A-level Requirements for Medical School 2024

Admissions

29/6/2023

What grades do you need to get into medical school for 2024 entry?

A-levels are one of the first hurdles to getting into medical school.

Most schools require AAA to get in, but there are some exceptions and alternative routes for those with lower grades.

If you don't meet the grade expectations below, try for graduate entry medicine or look at Plan B options, such as taking a gap year or studying abroad.

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What A-levels are required for medicine and which grades do you need?

Most medical schools require AAA grades but each have different subject requirements, which can get confusing. Find out exactly what each medical school requires below.

Medical school

A-level grades

Required subjects

Aberdeen

AAA

Chemistry and one from biology/human biology, maths or physics achieved at the same time

Anglia Ruskin

AAA taken within two years prior to application

Chemistry or biology, and one of either biology, chemistry, maths or physics

Aston

AAA

Chemistry and biology (including passing the practical elements) and any third subject excluding general studies and critical thinking

Barts

A*AA

Chemistry or biology and a second science subject (chemistry, biology, physics or maths). Any third subject except for further maths if maths is second subject

Birmingham

The standard offer is A*AA

Biology/human biology and chemistry

Brighton and Sussex

AAA

Biology and chemistry

Bristol

AAA

Chemistry and one of biology, physics, maths or further maths

Buckingham

ABB

Chemistry and biology

Cambridge

Typical offers are A*A*A

A-level passes in chemistry and one of biology, physics or maths (two required by some colleges)

Cardiff

AAA

Chemistry and biology

Central Lancashire

AAA

At least two science subjects including chemistry

Dundee

AAA

Chemistry and another science (from biology, physics, or mathematics), achieved in one sitting

Edge Hill

AAA (third subject may be B if biology and/or chemistry is at A*)

Biology and chemistry

Edinburgh

A*AA

Chemistry and one of biology/human biology, maths or physics

Exeter

AAA

Biology and chemistry

Glasgow

AAA

Chemistry and one of maths, physics or biology

Hull York

AAA in the first sitting

Biology and chemistry

Imperial College London

AAA–A*AA (A* in biology or chemistry)

Chemistry and biology

Keele

A*AA

One of the following: 1. Biology or chemistry 2. One more from biology, chemistry, economics, further maths, maths, physics, psychology or statistics 3. Any third reformed A-level. Practical endorsements must be achieved for biology, chemistry and physics A-levels

Kent and Medway

AAB

Chemistry or biology, plus another from chemistry, biology, maths, psychology, physics or computer science. Practical endorsements must be achieved for any science subjects

King's College London

A*AA

Chemistry and biology

Lancaster

AAA–AAB

AAA in two from biology, chemistry and psychology or AAB in three A-levels (as before) plus an EPQ, 4th AS-level or 4th A-level subject at B

Leeds

AAA

Chemistry and biology. Combinations not accepted: biology and human biology or sports science plus chemistry and another/maths and further maths or statistics plus chemistry and another

Leicester

A*AA (AAA considered if you have chemistry, biology and EPQ grade B)

Chemistry or biology plus another from biology, chemistry, physics, maths or psychology

Liverpool

AAA (A*AB considered if A* A grades include chemistry plus one of biology, physics or maths and B in third academic subject)

Chemistry plus one of biology, physics or maths, and a third academic subject

Manchester

AAA

Chemistry or biology plus another from chemistry, biology, physics, psychology, maths or further maths

Newcastle

AAA

A pass is required in the practical element for biology, chemistry and physics A-levels. General studies, use of maths, world development, communication and culture and critical thinking not accepted

Norwich

AAA

Biology or chemistry, including a pass in the practical element of science A-levels

Nottingham

AAA

Biology and chemistry. A pass is required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately

Nottingham – Lincoln

AAA

Biology and chemistry. A pass is required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately

Oxford

A*AA (in one sitting)

Chemistry and one of biology, physics, maths or further maths

Plymouth

A*AA–AAA

Biology and one of chemistry, physics, maths or psychology

Queen's Belfast

A*AA-AAA

One of the following: 1. AAA at A-level and A in a fourth fourth AS-level subject, including chemistry and one of biology, maths or physics 2. A*AA including chemistry and biology 3. A*AA including chemistry and either maths/physics and AS-level biology grade B

Sheffield

AAA–AAB

One of the following: 1. AAA at A-level including chemistry or biology and another science (biology, chemistry, maths, physics or psychology) 2. AAB at A-level plus an A grade or above in your EPQ (same subject requirements, grade A is required in chemistry or biology)

Southampton

AAA

Biology and one other science (including passing the practical elements)

St Andrews

AAA–AAB

Chemistry and one of biology, maths or physics

St George's

A*AA–AAA (in one sitting across a maximum of two years)

Chemistry and biology

Sunderland

AAA (in one sitting)

Chemistry or biology plus a second science subject (biology, chemistry, physics, maths/further maths/statistics). Any science A-level (biology, chemistry, physics) completed must include a pass in the practical endorsement

UCL

A*AA

Biology and chemistry

Summary

If you miss out on AAA grades, it is likely you won't be able to apply straight away for direct entry medicine. However, don't discount the plan B options available to you.

To get more advice on this topic, check out our article on getting your GCSE and A-level grades for medicine.

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