What Qualifications Do You Need To Be a Doctor?
FAQs
Is it too late to become a doctor as an adult?
Not at all. Plenty of people decide on medicine after working in another job, raising a family or simply realising later on that it is the career they really want. The route takes time, but the requirements are the same whatever your age, so as long as you can meet them, the door is open.
What does the whole route look like, in a nutshell?
The steps to becoming a qualified doctor go roughly like this: get the right GCSEs, take A levels in the sciences, sit the UCAT admissions test, complete a medical degree, then finish the two-year Foundation Programme and specialty training. It sounds like a lot, but each stage leads neatly into the next.
What GCSE grades will medical schools want to see?
Most medical schools look for grade 6 or above (roughly the old grade B) in English, Maths and Science, with Biology and Chemistry covered either as separate sciences or through Combined Science. The most competitive universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, want grade 7 or higher across the board. Requirements differ between universities, so it is worth checking the GCSE grades required for doctor training at the schools you have in mind.
How important is maths if I want to study medicine?
Very. GCSE Maths is a must, Maths makes a strong third A level alongside Chemistry and Biology, and the UCAT includes a Quantitative Reasoning section that tests how comfortable you are with numbers. At QTS Maths Tutor, we know how much confidence in maths can shape someone’s options, and for a science-heavy career like medicine it really does make a difference.
Which A levels should I be looking at?
Chemistry is the big one, as it is required by almost every UK medical school. Biology is required or strongly preferred by most, and Maths or Physics rounds things off nicely. Most medical schools ask for AAA, and some ask for A*AA. You can find a full breakdown of the A-level requirements for medicine if you want to compare your options.
Are there any shortcuts, like Functional Skills or an Access course?
Sadly, not for medicine. Functional Skills Level 2 is accepted for lots of jobs and courses, but it is not usually enough on its own for a medical degree. Access to HE Diplomas are a great route into nursing and midwifery, but medical schools do not accept them for direct entry.
I already have a degree. Is there a quicker route?
Yes. If you have a 2:1 or above, you can apply for a four-year accelerated graduate entry programme instead of the standard five-year degree. Places are limited and very competitive, and you will usually sit the GAMSAT rather than the UCAT.
What happens once I finish medical school?
You will move onto the two-year NHS Foundation Programme (Foundation Year 1 and Foundation Year 2) and register with the General Medical Council, which you need to do to practise legally. After that comes specialty training, lasting anywhere from three to eight years depending on your chosen area. The doctors career page on National Careers Service is a handy place to see what the day-to-day job involves.
What sort of doctor could I end up being?
There is a lot of choice. Qualified doctors go on to work as GPs, consultants, surgeons, paediatricians and medical researchers, among other roles. This doctor career path guide is a good read if you are still weighing up which direction suits you.
Where should I start if I am coming back to studying?
Start by working out what you need to become a doctor compared with the qualifications you already have. For most adults, that means filling any gaps in GCSE English, Maths or Science first. If you are looking for flexible ways to study around work or home life, the range of Pass Learn courses is worth a look.
QTS Maths Tutor Team
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