The NHS “Reprioritisation” Bill: What Is It? How the new NHS Prioritisation Bill changes access to postgraduate training and what it means for the careers of UK and international medical students. The NHS “Reprioritisation” Bill: What Is It? How the new NHS Prioritisation Bill changes access to postgraduate training and what it means for the careers of UK and international medical students. Over the past year, one issue has come up repeatedly in conversations among medical students and junior doctors: competition. Not the abstract concept of competition, but the very real concern that after five or six years of study, there may not be a clear path into training. The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026, often referred to informally as the “Reprioritisation Bill”, is the government’s response to that problem. It is not a broad reform of the NHS, and doesn’t directly change patient care, but instead focuses on who gets access to medical training posts, and in what order. For current and prospective medical students, this is one of the most consequential policy changes in recent years.

What Does the Bill Actually Do?

At its core, the legislation introduces a formal system of prioritisation in the allocation of NHS training posts. This applies both to the UK Foundation Programme and to specialty training.

The central principle is straightforward: Graduates from medical schools in the following countries are placed at the front of the queue for training posts:

• United Kingdom
• Republic of Ireland
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Sweden

This is not a complete exclusion of international applicants, and the system still allows all eligible candidates to apply. But it changes how offers are distributed, and places must now be allocated to UK graduates and the other defined priority groups before they are offered to other applicants for Foundation Programme posts.

For specialty training, the shift is slightly more complex, with the criteria for prioritisation being the same as the above, but with the addition of UK citizens that have an international medical degree also being included.

Why Is This Change Happening?

To understand the bill, it’s worth looking at the scale of the problem that is being addressed.

Over the past decade, competition for specialty training posts has increased dramatically. In 2019, there were around 12,000 applicants for 9,000 specialty training places. By 2026, this has risen to nearly 40,000 applicants competing for around 10,000 places.

Just as importantly, the composition of applicants has changed. There are now nearly twice as many overseas-trained applicants as UK-trained ones, which has led to a situation where UK graduates are sometimes unable to secure training posts and are instead moving abroad or leaving medicine altogether.

From the government’s perspective, this is both inefficient and unsustainable. Around £4 billion per year is spent training medical students in the UK, and the argument is that failing to retain those graduates within the NHS represents a loss of both talent and investment. Get Medicine Application updates straight to your inbox SIgn up to our newsletter for 10% off our services Learn More

What Does This Mean for UK Medical Students?

For students currently studying medicine in the UK, this means that there will be a considerably higher chance of getting a place at the end of training.

The bill is explicitly designed to ensure that UK graduates are not squeezed out of Foundation Programme posts. In previous years, whilst many UK graduates did secure placements, the rising competition created uncertainty and anxiety about whether that would always be the case. This legislation is intended to remove that uncertainty.

At the specialty level, the impact is more nuanced, and prioritisation could reduce competition ratios from around 4:1 to 2:1. This does not make training non-competitive, but it does make progression more predictable, which is crucial knowledge for both medical students and prospective applicants.

However, the number of training posts has not dramatically increased. The underlying constraint – limited capacity within the system – remains. What the bill does is redistribute access to those posts, rather than expanding them, tied to a longer-term goal of reducing reliance on international recruitment and addressing the global workforce shortages that are expected to reach 11 million by 2030.

What Does This Mean for International Medical Students?

For international medical graduates, the picture is more complicated.

The bill makes it clear that international applicants are still welcome in the NHS and can continue to apply for training posts. However, they are no longer competing on entirely equal footing with UK graduates, and priority is explicitly given to those trained within the UK system.

That said, the contribution of international doctors already working in the NHS will be recognised. From 2027 onwards, prioritisation criteria are expected to include measures like the number of years of NHS experience, rather than relying solely on immigration status.

In practise, this suggests a shift in the typical pathway for international doctors. Rather than moving directly into training, many may need to spend time in non-training roles within the NHS before becoming competitive applicants. The route remains open, but it is likely to be longer and less direct.

What About UK Students Studying Abroad?

One of the more subtle implications of the bill concerns UK citizens who choose to study medicine outside the UK.

The legislation emphasises that prioritisation is based on where a doctor is trained, not where they are from. This means that a UK citizen who studies abroad will likely not receive the same priority as someone trained at a UK medical school.

Even students who are British citizens but study in countries such as Singapore or Malta are not automatically placed in the highest priority group. For prospective students considering this route, studying abroad is still a viable path into medicine, but it may no longer offer a straightforward return to UK training.

Conclusions

For UK medical students, the prioritisation bill should be reassuring. It strengthens your position within a system that has become increasingly competitive and uncertain, making it more likely that you will progress from medical school into training without prolonged delays.

For international graduates, the pathway into UK training is still open, but more complex. NHS experience is likely to become a key differentiator, and long-term planning will be more important than ever.

