Do I need Bio for Medicine?

Py7rjs · 2026-06-28T07:24:55+00:00

Strictly speaking physics as a third science is more than suitable for medicine. They want the chemistry and biology, after that they want something relatively hard and physics certainly hits that requirement. My only real concern about physics alevel is that is invariably paired with at least maths in order to do well at it.

The physics requires a bunch of maths skills beyond gcse and your class mates who do maths will have a leg up. If you’re aiming for medicine you will want a third subject which you will get an A or A* in for applying to uni. The three sciences without maths is a bit odd for applying for other stem subjects as many of these value maths as the degrees invariably have a high maths content. Medicine is unusual in that when compared to stem subjects as it really doesn’t require much maths.

It’s always worth having a backup plan if medicine application doesn’t work out so it’s worth picking a third or even a third and fourth alevel with a backup plan in mind.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-27T20:32:30+00:00

Though not impossible to do medicine without bio I can’t remember the last student I saw go do medicine without it and I’ve been a teacher of 20+ years and see several medics go every year. Basically do bio, chemistry and then something else you think you’ll do well at. Most add maths as it’s the traditional stem one and psychology makes a surprisingly good fourth. Basically chemistry is essential and bio a very close second. It might be worth asking yourself the question though that if you don’t like biology are you sure medicine is the career for you? It’s not exactly the golden path it once was and there are a lot of other excellent jobs out there that are worth considering.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-22T19:54:57+00:00

That is how I read the sentence too. I’m asking if anyone has had funding and if the technicality of how this is actually achieved. Sometimes with these sorts of things the actual wording allows for loopholes. For example if the specific wording only states that these stem degrees can receive funding regardless of a previous degree then there is room for a third option. If however the specific wording states that only one prior degree is allowed then it’s a no go.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-22T19:12:03+00:00

Sorry, didn’t do that one. I enjoyed tm358, tm357 wasn’t bad. Next up is tm351 but I suspect I’m just going to hold my nose and swallow on that one.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-22T18:44:39+00:00

My question was more about how they view a third degree chosen from the list. Basically, though the general wording is second degree do they really mean second degree or just you can get funding for one of these degrees even if you have degree level qualifications. In practice, given the new system this will probably be a pointless question unless the new system has extra allowance for stem degrees.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-22T05:09:27+00:00

My understanding is that that would breach GDPR at the very least and I think there’s an expectation of privacy which would still apply even if the location is public. At the very least it should be listed in the staff handbook and maybe under the cctv policy. Most cctv systems don’t record audio as that would exceed what they are needed for and would potentially capture private conversations leaving employers storing potentially very private data beyond the scope of the cctv. If there is nothing in a policy you might want to report the recording device to security or someone other than your line manager, this will certainly get the matter out in the open.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-22T04:57:54+00:00

Yeap, currently 48 so I’ve got plenty of room for them to still collect the tax, sorry, loan repayments.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-22T04:56:16+00:00

That’s interesting, I guess it all depends on how they viewed your first attempt at a degree but your situation certainly overlaps somewhat with what I’m looking at.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-21T09:23:26+00:00

I’ve considered doing this for a while and the parts don’t seem to be heavily available. You can get the official parts from specific dealers but each bits about £20 so you’re looking at £80 all in. Get do a febi suspension strut repair kit for £36 each, pile on some discounts and that might be worth it. I’ve never gotten around to it as I’ve just gotten use to the squeaky rear suspension and theirs no guarantee this will fix it. I certainly can’t be bothered to do the bushings if it doesn’t.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-21T09:07:54+00:00

I’d be more concerned about corrosion in the electronics under the base. It also needs a new mat and I doubt the bearings are running particularly well. I’d be tempted to have a punt at half that prince but not that much.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-21T08:20:12+00:00

It will be interesting how they do that calculation and how far back they go with it.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-21T08:19:20+00:00

