Biomedical Sciences: Do I need to declare AS module information, and, if my results are disappointing, should I resit?
AS data is an optional field on the UCAS form, so candidates and schools do have flexibility in the amount of detail submitted to us. That being the case, we cannot use module information in any formal way when short-listing candidates for interview, and our entry requirements and offers will not specify the need for particular AS or A2 module grades.
It would be usual for candidates to have achieved A grades in AS subjects particularly relevant for Biomedical Sciences, such as sciences and maths, but we take great care to assess each applicant as an individual (any personal or school circumstances that may have affected examination performance will be recognised). We are looking for individuals with capability to do well at a course that is demanding both in breadth and depth: an applicant who is struggling to reach at least the standard of an A grade in an AS or A2 module is not likely to be well-suited to it, whereas a student performing consistently well across all modules stands a stronger chance of competing successfully for a place on our programme. There may be special reasons why particular students do not do well at the start of AS studies, but they should put any doubt about their potential behind them by the time they take A2 if they are to be realistic prospects for a place.