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Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

Medicine MBBS (5 Years) entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

A Levels

A levels at grades A*AA, achieved in one sitting over a study period of no longer than two years. A-levels must include:

  • First A Level - Chemistry or Biology
  • Second A Level – A further science subject from (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or Maths)
  • Third A Level - Any A level subject with the exception of Critical Thinking and General Studies.  Further Maths is not accepted if Maths is taken as your second A level.  
  • The A* can be in any of the three subjects and does not need to be in one of the required sciences
  • If A level Maths and Further Maths are offered in the same sitting, Further Maths will not be counted towards the minimum A*AA requirement.
  • General studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted subjects.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB | 38 points overall and three Higher Level subjects at 666 including Chemistry or Biology plus one further science subject from (Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths). Three further subjects at Standard Level including Chemistry or Biology if not both offered at Higher Level.

Qualifications not accepted

  • BTEC HNC/HND
  • GNVQ/AVCE/Applied A levels
  • City and Guilds
  • Open University course credits
  • Foundation, pre-medical/dental programmes or access courses from another other institution
  • Equivalent high school qualifications from other countries not listed on our website
  • Graduates – Lower Second Class Honours Degree (2:2) or equivalent

GCSE 

We require at least six GCSEs at grades 777666 (AAABBB pre 2017) including Biology, Chemistry, English Language or English Literature and Mathematics. The Science Double Award may substitute all sciences at GCSE.

GCSEs are not required for graduates.

UCAT

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions test, used by a consortium of UK Universities and non-UK associate member universities to help select applicants for their medical and dental degree programmes.

It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as the UCAS application and academic qualifications.

It is also your opportunity to stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your aptitude for a demanding programme of study.

The UCAT is a computer-based test delivered in Pearson VUE test centres throughout the UK and worldwide.  More information on the UCAT and how to register can be found here

How we use the UCAT

Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of a weighted score compared to other applicants who apply in the same year, and may be comprised of UCAT score, UCAS tariff of qualifications predicted or achieved or weighted scoring of degree for graduates. Selection after interview may consider all assessment factors: interview score, situational judgement test, UCAS tariff of qualifications predicted or achieved or weighted scoring from degree and UCAT score.

  • Your application will not be considered further than the first shortlisting if you obtained a total UCAT score below the fourth decile. Please note there is no guarantee that you will be offered an interview if you score above the fourth decile. 
  • Your application will not be considered further than the first shortlisting if you score SJT Band 4.
  • It is not possible to predict what the thresholds will be in any individual year, nor to use data from previous years to predict subsequent years’ thresholds. 

UCAT Exemptions/Waiver

UCAT exemptions/waivers are not granted under any circumstances. If you are unable to take the UCAT for any reason, our advice will be to reapply for the following application cycle.

Age

Candidates MUST be 18 or over by the end of the second week of course enrolment. If applicants are under 18 at the start of the course, they can apply for deferred entry if they will meet the age requirement the following year.  

English Language Requirements

GCSE English Language grade 6

or 

IELTS score of 7.0 overall with 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in the other components. This must be taken within two years of starting the course.

For further information on other accepted qualifications, please see our English Language page


Graduate applicants

  • You may apply in the final year of your degree and must be predicted/achieved at least an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject. Degrees are divided into three categories.
  • Bioscience degrees which contain sufficient biology and chemistry
  • Science degrees which do not contain sufficient biology or chemistry – require achieved/predicted A/AS level biology and/or chemistry at grade C
  • Non-science degrees which do not contain any biology or chemistry – require achieved/predicted A/AS level biology or chemistry plus one further science (Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology) at grade B
  • Degrees must be completed in the natural length intended for the qualification (generally, 3 years for Bachelors, and 4 years for integrated Masters).
  • Use the degree title checker to check your degree subject and any additional requirements for entry. If your degree is not listed please contact us with a full transcript and previous A/AS level study in Biology and Chemistry.
  • We do not accept alternative qualifications in lieu of A/AS Levels or acceptable equivalents so candidates with alternative qualifications may not be accepted if their degree does not have at least two thirds Bioscience content.

Graduates with a non-UK degree

Graduates who offer a degree with at least an upper second class honours or equivalent who have graduated from a university outside the UK, must check their degree equivalency to a UK Honours degree with at least a 2:1 against the Postgraduate requirements stipulated for their region. If equivalent, applicants should then use the degree title checker to check your degree subject and any additional requirements for entry.

  • You may apply in the final year of your degree and must be predicted/achieved at least an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject. Degrees are divided into three categories.
  • Bioscience degrees which contain sufficient biology and chemistry
  • Science degrees which do not contain sufficient biology or chemistry – require achieved/predicted A/AS level biology and/or chemistry at grade C.
  • Non-science degrees which do not contain any biology or chemistry – require achieved/predicted A/AS level biology or chemistry plus one further science (Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology) at grade B.
  • Degrees must be completed in the natural length intended for the qualification (generally, 3 years for Bachelors, and 4 years for integrated Masters).
  • We do not accept alternative qualifications in lieu of A/AS Levels or acceptable equivalents so candidates with alternative qualifications may not be accepted if their degree does not have at least two thirds Bioscience content.

 

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