And for anyone considering studying medicine – whether in the UK or abroad – the bill does not close doors, it simply makes some routes more predictable and others less so. HELP

Is studying medicine in Greece a good idea? A practical checklist for UK & international Applicants. Considering studying Medicine in Greece? This practical guide for UK and international applicants covers what to check – from English-taught courses and entry requirements to recognition and student life. Is studying medicine in Greece a good idea? A practical checklist for UK & international Applicants. Considering studying Medicine in Greece? This practical guide for UK and international applicants covers what to check – from English-taught courses and entry requirements to recognition and student life. Thinking about studying Medicine in Greece for the lifestyle, the history, or an English-taught degree abroad? This guide explains why Greece is growing in popularity and gives you a clear checklist to decide whether it’s the right fit for you.

Why Greece? The Growing Popularity of Studying Medicine Abroad

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience: you grow as a person in a new environment and can explore a new culture. It can also offer opportunities to study medicine if the UK or US admissions systems are not working well.  In general, Europe is an increasingly popular option for UK students looking to study medicine abroad, with programs taught in English, extremely competitive fees, and low cost of living in some parts of the EU.

Greece is a fabulous country for many reasons, ranging from its incredible islands, fantastic food and deep impact on European and global culture to its wonderful people. But studying medicine in Greece isn’t just about six years of holiday: Greece is an increasingly popular destination for international medical students attracted by first-class medical degrees taught in English. If you’re considering studying medicine abroad, Greece is a great place to look.

Are Greek Medical Degrees Recognised Outside of Greece? What You Should Know.

When you’re thinking about where to study medicine, it’s crucial to think about what countries will recognise your medical degree. Medicine is a fantastic degree to travel with, but there are often hoops to jump through to have your qualifications recognised elsewhere. Importantly, these can change regularly, so it’s critical that you do your own research and discuss this with universities before committing to the course if you hope to work in a different country to where you train. As well, you may well want to consider how easy it will be to start postgraduate training. You may also want to look at what support a university will offer you to sit any exams needed to work in the UK or US, for example.

Many Greek medical degrees are well established and recognised worldwide. The University of Nicosia, for example, offers its prestigious Medical Degree in Athens delivering exactly the same curriculum and international recognition as the flagship programme in Nicosia. Graduates of the University of Nicosia Medical School have earned placements in more than 20 countries worldwide, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, a testament to the program’s global reputation and excellence. Discover the University of Nicosia Athens Medical School Graduates have been offered positions at over 350 medical centres around the world! Apply Direct Now https://www.unic.ac.cy/athens/doctor-of-medicine-md-6-years/?utm_source=MedicPortal-Blog-Post-March-2026&utm_medium=BlogPost&utm_campaign=MedicPortal-Blog-Post-March-2026-BlogPost-March

English-Taught Programs: Are They Available in Greece?

Greece is very attractive for UK students as many programs are available in English! In particular, the University of Nicosia’s course is run completely in English and a high level of English is a requirement for the course.

However, you have to be practical about language-learning: the final two years of any course are based in the clinical environment and your patients will mainly speak Greek. After spending six years in Greece, you’d probably want to learn a bit of the language! An English-taught programme is great as you don’t have to worry about your Greek language skills impacting your grades or understanding of the materials, and you can focus on optimising your Greek for everyday and clinical interactions.

Entry Requirements: How to Qualify for Medicine in Greece

Greek medical degrees can still be competitive and it’s important to put the time in to optimise your application. You’ll need to make sure you have completed all exams to the requisite standard as well as performing well at interview. In general, Greek medical schools will ask for recognised high school / sixth form qualifications with high grades in Biology and Chemistry and proof of English proficiency; some will also use entrance exams and interviews.

Taking the UNIC Athens Medical School offering the University of Nicosia six-Year MD degree programme as an example, they ask for applicants to have:

• At A level, grades ABB, with Biology and one of either Chemistry, Physics or Maths;
• At International Baccalaureate, 32 overall and a combined score of 16 at Higher Level, to include Biology and at least one of either Chemistry, Physics or Maths

They also ask for proof of English proficiency via IELTS, but if you are a UK student who was taught in English, this is waived. Applicants will then be invited to an online interview which assesses scientific and psychological aptitude for medicine, including via volunteering experience.

However, it’s important to remember that Greek universities are very keen to assess applicants holistically – you should reach out to the admissions team if you have other qualifications or experience to discuss your application.

The Cost of Studying Medicine in Greece: Tuition Fees and Living Expenses

An undeniable attraction of studying medicine in Greece are the reasonable course fees and low cost of living.

Tuition fees range from €12 000 and €15 000 annually, depending on the university, which is comparable with UK universities. Bear in mind that you will not be eligible for student loans if you are studying abroad! On the other hand, living costs in Greece are a lot cheaper than in the UK, at around €600-€900 per month, of which €300-€500 is accommodation costs. This will depend on where in Greece you’re living: look at the university city and speak to students as well as looking at the course!

Many Greek medical schools will also offer support for students: the University of Nicosia offers both means-tested and academic scholarships covering up to 20% of the cost of the degree.

Living in Greece: What’s it Like for International Students?

