UK university application – Medicine
Medics in the UK: why studying medicine in UK attractive?
World-class education
UK has very long history and high level of education in medicine which are highly regarded around the world.
UK medical schools are consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the world, with high quality research, teaching and clinical training. Many universities such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL and Imperial College London, are highly regarded internationally.
Internationally recognised medical qualifications
Medical qualifications (MBBS/MBChB) gained from UK universities are acknowledged in many countries. This enables graduated to work as doctors in many different courtiers such as Australia and Dubai.
Extensive clinical experience and practical education
Medical schools in the UK offer a curriculum that integrates basic and clinical medicine. Many universities incorporate problem-based learning (PBL), where students learn independently and develop problem-solving skills as they work through assignments.
Students are also asked to gain communication skills with patients, scientific thinking and diagnostic skills. Universities train students to be able to provide medical care with high patient satisfaction.
The universities also emphasises learning in a clinical setting from an early stage. Students have many opportunities to interact with real patients and develop skills that will be immediately applicable when they graduate, such as blood sampling.
Globally acclaimed NHS system
NHS (National Health Service) was established in 1948 and provides high quality healthcare service for free. All residents in the UK have equal access to high quality healthcare and the system is recoginised worldwide for its reputation for fairness in the care.
Application process for Medicine course in the UK
University application from UCAS
Students submit their grades and Personal Statement* through the centralised application system, called UCAS. Each university has different selection criteria and it is important to choose a university that matches your skills.
First, you will register on the UCAS website and fill in the necessary information. Even if you do not have the final grades, you can still apply with your predicted grades. Normally, you are allowed to apply to 5 courses, but for medicine, you are only allowed to apply for 4 medical courses. Therefore, most people apply four medicine courses and one medically related science course such as Biomedical Sciences or Biochemistry. This is because medical courses are very competitive and hard to get in, UCAS encourages you to apply less competitive course as an insurance option.
Additionally, you cannot apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. You will be contacted by UCAS at your registered email after you have submitted your application, including offer notification and an invitation to an interview.
*Personal Statement = essay
You can find out more about UCAS in this video!
Personal statement: work experience and extra-curricular activities
There are a few key points that must be covered in a personal statement for medicine courses. These are important admission requirements, and you may be asked about them during the interview.
The first point is to understand the principles and values of the NHS Charter and be able to demonstrate them through your actions. You are expected to show empathy with NHS values such as patient-centred care, equality, and respect, as well as specific experience of applying these values in practice.
It is also important to convey a clear motivation for becoming a doctor and an understanding of the profession. You should demonstrate an accurate understanding of a doctor’s role and responsibilities, along with your goals and ambitions based on this knowledge.
Additionally, it is recommended that you demonstrate enthusiasm for healthcare and concern for people through community contributions. Experience in volunteering and outreach work is a major strength in a personal statement. It is also essential to highlight leadership and teamwork skills with specific examples. You can show your collaborative nature and sense of responsibility through experiences such as leading successful projects or achieving team goals.
Finally, students are expected to showcase their non-academic interests and hobbies through extracurricular activities. Activities such as sports, music, and art are excellent ways to highlight your individuality and flexibility.
Admission Requirements: Grades, Aptitude Test, etc.
High school grades
Students who have completed A-level, IB (International Baccalaureate) or equivalent overseas high school courses are eligible to take the exam.
For A-levels
Minimum requirement: usually AAA or A*AA is required.
Required subjects: Chemistry is compulsory at most universities, with one or more from Biology, Physics, or Maths often required.
For IB
Minimum requirement: Total score of 36–39 or above (6 or 7 in HL subjects).
Required subjects: Chemistry and Biology
Admission aptitude test (UCAT/BMAT)
You will need to take an aptitude test called the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) for your application.
*BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test) has been discontinued since 2024.
The UCAT consists of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Decision Making and Situational Judgement. These sections assess reading comprehension, pattern recognition, mathematical ability, and ethical judgement.
The test aims to measure a range of skills required for medicine and includes ethical judgement questions. The most challenging aspect of the exam is the time limit, requiring candidates to answer each question within 30–60 seconds.
Interviews
Most universities will invite applicants to an interview, where they will be asked about:
- Why they want to become a doctor
- Efforts they have made towards this goal
- Teamwork and leadership experiences
The most common formats are:
- MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews): a series of short interviews assessing a range of skills.
- Panel Interview: a Q&A session with multiple interviewers
The interview format varies by university, but common topics include:
- Medical ethics (e.g. Should we treat people who smoke? How do we decide patient priority?)
- Group work experience and leadership
- Personal strengths and weaknesses
- Scenario-based questions (in MMI format).
Choosing a University and Tuition Fees
Factors to consider when choosing a university
- Region
The cost of living and learning environment varies between large cities and countryside campus universities.
- Teaching style
There are two main types of teaching style: lecture-based, as typified by Oxford and Cambridge, or problem-based learning (PBL) style. Many universities use a mixture of these two styles, and students are encouraged to choose the method that best suits their learning style.
