Medicine is generally considered the most competitive course in the UK, thus applications require a great deal of commitment from both domestic and international students. Understanding exactly what medical school involves can really help you decide whether it’s right for you and give you the very best chance of securing a place at the school of your choice.
What are the best Universities for Medicine in the UK?
There are lots of ways to rank courses at different universities - including facilities, student satisfaction, research and teaching scores, and their overall reputation. A good place to start is the, which in 2025 had the following top 10:
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford
- UCL (University College London)
- Imperial College London
- The University of Edinburgh
- University of Bristol
- University of Glasgow
- Queen’s University Belfast
- University of Dundee
- University of St Andrews
Taking the time to look into student testimonials, attend university open days, and to do as much research as you can into your shortlist is a worthwhile task, helping you to discover which is the right fit for you.
Does it matter which Medical School you go to?
UK Medical schools are all highly rated, and will all qualify you to pursue a career in medicine after studying for a Bachelor of Medicine, or Bachelor of Surgery degree. Although called a Bachelor, it is more equivalent to a Masters level. You could also apply for a graduate entry in medicine.
There are a range of factors that will make different medical schools a better fit for you, and more aligned with your future career ambitions. There are, in general, three main types of medical school: ‘Traditional’ courses, which split into pre-clinical and clinical sections; ‘Integrated’ courses, where clinical work is part of the course from the beginning; and Case-Based Learning (CBL), or Problem-Based Learning courses (PBL). You may find some of these different approaches more appealing and likely to suit your learning needs more than others. Check out for more detail.
How hard is it to get into Medical School in the UK?
The short answer: it’s hard!
There were 23,350 applications for places to study at medical school in the UK in 2025. For context, there are around 7,600 places available, guaranteeing a high level of competition from very well qualified candidates for each and every place.
What are the GCSE and A Level requirements to study medicine?
GCSE English and Maths are normally required, as are Science subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. At A Level, the subjects required vary between medical schools, but Biology and Chemistry are often required, with Physics, Maths, and Further Maths also key for many Schools. In terms of the grades required for these subjects, the minimum requirements are normally extremely high, with straight A-grades or equivalent being the typical benchmark. Look closely at the university’s entry requirements pages to check!
How do I choose a Medical School?
As mentioned above, student testimonials, open days, and online research are great ways to whittle down to a shortlist of medical schools that match your requirements. Given the stiff competition for places, it’s not wise to set your sights on only one School - so you should decide on a shortlist of four that suit your needs (the maximum number of medical schools you are allowed to apply to via UCAS).
How do I prepare an effective personal statement?
Your personal statement is a key tool for signaling your commitment to and suitability for a place at a UK medical school. You should ideally look to draw on a broad range of work experience undertaken in advance of applying, to illustrate what you have learned about the medical profession and your own motivations for wanting to enter it. A personal statement is a good chance to differentiate yourself in advance of what are sure to be challenging application interviews. On the topic of interviews, remember that these can vary enormously between medical schools, with some involving multiple interviews or even group interviews - so use your personal statement to give your interviewers some pointers on the kinds of questions they may wish to ask to fully understand your personality and potential.
Remember, you’re only able to submit the same personal statement for all of your five allocated applications via UCAS, of which only four can be to medical schools, so your personal statement should also be suitable for whichever course you select for your fifth application!
Do I have to sit an entrance exam to study medicine in the UK?
In most cases, yes. Those applying to medical and dental degree programmes in 2025 will most likely have to sit the UCAT or University Clinical Aptitude Test. A similar test – the BMAT – has now been scrapped, and those universities that used the BMAT before (Imperial, Oxford, Cambridge, Lancaster, Brighton and Sussex, UCL and Leeds) now require applicants to sit the UCAT instead. Two medical schools, the University of Buckinghamshire and the University of Central Lancashire Medical School, do not require admissions tests.
What is the UCAT?
The UCAT is a computer-based test, sat at a in the UK (also worldwide). You can check whether your choice of the UCAT.
You will get your on the day of your test!
The UCAT is a computer-based test, sat at a in the UK (also worldwide). You can check whether your choice of the UCAT.
You will get your on the day of your test!
Read more in our Guide to the UCAT.
How can I prepare for the UCAT?
The UCAT has sections on Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Situational Judgment, all of which are designed to assess the aptitude of a candidate to succeed in studying Medicine or Dentistry, rather than their academic capabilities.
There is helpful advice on the relevant , from how to put together a preparation plan, to a , and the all-important UCAT .
°®ÒºÊÓƵ has a range of specialist tutors who can assist students approaching university aptitude tests for medical school and help you prepare for the UCAT via online or in-person tuition.
View a sample of the UCAT tutors we work with.
How important is work experience?
Relevant work experience is an essential part of demonstrating your suitability to study Medicine. It’s proof of your commitment to, and passion for, the subject, as well as evidence that you have some awareness of the challenges involved in putting medical knowledge into practice. The understanding you gain from your work experience helps to differentiate you from other equally well-qualified students.
There are plenty of different options available for gaining work experience, and you should look to undertake a wide range of placements to help ensure you gain a broad understanding of medicine in different contexts. You could shadow a General Practitioner or another medical professional - but there are also other ways to gain valuable experience. You could work in a retirement home or hospice, and see what medical care is like for older or terminally ill patients. You could work in a pharmacy, and gain a better understanding of their role. Healthcare is a varied area of activity, and understanding how medical knowledge is applied across a range of different settings will stand you in good stead.
Medical School interviews
Medical school interviews vary a great deal from school to school. In general, there are three types of interview:
- ‘Traditional’ interviews, with a single interviewer or panel who will assess your suitability.
- Group interviews, where in addition to the ‘traditional’ interview above, you will be asked to discuss a specific topic with a group of fellow applicants.
- Multiple mini-interviews, where you will undertake a series of shorter interviews or scenarios assessing you on a particular quality or attribute.
It’s important to read up on the particular approach taken by the schools you have applied to, and to prepare accordingly!
What are the changes in 2025?
For 2025, Oxford and Cambridge are adopting the UCAT, and the UCAS Personal Statement has changed its format. Instead of writing a 4000 character essay, applicants must now answer .
UCAT & Medical School Admissions Tutors
If you'd like further information about applying to Medical School do contact us. We work with a range of tutors who have experience preparing students for the UCAT admisions test.