Choosing the right A Levels can help you get onto a desired university course, but it isn't necessarily a decision that will automatically shape your entire career. If you're interested in Medicine, think about choosing subjects that keep enough medical schools open while ensuring you can get good grades. Chemistry and Biology are a good starting point. However, it's still worth comparing your options, thinking about whether to do 3 or 4 A Levels, and if you'll have options to start working towards a specialty before you even start a university course.
Key Takeaways
- UK medical schools set their own subject and grade requirements, so there is no single A Level combination required everywhere.⁴
- Chemistry and Biology form a flexible starting point, while the best third subject depends on your strengths and the universities you may apply to.
- Three A Levels are normally enough for Medicine, and Oxford advises applicants to prioritise quality rather than simply taking more qualifications.⁹
- Psychology can count as an accepted science at some medical schools, with Plymouth accepting it alongside Biology.¹⁰
- A Level choices do not lock you into future medical specialties, and the BMA Specialty Explorer can help you investigate career possibilities later.¹
- Applicants should also check whether their chosen medical schools require the UCAT as part of the admissions process.⁸
What A Levels Are Required for Medicine?
For aspiring medicine students in the UK, there isn't a single set of A Levels you should do. Different medical schools ask for different combinations and have different accepted alternatives and grade thresholds, so the courses available to you will depend partly on what you choose at sixth form or college.⁴ Look at several universities before picking your A Levels.
Chemistry + Biology + Maths or Physics is one of the safest A Level combinations for Medicine if you want to keep a wide range of UK medical schools open to you. Requirements vary between courses, with some requiring Chemistry and Biology, others accepting different combinations of sciences, and some not making Chemistry compulsory at all.⁴ Three strong A Levels that meet your chosen universities’ requirements are normally enough, so choose a third subject you can perform well in rather than simply taking the subject that looks most impressive.
| Subject | Importance for Medicine | Why it helps | Admissions notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Very high | Builds knowledge of chemical and biochemical processes. | Required by many medical schools, but not all.⁴ |
| Biology | Very high | Builds knowledge of biological systems and human biology. | Required by many medical schools, but requirements vary by course.⁴ |
| Maths | Strong option | Develops quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills. | Accepted as a relevant science or mathematics subject by medical schools including Oxford.⁹ |
| Physics | Strong option | Develops scientific reasoning and quantitative skills. | Accepted as a relevant science subject by medical schools including Oxford.⁹ |
| Psychology | Useful alternative | Introduces behaviour, research methods and evidence-based analysis. | Accepted as a second science by some medical schools, including Plymouth.¹⁰ |
| Humanities or languages | Possible third subject | Adds academic breadth while letting students play to their strengths. | Can be accepted as the third A Level once required sciences are covered; Plymouth allows its third A Level from any subject area.¹⁰ |
Best A Level Combinations for Medicine
While there are differences across universities and medical schools, certain trends and subjects show up regularly. Generally, it's a good idea to start with Chemistry and Biology, as these will give you a flexible base. After that, the third subject can be chosen according to ability, interests and university requirements. Let's explore how Maths, Physics, Psychology and non-science subjects can each work without assuming that one route is automatically best for every student.
Chemistry, Biology and Maths
Chemistry, Biology and Physics
Chemistry, Biology and Psychology
Chemistry, Biology and a Non-Science Subject
| Combination | Best for | Main advantage | Potential drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry + Biology + Maths | Students who are strong in quantitative subjects | Keeps a broad range of Medicine options open while developing analytical skills. | Maths can add a demanding workload if it is not one of your strongest subjects. |
| Chemistry + Biology + Physics | Students who enjoy a science-heavy programme | Provides a broad science base and satisfies many common subject requirements. | Taking three laboratory or science-heavy subjects can create a demanding timetable. |
| Chemistry + Biology + Psychology | Students interested in behaviour and human sciences | Provides a more varied science combination, and Psychology is accepted as a second science by some universities.¹⁰ | Psychology is not treated as an accepted science by every medical school. |
| Chemistry + Biology + a non-science subject | Students with a strong academic subject outside the sciences | Lets you add academic breadth without automatically reducing your Medicine options when Chemistry and Biology already meet the science requirements. | You must check individual third-subject policies because medical-school requirements differ.⁴ |
Should You Take 3 or 4 A Levels for Medicine?
Medicine is competitive, but you don't necessarily gain an advantage by giving yourself more work. Medical schools typically publish their offers around three A Levels.⁴ Oxford advises applicants to prioritise the quality of their results rather than the number of qualifications they take.⁹ You should consider extra A Levels only if you can strengthen your application without harming your results across the other subjects. After all, there are certain skills that are preferable to 4 unimpressive A Level results.
Choose 3 A Levels If...
