Do International Students Need Biology and Chemistry for Medicine in the UK?

Quick answer ✅

For almost all standard UK medicine courses (the usual 5-year MBBS/MBChB):

• Chemistry and Biology are either required or strongly preferred at an advanced level (A-level or equivalent).

• Many medical schools explicitly require both Biology and Chemistry at high grades – for example, King’s College London asks for A*AA at A-level, including grade A in both subjects. 

• A minority of schools accept “Chemistry or Biology + another science”, but even they often say Biology or Chemistry must be included. 

• International students are expected to meet the same subject pattern as UK (home) students – the difference is how your national qualifications are converted to A-level equivalence. 

So, if you are an international student and you want to keep your options wide open, the safest choice is:

🔑 Study both Biology and Chemistry at the highest level your school offers.

Why do UK medical schools care so much about Biology and Chemistry? 🧬🧪

Medicine is an applied science. UK medical schools expect you to arrive with a strong foundation in:

• Biology – human physiology, genetics, infection, immunity, cell biology

• Chemistry – biochemistry, drug mechanisms, pH, buffering, reaction pathways

The British Medical Association notes that UK medical schools generally look for Chemistry at A-level and often Biology plus another science subject, because these provide the academic base needed for the course. 

The Medical Schools Council (MSC), which represents UK medical schools, publishes an annual guide to entry requirements and confirms that standard-entry courses typically demand top grades in core sciences. 

In simple terms:

🟢 Chemistry proves you can handle the “why and how” at the molecular level.
🟢 Biology proves you understand living systems and the human body.

Together, they show admissions tutors that you are ready for a very demanding degree.

What do official bodies and real medical schools say? 🌍

1. Medical Schools Council & BMA overview

• The Medical Schools Council entry requirements tool lets you compare every UK medical school and shows that science requirements almost always involve Chemistry and/or Biology at high grades. 

• MSC international guidance confirms that medical schools accept a range of non-UK qualifications, but you must still meet their subject expectations, typically including core sciences. 

• The BMA similarly describes Chemistry at A-level and often Biology plus another science as the standard profile for UK applicants. 

These bodies don’t set exact subject combinations, but they make the pattern very clear: strong science, especially Chemistry and Biology, is non-negotiable.

2. Examples from individual UK medical schools

Let’s look at how this plays out in practice. The requirements below are for the standard 5-year entry (2025/26 cycles – always double-check the latest information).

🔴 Universities that require both Biology and Chemistry

• King’s College London (MBBS)

  • A-level: A*AA, must include grade A in Biology and Chemistry. 

  • IB: typically 38 points with Higher Level Biology and Chemistry. 

• Imperial College London (MBBS/BSc)

  • A-level: AAA, with Biology and Chemistry plus a third subject. 

  • IB: 38 points including HL Biology and HL Chemistry. 

• Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) – for graduates, they explicitly require A-level-equivalent Biology and Chemistry in addition to their degree. 

If you do not have both Biology and Chemistry (or their exact equivalents) you  cannot apply to these schools.

🟠 Universities that require one of Biology or Chemistry, but still expect strong sciences

Some schools offer flexibility, but Chemistry/Biology remains central.

• University of Manchester (MBChB)

  • A-level: AAA, including Biology or Chemistry, and a second science from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology or Maths. 

• University of Glasgow (MBChB)

  • Typical A-level profile AAA with Chemistry and Biology or another science, again emphasising both core sciences. 

• Greater Manchester School of Medicine (newer provider)

  • A-level (international students): AAB, including one of Chemistry or Biology, plus another science and a third subject. 

Here, at least one of Biology or Chemistry is compulsory, and the other science options do not replace the need for a strong science profile.

🟢 Universities where Biology is compulsory, Chemistry strongly favoured as the second science

• University of Southampton (BMBS)

  • A-level: AAA, including Biology and one additional science. Acceptable extra sciences include Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Studies or Geography.

• University of Plymouth (BMBS)

  • Typical A-level offer: A*AA–AAB, which must include Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology. 

