How To Get Into Medical School (UK Edition)

So you want to become a doctor? It is a noble career choice which can be incredibly rewarding, but also demanding. No two doctors’ lives are the same, but arguably one of the biggest challenges every single doctor has had to face is one that occurs before their career has even begun: getting into medical school. As such, this article will provide you with great insight into the process of how to get into medical school in the UK.

 

What Qualifications Do I Need To Be A Doctor?

To become a doctor in the UK, you need to have obtained a degree in medicine – i.e. a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (abbreviated as MBBS, MBChB, or BMBS) – from an institution whose degrees are recognised as a Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) by the medical regulator, the General Medical Council (GMC). Following completion of your PMQ, you will be provisionally registered with the GMC, and only receive full registration after completion of your first year of the two-year foundation programme (FY1). Completion of FY2 allows you to apply for further training in specialised areas. The length of this varies across specialties, but once you’ve completed specialty training, you obtain a certificate of completion of training (CCT) to go on work as a consultant in your chosen specialty.

 

Choosing A Medical School

How many medical schools are there in the UK, you ask? There are currently more than 30 universities that award a medical degree, with new schools and programmes constantly being reviewed and added to the list. Legally speaking, they are all equal since medicine is subject to extensive quality assurance to ensure every graduate from every GMC-approved medical school is fit to practice. Nonetheless, there are league tables ranking the best universities for medicine based on numerous factors influencing overall learning experience. The top 10 medical schools in the UK for 2021 according to The Complete University Guide are as follows:

1. Glasgow Medical School & Dundee Medical School

2. Oxford Medical School

3. Aberdeen Medical School

4. Edinburgh Medical School

5. Queen Mary University of London Medical School

6. Cambridge Medical School

7. St Andrews Medical School

8. Imperial Medical School

9. Swansea Medical School

10. UCL Medical School

Regardless of rankings, you should explore individual medical courses in terms of structure, teaching style, facilities, and location to see which one is right for you as you will be spending a significant amount of years there.

 

Medical School Entry Requirements

Various medical schools in the UK have different entry requirements specific to their course. However, there is a generalised expectation regarding the type of grades required to gain admission into some of the best universities for medicine.  

 

A Levels

Most medical schools will expect at least AAA at A-Level, usually in Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry, as well as Physics or Mathematics. Higher ranked medical schools, particularly Oxbridge (University of Oxford and Cambridge) will expect A*A*A-A*AA.

 

SQA Highers and Advanced Highers

The general expectation from most medical schools is either AAAAB or AAABB at SQA Highers in S5 and AA/AB or BBB at SQA Advanced Highers in S6.

 

GCSE and Scottish Nationals

An applicant’s GCSE results are more often than not taken into consideration, where the expectation is a minimum of a Grade 6 (B) in English Language and Mathematics, and sometimes the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics). The remaining subjects are expected to be anywhere from Grade 6 to 9 (B-A*). Some universities accept Grade 4-5 (C); these are in the minority, however. As for Scottish Nationals, they must match the equivalent GCSE requirements.

 

Graduate entry medicine 

Graduates can either apply for the 5-year undergraduate course (UCAS: A100) or the 4-year graduate-entry course (UCAS: A101/102). The expectation is a minimum of a 2:1 Honours, usually in a relevant science degree; albeit, this is not the case for every university. A Level and GCSE grades will normally still be taken into consideration at varying levels dependent on the medical school.

 

BMAT and UCAT

Either the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) or UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) will be used as part of the entry requirements for medicine. These are both standardised tests designed to test potential applicants on their clinical aptitude and general medical knowledge alongside other areas of thinking.

You must book a place yourself prior to university enrolment. An applicant has one chance to take these exams per registration period, e.g. if the exam is taken in 2021, the applicant must use it for the 2021 application period and not in any of the upcoming years. 

