Studying Medicine In The UK
If you are looking to study medicine in the UK, then understand that it is very challenging, but also a very rewarding career.
It is very competitive to enter UK medical schools. In 2022, according to an article in the Guardian newspaper in the UK, only 16% who applied, succeeded.
So you need to find ways of standing out from the crowd to maximise your chances of success.
But don’t worry, we at Glinks have created a team of tutors to help you with all the requirements to get into a UK medical school.
How can Glinks help?
Watch this video
To book a tutor, take advantage of our introduction pack of 10 hours by clicking the button below.
So let's explore all of this in more detail
Let's take a look at the UK medical school landscape
There are currently 46 medical schools in the UK, 36 in England, 5 in Scotland, 3 in Wales and 2 in Northern Ireland.
UK medical schools are certified by the General Medical Council which also licences doctors allowed to practice in the country.
To apply for medicine in the UK we use the UCAS platform, which is a universal application platform for undergraduate degrees in the UK.
Glinks will submit these applications on your behalf as part of our service.
When applying to medical schools in the UK, you can choose up to 4 schools. UCAS gives you an extra slot which can be used for another course.
The Journey To Becoming A Doctor (GP) in UK Requires The Following
- Take a 5 Year accredited degree course in a UK medical school.
- Take a 2 Year foundation in the UK of practical experience (guaranteed place if medical course completed) This is a paid position.
- Then you choose your specialism. So for becoming a GP, there is an additional 3 years of further training. Other specialisms take longer e.g. plastic surgery takes 8 years.
- There is a strong demand for doctors, so there is an excellent chance of settling down in the UK with full citizenship.
To maximise your chances of succeeding in your application you need to consider the following:
- Excellent Exam Results
- Pass the UCAT Exam
- Pass the Medical Interview
- Gain Work Experience
To book a tutor, take advantage of our introduction pack of 10 hours by clicking the button below.
What is required to enter a UK medical school?
Let's take a look in more detail
Excellent Exam Results
All UK medical schools require excellent exam results to get in. You need to be the best student with top academic results to be considered.
If you are looking for help to pass your exams you can contact us to help you with tutoring.
Typical academic entry requirements are the following:
A’levels
AAA including Biology and Chemistry, plus Maths or Physics.
GCSE
Generally you need at least a grade 5 in English and Maths (sometimes a 6). Some require 5 – 8 GCSEs with grades 5/6+.
International Baccalaureate
36 points are required overall with at least 666 at a higher level.
Major subjects must include Biology and Chemistry, plus another science or Maths
English Language
IELTS. Minimum average score of 7 with no component less than 6.5
(NB: these requirements are generic. Please check with our team for specific requirements for individual universities.)
University Clinical Aptitude Exam (UCAT)
Almost all UK medical schools require applicants to take the UCAT exam if wish to study medicine or dentistry.
You only get one chance to sit the exam every year.
Absolutely critical to your applications to medical school.
The exam is made up of 5 different sections:
- Verbal Reasoning (VR) – 21 minutes for 44 questions
- Decision Making (DM) – 29 minutes for 31 questions
- Quantitative Reasoning (QR) – 25 minutes for 36 questions
- Abstract Reasoning (AR) – 12 minutes for 50 questions
- Situational Judgement Test (SJT) – 26 minutes for 69 questions
Sections 1 to 4 are scored between 300 – 900 for a total score between 1,200 and 3,600.
Section 5 is scored separately, and you receive a band 1 – band 4. Band 1 is the highest and so on.
A score of above 2,800 is very good, and above 3,000 is considered excellent.
It is very important to get tutoring for these exams as they are so critical.
Click on the button below to buy our introduction pack to receive tutoring, question banks, and to help you practice with mock exams.
The Medical Interview
The interview can happen i two forms
- Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
- Panel Interviews
MMIs are short interviews (5 – 8 minutes) with many people (5 to 10). Each interview will test a different area of your skills.
Panel interviews are with the same people and normally last for 20 – 30 minutes. There are a set of questions that will be followed but can be adapted depending on your answers.
Work Experience
Work experience is really important element for applications to a UK medical school.
This will be important with respect to interviews and personal statements.
The recommendation is for 2 types of experience
- Caring (Care home, learning disabilities, caring for a family member)
- Medicine (Shadowing, work in a hospital or primary care)
Keep a diary and explain what did you learn?
Experience can be in the GCC / India as long as it is accredited.
Personal Statements
Personal statements are a part of the UCAS application.
Their format is changing from 2026 onwards.
2025 – Explain why you want to do medicine, and why you are a good candidate in 4000 characters.
2026 – You will have 3 questions
- Why do you want to study this course?
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course?
- What else have you done outside of education. and why are these experiences useful.
Our team can help you with personal statements, UCAT exams, interviews, work experience and school tutoring.
To start your journey buy our introduction pack now
Application timelines (medicine)
The dates shown below are generally the same every year, with an occasional variation. Please check with us for exact dates for your chosen year.
Please note that unlike most courses in the UK, the medicine course must be applied to by October of the year before you are due to enter. In the example below we are assuming 2025 as the year of application.
Applications for medical school for the following year go live in the UCAS system
At this point you can register to take the test.
You can now book an appointment at a UCAT testing centre e.g. Pearson test centres in the GCC
UCAT Testing Begins
UCAT Testing Ends
the following year
Applications must be submitted by this deadline for entry into medical schools the following year. You can submit after but the school can choose to disregard it.
Medical interviews take place
the following year
If none of your original choices have given you an offer, then you can add additional choices.
An additional time period given to find you a university place, particularly after exam results are known.
Our team can help you with personal statements, UCAT exams, interviews, work experience and school tutoring.
To start your journey buy our introduction pack now