English, Maths, Sciences

A*AA

Either Chemistry or Biology and another sciencE (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) or Maths

Brighton and Sussex

Grade 6 or above in Maths and English Language

AAA

AAB - widening participation

Biology and Chemistry with any third subject

Bristol

Grade 7 in Maths and at least grade 4 in Maths

AAA

Chemistry mandatory and Biology, Physics and Maths as second subject. Third subject can be any ‘academic’ subject.

Buckingham

If Biology is not studied at A level, they should have at least a grade 6 in Biology GCSE. 

ABB

Chemistry, one from Maths or Biology and a third subject.

Cambridge

There are no official GCSE requirements - they are looked at as a ‘performance indicator’. There is no official minimum number of 7/8/9s, but many of these applicants generally achieve high grades in their subjects.

A*A*A

Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics and Maths. Most have at least 3 of these subjects.

Cardiff University

Grade 6 in Mathematics, English and Science subjects. At least 9 subjects at grade 6 or above. 

AAA

Chemistry and Biology

Dundee

Grade 6 in Biology, Mathematics and English..

AAA

Chemistry and another science (Biology, Physics or Mathematics).

Edinburgh

Grade 6 in Science subjects, Mathematics and English.

A levels: AAA

In Chemistry and one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics.

Exeter

Minimum pass in GCSE English and Mathematics.

A*AA-AAA

Biology and Chemistry

Glasgow

GCSE English grade 6 or above

AAA

Chemistry and Maths or Physics or Biology.

Hull York

8 GCSEs grades 4-9. GCSE English and Maths at grade 6 or above.

AAA

Biology and Chemistry

Imperial

Grade 6 in English language

Biology and Chemistry

Kent and Canterbury Christchurch

Grade 6 in 5 subject including English, Mathematics and science subjects

Must include Chemistry and/or Biology or Physics or Maths or Psychology or Computer Science.

Keele

5 subjects at grade 7 with a minimum of grade 6 in Maths, English Language and Sciences.

A*AA

Biology or Chemistry and a science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/Further Maths/Statistics plus a third academic subject.

KCL

Grade 6 in English language and Mathematics

A*AA

Chemistry and Biology

Lancaster

A minimum score of 15 points from 9 subjects - (grades 7-9: 2 points, grade 6: 1 point). 9 subjects must include English language, Maths and 3 sciences or core+additional science.

AAA-AAB

Any 2 from Chemistry, Biology and Psychology

Leeds

6 subjects at grades 5-9 including Chemistry and Biology (or core and additional science), English language and Mathematics

AAA

Chemistry or Biology. If Chemistry is not offered, Biology must be offered with either Physics or Maths.

Liverpool

9 subjects with a score of 15 points or higher

AAA/A*AB

Chemistry with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics and a third academic subject

Manchester

5 subjects at grades 7-9. Grade 6 or above in English Language, Mathematics and science subjects.

AAA

Chemistry and Biology or Physics or Maths

Newcastle

Grade 7 or above in Biology and/or Chemistry if not offered at A level.

AAA

Chemistry and/or Biology

Norwich

6 subjects at grade 7 or above including Maths, science subjects. Grade 6 in English Language.

AAA

As must include Biology

Nottingham

6 subjects at grade 7 or above including  science subjects. Grade 6 in English Language and Maths.

AAA/AAB

Biology and Chemistry

Oxford

‘Competitive application’ described as one with mostly grades 8 and 9.

A*AA

Chemistry and/or Biology or Physics or Maths


Plymouth

7 GCSE passes grades 4-9, including English language, Maths and science subjects

A*AA-AAB

Biology and one of Chemistry, Physics, Math and Psychology. Third subject can range from languages, humanities, music, sport, social sciences.

Queen’s Belfast

GCSE performance for top 9 subjects will be scored:

  • Grades 8-9: 4

  • Grade 7: 3

  • Grade 6: 2

  • Grades 4-5: 1


From 2021 entry:

  • Grade 9: 4 

  • Grades 7-8: 3

A*AA-AAA(+A for AS level)

Chemistry and/or Biology or Physics or Maths


Sheffield

At least 5 subjects at grade 7 or above. At least grade 6 in Maths, English and at least one science subject.

AAA

Chemistry and/or Biology or Physics or Maths

Southampton

English Language minimum of grade 6. Grade 7 or above in 6 GCSE subjects including Maths and science subjects.

AAA

Biology and Chemistry

St Andrews

Grade 5 or above in Maths, Biology and English if not offered at A level

AAA

Chemistry and/or Biology or Physics or Maths

St George’s

5 subjects in grade 6 or above including English language, Maths and Science

AAA

Biology and Chemistry

UCL

Grade 6 or above in English language and Maths. Grade 5 or above in modern foreign language (not including Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin). If not applicable, they will be obliged to take a language course during the first year of university. 

A*AA

Chemistry and Biology

UCLan

Grade 6 in English language with proof of ‘‘broad study of science and Maths’

AAB

2 science subjects including Chemistry and any third academic subject