A Level subjects for Biological Sciences: advice thread

Hi everyone. I might switch from chemistry to to physics, meaning I will have bio, physics, math, further maths. I have looked into top unis like imperial and Cambridge, and none of them say that they need chemistry to do biological sciences, however would they be more likely to take me for biological sciences if I had chemistry?

I think your grades, personal statement, entrance exam results etc. are more important than whether you take physics or chemistry so I wouldn't stress about it, as long as you can do well.

Im quite worried about that though because 96% of applicants to the course have chemistry

Chemistry would be preferred over Biology.

Im quite worried about that though because 96% of applicants to the course have chemistry

not for biological sciences, you need biology for it

Please take a look at the entry requirements:

Natural Sciences (Biological): Subject Requirements and Typical Offers (cam.ac.uk)

It only asks for MATHS and any TWO Science A-Levels. 🙂

It would still be advisable to do biology

You clearly have not looked that closely.
Biological Sciences :
Durham - AAA including one of Biology or Chemistry or Human Biology plus another science subject.
Imperial - AAA - A in Biology, A in one of Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, A in a third subject
UCL - AAA including Biology plus one from Chemistry, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics.
Birmingham - AAB including Biology/Human Biology and a second science
Leeds - AAB Including Biology or Chemistry plus another science or science-related subject

I have looked extremely closely , but they put these subjects as a requirement. At Cambridge for example (my ideal uni) 96% have chem and 98% have bio for the course. I know it is not a requirement, but surely not having it would disadvantage me? That’s all I’m wondering - wether I am less likely to get in without it.

It doesnt mean you have to have these subjects or that there is any advantage to having those subjects.

Correlation is not the same as causation - that one thing was a direct result of the other - it is purely an interesting coincidence that many of these people had those subjects.

Hi everyone, I do math, further math, biology , chemistry but I want to switch chemistry to physics. I want to do biological natural sciences at cambridge. I know chemistry is not a requirement, however I am a bit concerned about wether I will get into cambridge for this course if i switch to physics. This is because I would Ideally like to take (in my first year) two biology modules, and the physics module. From what I have heard people are expected to either go into physical or biological sciences, so would I be disadvantaged at all in my application if i want to do both? Will cambridge be less likely to accept me for the course given I had the option to take chemistry but didnt? Even though its not a required course they would surely prefer chemistry, so will I be less likely to get in without it ?