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There’s no intrinsic limit on how many A-Level subjects you can take. Some people will take one A-Level (usually alongside other qualifications, like BTECs or T levels) and at the other end of the spectrum, some people may take as many as six A-Levels in two years! That said, the standard number of A-Levels to take in the two year period the qualifications are expected to take is three. Because of this, all medical schools accept students based on three A-Levels, sat over two years.
Some students, though, do choose to sit four (or in some exceptional cases five or six) A-Levels in two years. This is usually because they want to study the extra subject and feel they have capacity to cope with the workload, and lots of people do secure high grades taking four A-Levels. People taking more than four A-Levels are usually taking very similar subjects (e.g., Maths, Further Maths and Statistics and two other qualifications) or a language they already speak fluently – otherwise the workload is much too high for anyone to manage.
Bear in mind that your school may have its own internal policies about how many subjects you can take. Many schools feel that, as universities only ask for three A-Levels, there’s no point taking more, so won’t facilitate or timetable four A-Levels. Other schools will want all students to start with four subjects in year 12 and drop down to three in year 13. If you’re currently looking into your sixth form options, it’s worth checking this as a key part of your decision.
Medical schools all make admissions policies on the basis of three A-Levels. They only expect students to be taking three A-Levels, and not all schools offer four, so that is considered the default.
For the vast majority of medical schools, therefore, a fourth A-Level won’t even be on their radar – they will simply check that you meet their admissions criteria based on three A-Levels, and then move on to the rest of the admissions process. Cambridge has a more holistic admissions process where tutors review a whole application, so taking four A-Levels may help demonstrate you can cope with their workload, but all other medical schools won’t be bothered.
However, taking four A-Levels may change your offer after you are offered a place as you have more subjects with which to make the offer. Anecdotally, people who take four A-Levels and miss a grade might more likely to still be offered a place, but it’s not really possible to prove how likely this is and how much it might impact you if so.
Three A-Levels is the standard number for a reason – this is the right workload for most people! Focusing on three subjects, rather than overextending yourself, may make you more likely to do well in those subjects and get the grades you need for medical school. After all, the most crucial thing is getting your 3 As or A*AA. You will also have more time to prepare for the UCAT and your interviews in your final year of school.
Four A-Levels will be an academic challenge for many people, which may be something that appeals to you. You might also have a fourth subject you’re genuinely interested in and don’t want to stop studying. Of course, you don’t have to have an A-Level in something to learn about it, but it can help – and extra knowledge may well help you in your medical school interview. You may also find that being busier means you have to manage your time better and actually helps you succeed.
The vast majority of schools that allow students to take four A-Levels will have established pathways to drop down to three, although this may happen at specific times of year. Adding an extra A-Level is likely to be a lot harder as you will have missed some lessons and need to catch up, and it may not be well timetabled with your subjects. If you’re having any doubts about your A-Level subjects, speak to a trusted teacher – this will be something they see all the time.
There are also intermediate options halfway between taking a whole extra A-Level, like taking a subject to AS level (in England, these are now standalone qualifications, separate from your A-Levels), doing an Extended Project Qualification or even simply attending lectures or listening to podcasts as a hobby.
Whatever you choose, it’s always worth hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Having a plan B for your grades aren’t what you hoped for is always smart. Our blogs on reapplying, gap years and retaking A-Levels are worth looking over to make sure you’re prepared!
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