Manchester

About The Course

Manchester’s MBChB degree is a 5-year long course which gives their students all the knowledge, professional behaviours and clinical skills required to become a doctor in the UK. A wide variety of teaching and learning opportunities gives their students a diverse education to be able to meet the demands of a career in medicine.

Manchester’s 5-year medicine course applies an integrated curriculum in which students will learn through a mixture of group work, self-directed learning, lectures and clinical experience. Additionally, you will get clinical contact from the first year.

Structure Of The Course

Year 1

The first year at Manchester is primarily spent on their Oxford Road Campus, though you will spend time in community and hospital settings. The two modules in year one are Life Cycle in which you will learn about cellular & molecular processes and Cardiorespiratory Fitness which focuses on the chest, heart and lungs.

Year 2

Similarly, Year 2 is mostly spent on campus. The two modules in this year are Mind and Movement where you will learn about the brain, locomotor system and mental health. The second module is Nutrition, Metabolism and Excretion in which you will learn about the gastrointestinal system, the kidneys and the hormonal system. Students also have the opportunity to start exploring personal interests within medicine through the Personal Excellence Path.

Year 3

In Year 3, you are introduced to full time clinical study with five placements in the associated teaching hospitals around Greater Manchester. However, you will still receive face-to-face teaching at the university. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to undertake a research project at the end of the year.

Year 4

Year 4 involves clinical placements focussing on specialities for example in women’s health, oncology, dermatology, mental health and many more. At the end of the year, students are able to undergo an elective placement, commonly overseas.

Year 5

The final year at Manchester is aimed at preparing students for final exams and starting their foundation jobs within the NHS. Clinical placements in year five involve surgery, general practice and acute medicine.

Academic Requirements

GCSEs: At least seven GCSEs at grade A (7) or A* (8+). English Language, Mathematics and at least two science subjects are required at GCSE minimum grade B (6). If Dual Award Science or Core and Additional Science are offered, the minimum required is BB (66).

A-levels: AAA while A-level contextual offer is AAB Both of these offers must include Chemistry or Biology/Human Biology and one of the following subjects; Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Mathematics/Further Mathematics

Scottish Higher: AAAAB English Language and any science subject (Maths, Chemistry or Biology)

Scottish Advanced Higher: AAA Chemistry or Biology; a second science (from Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Psychology or Physics); plus one other rigorous academic subject. Other combinations accepted, see their website for details

International Baccalaureate: 36 points with at least 666 at higher level Mandatory subjects must include Chemistry or Biology plus another science, similar to A-level requirements

IELTs (International applicants only): A minimum average score of 7.0 and with not less than 6.5 in any one component taken at the same sitting

Further Entry Requirements

Work experience: Although no specific number of hours in work experience is required, Manchester expects applicants to have relevant work experience so that they have a realistic idea of what a career in medicine involves. Additionally, experience in care or other healthcare settings is very beneficial for the interview process.

Personal statement: Manchester doesn't directly assess your personal statement as part of the selection process, but you will be able to use most of what you have written as the starting point for your Non-Academic Information Form, which explains why you've decided to apply. The Non-Academic Information Form in their submission to Manchester Medical School which is sent to applicants via email after their UCAS submission.

Admissions Process

All applications to Manchester must be submitted via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) by October. This application will include all of your academic history as well as your personal statement and other qualifications/achievements.

Admissions Tests:

UCAT ✅
All candidates are required to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in order to apply. You can learn more about the UCAT in our guide. Manchester calculates a threshold score each year depending on cohort results. Those who exceed the threshold will be invited to interview. Additionally, applicants must achieve band 1 or 2 in the SJT component. In terms of the UCAT threshold, the past 2 admission cycles have been 2730 and 2750. For widening participation applicants, these have been 2590 and 2620. Following your application, your UCAT scores will be independently sent to the universities you have chosen.

Interview Type: MMI

Interview Topics: If you are invited for an interview for Manchester, you will undertake an MMI (multiple Mini Interval) style interval with 4-5 stations. Areas commonly assessed in Manchester’s MMI are communication skills, motivation for medicine, work experience and ethical issues. Candidates are able to choose whether their interview takes place in person or online via zoom and they are typically held between December and March.

You can find out more about interviews at Manchester in our school-by-school guide.

If you are successful in your interview, you will receive an offer from March onwards.

Admissions Statistics

Total number of applicants:	3394
Total number of places:	397
Total number of entrants:	393
Acceptance rate:	11.58%

Fees

Home students:	£9250 pa
Rest of UK:	TBC
International students:	£37999 pa (applies to years one and two, £58.000 for the remaining clinical years)

Teaching Methods

Teaching style: Manchester uses an integrated style of teaching, where the preclinical years (years one and two) are taught mainly on campus through a mixture of lectures, group work and clinical experience. Teaching in the later years is primarily through clinical placements.

Intercalation mode: At Manchester, you also have the opportunity to intercalate, not only with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, but you also have the possibility to intercalate with a PhD in a subject of your interest.

Graduate Prospects

About 15 months after graduating from Manchester, 99% of medical graduates are either in full time employment or future study and 98% feel that their studies at Manchester are being utilised in their current work.

FAQs

Is Manchester a good university for medicine?

Manchester is the largest medical school in the UK and is ranked 20th in the UK for medicine by the Complete University Guide 2024. However, it is more important to look at how each school’s curriculum is structured and which style is best suited to you.

What is Manchester medicine famous for?

Apart from being the largest UK medical school, Manchester is famous for its world firsts in cancer research.

How hard is it to get into Manchester?

Academic requirements for medicine are challenging, including top A-levels and a good UCAT score. Additionally, the success rate for applicants in 2023 was 27% meaning about 1 in 4 applicants received an offer.

What is the tuition fee for Manchester medicine?

For UK students, the tuition fee is the national standard of £9,250. However, international students are charged between £38,000 and £58,000 depending on which year they are in.