 

BMAT

This 2-hour test is split into three sections (Table 1) and examines your knowledge of science and mathematics, as well as your logical thinking, problem-solving, and written communication skills. The BMAT is ordinarily a pen and paper exam, but due to the circumstances attached to the pandemic, the 2020 exam was taken electronically. The BMAT costs approximately £60 if taken within the UK, and £90 if taken outside the UK. 

Section 1	Section 2	Section 3
Assesses problem solving, data analysis and the ability to generate conclusions from abstract information.  Composed of 32 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 60 minutes.	Assesses the ability to apply acquired scientific knowledge. The information tested in this section is any of the mathematics and science covered in school by the age of 16.  Composed of 27 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 30 minutes.	This is the essay writing portion of the exam. The applicant is tested on their ability to develop and organise ideas then communicate them in a concise and effective manner.  One of three essay questions can be chosen to be completed within 30 minutes.

Table 1 BMAT exam format.

 

BMAT Universities

Brighton and Sussex Medical School	University of Cambridge
Imperial College London	University of Leeds
Lancaster University	University of Oxford
University College London (UCL)	Keele (International students only)

Table 2 List of BMAT Universities in the UK.

 

UCAT

This 2-hour test is split into five sections (Table 3) and is completed electronically at a designated testing centre, where a whiteboard is provided. Applicants receive their results immediately post-exam. This test examines the applicant’s problem-solving, teamwork, spatial awareness and numerical skills, as well as their empathy and integrity. The UCAT costs approximately £75 if taken within the UK, and £120 if taken outside the UK.

 

Verbal Reasoning (VR)	Quantitative Reasoning (QR)	Abstract Reasoning (AR)	Decision Making (DM)
The comprehension section of the exam.  Applicants are expected to read 200-300 words to answer two types of related questions: Free Text: Questions or incomplete statements are provided, and the best-fit answer must be chosen. True/False/Can’t Tell: Based on the passage of text, the provided statement must be classed as true, false or can’t tell.  Composed of 11 passages of text with 4 questions per passage (44 VR questions overall) To be completed in 22 minutes: 1 minute of reading and 21 minutes for questions.	The numerical skills section of the exam.  Applicants are expected to critically evaluate different data sets to answer multiple-choice questions. The data is presented in different forms, tables, graphs, shapes. Access to an in-screen calculator is available. Composed of 36 questions with 5 possible answers to choose from  To be completed in 25 minutes: 1 minute of reading and 24 minutes for questions.	The critical thinking and pattern spotting section of the exam.  Applicants are presented with shape-based patterns and must generate hypotheses to fit the patterns and answer four types of questions. Type 1: Two sets of shapes are provided; Set A and B. Five test shapes are given where it must be decided if these fit in Set A, Set B, or neither. Type 2: A sequence of shapes changing from box to box are shown. Will need to deduce which four shapes will come next. Type 3: One set of shapes has been changed to form a new set. The same change must be deduced, applied to the four test shapes given and then the correct test shape is chosen. Type 4: Four test shapes are provided and they must be sorted to either Set A or B. Composed of 13 sets with 55 questions in total. To be completed in 14 minutes: 1 minute of reading and 13 minutes for questions.	The logical thinking section of the exam.  Applicants are presented with data or passages of text and must answer two types of corresponding questions. Multiple choice: One correct option out of four. Yes/No: Yes or No must be chosen for each statement. Composed of 29 questions. To be completed in 32 minutes: 1 minute of reading and 31 minutes for questions.
Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
The empathy, integrity and perspective section of the exam.  Applicants are presented with real-life situations and must choose the most appropriate response. This section is marked differently to the prior sections and is awarded a band grade from 1 (highest) to 4 (lowest). Composed of 22 scenarios with 69 questions total. To be completed in 27 minutes: 1 minute of reading and 26 minutes for questions.

Table 3 UCAT exam format.