In these cases, you must take Biology, and if you choose Chemistry as the second science, you are in a very strong position.

So… do you need both Biology and Chemistry?

Putting all of this together:

• A significant number of top-tier schools (e.g. King’s, Imperial) require both Biology and Chemistry. 

• Many others require Biology or Chemistry + another science, but still strongly emphasise those two. 

• Wider summaries from reputable organisations describe Chemistry as the most important subject, with Biology expected by many schools as well. 

👉 If you are serious about medicine in the UK as an international student, you should plan to study both Biology and Chemistry.
Without at least one of them, your options shrink dramatically. Without both, many of the most popular medical schools are closed to you.

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Do international students have different subject rules? 🌏

This is a really common worry, but the answer is reassuring:

✅ Subject requirements are essentially the same for UK and international applicants.

What changes is:

• how your grades are translated into A-level equivalence

• fee status (home vs overseas)

• visa and English language requirements

The Medical Schools Council confirms that non-UK qualifications are accepted, but each university decides what scores are equivalent to AAA in the required subjects. 

So if the course says “A-level A*AA with Biology and Chemistry”, you should expect them to look for the same pattern in your IB, AP, CBSE, ATAR or other qualifications.

How does this work if you’re not taking A-levels?

Let’s look at the most common international pathways.

1. International Baccalaureate (IB) 🟦

Typical requirements for UK medicine are around 36–39 points overall with high scores in sciences:

• Many schools ask for 38–39 points with 6s or 7s in Higher Level sciences, including Chemistry and either Biology or another science. 

• For example, King’s College London and Imperial both expect HL Biology and HL Chemistry as part of their IB conditions for medicine. 

In simple IB terms:

🎯 Take Biology HL + Chemistry HL if you want maximum choice.

2. US curriculum (APs, High School Diploma) 🇺🇸

Requirements vary widely, but in general:

• Universities will ask for very high AP scores (often 5s) in Biology, Chemistry and/or other sciences, plus a strong GPA. 

• The key principle is the same: your profile must mirror A-level Biology and Chemistry in both content and level.

Always check the “International applicants” or “country-specific requirements” section on each medical school’s site and, if needed, email admissions for clarification. 

3. Other national systems (e.g. CBSE, ISC, WAEC, ATAR, European diplomas)

Again, you’ll usually see requirements along the lines of:

• top overall scores (often top few per cent of your cohort)

• high marks in Chemistry and Biology (sometimes Physics/Maths as well)

The MSC and universities themselves emphasise that you must check what your own grades correspond to in A-level terms, especially for medicine, where standards are higher than for most other courses. 

What if you don’t have Biology and/or Chemistry? 🔄

Don’t panic – but do be realistic. There are options, but they nearly always cost extra time and money.

1. Add the missing subject before you apply

If you are still in school or can take an extra year, the most straightforward solution is:

• Take the missing A-level (or equivalent) in Biology or Chemistry.

• Many students take a gap year and sit the extra subject, then apply with full achieved grades.

Admissions guidance from the BMA notes that students with mainly non-science A-levels are normally required to complete a science-based foundation course before medicine.

If you’re in Year 11 or early Year 12, this is the best time to adjust your subject choices.

2. Foundation or “gateway” year routes 🎓

Some universities offer:

• Medicine with a foundation year (6-year course)

• Access to Medicine or science foundation programmes that lead into medicine if specific conditions are met

The Medical Schools Council publishes guidance on Access to Medicine courses, setting minimum expectations for these pathways. 

Some universities also offer international foundation programmes in health or life sciences for international students. These may:

• have slightly lower entry grades

• provide the missing science content

• allow progression to medicine if you meet strict criteria (grades, UCAT, interview, etc.) 

However:

🔺 Foundation/gateway routes are highly competitive and not accepted everywhere.
Please make sure that your chosen foundation programme is explicitly recognised by the medical school you want.

