Medical Schools in the United Kingdom (UK)
Admission Requirements
Standard entry medicine
Applicants to UK medical schools have a few course choices. The first is “Standard Entry Medicine,” which can be five or six years long and leads to an MBBS or MBChB degree, a bachelor’s degree in medicine.
The requirements are:
- International Baccalaureate (37 points) with chemistry and another science subject
- A-level, AAA, including chemistry, maths, and a science subject such as physics, biology, or psychology
- IELTS, with 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7 in the components
Graduate entry medicine
This degree course is for applicants with a bachelor’s degree. It is a four-year accelerated course in some universities but a five-year course in some others. Many universities insist on a health-related bachelor’s degree. It can be a four-year or five-year course.
Medicine with a preliminary year/foundation year
This can be a five-year or, with an additional year at the start, a six-year course. The requirements are IB with 34 points; A-level AAA; and IELTS 7.5 overall, with at least 7 in the components.
Medicine with a gateway year
IB – 32 points; BBC at A-level to include chemistry; Grade B in a science subject. IELTS 7.5 overall, with at least 7 in the components.
The other requirements for all types of courses are a Medicine Personal Statement (academic achievements; hobbies; interests; what you wish to achieve as a doctor; work experience at medical institution and what you achieved; why you will succeed in your course; and commitment to health care).
You also need to show work experience with your ability to work independently and in a team; responsibility; people skills; and enthusiasm.
Admission tests
Twenty-five medical schools in the UK require candidates to clear the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT or UCAT), through which the candidate’s cognitive abilities are assessed through four reasoning tests and a situational judgment test that evaluates attitudes.
Seven schools require a pass in the Biomedical Admission Test (BMAT) from medical and dentistry applicants. BMAT tests scientific knowledge and mathematical and communication skills. The choice of the tests depends on which schools you want to apply to.
Interviews
First interviews start in November/December and may go on till April/May. If you’re a near miss and in the reserve list, you may get a call just before Results Day in August. If not, your only option is to prepare for the next round.
Interview questions can be related to background and motivation, NHS topics, empathy, depth of interest, ethics, personal insights, and work experience.
Application
Once you are sure you want to study medicine, decide which school would suit you the best based on location, size, course structure, campus atmosphere, and social and research opportunities.
Structure your UCAS (UK University and College Application Service) personal statement with an introduction, explanation of why you want to study medicine, your interests, personal qualities, and conclusion.
International students can send their applications through the UCAS, the deadline for which is usually October for a course that starts in September next year. It is mandatory for applicants to clear the admission tests.
Top schools / tuition
Top schools charge annual tuition between £17,000 and £50,000. The cost of living can be between £7,000 and £15,000 per year.
Here are a few top universities (five-year courses), their fees and the cost of living:
| University | Tuition | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|
| University of Birmingham | £21,330 (per year) (first and second years) £36,840 (third to fifth year) |
£9,000-£12,000 per year |
| University of London University College London |
£22,620 (first and second years) £33,650 (third to fifth year) |
£9,000-£15,000 |
| University of Manchester | £22,000 | £10,000-£14,000 |
| University of Bristol | £31,800 | £9,000-£14,000 |
| University of Dundee | £32,000 | £10,000 |
| University of Aberdeen | £39,000 | £7,000-£9,000 |
| University of Glasgow | £42,000 | £9,000-£14,000 |
Scholarships
Scholarships to study medicine in the UK include those from the Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine; King’s College London Global Health and Social Medicine Scholarship; Barts Scholarship for Medicine; and various other scholarships from medical schools and universities.
Also read:
– Medical Schools
– Medical Schools in USA
– Medical Schools in Canada
– Medical Schools in Australia
– Medical Schools in India
– Medical schools in Singapore