 

UCAT Universities

University of Aberdeen	King’s College London
Anglia Ruskin University	University of Leicester
Aston University	University of Liverpool
University of Birmingham	University of Manchester
University of Bristol	University of Newcastle
Cardiff University	University of Nottingham
University of Dundee	Plymouth University
University of East Anglia	Queen Mary University of London
Edge Hill University	Queen’s University Belfast
University of Edinburgh	University of Sheffield
University of Exeter	University of Southampton
University of Glasgow	University of St Andrews
Hull York Medical School	St George’s, University of London
Keele University	University of Sunderland
Kent and Medway Medical School	University of Warwick

Table 4 List of UCAT Universities in the UK.

 

Work Experience

This is where many applicants start to believe applying for medicine is a lost cause. It is incredibly difficult to secure a position in a clinical setting; not because you’re not good enough, but rather due to cumbersome administrative, insurance, and ethical implications of having an inexperienced student roam the wards of a hospital. The good news, nonetheless, is that medical schools are aware of how hard it is to gain clinical exposure. You should still try to contact as many consultants and other healthcare professionals you come across for possible placements since you do need to demonstrate a realistic grasp of what a medical profession entails; this could also simply mean having a chat with clinicians about their career. 

Essentially, what admissions officers are looking for is a range of experiences, preferably long-term, where you demonstrated interest in the welfare of society as that is the crux of healthcare. Volunteering is a fantastic way of accomplishing this. Aim to look for long-term volunteering opportunities at a hospital, a care home, or a charity to gain a realistic experience; they are always looking for volunteers to help out. Befriending or caring for the vulnerable in particular is an excellent opportunity to not only develop the qualities any doctor should possess – i.e. communication skills, empathy, resilience, enthusiasm, teamwork – but also network with other healthcare professionals who can provide further insight into the field, and possibly even shadowing work. Teaching experience, such as with children with learning difficulties, is also valuable as you demonstrate communication skills and patience. 

Additionally, there are numerous programmes and organisations that offer paid or voluntary internships/placements for aspiring medical students which you may look into. Nonetheless, competition may be high as literally thousands of students will be applying.

Organising paid or voluntary placements takes time, so make sure to start early so you will have completed a number of diverse, long-term experiences by the time you begin working on your medical school application. You may complete placements over holidays, during the school year, or even take a gap year; this will show great time-management.

 

Personal Statement

Emphasis on your personal statement varies from university to university, with some outlining at which stage it is used and exactly how much it is worth in your overall application. Accordingly, students put varying amounts of effort into writing their personal statements. Nonetheless, it is still an important component and often left to the last minute; for some universities it can even be a deciding factor between a rejection or an offer, so make sure to look into your choices and how they use the personal statement. 

When it comes to writing the personal statement, the aim is to woo the admissions officers who will be reading it. It’s a justification as to why YOU should be picked out of the pile of eligible candidates. One way to structure your statement is to start off with your motivation and demonstrate that you have done relevant research to ensure it is what you want to do. 

Next you can move on to why you’re suitable by outlining attributes you’ve developed through your academic performance, extracurricular activities, and voluntary or paid placements/internships and linking them to the roles of a doctor. Many make the mistake of simply listing all the clinically relevant things they did. Instead, what admissions officers are looking for is what you learnt from those experiences, and how they’re relevant to the medical profession, and ultimately, how they will help you become a better medical student and doctor. Choose quality over quantity for your examples – be it experiences, extracurricular activities, hobbies, or articles/books that you read – and reflect on how they impacted you and how they helped you develop a certain attribute that is relevant to a career in medicine. 

Lastly, if you’re applying as an international student, you should also have a small paragraph justifying why you want to study in the UK.

 

Interviews 

Once the admissions criteria are met, you’ll be invited to interview at the medical school. Interviews are an opportunity for the medical school to learn more about you and evaluate whether you possess the qualities affiliated with those of a good doctor.

Interview season for most universities is anywhere from November to March. Regarding responses, this varies for each medical school; some may offer a response within a couple of weeks, whilst others will wait until the March deadline.

Different universities offer their own respective interview styles; however, they can be split into two main categories: traditional (panel) interviews or MMIs (Multiple Mini Interviews).

