Biomedical Sciences: Academic Requirements
If you are based outside the UK, and are not following A-levels or the IB, please see our page for international applicants.
A-LEVELS
A*AA in three A-levels, including two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
Typical standard conditional offers:
Candidate circumstances | Subjects and grades |
---|---|
For a candidate who has not completed any A-Levels during Year 12: |
Grades A*AA at A-Level, including Grade A in any two of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking). |
For a candidate who has completed an A-Level during Year 12 but not in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics: | Grades A*AA at A-Level, including Grade A in any two of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking). |
For a candidate who has achieved a Grade A at A-Level in one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics during Year 12: | Grades A*A at A-Level, including Grade A in any one of the remaining three desired subjects (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking). |
For a candidate who has achieved a Grade A* at A-Level in one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics during Year 12: | Grades AA at A-Level, including Grade A in any one of the remaining three desired subjects (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking). |
NB: we expect you to have taken and passed any practical component in your chosen science subjects.
NB: where an applicant takes an A-Level early, we would recommend that they nevertheless take three A-Levels in Year 13, even though their conditional offer will only be based on two A-levels.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
Two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics must be taken to Higher Level. Candidates will be expected to achieve a score of 7, 6, 6 at Higher Level, and an overall score of 39 points.
SCOTTISH HIGHERS & ADVANCED HIGHERS
Typically, AA at Advanced Higher (taken in one academic year), including at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics
plus
5 Grade A Highers (taken in one academic year), including at least two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
As an indicator of academic ability, and recognising that students may themselves benefit by following more than one subject in greater depth to Advanced Higher, we encourage Scottish candidates to take more than one subject at Advanced Higher (whenever possible).
CAMBRIDGE PRE-U
D2D3D3 in three principal subjects, including two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
A D2 grade in a principal subject at Cambridge Pre-U equates to an A* grade at A-level (and a D3 equates to an A grade), so if one principal subject is being taken in place of an A-level a D2 or D3 grade will be used as an equivalent.
For applicants who have taken one subject a year early, please see the table in the A-level section above for likely conditional offers.
BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA
Our requirements for an applicant taking BTEC qualifications would typically be:
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science plus 1 A-level
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate or Foundation Diploma in Applied Science plus 2 A-levels (one of which must be in Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics)
- BTEC Level 3 qualification in any subject plus 2 A-levels in Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics
Applicants will be required to achieve grades of D*DD or the equivalent.
GENERAL LEVEL OF ATTAINMENT IN SCIENCES & MATHS
In order to be adequately equipped for the BMAT and for the academic demands of the course, and if any of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics have not been taken on to a higher level (A-level, Higher level in the IB, or equivalent), candidates will need to show that they have received a basic education in those subjects.
ACCESS OR FOUNDATION COURSES
Access and Foundation courses can meet the basic requirements for entry with certain provisos. These courses will only be acceptable alternatives to A-levels and equivalent qualifications if it can be demonstrated that:
- the course covers the same content as the A-levels (or equivalent) we ask for in our entry criteria (and to an equal standard);
- entry to the course was competitive in nature;
- the syllabus has been assessed by formal written examination, and
- the final result is going to be classified.
To make a competitive application, students would need to be performing at the highest level, and be on track to gain a distinction, or equivalent.
CONTACT US FOR FURTHER ADVICE
Any candidate in doubt as to their academic eligibility for this course can seek advice from us by sending us an email with details of their educational background to: bmsadmissions@medsci.ox.ac.uk. Those wishing to offer qualifications other than the ones listed above are asked to consult the University's listing of qualifications. Our subject-specific advice will then apply in addition to this general advice.