UK Students
UCAS Guidelines for Applying to Medicine in the UK
UCAS is a centralised platform by which students make their university application. For medicine, you can apply to 4 universities and another course, which is not medicine, as a fifth option.
If you are applying to medicine, there is an earlier deadline, which is usually the 16th of October. As part of your UCAS application, you will also submit a personal statement. Before submission, you will have the entrance exam called UCAT, but you are unlikely to have attended any interviews as these take place from November onwards.
What is included in a UCAS application
This is completed online, and there are various sections. This includes personal details, your education history (such as GCSEs), any supporting information like extenuating circumstances and employment history.
You will also be required to provide a referee who will submit a reference about you. This is usually a teacher at your school.
Information is also collected for equality monitoring, and so there may be questions that seem personal, but they have no bearing on your application.
Timeline
- June – UCAS application opens
- May – Create a UCAT account
- July-September – Sit the UCAT
- October 16th – deadline for UCAS
- November to Feb – Interviews
- A-level results day and clearing opens
International students
UK medical schools are among the most sought-after. However, there is a cap on the number of places for international applicants at UK medical schools. Hence, it is a highly competitive process.
The UCAS System is also used for international students applying to UK universities. Like the UK applicants, they can only choose four medical choices and a fifth non-medical choice. Deadlines remain the same.
Entry requirements will vary depending on the country you are from, and often, thresholds may be more competitive. For example, a higher UCAT score is required for international students. Tuition fees are also considerably more and differ across England, Scotland and Wales. For information on home and international fee status, visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
International students whose first language is not English will be required to provide proof of proficiency. This will include tests such as IELTS. Information regarding this can be found on each university’s website.
International students will need to submit a student visa (Tier 4) once they have an offer from a UK medical school. The medical school will provide a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies document, which is required for your visa application.