3. Start in a related degree and then apply to medicine

A smaller number of medical schools reserve a limited number of places for high-performing students on associated degrees such as Biomedical Science:

• For example, the University of Plymouth notes that high-achieving Biomedical Science students who meet specific conditions (e.g. AAB at A-level with Biology + another science and a strong first-year average) may be considered for transfer into medicine.

This route is:

• not guaranteed

• often at least one extra year of study

• still subject to interviews and competitive selection

It can be a good Plan B, but it’s not a replacement for planning the right subjects from the start.

Subject planning tips by year group 🎯

If you’re in Year 10–11 (or equivalent)

🟢 Aim for:

• Triple Science at GCSE (or your local equivalent) if available

• Strong grades in Maths and English, which medical schools also expect

Then choose for your senior years (A-level / IB / equivalent):

• Biology

• Chemistry

• A third subject you enjoy and can score highly in (e.g. Maths, Physics, Psychology, or even a language or humanities subject).

If you’re choosing A-levels now

A very strong combination for international medicine applicants is:

• 🔹 Biology (required or expected by many schools)

• 🔹 Chemistry (arguably the most critical subject)

• 🔹 One of: Maths, Physics, Psychology, or a subject you can comfortably get an A in

Sources that summarise UK requirements emphasise that almost all medical schools require Chemistry and that most want at least one other science. 

If you’re doing the IB

To maximise your options:

• Choose Biology HL

• Choose Chemistry HL

• Keep Maths at a level where you can still achieve a strong score

This aligns closely with what schools like King’s and Imperial expect from IB applicants. 

How to check exact requirements for your situation (step-by-step) 🔍

1. Use the Medical Schools Council entry requirements tool

   • Filter by course (standard entry, foundation, graduate, etc.).

   • Check the “Subjects and grades” section for each school. Medical Schools Council

2. Open each university’s own medicine page

   • Look for headings such as “Entry requirements” and “International applicants”.

   • Confirm the latest subject and grade expectations, plus English language and test requirements. 

3. Check the “International applicants” / “Non-UK entry requirements” pages

   • See how your qualification (IB, AP, CBSE, ATAR, etc.) is converted into A-level equivalents. 

4. If your qualification isn’t listed

   • Email the admissions office (they almost always give a dedicated address for medicine). 

Key takeaways 🔑

• Yes – in practice, international students do need Biology and Chemistry for UK medicine.

  • Many schools require both.

  • Others insist on at least one of Chemistry or Biology plus a second science.

• Requirements for international applicants are not “easier” – they are usually identical to those for UK applicants in terms of subjects. 

• To keep your options widest and give yourself the best chance of an offer:

  • Choose Biology + Chemistry at the highest level you can.

  • Aim for top grades and strong UCAT performance.

  • Check each medical school’s website and the Medical Schools Council tool before you apply.

If you’re unsure about your current combination, it’s much better to adjust now than to discover in Year 13 that you don’t meet the subject requirements.

References 📚

1. Medical Schools Council – UK medical school entry requirements (Autumn 2026 entry). Medical Schools Council

2. Medical Schools Council – International applicants: guidance on non-UK entry requirements, fee status and visas. Medical Schools Council

3. King’s College London – Medicine MBBS A-level and IB entry requirements. King's College London

4. Imperial College London – MBBS/BSc Medicine academic requirements. Imperial College London

5. University of Manchester – MBChB Medicine A-level entry requirements. The University of Manchester

6. University of Glasgow – MBChB Medicine entry information. University of Glasgow

7. University of Southampton – BMBS Medicine selection and A-level requirements. University of Southampton

8. University of Plymouth – BMBS Medicine A-level requirements and progression routes. University of Plymouth

9. British Medical Association – Applying to medical school (subjects and international guidance). BMA

10. Medical Schools Council – Entry requirements for UK medical schools (PDF guide) and Access to Medicine guidance. Studying Healthcare

11. Blue Peanut – UK Medical School Entry Requirements for International Students (Complete Guide) – summary of patterns for Chemistry/Biology and international equivalences. Blue Peanut Medical