The Medical Schools Council receives a large number of enquiries from students wishing to study Medicine in the UK. Whilst the Council supports the work of all UK Medical Schools we do not deal directly with admissions to study Medicine, however we hope that you will find the questions and answers below useful.
A list of all UK Medical Schools, including those running foundation and graduate entry courses can be found on the UK Medical Schools page. There are also a number of useful links relating to admissions and medical education on the Useful Links by Topic page.
If you have any questions which are not answered on this FAQ page please contact us.
How do I apply to study medicine in the UK?
What do I need to think about when I am going on an overseas elective?
What are the deadlines for applying to study medicine?
What is the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT)?
What foundation courses are available?
I already have a degree - is it possible to do an accelerated course in medicine?
Is there an upper age limit to study medicine?
I am an International student who wants to study medicine in the UK - what do I need to think about?
I have already completed part of a degree in medicine at a University outside of the UK. Is it possible to transfer to the UK?
I have completed a degree in medicine outside the EU. Is it possible for me to apply for the Foundation Programme in the UK?
What funding is available?
I am currently taking A Levels and want to gain work experience in Medicine. How can I organise this?
I have an offer to study medicine but I did not get the required grades. What can I do?
I have clinical experience in a non-medical profession, but not the required academic qualifications/grades and now wish to train as a Doctor. What can I do?
How do I apply to study medicine in the UK?
All applications to study medicine in the UK are handled centrally by the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Applications to study Medicine in autumn 2011 must be received by UCAS by 15 October 2010. Further information on admissions, including detailed FAQ pages, can be found at the advice centre on the UCAS website. Please note that applications to study medicine in 2010 have now closed.
Please see the information about UKCAT below for further detail.
What do I need to think about when I am going on an overseas elective?
There are a number of things to consider when going on an overseas elective. Visit the Publications page to download the checklist. Your medical school would also able to provide you with guidance on this.
When are the deadlines for applying to study Medicine?
The deadline for applying to study Medicine in autumn 2011 is 15 October 2010. Please see the UCAS website for current and future deadline information. Please note that applications to study medicine in 2010 have now closed.
What are the requirements to study Medicine in the UK?
Medicine is a very competitive discipline, requiring high grades particularly in science subjects as well as a high standard of English. In England and Wales these abilities are assessed by GCSE and A-level examinations (three full A Levels is the minimum requirement; chemistry is nearly always essential, biology is often a specific requirement). UK Medical Schools usually accept International Baccalaureate and European Baccalaureate qualifications. Some Medical Schools require that you take additional tests such as the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), the BioMedical Admissions Test BMAT and the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test GAMSAT.
Academic ability is not the only pre-requisite for a career in medicine. Commitment, perseverance, initiative, originality, personal integrity, concern for others, and the ability to communicate are all essential. Good academic qualifications are normally required because the course is long and intellectually demanding.
The exact requirements do differ between different Medical Schools. You are advised to check details with UCAS and/or the Admissions Department for the Medical Schools you are interested in applying to.
UCAS has produced a helpful document, listing the requirements for each Medical School, and comparable qualifications. You can access this document from the UCAS website.
What is the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT)?
26 Universities use the UK Clinical Aptitude Test as part of the selection process into Medical and Dental School. The list of these Schools can be found from the UKCAT website. The UKCAT does not contain any curriculum or science content; nor can it be revised for. The test focuses on exploring the cognitive powers of candidates and other attributes considered to be valuable for health care professionals.
UK, EU and international applicants to the 26 Medical Schools using UKCAT are required to take the test. UKCAT scores are only valid for the year in which the examination is taken.
What foundation courses are available?
A limited number of places are offered on pre-medical courses at certain medical schools to those students offering high grade passes in arts subjects. This extra year makes the total course a minimum of six years. A list of all UK Medical Schools, including those running foundation courses, can be found on the UK Schools page.
I already have a degree - Is it possible to take an accelerated degree in Medicine?
