Last updated: June 2024
Degree (graduate applicants)
Applications from graduates or those in the final year of their degree are considered and the full academic background is taken into account. The minimum A-level threshold (or equivalent in other qualifications) is either ABB/AAC at first attempt, ie two years post GCSE and prior to commencing degree studies for those with an Upper Second Class Honours in their primary (first) degree, or BBB/ABC at first attempt for those with a First Class Honours in their primary (first) degree or PhD and an Upper Second Class Honours degree in their primary (first) degree. The minimum grades that can be accepted is a grade C with grade B the lowest grade acceptable for A-level Chemistry.
Applicants must have an appropriate science background at GCSE and AS-level/A-level or equivalent (see below) and at least a 2.1 Honours classification in their first undergraduate degree, which can be from a wide range of different subjects. A-level Chemistry and at least one from A-level Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics, plus, if not offered at A-level, then Biology/ Human Biology to at least AS-level (or equivalent) are required. In addition, GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4 and either GCSE Physics minimum grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science minimum grades CC/44 are required if not offered at AS-level or A-level. Graduate applicants who fulfil these criteria are then scored with their UCAT.
A Levels and Scottish Highers
AAA at A-level + A in a fourth AS-level subject including A-level Chemistry plus at least one other A-level from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics. If not offered at A-level then Biology/Human Biology grade A as a 4th AS-level or grade B as a 5th AS-level. Grade A in the EPQ or Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate or a grade B in a 4th A-level will be acceptable in lieu of the 4th AS-level.
OR
A*AA at A-level including Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology.
OR
A*AA at A-level including Chemistry and either Mathematics or Physics + AS-level Biology grade B.
GCSEs and Scottish Nationals
GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4 and either GCSE Physics minimum grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science minimum grades CC/44 are required if these subjects are not offered at AS-level or A-level.
In considering applications, GCSE performance in the best 9 subjects will be scored with 4 points awarded for an A* (grade 9 on the 9-1 grading scale), 3 points for an A (grades 7 and 8), 2 points for a B (grade 6) and 1 point for a C*/C (grades 4 and 5). Please note that only GCSEs completed in Year 11 and Year 12 (Year 10 and Year 11 in England and Wales) will be counted for scoring purposes.
International Baccalaureate
36 points overall, including 6,6,6 at Higher level. Higher level Chemistry and Biology required. If Physics is not offered as part of the IB then a pass in GCSE Physics or Double Award Science, or equivalent, is required.
Personal statement
Personal statements are not scored as part of the selection process. There should be evidence of commitment and motivation in the personal statement and it should state explicitly that Medicine is their career choice.
Admissions test
UCAT
Interview method
Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience
No specific requirements. Experience encouraged in healthcare-related environments and volunteering.
Widening participation
Applicants who have been educated at a secondary school in Northern Ireland to at least Year 12 will be short-listed on the basis of AS level grades (rather than GCSE performance) plus UCAT results and predicted A level performance.
Last updated: June 2024
Competition ratios
Number of applicants per interview: Home: 2 | International: 2
Number of applicants per place: Home: 8 | International: 11
Degree (graduate applicants)
2:1 any subject considered. BBB at A level to include Chemistry or Biology.
A Levels and Scottish Highers
AAA at A level, including Chemistry or Biology, and another science (Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Psychology), taken in one sitting. Further Maths, Critical Thinking and General Studies are not accepted.
AAAAB Scottish Highers plus AA in Advanced Highers to include Chemistry or Biology and a second Science
GCSEs and Scottish Nationals
Five GCSEs at grade 7 (A). Applicants must have a minimum of grade 6 (B) in English Language, Maths and Science.
International Baccalaureate
36 Points overall with 6 in three Higher Level subjects to include Chemistry or Biology and another science subject, 4's in standard level subjects.
Personal statement
Not read or scored. Interest in medicine, work experience/volunteering and outside interests are all explored at interview.
Admissions test
UCAT
Interview method
Multiple Mini-Interviews (Structured Online Panel Based Interviews will be used if the ongoing pandemic prevents MMIs being delivered in person).
Work experience
Interest in what applicants have learned from their work experience. In addition to shadowing a GP or other medical practitioner, there are many other areas related to medicine in which applicants can gain experience, such as care homes or community-based work experience. Discussed at interview.
