UK Medical School Entry Requirements

Undergraduate medicine entry requirements

Students applying to a medical school in the UK broadly have two main course choices; the A100 medicine programme or the A104 medicine with foundation year.

UCAS Medicine Courses

Standard entry medicine (UCAS code: A100)

Standard entry medicine is usually five years long, but can be six. It can have different abbreviations, such as MBBS or MBChB, but all result in the bachelor’s degree in medicine.

• International Baccalaureate: 37 points including chemistry and another science subject.
• A-level: AAA including chemistry and one other science, such as maths, physics, biology or psychology.
• IELTS: 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any one component.

Graduate entry medicine (UCAS Code: A101)

Graduate entry medicine is open to application from those who already have a bachelor’s degree. Many universities require the previous degree to be health-related, but not all. It is a four-year accelerated degree in most cases, but at some universities it is a five-year course. 

• International Baccalaureate: 37 points.
• A-level: AAA.
• IELTS: 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any one component.

Medicine with a preliminary year (UCAS code: A104)

This course takes the form of either a five-year Standard Entry Medicine with an additional year at the start, making a six-year course, or sometimes the preliminary year is taken as a standalone one-year course. It is also known as Medicine with a Foundation Year, or similar.

• International Baccalaureate: 34 points.
• A-level: AAA.
• IELTS: 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any one component.

Medicine with a gateway year (UCAS code: A108)

• International Baccalaureate: 32 points.
• A-level: BBC at A level to include Chemistry. Grade B must be achieved in a science subject.
• IELTS: 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any one component.

Medicine Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a crucial part of the application process when wishing to study in the UK and, because of the competitive nature and limited number of spaces at medical schools, it is vital that your medicine personal statement is of an extremely high standard. Important topics to cover include:

• What you wish to achieve as a doctor
• Work experience at any GP or medical institution and what you achieved
• Your commitment to medicine and the NHS
• Your achievements academically
• Why you will succeed on the course
• Hobbies and interests

Medical Work Experience

Work experience is valued highly by medical school admission boards as it showcases the relevant skills and strength of character needed to become a doctor. Practical work experience also recognises a student’s ability to work independently or in a team, as well as communication skills, enthusiasm and responsibility.

Many medicine programmes require a student to have completed work experience, but if you missed out on a placement, there are still a number of medical schools which will accept your initial application.

Study Medicine in the UK

If you are interested in studying medicine in the UK, the Medicine Service will help prepare you fully for being accepted at a UK medical school. Arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today to begin your UCAS application.

Uk Medical School Requirements International Students

The application procedures for international students are the same as home students, however, international students will have additional things to consider. It is important to note that the information below is for guidance purposes only and should be confirmed with medical schools or the relevant listed organisation, directly.

Non-UK entry requirements

Medical schools vary as to which non-UK qualifications they accept and what the requirements are. Normally this information will be listed on each individual university website but if you cannot see your qualifications you should contact the medical school directly. Most medical schools have a dedicated admissions email address or phone number to help with queries which can normally be found on their entry requirements pages. The UK National Recognition Information Centre (UKNARIC) can also help with comparing UK and international qualifications.

Fee status 

Publicly funded universities usually group the fee status of their students by two categories: ‘home’ and ‘overseas’. The fees for home students differ between universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, therefore specific requirements should be checked with the universities you are interested in applying to. Usually, to qualify for home fee status, you will need to be settled and ordinarily resident in the UK for the last three years. The main reason for your being in the UK must not be to receive full-time education.

For the full criteria for home and international fee status, visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs website. If in doubt about your fee status, contact the universities you are thinking of applying to for help.

EU students

If your course starts on or after the 1 August 2021 you will no longer be eligible for home fee status, undergraduate, postgraduate and further education financial support from Student Finance England unless you meet one of the following criteria:

• you are able to benefit from the citizens rights agreements
• you are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland – benefits of Irish nationals under the Common Travel Area arrangement will continue

EU students should ask the relevant student funding body if you’re eligible for any support if you’re studying in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Student support and scholarships

If you do not meet the criteria for home fee status then overseas fees will apply. These fees vary between the different medical schools and can be found on their websites. The UK Council for International Student Affairs and the British Council offer support to help you work out how much money you will need. The UCAS website has some useful information on funding issues for overseas students.

Information on general scholarships can be found at the nearest British Council office. Scholarships or bursaries available can vary between different medical schools, and they will post information on any funding they offer on their websites. 

The British Council can help you find funding for a chosen course through its scholarship schemes and links with other websites. Many of the scholarships available are only applicable to postgraduate degrees, but some do provide funding to help cover fees for specific subjects, and scholarships may be available for specific institutions. For help with identifying the funding available, visit the British Council website.

The education departments within the UK Government, the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly decide who is eligible for student loans and grants. The regulations on the different categories for eligible students can be complicated. To help, the UK Council for International Student Affairs has produced a summary for international students and also publishes some general information about fees, funding and student support which is available on its website.  

Visa and immigration

Gaining entry clearance is compulsory for everyone wishing to enter the UK as a student. Students require a Tier 4 visa. Information on applying for this on this can be found on UK Visas and Immigration website. For more information on visa and immigration issues, visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

Language requirements

If you are applying from outside the UK and you do not speak English as your first language then you are required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. This requirement applies to both international and EU/EEA students.

Many medical schools will prefer, or expect you to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). There are two versions of IELTS, the Academic test and the General Training test. You will need to complete the Academic test, which is for those who wish to study. Most medical schools will require a minimum score as part of their entry requirements. which will be listed on their websites.  

The IELTS can be taken in over 500 locations worldwide and there is a set fee for sitting it. To find your nearest test centre, visit the IELTS website.