- Your three subjects already meet the entry requirements for the medical schools you are considering.
- You want to concentrate your time on achieving the highest possible grades.
- A fourth subject could reduce the time available for UCAT preparation and the rest of your Medicine application.
- You would only be taking a fourth A Level because you think universities expect it.
Consider 4 A Levels If...
- You genuinely enjoy all four subjects and are confident you can manage the workload.
- You are already performing strongly enough to maintain the grades required for Medicine.
- Your school supports you in taking four subjects.
- The fourth A Level has value to you beyond simply making your application look more competitive.
Taking four A Levels isn't automatically a way to strengthen your Medicine application. Taking 4 A Levels at certain places won't gain you any advantage over the predicted grades above a standard offer.³ Oxford even advises applicants to prioritise the quality of their results rather than the number of qualifications they take.⁹
Are you planning to take 3 or 4 A Levels?
A Level Combinations to Avoid for Medicine
There aren't really any subjects that are "bad" for Medicine and becoming a doctor, but you don't want to restrict where you can apply by picking a seemingly random subject. Start by choosing the compulsory A Levels first. Then you have the freedom to choose, knowing that you've already met the criteria.
Before finalising your A Levels, check the current entry requirements for at least 5–10 medical schools you might realistically apply to. Medical Schools Council notes that requirements are supplied directly by individual medical schools and can change, so they should always be verified against the university’s own information.⁴ Check the required subjects, typical grades, accepted third subjects, GCSE requirements, admissions tests and any rules on resits or excluded subject combinations.
University-Specific Medicine A Level Requirements
Medical-school requirements differ by school. Imperial requires Biology and Chemistry.² Oxford requires Chemistry alongside another specified science or mathematics subject.⁹ Newcastle's standard Medicine course does not specify a required science A Level.⁶ Check your subject choices against where you'd like to apply and make sure you leave options open.
| University | Typical A Level offer | Required A Levels | What it demonstrates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | A*AA | Biology and Chemistry | Some medical schools require both Biology and Chemistry.² |
| University of Oxford | A*AA | Chemistry plus at least one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics | Biology is not compulsory at every medical school.⁹ |
| University of Plymouth | A*AA–AAB | Biology plus a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology | Psychology can count as an accepted science, and the third A Level can be from any subject area.¹⁰ |
| Newcastle University | AAA | No specified science A Level | Some medical schools do not require applicants to study a science subject at A Level.⁶ |
Choosing A Levels Based on Future Medical Specialties
If you've got your heart set on a certain specialty, it can help to build your A Level choices around them. However, you can always specialise once you're at medical school. Tools such as the BMA Specialty Explorer can be useful for investigating those possibilities without treating sixth-form subjects as prerequisites for particular medical specialties.¹
A Levels
Choose subjects that meet medical-school entry requirements and give you the best chance of achieving strong grades.
Medical School
Complete your medical degree while gaining experience across different areas of Medicine and building a broad clinical foundation.
Foundation Training
Work across different clinical placements after graduation and develop practical experience before applying for specialty training.
Specialty Training
Apply for training in a chosen medical specialty once you have a clearer idea of the type of Medicine you want to pursue.
Using the BMA Specialty Explorer
UK medical specialties.¹
Beyond A Levels: UCAT, Work Experience and Your Application
Choosing the right A Levels is only part of your application. You have to do well in your subjects and may even need to meet GCSE criteria. Then there's the UCAT and other parts of the selection process. Extracurricular and work experience can also help.
References
- British Medical Association. “Specialty Explorer.” BMA. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/career-progression/finding-the-right-role/specialty-explorer
- Imperial College London. “Medicine MBBS/BSc.” Imperial College London. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/2027/medicine/
- Imperial College London. “MBBS Virtual Open Day: Frequently Asked Questions.” Imperial College London. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/study/undergraduate/medicine-mbbs-programmes/virtualopendays/mbbsopenday/faq/
- Medical Schools Council. “UK Medical School Entry Requirements.” Medical Schools Council. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.medschools.ac.uk/for-students/applying-to-medical-school/entry-requirements/?course_type=standard-entry-medicine
- Medical Schools Council. “Work Experience.” Medical Schools Council. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.medschools.ac.uk/for-students/applying-to-medical-school/work-experience/
- Newcastle University. “Apply to Medicine.” Newcastle University. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medicine/study/undergraduate/apply-medicine/
- UCAS. “How to Write Your Personal Statement: 2026 Entry.” UCAS. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.ucas.com/node/414351
- UCAT Consortium. “Universities.” UCAT. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/universities/
- University of Oxford. “Medicine: Academic Entry & Age Requirements.” Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/requirements/academic
- University of Plymouth. “BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.” University of Plymouth. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/bmbs-bachelor-of-medicine-bachelor-of-surgery
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