Widening participation
Schemes such as Discover Medicine and Realising Opportunities encourage applications from underrepresented groups and those who have the ability to become good doctors but would not normally consider this as a serious option. Applications from candidates with different backgrounds and of all ages are encouraged. There are dedicated routes of entry, via UCAS, for students on specific courses at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Bradford. See website for details.
Contextual admissions
This course offers contextual admissions. See website for details.
Last updated: June 2024
Degree (graduate applicants)
Upper Second-Class Honours (2.1) in first degree. The degree can be in any subject and no preference will be given based on the subject taken.
A Levels and Scottish Highers
AAA to include A level Biology and one additional science (with a pass in the practical element where it is separately endorsed). Please note applicants must offer AAA or above, we do not accept grade or tariff equivalents to AAA. BM5 graduate applicants please see BM4 entry requirements.
Additional information
Acceptable science subjects are Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Studies or Geography. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Subjects where there may be considerable overlap of material will not be accepted in combination (examples of combinations include, but are not exclusive to, Zoology/Biology; Biology/Sports Studies/Physical Education). If you believe there is a potential overlap, please contact us before applying.
International Baccalaureate
Overall score of 36 points with 18 at Higher Level, with 6 in Biology and one additional Science.
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information:
Acceptable science subjects are Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Studies or Geography. Subjects where there may be considerable overlap of material will not be accepted in combination (examples of combinations include, but are not exclusive to, Zoology/Biology; Biology/Sports Studies/Physical Education). If you believe there is a potential overlap, please contact us before applying.
GCSEs and Scottish Nationals
School leaver applicants must have a minimum of seven B grades (grade 6) at GCSE, including English language, Maths, Biology and Chemistry,
Additional Science and Science, or Combined Science (or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University).
Mature non-graduate applicants (applicants over the age of 21 at the time of applying who do not have a degree)- Applicants must hold four GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English language, mathematics and either biology and chemistry, combined science, or science and additional science.
Graduates - must have a minimum grade C (grade 4) in GCSE Maths, English Language and either Chemistry and Biology, or Science and Additional Science, or Combined Science.
Access to HE Diplomas
Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) will be accepted. Other access courses may be considered on a case by case basis, however, online access courses will not accepted. We would expect there to be a significant amount of time between the previous qualification (where relevant) and the Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) or alternative access course. We will not consider an application from an A Level student who undertakes an Access course shortly after completing their A Level but fails to achieve the required advertised A Level grades. Access courses are most likely to be considered for applicants who have not taken Science qualifications.
Please see our website for specific details:
- www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/medicine-bm5-degree-bmbs#entry
- www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/medicine-bm6-widening-participation-degree-bmbs#entry
Personal statement
Selectors use the personal statement to inform interview questions related to the non-academic criteria if the applicant is invited to attend a Selection Day.
Admissions test
UCAT
Interview method
Selection Day consisting of a panel interview and group task (in person).
Work experience
Completion of formal work experience or volunteering is not required. However, applicants are expected to demonstrate what they have learned from their experiences of interacting with people in health or social care settings (this may include work experience, paid employment and personal experiences both in and outside health and social care settings).
Widening participation
Please see our BM6 Widening Participation programme.
Contextual admissions
This courses offers contextual admissions. See website for details.
Last updated: June 2024
Degree (graduate applicants)
Upper second or first class Honours degree in Science (or equivalent) obtained within the previous three years prior to entry.
B grade in Chemistry at Higher or A-Level, or at Advanced Higher or equivalent.
B grade in Biology, English and Mathematics at GCSE or equivalent.
A Levels and Scottish Highers
Scottish Highers
Standard entry grades: AAAAB in S5. Predicted to achieve at least BBB in Highers or Advanced Highers or a mix of Highers and Advanced Highers in S6.
Minimum entry grades: AAABB in S5. Predicted to achieve at least BB in Highers or Advanced Highers or a mix of Highers and Advanced Highers in S6.
Gateway to Medicine: BBBB in Highers in S5
Highers must include Chemistry and one of Biology (or Human Biology), Mathematics or Physics, to be taken at the same sitting.
A Levels
Standard entry grades: AAA
Minimum entry grades: AAB
These grades must include Chemistry and one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics.
GCSEs and Scottish Nationals
If not passed at Higher, applicants must also have National 5 grade B in Biology (or Human Biology), Mathematics, and English.
If not passed at AS or A-Level, applicants must have GCSE grade 5 or B in Biology, Mathematics, and English (either Language or Literature). We accept CCEA GCSE grade C* as equivalent to grade 5 in numerical grading.
