Leeds

The University of Leeds began with the founding of The Medical School in 1831, with the development of the other departments following afterwards.

The Medical School is currently ranked 25th in the country by the Complete University Guide, with a student satisfaction rating of 75%.

About The Course

Leeds offers a five-year medical degree taught in an integrated teaching style consisting of lectures, seminars and early clinical exposure.

Students will study the biomedical aspects of medicine first, doing so in Years 1 and 2 of study.

Clinical placements will begin largely in Year 3 and will be based in cities across West Yorkshire, such as Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford and Wakefield.

Leeds’ five-year Medicine degree curriculum places a strong emphasis on both communication and practical skills, whilst training through the medical sciences.

Structure Of The Course

Year 1

Year 1 of the course is largely based around the biomedical aspects of clinical practice. Students will learn anatomy, radiology, physiology and pharmacology via an integrated learning style while also developing their communication skills to prepare for placement in later years.

Year 2

Year 2 allows students to study medical conditions while developing skills in patient consultation and diagnostics. Students will have clinical contact in this year to further their knowledge of human experience within healthcare.

Year 3

Year 3 consists of five five-week clinical placements in a variety of different specialities, including Primary Care, Surgery and Dermatology. There will also be consultation/clinical skills teaching happening alongside placements.

Year 4

Year 4 furthers the students’ clinical experience with speciality placements including women’s health, mental illness and palliative care. Students are expected to hugely develop their skills in diagnoses and management plans in this year.

Between Years 4 and 5 all medical students have the opportunity to plan and carry out their six-week elective placement.

Year 5

Year 5 is the student’s final stage of transition from medical student to doctor. There are six four-week placements in this final year.

Academic Requirements

GCSEs: A minimum of 6 GCSEs grade 6 or above required in Maths, English Language, Biology and Chemistry or Dual Science. Please note that applicants applying with these minimums are unlikely to be shortlisted to interview and that scoring is based on 8 GCSEs.

A-levels: AAA. A*AB will not be accepted instead of AAA. Chemistry or Biology. Physics or Maths must also be offered if Chemistry is not taken. Taking four A Levels instead of three will not give you an advantage. Human Biology, Sports Science, Further Mathematics and Statistics are only accepted as a 4th A Level.

Scottish Higher: AAAAB Biology and Chemistry

Scottish Advanced Higher: AA In Chemistry and Biology

International Baccalaureate: 36 points with a mark of 6 in 3 Higher Level subjects which must include Chemistry and Biology. If English and Maths are not offered at GCSE, they must be offered with a mark of at least 5 at Standard level. 6 in three Higher Level subjects, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry. Two subjects from Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Physics must also be offered at either Higher or Standard Level if not offered at GCSE with a minimum of 5 points each. If English is not offered at GCSE, this must have a mark of at least 5 at Standard Level.

IELTs (International applicants only): Score of 7.5 overall with at least 7.5 in Spoken English.

Bachelor's Degree (Graduates only): Minimum 2:1 honours degree in any discipline awarded within the last three years plus three A Levels at grades ABB, to include Chemistry and Biology one of these at grade A or equivalent international qualification. A minimum of six GCSEs at grade 5 or above required in Maths, English Language, Biology and Chemistry or Dual Science.

Further Entry Requirements

Work experience: Appropriate work experience is attractive in any medical school application, however, Leeds appreciates that the pandemic has made gaining work experience more difficult, so it is not a requirement to have clinical work experience when applying to Leeds.

Personal statement: The personal statement will not be formally scored as part of the application process, however, it will be read and you may be asked questions about it at interview.

Admissions Process

The admissions process is split into three stages: academic grades and UCAT score, nonacademic assessment at interview, and the offer stage which takes into account whole application.

Admissions Tests:

UCAT ✅
The 2024 entry is the first year that Leeds has used the UCAT for their admissions test. Your UCAT score will be considered at the first stage of the application process when the school is deciding who to interview.

Interview Type: MMI

Interview Topics: There are eight stations, each lasting 6 minutes.

Interview topics at Leeds Medical School interviews include:

Self-reflection
Problem-solving
Ethics
Communication skills
Scenario-based responses

You can find out more about Leeds interviews in our guide.

Admissions Statistics

Total number of applicants:	2965
Total number of places:	257
Total number of entrants:	251
Acceptance rate:	8.47%

Fees

Home students:	£9250 pa
Rest of UK:	TBC
International students:	£44000 pa

Teaching Methods

Teaching style: Leeds Medical School utilises an integrated teaching style including lectures, seminars and early clinical exposure. Leeds also offers the unique opportunity to carry out a ‘Year in Enterprise’ at the Business School which provides students with an MSc in Enterprise.

Intercalation mode: Students who wish to intercalate can do so after Years 2, 3 or 4.

Graduate Prospects

Data shows that 99% of Leeds Medical School graduates are employed and/or pursuing further study 15 months after graduation. The average earnings of these students is £35,000.

FAQs

Is Leeds a BMAT or UCAT university?

Leeds was a BMAT university until recently when they switched to UCAT for 2024 entry. As this is the first year that Leeds is using the UCAT it is difficult to predict how they will use it.

Is Leeds hard to get into for medicine?

Leeds has an acceptance rate of approximately 8.7%. The academic qualifications required to study medicine at Leeds are very similar to the majority of UK medical schools.

How many people are invited to interview for medicine at Leeds?

Leeds interviews 1056 students for 2022 entry for medicine.

Is Leeds Medical School good?

While this is a subjective question, Leeds is a Russell Group University and has a student satisfaction rating of 75% in 2024. Leeds is currently ranked as the 25th best medical school in the UK according to the Complete University Guide.

Where do medical students live in Leeds?

Sentinel Towers is ideally located for medical/healthcare students. Clarence Dock Village is a good place to live in terms of transport links.