University of Edinburgh

MBChB Medicine (A100)

Course information

  • Course title: MBChB Medicine (A100)
  • Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Course length: 6 Years
  • UCAS code: A100 (Standard Entry Medicine)
  • intercalation: Mandatory
  • Student eligibility: All

Academic requirements

Degree (graduates only)

Academic grades are worth 25% of the total overall score applied to each application. See page 18 of our online booklet for further details.

We welcome applications for graduate entry to first year. We require a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with a preference for a medical related subject, for example: Biomedical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Nursing or Paramedic Science.

However we will also consider applicants with a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in other science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics) and those with non-science subjects who also have an SQA Higher, A level, or equivalent, in Chemistry at B.

Graduates applying for our undergraduate medicine degree do not qualify for any additional consideration under our widening access offer policy unless they are care-experienced or are an asylum seeker/refugee.

A Levels

Academic grades are worth 25% of the total overall score applied to each application. See page 18 of our online booklet for further details.

A*AA to include Chemistry plus one subject from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics. Only one of Mathematics or Further Mathematics and one of Biology or Human Biology will be considered.
Best three A levels are scored including the two required subjects. A* can be in any of the three subjects.

Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers

Academic grades are worth 25% of the total overall score applied to each application. See page 18 of our online booklet for further details.

Highers:
AAAAB by end of S5, to include Chemistry and two of Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics/Applications of Mathematics or Physics (only one of Biology or Human Biology; and one from Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics will be considered). Best 5 Highers are scored including three required subjects.

Advanced Highers in S6:
Two Advanced Highers at grades BB (no specific subject requirements). Offers are conditional on S6 performance.

For some applicants this subject combination is not possible at S5. If you meet the grade requirements in S5 but are missing one or more sciences, you may take the missing subject(s) in S6. Only one of Mathematics/Applications of Mathematics can be accepted as part of the three required subjects. However, we can accept both subjects in your other Highers to meet the overall grade requirement. Only one of Biology or Human Biology will be considered. Only one of Advanced Higher Mathematics or Advanced Higher Mathematics of Mechanics will be considered.

International Baccalaureate

Overall score of 40 points (including TOK and EE) including 766 at HL to include Chemistry and at least one other science subject (7 at HL can be in any of the 3 subjects), and 666 at SL. Biology should be taken to at least SL.

English/English Language (A or B) and Mathematics (either Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation) must be taken to at least SL grade 6 if taking these within the IB. If English/English Language and/or Mathematics do not form part of your IB Diploma, you must also provide evidence of having completed these subjects to GCSE grade A or equivalent.

GCSEs

You must also have the following at GCSE:

Biology at A or 7
Chemistry at A or 7
English at A or 7
Mathematics at A or 7
Double Award combined sciences, or equivalent, at AA/77 may replace GCSE grades in sciences. Additional Applied Science and Applied Science are not accepted.

Scottish Nationals

You must also have the following at National 5:

Biology at B
Chemistry at B
English at B
Mathematics at B

We accept Higher Applications of Mathematics at C in place of National 5 Mathematics at B. Offers are conditional on S6 performance.

Access courses

More details on accepted access courses can be found on our website. 

Additional information

Competition ratios

See admissions statistics on our website.

Teaching method

You will be taught through a combination of:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • laboratory and project work
  • clinical placements
  • computer-assisted learning
  • The research components of this programme offer flexibility and choice throughout the curriculum.

In Years 4 to 6 of the MBChB, you will:

  • have a group of dedicated Clinical Tutor Associates (current doctors in training) to support your learning
  • be able to sign up to a range of workshops delivered by Clinical Tutor Associates with experience and knowledge in their areas.
Admission email

[email protected]

Use of predicted grades

In order to consider an application, we require predicted grades. We use final predicted grades as part of the assessment process of your application. Read the full policy.

Resit policy

All examination grades must be obtained at the first attempt of each subject.

If you are applying with resit qualifications, you will not be entered into the selection system except in very exceptional circumstances, for which you must have provided verified evidence prior to UCAS application.

Non-academic requirements

Work experience

Clinical work experience is not required.

Evidence of career exploration prior to application

  • understanding the realities of a career in Medicine
  • work experience and shadowing with health professionals or in health promotion, examples of which may include the following: working in a nursing home and/or volunteering with disabled people
  •  talking with doctors and medical students
  • attending a university open day and medical conferences/lectures
  • reading/ watching/ listening to medical themed literature/ digital content/ articles.
Personal statement

While it will not be formally assessed, your personal statement may provide guidance to us when we are shortlisting applications for our Assessment Days and will be essential preparation for you if invited to attend.

Admission test

UCAT. Please see page 15 of the Applying to Medicine booklet.

Interview method

Multiple-mini interviews.

Widening participation

We give extra consideration to applicants who have faced certain barriers that could make attending university more challenging. This impacts whether you can apply with standard or minimum entry requirements.

Our team run a range of projects and schemes that provide support to prospective students during the application phase and facilitate their transition into University.

Reach Edinburgh

Reach Edinburgh is a widening participation programme to support eligible S4 to S6 students at state secondary schools in the south-east of Scotland who wish to study law, medicine or veterinary medicine. It offers events and activities to help you better understand your chosen subject and prepares you for the application process.

Contextual offers

Using the information you provide in your UCAS application, we look at a set of defined factors to assess whether you might be eligible for a widening access offer. This information is sometimes referred to as ‘contextual admissions data’. Please note this scheme only applies to ‘Home’ applicants.

Widening participation criteria

At the University of Edinburgh, we look at four factors when making widening access offers: 

  • where you live (your home postcode)
  • the school or college you go to
  • if you are care experienced, or a refugee or asylum seeker
  • if you’ve completed a Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP), our Access Programme, or a recognised bridging programme

Use our checker tool to find out if you might be eligible for a widening access offer and what you need to do next.

Contextual offer

We make two different types of widening access offers: ‘Plus Flag’ and ‘Flag’.  

Plus Flag and Flag offers are related to the different sets of entry requirements we have for applicants to our programmes:  

  • applicants who receive a Plus Flag will be considered based on minimum entry requirements:
    • AAA for A level
    • 37 points with 666 at HL for International Baccalaureate
    • AAABB by end of S5 and BC at Advanced Higher in S6
  • applicants who receive a Flag offer will be considered based on standard entry requirements, but in most cases their application will be prioritised.

You can find more details information about the University of Edinburgh’s widening access initiatives on the university website.  

More information on widening access

About the University of Edinburgh

Medicine at Edinburgh offers a modern, innovative curriculum designed to prepare you for contemporary medical practice. Our aim is for you to graduate as a competent, ethical and reflective doctor, with the care of patients as your first concern. As a graduate from Edinburgh Medical School, you will:

  • Be an excellent communicator and team player.
  • Be prepared for complex and uncertain situations.
  • Have the care of patients as your first concern.
  • Be equipped for ongoing personal development.
  • Be trained for high personal achievement and leadership

You will also have a deep understanding of medical research and evidence-based medicine. This will be useful whatever career path you follow. You will be especially well-equipped to pursue an academic career in medicine, where ongoing practical involvement in research as a physician-scientist is paramount.

University of Edinburgh website

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