Do medical schools accept A-Level resits?
Some do, some do not, and others will consider resit applicants only if they meet additional conditions.
A June 2026 tracker, covering 40 UK medical schools for 2027 entry, found:
9 schools (22.5%) accepted A-Level resits without a first-sitting condition.
13 schools (32.5%) accepted resits subject to conditions, such as minimum grades at the first sitting or restrictions on the number of resits.
18 schools (45%) did not accept A-Level resits as standard.
The figures come from independent research by Edgbaston College, which says its information was checked against university admissions pages and Freedom of Information responses. They should therefore be treated as a 2027-entry snapshot rather than a permanent national rule.
The Medical Schools Council also provides individual medical-school entry requirements, including information about resits, but there is no equivalent official Medical Schools Council publication giving this same national 9/13/18 breakdown.
Why does the university you choose matter?
The differences between medical schools can be substantial.
For example, the current Medical Schools Council information shows that:
UEA considers A-Level resits where the applicant achieved ABB/AAC at the first sitting, but expects at least one A* in the subject or subjects being resat.
Manchester welcomes applications from A-Level resit applicants, but imposes a first-sitting requirement and requires AAA in the resit.
Hull York Medical School requires applicants repeating Year 13 to have achieved at least BBB initially, with a minimum B in each subject.
Lancaster considers resit applicants under specified conditions, including different requirements depending on grades achieved at the first attempt.
Cardiff does not normally accept A-Level resits, although exceptional circumstances can be considered.
Bangor does not accept Level 3/A-Level resits as standard.
This illustrates why there is no simple answer to the question "Do medical schools accept resits?"
The better question is:
Which medical schools will accept my particular resit profile?
Your first-sitting grades matter
A common misconception is that a student can simply resit their A Levels, achieve the required grades and then apply to any medical school.
That isn't necessarily the case.
Some medical schools look at the grades you achieved at your first sitting when deciding whether you are eligible to apply after a resit.
For example, Manchester requires applicants who are resitting A Levels to have achieved at least ABB at the first sitting in the relevant circumstances, before considering the higher resit grades.
Hull York similarly requires applicants who have repeated Year 13 to have achieved at least BBB at their initial sitting.
Other universities have different thresholds or requirements.
This means your starting grades are important when building your resit strategy.
What about Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry?
Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry should be treated in the same way: check each university individually.
There is no single UK-wide rule saying that resit applicants are either accepted or rejected.
For example, the University of Edinburgh's published Veterinary Medicine admissions information states that entry qualifications should normally be obtained at the first attempt and in one sitting, and that it does not accept resits.
Dentistry also varies between universities. Cardiff's 2027 Dentistry course information, for example, includes a particularly useful option for applicants who miss their offer: if Cardiff is their firm choice, the university promises to save their place for the following year's entry so that they can resit their examinations.
The important lesson is therefore the same across all three subjects:
Never assume that a resit policy at one university applies to another.
You only have four choices
There is another reason this research matters.
UCAS restricts applicants to a maximum of four choices for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science.
For a resit applicant, this makes university selection particularly important.
If you choose four universities that do not accept your resit profile, you could spend another year improving your grades only to discover that your application is not eligible for the courses you selected.
Instead, work backwards.
Before committing to a resit, check:
Which universities accept your type of resit?
What grades did they require at the first sitting?
How many subjects can you resit?
Do they require the resits to be completed within a particular timeframe?
Do they impose a higher grade requirement for resit applicants?
Do they require evidence of extenuating circumstances?
Does the policy apply to your particular course?
What other selection requirements apply, such as UCAT, admissions tests or interviews?
Then check the university's own admissions information again before submitting your UCAS application.
Is a resit year worth it?
For some students, a resit can be an excellent option.
It may make particular sense when one or two grades are the main barrier to a Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Dentistry application, particularly if the student has otherwise demonstrated strong academic ability.
But a successful resit year should involve more than simply repeating the examinations.
You also need to consider the wider application, including:
admissions tests;
relevant experience;
volunteering;
academic preparation;
university selection;
interview preparation;
and the timing of the UCAS application.
The goal should be to finish the year with a stronger overall application, not simply a higher set of A-Level grades.
Don't rely on an old resit list
This is particularly important for students researching a resit now.
University admissions policies can change between application cycles. A university that accepted resits previously may introduce new requirements, while another may change the conditions under which resits are considered.
For that reason, an online list can be a useful starting point, but it should never be treated as the final authority.
The Medical Schools Council also provides an official entry-requirements tool with resit information, and individual university admissions pages should be checked before an application is submitted.
The bottom line
An A-Level resit does not automatically end your chances of studying Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Dentistry.
For Medicine, current 2027-entry research shows that a significant proportion of UK medical schools will consider resit applicants in some circumstances. However, the conditions vary considerably between universities.
For Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry, policies also vary by institution, so the same school-by-school approach is essential.
If a Chemistry or Biology grade is the main barrier to your application, a resit year may be worth considering — but research the universities before committing to the resit.
Your first-sitting grades, the subjects you are resitting, the grades you are aiming for and any relevant circumstances can all affect where you can realistically apply.
And because UCAS limits applicants to four choices for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science, choosing those four universities carefully is a crucial part of the strategy.
Useful starting point: Edgbaston College's Medical School A-Level Resit Policies tracker provides a 2027-entry overview of 40 UK medical schools.
Important: admissions policies change. Always confirm the current requirements directly with the university before deciding to resit or submitting a UCAS application.
How can tutoring help with an A-Level resit?
An A-Level resit is an opportunity to improve your grades, but preparing for a second attempt can be challenging without the right support. A specialist tutor can help you identify exactly where marks were lost, target gaps in subject knowledge and develop the exam technique needed to turn knowledge into higher-scoring answers.
For students resitting Chemistry or Biology as part of a Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or Dentistry application, subject-specific tutoring can be particularly valuable. A tutor can provide a structured revision programme, regular practice with past-paper questions, detailed feedback and accountability throughout the year. They can also help you understand what examiners are looking for and focus your time on the areas most likely to improve your final grade.
If you're considering an A-Level resit, finding a tutor who understands your exam board, specification and target grade can make the process more focused and effective. Tutorperch allows students and parents to find tutors based on subject, qualifications and experience, helping you find the right support for your particular resit.