What Qualifications Do You Need To Be a Doctor?

FAQs

Can I use Functional Skills Maths Level 2 to get into medical school?

In most cases, no. Functional Skills Maths Level 2 is a useful qualification that many employers, colleges and courses accept, but UK medical schools do not usually accept it on its own in place of GCSE Maths.

At Functional Skills Maths Level 2, we know how important it is to check whether a qualification will be accepted for your chosen career before you start studying, and medicine is one of the careers where that check really matters.

So what maths qualification do medical schools want instead?

Medical schools look for GCSE Maths, along with GCSE English and GCSE Science covering Biology and Chemistry. Most ask for grade 6 or above, and the most competitive, such as Oxford and Cambridge, ask for grade 7 or higher. You can check the GCSE grades required for doctor training in more detail before you decide what to study.

Where could Functional Skills Maths still help me?

Functional Skills is accepted for lots of jobs and courses, and it can be a good fit for some other healthcare careers. Nursing roles, for example, are more flexible about Functional Skills than medicine is. If you are interested in healthcare but not set on being a doctor, it is worth looking at the entry requirements for related careers too.

What does the full education route into medicine look like?

If you are wondering what education do you need to be a doctor, the main stages are: GCSEs, A levels, an admissions test, a medical degree, a two-year Foundation Programme and then specialty training. Each stage needs to be completed before you can move on to the next.

Which A levels will I need?

Chemistry is needed for almost every UK medical school, and Biology is needed or strongly preferred by most. Maths or Physics is a good choice for your third subject. Most medical schools ask for AAA, and some ask for A*AA. For more detail, read this guide on what A-levels do you need to be a doctor. Access to HE Diplomas are not accepted for direct entry to medicine, so A levels are the usual route.

Will my maths skills be useful later on?

Yes. As well as GCSE Maths, many medicine applicants choose Maths as their third A level. The UCAT admissions test also has a Quantitative Reasoning section, which looks at how well you work with numbers. Strong maths skills can help you at several points along the way.

What is the UCAT?

The University Clinical Aptitude Test, or UCAT, is needed by almost every UK medical school. It is a two-hour test you take on a computer, and it has five parts: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Situational Judgement.

How long does it take to train as a doctor?

Most medical degrees take five years. After that, new doctors spend two years on the NHS Foundation Programme and register with the General Medical Council so they can practise legally. Specialty training then takes between three and eight years, depending on the area you choose. This hospital doctor career guide gives a good idea of what the job is like.

Is there a different route if I already have a degree?

Yes. If you have a degree at 2:1 or above, you can apply for a four-year graduate entry medicine course. You would usually take the GAMSAT test instead of the UCAT. Places are limited, so competition is high.

Where can I find out more?

This doctor career guide explains the different roles and specialties open to doctors. For a full list of the qualifications required to become a doctor, the Pass Learn careers guide sets everything out clearly, and the Pass Learn home page has more about studying for qualifications online.

Written by

Pass Functional Skills Team

We help thousands of students each year with revision, courses and online exams.