What grades do you need to get into medical school?
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.
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)
Barts
A*AA
Chemistry or biology and a second science subject (chemistry, biology, physics or maths). Any third subject except for further maths
Birmingham
AAA
Biology and chemistry
Brighton and Sussex
AAA
Biology and chemistry
Bristol
AAA
Chemistry and one of biology, physics or 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
AAB
Chemistry, another science subject, and a third academic subject
Dundee
AAA
Chemistry and another science, achieved in one sitting
Edge Hill
AAA (third subject may be B if biology and/or chemistry is at A*)
Biology and chemistry
Edinburgh
AAA
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 (standard offer likely to be A*AA with the A* in chemistry or biology)
Chemistry and biology
Keele
AAA
Biology or chemistry, plus another from biology, chemistry, economics, further maths, maths, physics, psychology or statistics
Kent and Medway
AAB
Chemistry or biology, plus another from chemistry, biology, maths, psychology or physics
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 or biology. Physics or maths if chemistry is not taken
Leicester
AAA (A*AB considered if you have an A in chemistry or biology)
Chemistry or biology plus another from biology, chemistry, physics, maths or psychology
Liverpool
AAA
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. Use of maths, world development, communication and culture 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 or maths
Plymouth
A*AA-AAB
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 (in one sitting)
Chemistry or biology and another science (biology, chemistry, maths, physics or psychology). Further maths is not accepted
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
Chemistry and biology
Sunderland
AAA (in one sitting)
Chemistry or biology plus a second science subject. Only one subject from a combination of maths or further maths or statistics will be considered within the three A-levels
UCL
A*AA
Biology and chemistry
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Summary
If you miss out on AAA grades, it is likely you won't be able to apply straight away for Direct Entry Medicine. Don't discount the other options available to you however.