- Course duration
Choose a programme that aligns with your career plans. You can choose between a five-year or six-year course, with or without Intercalation (a one-year period of leave or study in another academic field). There is also a Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme for students who have already completed a university degree. This programme is usually four years long and is designed for students who have a previous degree and wish to enter a School of Medicine.
- Popular universities
Universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and Imperial College London are highly competitive because of their reputation for research and teaching quality.
International student quotas and tuition fees
The international student quota for medical schools in the UK varies by university and by year but is generally around 7.5% of the total intake.
Tuition fees range from £30,000 to £60,000 (approximately 5,800,000 yen – 11,000,000 yen) per year. Fees are typically higher in London and at Oxford and Cambridge. As of 2025, tuition fees at Oxford and Cambridge are expected to be approximately £70,000 (around 13,000,000 yen) per year.
Pre-Medicine Courses
The above requirements are necessary for entry into medical schools in the UK. However, in Japan and many other countries, students may not meet these requirements immediately after high school graduation. Some universities offer pre-med courses to help such students, who have completed an equivalent high school education abroad, to meet UK medical school entry requirements.
These pre-med courses usually last one year and cover subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English. Successful completion of the course fulfils the standard UK medical school entry criteria. Below are pre-med courses offered by universities and other institutions (here, we show NCUK* programme), for students who have graduated from high school (or equivalent) outside the UK.
*NCUK is a joint UK university preparatory and postgraduate institution offering a range of foundation courses.
University of St Andrews: Medical Sciences (International Pre-Med)
University of St Andrews offers one-year international pre-medicine course to students who have studied Chemistry in high school. Students who achieve a certain level of performance in this course can progress to BSc Medicine, where they will obtain BSc (Bachelor of Science) degree in 3 years. Afterward, they will complete a 3-year training program and obtain either MBChB or MBBS degree.
Students who have studied Chemistry up to junior high school (UK year10 or US grade9) are eligible for the two-year Extended International Pre-Med program.
Entry Requirements
- Required subjects: Chemistry, plus at least one other science subject (Biology, Mathematics, or Physics)
- Applicants must apply within three years of completing their high school diploma
Entry requirements (for Japanese high school students)
- High school diploma (Senior 3)
- Academic reference from high school
- Grade: average 4.2 out of 5 or 7.5 average out of 10 or above
- 4.2 out of 5 or 7.5 out of 10 in Chemistry and one other science subject
- English language requirement: IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each section)
NCUK International Foundation Year
NCUK’s International Foundation Year is a preparation programme for international students, including those from Japan. Upon completion, students can progress to medical schools in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Entry requirements (for Japanese high school students)
- Completion of Senior High 2: average 3/5 (with a grade of at least 3 in Maths, and English if studied)
- Completion of Senior High 3: average 2/5
- English language requirement: IELTS 5.0
Below are progression options(universities in the UK).
1. University of Central Lancashire
Entry requirements (MBBS Medicine & Surgery)
- AAA from the NCUK International Foundation Year, including chemistry and at least one other science
- Grade A in English for Academic Purposes module
- Personal Statement
- Transferable Skills Statement (candidates must show evidence of work/voluntary experience in a caring role.)
- Mini interview
2. University of Bristol
Entry requirements (MBChB Medicine)
- AAA from the NCUK International Foundation Year
- Grade A* in English for Academic Purposes module
- UCAT
- Occupational Health Check and interview
- Work experience is recommended
- 18 years and over
Post-graduation – career paths
After the completion of your degree, you will be automatically allocated a hospital for your first (Foundation Year 1) and second (Foundation Year 2) year of residency; in the first year (FY1), you work clinically with a provisional medical licence, with some restrictions (e.g. no discharge decisions, no opioid prescriptions). but you basically work as a clinical doctor like any other doctor.
Upon completing your medical degree, you will be automatically allocated a hospital for your Foundation Year 1 (FY1) and Foundation Year 2 (FY2) residency.
- In FY1, you work clinically with a provisional medical licence, but with some restrictions (e.g. no discharge decisions, no opioid prescriptions).
- You will train in different specialties every four months.
- At the end of FY1, you receive a full UK medical licence from the General Medical Council (GMC).
- At the end of FY2, you receive a Foundation Year Completion Certificate, marking the end of your residency training.
After FY2, doctors can choose to:
- Enter a Specialty Training Programme (for example, GPs (medical practitioners) take 3 years, while neurosurgery, takes up to 8 years after completing residency. )
- Continue hospital rotations as a Clinical Fellow.
Some countries exempt UK-trained doctors from national licensing exams, allowing easier relocation. Australia and New Zealand are particularly popular destinations. However, Japan does not offer this exemption, making it difficult for UK-trained doctors to return and practice there.
We support students who want to study medicine at an overseas university. Contact us for a free counselling session.