In addition, a minimum of five GCSEs at grade A or 7 to be taken at one sitting, will be required. Applicants with achieved A-Levels, may be considered with less than five A grades (grade 7 in numerical grading) at GCSE.
International Baccalaureate
Standard entry grades: 38 points (HL 6,6,6 plus SL 6,6,6)
Minimum entry grades: 36 points (HL 6,6,5 plus SL 6,6,5)
These grades must include HL in Chemistry and HL in one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics. If not passed at HL, applicants must have SL in Biology, Mathematics and English. Either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' are accepted as meeting the Mathematics requirement. Standard Level Mathematics Studies is not acceptable. Mathematics at GCSE 5 or better might be considered in lieu of Standard Level.
Personal statement
Your personal statement should explain your reasons for wanting to study medicine and why you think you would make a good doctor.
The School will expect you to have an insight into medicine and healthcare gained from relevant medically related work experience, general reading, attending medical careers conferences, or talking to doctors or medical students.
Applicants must have work or shadowing experience in a caring or health environment. This experience could have been gained in hospitals, GP surgeries, nursing homes or local hospices, or by working with people who have ill health or a disability.
We do not use weighting, points or percentages for assessment of the personal statement. We use a 'hurdle' system that means once assessed as acceptable, we do not need to revisit the personal statement again.
Admissions test
UCAT
Interview method
Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience
Voluntary or care/health work experience is essential. Students must demonstrate insights in their personal statement.
Widening participation
Widening participation applicants may be considered with lower than standard grades. See website for explanation of academic and contextual requirements. St Andrews participates in the Reach scheme.
Contextual admissions
This course offers contextual admissions. See website for details.
Last updated: June 2024
Degree (graduate applicants)
Upper second or first class Honours degree in Science (or equivalent) obtained within the previous three years prior to entry.
B grade in Chemistry at Higher or A-Level, or at Advanced Higher or equivalent.
B grade in Biology, English and Mathematics at GCSE or equivalent.
A Levels and Scottish Highers
Scottish Highers
Standard entry grades: AAAAB in S5. Predicted to achieve at least BBB in Highers or Advanced Highers or a mix of Highers and Advanced Highers in S6.
Minimum entry grades: AAABB in S5. Predicted to achieve at least BB in Highers or Advanced Highers or a mix of Highers and Advanced Highers in S6.
Gateway to Medicine: BBBB in Highers in S5
Highers must include Chemistry and one of Biology (or Human Biology), Mathematics or Physics, to be taken at the same sitting.
A Levels
Standard entry grades: AAA
Minimum entry grades: AAB
These grades must include Chemistry and one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics.
GCSEs and Scottish Nationals
If not passed at Higher, applicants must also have National 5 grade B in Biology (or Human Biology), Mathematics, and English.
If not passed at AS or A-Level, applicants must have GCSE grade 5 or B in Biology, Mathematics, and English (either Language or Literature). We accept CCEA GCSE grade C* as equivalent to grade 5 in numerical grading.
In addition, a minimum of five GCSEs at grade A or 7 to be taken at one sitting, will be required. Applicants with achieved A-Levels, may be considered with less than five A grades (grade 7 in numerical grading) at GCSE.
International Baccalaureate
Standard entry grades: 38 points (HL 6,6,6 plus SL 6,6,6)
Minimum entry grades: 36 points (HL 6,6,5 plus SL 6,6,5)
These grades must include HL in Chemistry and HL in one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics. If not passed at HL, applicants must have SL in Biology, Mathematics and English. Either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' are accepted as meeting the Mathematics requirement. Standard Level Mathematics Studies is not acceptable. Mathematics at GCSE 5 or better might be considered in lieu of Standard Level.
Personal statement
Your personal statement should explain your reasons for wanting to study medicine and why you think you would make a good doctor.
The School will expect you to have an insight into medicine and healthcare gained from relevant medically related work experience, general reading, attending medical careers conferences, or talking to doctors or medical students.
Applicants must have work or shadowing experience in a caring or health environment. This experience could have been gained in hospitals, GP surgeries, nursing homes or local hospices, or by working with people who have ill health or a disability.
We do not use weighting, points or percentages for assessment of the personal statement. We use a 'hurdle' system that means once assessed as acceptable, we do not need to revisit the personal statement again.
Admissions test
UCAT
Interview method
Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience
Voluntary or care/health work experience is essential. Students must demonstrate insights in their personal statement.