Sixteen UK Medical Schools offer accelerated four-year programmes to graduates. The entry requirements for such programmes will vary; many schools will require a first degree in a relevant subject, e.g. biological sciences. However, others may simply require an upper second class degree or above in any subject – this also applies to schools still requiring entrants with a degree to undergo a five year course. Please note that some of these courses do not accept international applicants, including Birmingham, Keele, Liverpool, Newcastle and Swansea. However, you are advised to contact the Medical School you are hoping to apply to directly for its policy on this. A list of all UK Medical Schools, including those running graduate entry courses, can be found on the UK Schools page.
Is there an upper age limit to study medicine?
There is no upper age limit for applications to study medicine in the UK. However, given the number of years in study and subsequent training, Admissions Officers may consider the length of time an applicant would be able to practise medicine upon qualification.
I am an international student wishing to study medicine in the UK. What do I need to think about?
Each medical school is allowed to take a small number of international (non-EU) students, amounting to approximately 7.5% of the entry, but the policy for entry towards international applicants varies for each medical school. Applicants should note that some medical schools would not consider students from countries which offer first degree courses in medicine.
Medical schools which make no distinction between countries:
Aberdeen; Belfast; Birmingham; Brighton and Sussex; Bristol; Cambridge; Dundee; East Anglia; Edinburgh; Glasgow; Hull York; Imperial College London; Keele; King's College London; Leeds; Leicester; Liverpool; Newcastle; Nottingham; Oxford; Peninsula; Queen Mary, Sheffield; Southampton; St Andrews; St George's, London; Warwick.
Medical schools which give preference to applicants from countries without sufficient training capacity to meet the needs of their country:
Cardiff; Manchester; University College London
Please note that some Medical Schools do not accept international applicants for the graduate entry courses, including Birmingham, Keele, Liverpool, Newcastle and Swansea. However, you are advised to contact the Medical School you are hoping to apply to directly for its policy on this.
You should speak with the Medical School where you hope to study to find out what non-UK qualifications are accepted for applications to study medicine. UCAS has also produced a helpful document, listing the requirements for each Medical School, and comparable qualifications. You can access this document from the UCAS website.
If you are not a native English speaker, you will be required to demonstrate your English language ability, using the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS)
I have already completed part of a degree in Medicine at a University outside the UK. Is it possible to transfer to the UK?
It is extremely unlikely that a UK Medical School will count part of a Medicine degree studied outside the UK towards a UK Medical qualification. However, all Schools handle this matter individually and you are advised to contact the admissions department of the School you are interested in. Contact details for all Schools can be found on the UK Schools page.
I have completed a degree in Medicine outside the EU. Is it possible for me to apply for the Foundation Programme in the UK?
Admissions to foundation programmes are dealt with by the Postgraduate Deans and further information can be found on the Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) website. You may only apply for the Foundation Programme if you are not yet fully registered with your local regulator. For more information visit the UKFPO website.
What funding is available?
Useful information about financial help for overseas students can be accessed from the UKCISA and British Council websites. School specific scholarships or bursaries may be available through the Medical School itself.
The Beit Trust offers bursaries to medical students to help cover the cost involved in undertaking electives in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Applications for Beit Trust medical elective bursaries are handled by the Medical Schools Council. The next round of applications is due to open January 2010 for students planning their elective for the same calendar year.
The Medical Schools Council does not have access to any other funding for students.
I am currently taking A Levels and want to gain work experience in medicine. How can I organise this?
If you are thinking of applying to study Medicine it is useful to gain appropriate work experience. However, many hospitals have age restrictions on voluntary work and shadowing which is where the lateral thinking comes in: care homes and hospices are also medical settings, and helping out for, say, half a day each week over a long period can be even more beneficial than just two days on a hospital ward.
I have had an offer to study medicine but I didn't get the required grades. What can I do?
Contact the Admissions Department at your intended Medical School immediately and ask for its advice. The contact details for each Medical School can be found on our UK Schools page.
I have clinical experience in a non-medical profession, but not the required academic qualifications/grades and now wish to train as a Doctor. What can I do?
If you already have a degree refer to the list of medical schools offering 4 year graduate entry programmes, then contact your chosen Medical School to ask what its admissions policy is for applicants with previous clinical experience. Some Schools offer the opportunity to take the GAMSAT as a means of proving a basic understanding of science in place of science A Levels.