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Published on: 12 Aug 2022 For Doctors
Category: Applying To Medicine

“A lot of people just wish I would

shut up, but I won’t” – how a
surgeon has made it his mission
to stand up to bullies and
discrimination.

Getting to grips with the new

Medical Licensing Assessment

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 the ability to apply

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.
This is the essay writing portion
acquired scientific knowledge.
of the exam. The applicant is
The information tested in this
tested on their ability to
section is any of the
develop and organise ideas
mathematics and science
then communicate them in a
covered in school by the age of
concise and effective manner.
16.
One of three essay questions
Composed of 27 multiple-
can be chosen to be completed
choice questions to be
within 30 minutes.
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 Quantitative Abstract Reasoning Decision Making

(VR) Reasoning (QR) (AR) (DM)

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
The comprehension
four types of questions.
section of the exam.
Type 1: Two sets of
Applicants are
shapes are provided;
expected to read 200- The numerical skills The logical thinking
Set A and B. Five test
300 words to answer section of the exam. section of the exam.
shapes are given where
two types of related
Applicants are it must be decided if Applicants are
questions:
expected to critically these fit in Set A, Set B, presented with data or
Free Text: Questions or evaluate different data or neither. passages of text and
incomplete statements sets to answer must answer two types
Type 2: A sequence of
are provided, and the multiple-choice of corresponding
shapes changing from
best-fit answer must be questions. The data is questions.
box to box are shown.
chosen. presented in different
Will need to deduce Multiple choice: One
forms, tables, graphs,
True/False/Can’t Tell: which four shapes will correct option out of
shapes. Access to an
Based on the passage come next. four.
in-screen calculator is
of text, the provided
available. Type 3: One set of Yes/No: Yes or No
statement must be
shapes has been must be chosen for
classed as true, false or Composed of 36
changed to form a new each statement.
can’t tell. questions with 5
set. The same change
possible answers to Composed of 29
Composed of 11 must be deduced,
choose from questions.
passages of text with 4 applied to the four test
questions per passage To be completed in 25 shapes given and then To be completed in 32
(44 VR questions minutes: 1 minute of the correct test shape minutes: 1 minute of
overall) reading and 24 is chosen. reading and 31
minutes for questions. minutes for questions.
To be completed in 22 Type 4: Four test
minutes: 1 minute of shapes are provided
reading and 21 and they must be
minutes for questions. 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.

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.

Related links

Applying for Medical School

Becoming A Doctor: Medical Student Finance
The BMJ Guide To Intercalated Degrees

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