Widening participation
Widening participation applicants may be considered with lower than standard grades. See website for explanation of academic and contextual requirements. St Andrews participates in the Reach scheme.
This programme is only open to UK applicants.
Contextual admissions
This course offers contextual admissions. See website for details.
Last updated: June 2024
Competition ratios
Number of applicants per interview: Home: 2.03 | International: N/A
Number of applicants per place: Home: 10.27 | International: N/A
Degree (graduate applicants)
Degree 2:1 in any subject, to be gained within 5 years of application.
A Levels and Scottish Highers
A levels:
A Levels in three subjects at grades of AAA are required, including Biology or Chemistry plus another designated science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/Further Maths/Statistics) and a third academic subject. Any science A Level (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) completed in England from 2017 must include a pass in the practical endorsement; without this the qualification will be judged to have been failed, regardless of the headline grade. Only one subject from a combination of Maths or Further Maths or Statistics will be considered within the three A Levels. A Level grades must be achieved in one sitting.
A-level Subjects not included:
The following subjects are not accepted at A Level for A100: Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, General Studies, any AQA Applied A Level (Applied Art and Design, Applied Business, Applied ICT, Applied Leisure Studies, Applied Science, Applied Travel and Tourism, Science in Society, Use of Mathematics), any Edexcel Applied A Level (Applied Art and Design, Applied Business, Applied ICT, Engineering, Health and Social Care, Leisure Studies, Media; Performing Arts, Travel and Tourism), any OCR Applied A Level (Applied Art and Design, Applied Business, Applied Health and Social Care, Applied ICT, Applied Leisure Studies, Applied Performing Arts, Applied Science, Applied Travel and Tourism), any WJEC Applied A Level (Applied Business, Applied ICT, Applied Science). Key skills qualifications will not be taken into account in assessing academic ability.
Scottish Qualifications:
Higher: minimum of AAAAB, including Chemistry/Biology plus a second science both at A, to be achieved by the end of S5 (i.e. before applying)
Advanced Higher: minimum of AB from two subjects (both sciences) sat in S6. Any additional subject sat at Higher level in S6 must be achieved at grade B or higher
Any science subject not being offered at Higher or Advanced Higher level must have been passed at Standard/National 5 grade B/2
GCSEs and Scottish Nationals
GCSE requirements:
5 subjects at grade A (7) with a minimum of grade B (6) in Maths, English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Scottish Nationals:
National 5: a minimum of 5 subjects at grade A with a minimum of grade B in Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics
International Baccalaureate
35 points including three grade 6 passes at IB Higher Level and grades of 6, 6, 5 at Standard Level are required. Higher Level subjects must include Chemistry or Biology, plus one from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths and a third rigorous subject. Any science not taken at the Higher Level must be offered at Standard Level grade 5 or GCSE grade B (or equivalent). Points awarded for the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge are not taken into account but these components must have been completed. English Language (Language A) at Grade 6 is acceptable in lieu of GCSE English Language. Please see English Language Requirements under General Requirements if you do not have either of these.
Welsh Baccalaureate:
We require an A grade Pass in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma and two full science A Levels at grade A*A taken within a two year period. Chemistry or Biology is essential plus one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths/Further Maths/Statistics. GCSE requirements must also be met.
Scottish Baccalaureate (Science):
Grades of AA are required in 2 Advanced Highers (including Chemistry or Biology) plus AA in an interdisciplinary project unit and 1 higher. Chemistry or Biology must be offered at Advanced Higher grade A. Standard Grade/National 5 requirements must also be met.
Personal statement
Not assessed. Applicants are required to complete an on-line pre interview selection tool.
Admissions test
UCAT
Interview method
Our interviews take the form of multiple mini-interviews (MMIs) and a numeracy test.
Work experience
Work experience is assessed within the pre-interview selection tool, and within an MMI station.
The interview selection tool is a survey used as part of the shortlisting process for selection for interview. Applicants meeting the minimum academic requirements (including appropriate aptitude tests and numeracy test) will be issued this online form.
Applicants are encouraged to write about and reflect on work experiences they have had which they believe allowed them to develop the skills and attributes they may need for a future career in medicine.
Widening participation
See our website for detail.
Contextual admissions
We have a contextual offer for applicants that fulfil both our local (North East and Cumbria) and Widening Participation POLAR 4 (home address) criteria. Applicants must still meet the normal entry requirements, including the required UCAT score. See website for details.