What A levels do you need for medicine?

For almost every UK medical school, the answer starts with Chemistry: you need it at A level, typically at grade A or above. Most schools then want Biology or a second science/maths subject, with typical offers of AAA to A*AA. On top of grades you will almost certainly need the UCAT admissions test, and your UCAS application is due by 15 October 2026 - three months earlier than most courses.

Requirements vary by medical school, so treat the below as the verified pattern with examples, then check each school. Everything here was checked against university and UCAS pages on 20 September 2026.

The subjects that matter

Chemistry is the near-universal requirement. Almost every UK medical school requires A level Chemistry. This is the single most common avoidable rejection in medicine applications: strong grades, wrong subjects.

Biology is the standard second subject - but not always mandatory. Many schools accept Physics or Mathematics in its place. Examples for 2027 entry:

• Bristol (AAA): Chemistry plus one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics
• Manchester (AAA): Biology or Chemistry, plus one from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Maths or Further Maths - and explicitly no preference between sciences for the third subject
• Birmingham (A*AA): predicted to include Biology and Chemistry

The third subject is usually flexible. Most medical schools accept any third A level, though combinations of very similar subjects (Biology with Human Biology, Maths with Further Maths) often will not count together, and General Studies and Critical Thinking are routinely excluded.

GCSEs matter too. Many schools set minimums in English, Maths and sciences - check them early, because they are easier to fix in Year 11 than to explain in Year 13.

Typical grades

The standard offer range is AAA to A*AA. Birmingham asks A*AA; Bristol, Manchester and many others ask AAA. Contextual offers drop this - Bristol's contextual offer is ABB, Manchester's AAB - so check eligibility if your school or background might qualify.

One more structural rule: you can only use four of your five UCAS choices for medicine. The fifth is free for a backup, and biomedical sciences is the conventional pick because the subject overlap keeps your personal statement coherent.

The UCAT

Almost all UK medical schools require the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), sat in the summer/autumn of the year you apply - the result is valid for one application cycle only. Key points:

• Registration and booking open months before the test window; the window itself typically runs July to September
• You must sit it before the 15 October UCAS deadline
• Schools use scores differently: some rank applicants for interview by UCAT, others apply a threshold. Manchester, for instance, states it will not consider applicants with Band 3 or 4 in the Situational Judgement section
• Bursaries are available to cover the test fee

Check the UCAT website for the current cycle's dates - they shift each year.

Beyond grades: what selectors actually weigh

Medicine is not won on grades alone. Medical schools shortlist on a combination of UCAT, GCSE profile, personal statement and - decisively - interviews, usually in MMI (multiple mini interview) format, between roughly November and March. Relevant experience matters: clinical work experience is ideal, but schools consistently say caring roles, volunteering and sustained commitment count, especially since clinical shadowing is hard to access. What they test is whether you understand what medicine involves, not how many hours you logged.

If your subjects or grades do not fit

• Foundation and gateway years (typically widening-access) offer a route in with lower grades
• Graduate-entry medicine requires a strong degree first, often with specific A level science requirements still attached
• Resits: policies vary sharply - some schools exclude them, some allow with extenuating circumstances. Check before assuming

Comparing requirements across 40-plus medical schools is exactly the kind of work the Tansiky matcher does for you: enter your subjects and predicted grades for a free preview of which medical schools you are eligible for, and the £9.99 report adds the four-choice strategy, UCAT notes and source links per school.

Further reading: How to choose your five UCAS choices · UCAS deadlines 2027 · What A levels for law?

Frequently asked questions

What A levels do I need for medicine?

Chemistry at A level almost everywhere, usually with Biology or another science/maths, at AAA to A*AA, plus the UCAT at most schools.

Can I study medicine without Biology A level?

At many schools, yes - Chemistry plus Physics or Maths is widely accepted. Some schools do require Biology specifically, so verify each one.

How many medicine choices can I make on UCAS?

Four of your five choices. The fifth is typically used for a related backup like biomedical sciences.

What is the medicine UCAS deadline for 2027 entry?

18:00 on 15 October 2026 - three months before the main January deadline.

Do medical schools accept A level resits?

Policies vary by school, from full acceptance to exclusion except with extenuating circumstances. Check each school's stated policy.

Sources: University of Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Edge Hill 2027 entry medicine pages, UCAS course search, UCAS deadline pages - checked 20 September 2026.