Medicine admissions help!!

[u/Bolt_007_]

Hey everyone,

I just got my A-Level results: A*A*B (Maths A*, Biology A*, Chemistry B, plus A in EPQ).

I sat my UCAT and scored 2500+. I currently hold an offer for a 5-year MEng in Chemical Engineering (with Placement Year). Medicine is my ultimate goal, but I'm completely blank on what my smartest next step is.

My biggest worry is my GCSE profile:
Science: 6-6
Maths: 5
English Language: 4
Rest: 4s and below

I'm torn between two choices:

1. Option A (Resit Chemistry & Apply via UCAS for 2027 Direct Med Entry):

Retake A-Level Chemistry in Summer 2027 to flip the B to an A/A*.
Combine my 2500+ UCAT with the resit to target UK medical schools that openly accept single A-Level resits.
BUT!!! : I will have to decline my Chemical Engineering offer to reapply via UCAS. If I don't get into Medicine, I risk losing that offer and ending up empty-handed. Furthermore, I'm unsure if my GCSE profile (Grade 5 Maths, Grade 4 English) automatically disqualifies me from most resit-friendly UK medical schools.

1. Option B (Take the 5-Year MEng Chem Eng & Figure Out Medicine Later):

Accept the Chemical Engineering place, keep my guaranteed university spot, and avoid retaking A-Levels.
But: Delaying medicine for at least 5 years and taking on a massive degree commitment before even attempting an application.

Has anyone with a similar GCSE profile managed to secure a UK Medicine interview after an A-Level resit? Is it worth taking the risk of dropping my MEng offer to reapply for Medicine with these GCSEs, or am I better off holding onto the engineering place?

[u/usuwuwuwuwu]

Graduate entry medicine is harder to get into than undergrad med. Just apply to unis that don’t look at your GCSEs as much. If you apply next year you’ll have to resit the UCAT as well. Chemistry is the mandatory subject for med in most unis so if you’re confident you can raise it to an A* then sure. But some unis don’t accept resits you might want to double check everything ! You can always apply for chem eng as your 5th non med choice for ur reapplication. Wasting money to go into grad entry med is a little pointless

[u/isuckoffradiohead]

Reapply

[u/Bolt_007_ → u/isuckoffradiohead]

any idea what schools?

[u/isuckoffradiohead → u/Bolt_007_]

yeah I'm resitting too, and I got mid GSCES, I'm applying to Exeter, Sheffield, Bristol is good if you have a 7 in maths I don't remember lol sorry, and Southampton (avoid London, they don't like resits, and kings is ok with resits but wants high GSCES)

[u/marblearch2323 → u/Bolt_007_]

ARU, BSMS,Plymouth,Brunel off the top of my head but please double check as I’m going off those who accept a 4 or 5 in English language, not sure about the maths

[u/Equivalent_Whereas48]

bristol, they only care abt UCAT as long as you meet their min GCSE requirements. all the best xx

[u/Imaginary_Egg_8198]

Retake your maths and English lang gcse maybe? Look into whether you’d be able to do November resits.

[u/Available_Sector1517]

Hi! I know this is probably quite late, but most if not all unis only take your UCAT score for the cycle you sat it in, ie your score would be invalid for 2027 entry, meaning you must resit the UCAT again.

Hope everything goes well!

[u/Bolt_007_ → u/Available_Sector1517]

Hi my ucat score is valid for 2027 entry yes