UK Medical School GCSE & A Level Entry Requirements 2024

Medicine degree A-level requirements vary between different universities, so there are plenty of good A-level combinations for medical school. 

However, some A-levels are needed for medicine at more universities than others so we do have recommendations for the best A-levels for medicine.

Most medical schools look for candidates who have A-levels in both Biology and Chemistry, so it’s a great idea to take these to maximise your options in the future. 

Your third A-level can be any number of subjects - some universities, such as Cambridge University Medical School, mention that most candidates take either Physics or A-Level Maths. 

Others, such as Brighton & Sussex Medical School, welcome applicants who study the third subject outside of A-Level Maths and Science. 

Ultimately, most universities won’t mind what your third subject is as long as you avoid two types of subjects:

• Avoid subjects that aren’t considered: Some medical schools won’t consider subjects such as General Studies, Critical Thinking or Citizenship Studies. You should check their individual websites to see what subjects are and aren’t considered by particular universities.

• Avoid duplicate subjects: Many medical schools won’t consider two similar subjects if you take them both - for instance, Biology and Human Biology or Maths and Further Maths.

These medical schools require A-levels in Chemistry and Biology:

• Aston

• Birmingham

• Brighton & Sussex

• Cardiff

• Edge Hill

• Exeter

• Hull York

• Imperial

• King’s College London

• Lincoln

• Nottingham

• St George’s

• UCL

These medical schools ask for Chemistry A-Level, as well as at least one of Biology, Physics or A-Level Maths:

• Aberdeen Medical School

• Bristol Medical School

• Cambridge University – they recommend that your third A-Level should also be Biology, Physics or Maths

• Dundee Medical School

• Edinburgh Medical School

• Glasgow Medical School

• Liverpool Medical School

• Oxford Medical School

• Queen’s Belfast – they want you to have Chemistry but will consider various combinations of other subjects depending on what your grades are (find out more here)

• St Andrews

• UCLan – they only consider UK applicants from the North West of England

These medical schools require Chemistry OR Biology A-Level, so are great options if you don’t study Chemistry - you can do Medicine without Chemistry A-level:

• Buckingham

• Kent Medway – Candidates without both Chemistry and Biology for A-Level are strongly encouraged to take Physics, Maths, Psychology or Computer Science

• Lancaster – You need two of Chemistry, Biology or Psychology

• Leeds – Candidates without A-Level Chemistry should study Physics and/or Maths instead

• Newcastle – General Studies, Use of Mathematics, World Development, Communication and Culture or Critical Thinking aren’t considered but their website doesn’t mention other requirements

• Norwich (UEA)

These medical schools require Chemistry OR Biology A-Level, as well as Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths:

• Anglia Ruskin

• Barts

• Brunel (currently open to international applicants only)

• Keele

• Leicester

• Manchester

• Sheffield

• Sunderland

Italicised medical schools also will accept Psychology as a second science subject. Keele considers Economics to be a second science subject.

These medical schools require Biology:

• Plymouth – Biology is required, plus at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology

• Southampton – Biology is required, plus at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Studies or Geography

Following this guide is the best way to ensure that you’re meeting the UK medicine degree entry requirements for each university in 2024.