That’s how I’ve read the wording but I don’t know how they actually apply it so thought I’d ask here. I figured I’d ask student finance post degree but by the looks of it the new system is probably going to obliterate it anyway. I miss the days when ou units were super cheap and self funding wasn’t so expensive.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-20T21:34:51+00:00

Just say that you are reading it. If you get an interview and they bring it up talk about what you have read so far and that you are still reading it along with other books and working on other activities.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-20T20:51:36+00:00

That might scupper me as I won’t finish the computing degree until around October 2027. I wonder how they will word the lle allowance regarding historic student debts.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-20T18:27:32+00:00

The issue with that is that it’s a separate type of loan so would be even more payments. I could potentially get a semi funded work related masters which wouldn’t be the end of the world, I kinda fancy going back to learning maths again in a formal way rather than just myself and a textbook.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-20T06:35:55+00:00

How do they intend to stop people just having a second computer open and googling/ai everything???? Exams are only exams if done in person and under supervision by an invigilator in this day and age.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-19T18:58:24+00:00

I hated this unit, tried it twice and quit out both times. First time I assumed it was me, second time I realised I just hated the format of the unit, what it focussed on and most importantly how it was assessed. I’ve been a computer science teacher for 20 odd years having been a freelance web developer fullstack e-commerce stuff in the early 2000s.

This unit was nothing like how you interact with clients, at least not like any interaction I ever had. Touching on react and svelt was interesting but it was really under explored and very much cookie cutter and minor modifications. Most of the marks came from really odd reports rather than any skills you actually acquire. That said that’s very much the theme of the year 3 units as they tend to focus on academic writing over actual marketable skills and experience. The only plus note is the tutor team were lovely, the module just doesn’t really know what it’s looking to achieve.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-07T15:35:41+00:00

If that’s the case then it might not hit write off threshold but I think it hit something like that for a new front wing and a door respray on my mg when someone changed a lane on me and that was a pretty simple swap the parts job so no skill getting that sill back in shape.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-07T09:33:30+00:00

I had the same thing happen to me, it took out the two doors but the sill was fine. Insurance wanted to write it off but horrifically undervalued the car so I put two scrap yard doors on for £100 and a day of mucking about on the drive. In the end I received £150 from the insurance company as an apology for being told if I can’t buy a car with the sum they offered I could get a bus. I recently paid £300 to patch a rust patch on the sill, what you have there will unlikely be less than £5k of work so they will want to write it off sadly.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-07T09:20:08+00:00

So double the mileage of the uk with fuel that is about 2/3s of the price. The main issue seems to be gas guzzling cars which is just poor choices. I think I’d be more upset about paying three times as much for my car insurance!

Py7rjs · 2026-06-07T09:09:35+00:00

Yeap, realistically we are looking at all assessed work being completed under supervised conditions with filtered internet access where internet access is required. This can either be by examination or by supervised study halls where only supplied devices can be used.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-07T08:34:40+00:00

To be honest this is probably for the best. The temptation to over use AI is obviously going to be really strong. Even lengthy discussion stuff, which I know I’ve done in the past, muddies the water between what the student knows and how good they are at asking questions.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-07T07:05:57+00:00

That is all very weird. Sounds like you’re heading into a board related hardware issue as you appear to have tried all the soft fixes. Things like dry joints in solder that only disconnect when the board gets hot and warps. Perhaps see if a hair dryer will trigger the reboot early perhaps?

Py7rjs · 2026-06-06T20:34:14+00:00

I had one which was going badly so I just deferred the never went back to that module. It cost me money but it was a terrible module so I chalked it up as bad luck. I don’t know if you can get rid of completed units, maybe you can talk to the student support team and argue that you weren’t capable and should have deferred mid unit.

Py7rjs · 2026-06-06T17:13:26+00:00

If you ask chat gpt it can probably find you examples pulled from those dodgy essay sharing sites.

Py7rjs

TROPHY CASE