Undergraduate Pharmacy degree and A levels.

[Emily17]

Hello:

I have just received my As level results which were relatively dissapointing (Biology B, French B, Chemistry C and maths D), I will drop maths in A level and do the other three subjects. By the way my GCSE results were brilliant.
I am thinking about applying to pharmacy but I found that the minimum requirements in some universities are BBB (including chemistry). Can I still apply although my chemistry grade is C. Which universities do you advise me to apply to please.

Many thanks.

[Racer]

I'm probably out of date, but you used to need Chemistry + 2 out of Biology/Maths/Physics to get in to do Pharmacy. I believe universities will always look for a high grade in Chemistry so you'll need to get at least a B. Can you repeat some of your AS modules to boost your grade?

There were a few Pharmacy places in Clearing this year so you could get lucky, but I wouldn't count on it

[Emily17]

Many thanks for your answer.

[WalkeRx]

Emily, I'm in a similar situation, although slightly worse off with regards to Chemistry (Spanish A, Biology B, Chemistry E, Maths U). I've dropped Maths and am going to resit both Chemistry papers in January.

Most universities seem to be slightly more relaxed with subjects these days, you only need Chemistry + 1 of Biology/Maths/Physics (along with any third subject), but the grades are higher. You can still apply, it is the predicted grades that your sixth form submit that the universities will look at. If you are predicted certain grades (or higher), they will probably invite you to an interview. So if you choose to resit and convince your teachers you're going to do well, you'll hopefully get an interview.

[johnep]

OK, so what was the problem with chemistry? where were you weak?
johnep

[shonap87]

Surely if you do well in your A levels it will mean the As don't matter? (*knows nothing of the english system*)

[Lefty]

to shona: the thing is, you get your university place based on your predicted A level results. These predicted grades are based on the AS grades.

Emily, how has your performance been in chem generaly throughout the year? What did u expect to get? If the chem teacher thinks u can do better, ask them if they would consider predicting u a B grade (work really hard and impress them in the months running up to when u apply for uni)

good luck

[CJH86]

......when i was applying for my degree one university offered me a place at ABB on the condition the 'A' was in chemistry, that was a several years ago though so im not sure if they still make offer conditions like that? I think a lot of universities regard chemistry as quite important for a pharmacy degree, especially the top universities. It can be done though - i got a D at AS but after resitting a unit (that i got a U on) and getting my head round chemistry i got an A at A2 level and a pass in extension chemistry.

good luck

[WalkeRx]

OK, so what was the problem with chemistry? where were you weak?
johnep

My problem with Chem? Mostly enthalpy, some spectroscopy - I often can't get my head around these, unhelped by having a teacher who failed to inspire much enthusiasm.. I didn't do enough to make up for my lack of understanding, so I let myself down. I got a U in that paper and an E in the other (which I thought I did really well in). I got a B in coursework. I've requested copies of both exam scripts to review my mistakes and misunderstandings, so I can prepare for my resits.

Surely if you do well in your A levels it will mean the As don't matter? (*knows nothing of the english system*)

On top of what Lefty said, AS grades count towards 50% of overall A level grades.

[johnep]

Oh dear, I am getting old. Had to look up enthalpy in OED. Thermodynamic equivalent of a system. OK, so your weakness same as mine was ....'Physical Chemistry'. I can't help you on enthalpy but others here most certainly can. I got through it by intense study. In finals one question was on Prandtl ? and Stanton numbers. I know I got full marks on that one. Most Phys chem questions ask you to derive an equation and then do a simple calculation. Ensure you can derive all the standard equations/formulae.
johnep