Bad GCSE results and getting into Medicine

*WRITTEN IN JANUARY 2012 - POLICIES MAY HAVE CHANGED, ALWAYS CHECK*

One of the most common questions I get asked on my most popular post - GCSE requirements for Medicine - is "are my GCSE results good enough?"

So I thought I would write a post covering this area, so maybe I won't have to individually reassure quite as many people!

Universities that like GCSE's:

• Oxford
• Birmingham
• UCL
• Aberdeen (AS's do not form part of their academic requirements)
• Edinburgh
• Bristol
• Manchester
• Newcastle 

Universities which think AS's are more important:

• Cambridge
• Brighton and Sussex (BSMS)

This list is from my personal knowledge, if I become aware of the preferences of more Universities I will post them on here!

People who shouldn't worry: Those with 10A*'s and above, whether you are from a state or independent school, these results are excellent.

People who shouldn't REALLY worry, but if they want to go to Oxbridge, London Unis, Edinburgh or Birmingham should: 6-9A*'s with the rest A's - these grades are GREAT, the the majority of medical schools will look upon them favourably. However the places listed are a bit more fussy, and you made need to up your game during your AS's if you wish to impress them.

People who need to check out the universities their applying to for policies on GCSE's: 4A* / 5A* with the rest A/B - you still have a good chunk of A*'s grades there, so don't worry too much, but do expect to have to have a little bit more work experience etc than your 10A* colleagues. Some Universities won't interview people without a certain number of A*'s at GSCE, so check policy (I'm thinking Birmingham and Newcastle). 

People who need to apply to universities in which the UKCAT (or other admissions tests), work experience, extra-curricular activities and AS's and looked upon favourably: 3A*'s and under, with the rest A/B's - whilst you still have good grades, they really aren't up to par for what you need to get into medicine. You need to make up for this slight downer in your application with great work experience, volunteering, EC activities and of course a stellar personal statement with AAAA at AS to back you up.

DO NOT apply to universities which require higher GCSE's than this - it is stupid. They will not change their admissions policy, even if you have grade 8 in cello, are an Olympic rower and have been a carer for 2 years - the admissions policies are there to weed people out, and reduce the volume of applications they need to look over, and people that need interviewing.

Okay, hopefully this has answered many peoples worried questions, and I am sorry if you fall into the last category of this list.

My last nugget of advice is that preparation is the key - do everything early and do everything well.

Good luck with interviews (especially this time of year) and for anyone who has exams or resits.

GCSE Results and University Requirements for Medicine

*UPDATED FOR 2012 ENTRY*

IF YOU ARE UNSURE IF YOU HAVE "GOOD" ENOUGH GCSE'S - SEE THIS POST: http://youngwannabedoctor.blogspot.com/2012/01/bad-gcse-results-and-getting-into.html

Well many 16 year olds (or possibly 15 year olds if you are one of the unlucky few born very late in August) will have recently received their GCSE results.
Mine are pretty damn good, YAY!!

However as this a blog about all things needed for getting into medical school, I'll give you guys a heads up about what you will have needed to get into different Medical Schools.

Okay so the best of the best require mainly A*'s, this includes Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Bristol (obviously others are good, they just haven't specified GCSE grades). However not everyone is pumping out straight A*'s and many Universities don't see them as a requirement, so I'll do it in alphabetical order.

Aberdeen = All A/B passes expected, especially in the Sciences. C passes in English and Maths. Biology and Physics as seperate subjects are looked upon favourably.
Barts = Minimum requirement of AAABBB in Maths, science and English.
Birmingham = At least 8 A*'s (notice the "at least" meaning your competition will probably have more than 8) This year (2011 entry) most of the applicants who received offers had 9/10 A*'s
Brighton and Sussex = High grades expected with B's in English and Maths, however candidates with low grades are considered if your AS's results are very good
Bristol = 5 subjects at grade A/A* including Maths, English and 2 sciences
Cambridge = lots of A*'s... need I say more? However if your AS UMS marks are exceptional, your GCSE grades matter less

Cardiff = A minimum of 9 grade B's. B's needed in English and Maths, AA needed in additional science, and AAB for separate sciences
Dundee = A good pass in Biology... I assume this too mean an A or above, Dundee is one of the top medical schools, so even though they don't specify on GCSE results, you can bet your competition will have a lot of A*'s

Durham = A minimum of 5 subjects at grade C, to include Maths, English and the sciences
East Anglia = 6 subjects with at least grade A including the core subjects (core subjects = English and Maths)
Edinburgh = 8-11 A*'s, with at least B's in core subjects (average applicant has 6 A*'s - the ones who get in have above 8 A*'s)
Glasgow = A's in English and the sciences
Hull York = At least 6 subjects at grade C, A's in the Maths and English, B's in the sciences
Imperial = AAABBB in Maths, English and the sciences
Keele = Grade A in a minimum of 4 subjects, and B's in English, Maths and the sciences

Kings College London = Grade B in English and Maths if not offered at AS/A2 level

Lancaster = A minimum of 9 GCSE's at grade C. Lancaster has a points based system, with A*/A = 2 and a B=1, you need at least 15 points - which essentially translates to AAAAAABBB. Maths, English and the sciences need to all be at grade B.
Leeds = B's in English, Maths and the sciences with a range of good grades, this presumably means nothing below a B and certainly no fail grades
Leicester = GCSE requirements are not specified but are "taken into consideration" - aim high
Liverpool = At least B's in the core subjects and sciences, and a scoring system. A*/A = 2 and B = 1, in this scoring system you need at least 15 points. Which works out as mainly A/B's in all subjects (AAAAAABBB)
Manchester = At least 7 subjects at grade C or above, at least 5 at A/A*. A minimum of B for English language. A minimum of grade C for Physics and Biology
Newcastle = A's in the sciences, and a minimum of 5 passes (I'm quite surprised by the relatively low grades, seeing as Newcastle is another good Medical school, so do expect most other applicants to have higher grades than this)
Nottingham = Grade A in the sciences and at least 6 subjects
Oxford = Minimum Grade A in the sciences, minimum 8A*'s
Peninsula = Grade C in at least 7 subjects
Queen's Belfast = Uses a point scoring system, 4 points for an A*, 3 for an A etc. Makes competition quite high because all GCSE results are taken into account in the final point adding
RFUCMS = B's in core subjects and from 2012 a language will be required
Sheffield = At least 6 A grades required and B's in core subjects

Southampton = Minimum of B in 7 subjects, including Maths, English and the sciences
St. Andrews = B's in core subjects and the sciences
St. Georges = Minimum of 8 subjects. A's in maths, English and the sciences. A B is needed for English language.

UCL = Minimum requirements are a B in English and Maths, and a modern foreign language for 2012 entry - however UCL uses GCSE's as an indicator of academic abilities, so most applicants will have a high percentage of A*'s

Anyway I hope everyone did great and that the above information is helpful rather than depressing!!

Good Luck with Sixth Form!