MBBCh Medicine (A100)

If you are a graduate applicant, you must have or be working towards a 2:1 (Hons) in your degree and have BBB/ABC at A-level  (or equivalent), including subject requirements – Biology or Chemistry plus a second science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology and meet the minimum GCSE requirements (or equivalent qualifications). 

 

If you have completed a PhD, the minimum A-Level requirement is BBC and all other criteria listed for graduates must be met. 

AAA. Must include Biology or Chemistry plus a second science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology). You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study. 

We do not accept A-level Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects. 

We do not routinely accept resits. Please see our website for more information. 

AAAAB in Highers, including Biology and Chemistry and BB in Advanced Higher in Biology or Chemistry and an additional science subject: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. 

36 overall (excluding Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay) including 18 at HL. Must include grade 6 in HL Biology or HL Chemistry plus a second HL science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology). Grade 7 in SL Biology or Chemistry can be taken in place of HL Biology or Chemistry if you also have grade 6 in HL Maths, Physics, or Statistics. We do not accept IB repeats. 

If you are a graduate applicant, you must have or be working towards a 2:1 (Hons) in your degree and have 32 overall in the IB, including subject requirements at Standard and Higher level. 

8 GCSEs including: 

• English language at GCSE grade B/6 or an equivalent (if you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements), and 

• GCSE Double Science at grades AA/77 (or grade A/7 in Biology and Chemistry separately), and  

• GCSE Maths grade B/6, and 

• four other GCSEs at grade B/6, or equivalent qualifications (level, subjects and grade). 

GCSE re-sit results will only be considered if completed within 12 months of the first date of sitting, except for English language GCSE, which can be retaken at any time. 

National 5s and Highers are accepted as a level 2 qualification. Equivalent level, grade, and subject requirements including English Language, Mathematics and Science must be met. 

Clinical experience is not required. Experience and reflection in a caring environment can be demonstrated by reflecting on any work experience carried out (examples include care homes, helping out with younger pupils in school, helping out with clubs, etc). 

This is screened but not scored.  

You must take the UCAT test in the year of application. We don’t have a minimum threshold score; however, we may use UCAT scores as part of our selection process. Scores within UCAT deciles are awarded points. 

Multiple Mini Interviews.

Cardiff’s C21 Medicine course integrates scientific learning with real clinical experience across three phases: 

• Years 1–2: Build core scientific and clinical knowledge through Case‑Based Learning in small groups, using real patient stories and early community placements. 

• Years 3–4: Spend most of your time on clinical placements across Wales, following patients through their care and linking this to deeper understanding of disease and treatment. 

• Year 5: Become part of a clinical team, consolidating your skills and preparing for work as a Foundation Doctor. 

• You can also complete Student Selected Components, an intercalated degree, and an elective in the UK or abroad. 

The course is currently under review to ensure it continues to reflect modern medical practice, with updates expected by August 2027 and published by October 2027. 

[email protected]

Detailed information on our contextual admissions policy can be found on our website.

Contextual admissions policy

How do I know if I will be classed as contextual?

You will be classed as contextual if, on your UCAS application, you answer yes to any of the following questions:

• Are you a care leaver or care experienced?
  • For example, if you have ever lived in public care or are a looked after child. This includes living in a residential children’s home, living with foster carers, living with friends and relatives in kinship care, or temporary placement before being adopted.
• Are you a parent or do you have parenting responsibilities?
  • This includes if you are pregnant, adopting, or caring for a child as a guardian or foster carer.
• Are you currently receiving free school meals, or have you been in receipt of free school meals during your secondary education?
  • This includes if you were eligible for free school meals, whether you received them or not.
  • Being eligible for free school meals (FSM) means you might be able get help to meet different costs, and access other types of support if you want to go to university, including not having to pay the UCAS application fee.
• Do you have any caring responsibilities?
  • We recognise carers as those “who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend with an illness or disability, mental health condition or an addiction” (definition from Carers Trust).
  • Note: There is a separate question where you can share if you have parenting responsibilities.
• Do you have official refugee status in the UK, are an asylum seeker, or have limited leave to remain in the UK?
  • You will be required to complete a fee status assessment and provide supporting evidence to confirm your eligibility.
• Would you consider yourself estranged from both your parents (i.e. you are not in contact with and supported by either of your parents)?
  • For example, if your relationship with both your parents or carers has irreconcilably broken down, or is in the process of doing so.

You will also be classed as contextual if you complete any of the following widening participation activities at Cardiff University, whether you apply in the same year or the subsequent year after you participate in the activity:

• Confident Futures
• Sutton Trust Medicine and Dentistry Summer Schools (note that Sutton Trust applicants to BDS Dentistry and MBBCh Medicine are guaranteed an interview on one occasion, regardless of multiple applications, and if the minimum entry requirements are met).
• Sutton Trust Pathways to Engineering
• Sutton Trust Pathways to Law
• Step Up to University

Contextual applicants will be given additional consideration in the scoring and selection process which is used for determining those to be invited to interview. 

WP applicants who have taken part in either the Step-Up programme, Doctoriaid Yfory (DY) or Sutton Trust programmes are given a guaranteed interview.