Regardless of interview style, there are certain hot topics that often arise in interviews. Candidates are often asked to demonstrate understanding of the medical profession by exhibiting knowledge of the NHS, the GMC, the history of medicine, as well as certain controversies in healthcare. 

 

Traditional (panel) Interviews

Panel interviews revolve around questions and answers, often feeling more like a conversation between the applicant and whomever is interviewing them. This is a chance for you to elaborate on their personal statement, highlight notable qualities, emphasise any key points, and build rapport with the interviewers.

The questions will not be released prior to the interview and must not be discussed afterwards. However, there is an abundance of question banks online and most universities will provide information on what they are looking for from potential students on their websites.

Candidates may be interviewed by a lecturer at the university, a GP, a nurse, an admissions tutor, a junior doctor or a medical student. The interview sessions vary in length, ranging from 20 to 40 minutes.

 

Traditional (Panel) Universities

Barts (Queen Mary, University of London)	University of Nottingham
University of Bristol	University of Oxford
University of Cambridge	University of Glasgow
University of Central Lancashire	University of Sheffield
University of Dundee	University of Southampton
Keele University	University of Swansea
King’s College London	University College London
University of Newcastle

Table 5 List Panel Interview Universities in the UK.

 

MMIs

Most medical schools choose MMIs as their interview style as it provides a clear insight into the skills you possess. Whilst panel interviews are more question focused, MMIs are task-based, with different 10-minute stations set up to test various qualities. MMIs are set up in this way so that the interviewers can see what you’re capable of doing in real-time instead of simply talking about your qualities. 

Prior to each station, you’ll be given a scenario and some time to prepare. You’ll either be watched by an interviewer in a role-play scenario alongside a trained actor, or will be asked questions by the interviewer themselves. Some stations may in fact focus on your personal statement or ask more panel style questions. Medical Schools will have about 10 MMI stations, each taking no longer than 10 minutes to complete. The average time for an MMI interview is around two hours.

Although MMIs are often specific to each University, common themes are present throughout. Some common stations the candidate is likely to encounter are as follows:

• Role-play stations: Acting out a scenario with an actor playing a patient or friend. This station evaluates empathy and communication skills.

• PBL (problem-based learning) stations: Candidates are put in PBL groups with other candidates, working through a scenario to extract the main themes. This station evaluates teamwork and problem-solving.

• Data interpretation and calculation stations: Data is presented that must be analysed to draw a conclusion, such as the effectiveness of an antibiotic based on a graph. Additionally, simple clinically relevant calculations are provided that need to be solved, such as the amount of drug that must be prescribed. This station evaluates data analysis.

• Professional judgement stations: Acting out a scenario, however this time, the candidate must determine the best next course of action in high-pressure situations. This station evaluates ability to gauge patient safety, as well as empathy and communication skills.

• Instruction stations: Giving instructions for specific activities, such as tying shoelaces without hand gestures, giving directions from a map or building block structures. This station evaluates communication skills, ability to stay calm under pressure, and provide instruction that is specific to the individual being instructed.

 

MMI Universities:

University of Aberdeen	Anglia Ruskin University
Aston University	Brighton and Sussex Medical School
University of Buckingham	Brunel University London
Cardiff University	Edge Hill University
University of Edinburgh	University of Exeter
Hull York Medical School	Imperial College London
Kent and Medway Medical School	Lancaster University
University of Leeds	University of Leicester
University of Manchester	University of East Anglia (Norwich)
Plymouth University	Queen’s University Belfast
University of St Andrews	St George’s, University of London
University of Sunderland	University of Warwick

Table 6 List of MMI Universities in the UK.

 

Resources

ISC Medical provides invaluable resources for many components of the application process, including books with sample questions for BMAT, UCAT, interviews, as well as advice on writing your personal statement. Furthermore, BMAT past papers and UCAT sample papers can be found on their respective websites where they are free to download. Lastly, Medify is another highly recommended platform to assist you in your application; it even allows you to practice numerous UCAT style questions under real exam conditions.