Greece is a beautiful, safe and sunny place to live: no wonder thousands of international students choose to study in Greece every year! Depending on where you want to study, you could be enjoying island nightlife on Cyprus, enjoying the costal town of Thessaloniki or the urban delights of the capital, Athens, all on English-taught degrees.

International students who study in Greece speak warmly of the incredible landscape, tight-knit friendships and travel opportunities they’ve had, and feel well prepared to start work as a doctor.

Career Prospects: What Happens After Medical School in Greece?

Greek medical graduates are well prepared to work all over the world, and many Greek medical schools offer high quality careers support to help their graduates do just that. Your options include:

• Staying in Greece to train as a doctor – you may fall in love with Greece and want to stay! Greek residency is complex with doctors applying to individual hospitals and long waiting lists for competitive areas.
• Training in the EU: Greek medical degrees are automatically recognised across the EU and EEA (European Economic Area). However, you may need to be able to demonstrate language proficiency (for example, being able to speak German to work in Germany)
• Training in Switzerland: Greek degrees are also recognised in Switzerland!
• Training in the UK, USA, Canada or Australia: Greek medical degrees are recognised in these countries, but you will need to sit further exams and obtain visas. It’s very doable, but worth spending some time with your academic advisor at medical school to make sure you get it right.

Conclusions

Greek medical degrees, taught in English, are a great option for students looking for a high-quality international experience with sun and sand. Your degree would be recognised across the EU and it’s very achievable to practice in the UK, USA or Canada. Make sure to speak to university advisors and do your homework on admissions to stand the best chance of success with any medical school application! HELP

What To Do If You Didn’t Get Into Medical School If you didn’t get into Medical School this year, here are 4 things you could do next – with the pros and cons of different options. What To Do If You Didn’t Get Into Medical School If you didn’t get into Medical School this year, here are 4 things you could do next – with the pros and cons of different options. Not getting into Medicine,  whether you received no offers or missed out on the grades you needed to secure your place, can be heartbreaking – but it certainly isn’t the end of the road. Here are some options you have next if you didn’t get into Medical School this year…

Option 1: Gap Year and Reapply

Medicine is getting more and more competitive each year, so a lot of applicants decide to take a gap year and reapply after being unsuccessful with their application the first time around.

Before you decide if this is the right option for you, think carefully about the pros and cons. On the one hand, taking a gap year will give you the opportunity to improve your application. You could use the time to do more work experience and volunteering, boost your Personal Statement, and do more prep for the UCAT. If you had any interviews this year, you might also feel more prepared next time, because you’ll have done it before and know what to expect.

On the other hand, you need to remember that getting into Medical School is incredibly competitive – so even if you put in lots of extra effort, there is no guarantee that you will get in next year either. If you do decide to take a gap year and reapply, it’s still important to have a backup plan in mind.

Also, if you’re thinking about resitting any A-Levels during a gap year to see if you can improve your grades, bear in mind that some Medical Schools won’t consider applicants with A-Level resits. Complete MB ChB Medicine in just 4.5 years with The University of Buckingham Accepting applications for January 2027 entry Apply Direct Now https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/mb-chb-medicine-4.5-year-degree/?utm_source=themedicportal.com&utm_medium=sponsorship_button&utm_campaign=fmhs_medicine_jan_2027_entry_2026_01

Option 2: Graduate Entry Medicine

Another option is that you could go to university and study a different degree (e.g. you might have selected a course like Biomedical Science as your fifth UCAS choice or you might be able to get into a course through Clearing) with an aim to apply for Graduate Entry Medicine later.

To apply for Graduate Entry Medicine, you’ll need to do very well in your degree and demonstrate a passion for pursuing Medicine. The application process is similar to Undergraduate Medicine – you’ll need to sit an admissions test, submit a GEM Personal Statement, and you may be invited to interview. Some universities want Graduate Entry applicants to have a sciences degree, but some don’t mind what subject your degree is in.

One pro of this option that might appeal to you (as opposed to taking a gap year and reapplying for Undergraduate Medicine) is that you’ll get to start your university experience this year, instead of spending another year at home and going through the whole Medicine application process again. Cons are that getting into Graduate Entry Medicine is also very competitive – and if you do get in, this means that you will be at university for your initial degree and then several more years for GEM after that.

A small number of Medical Schools also offer students the chance to transfer to Medicine from another degree such as Biomedical Science. Make sure you research this opportunity thoroughly, because it’s very competitive and there is often specific eligibility criteria that you’ll need to meet. Specialist Application Advice Want expert advice to navigate the Medicine application process? Get application advice https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/application-advice/

Option 3: Study Medicine Abroad

With entry to UK Medical Schools becoming increasingly competitive, a rising number of students are deciding to study Medicine abroad and turning to universities overseas which teach Medicine in English.

This might feel like a scary option – but think of it as an adventure! You’ll get to live in another country where you’ll experience a different culture and way of life. In your clinical placements at Medical School, you’ll get to experience a different healthcare system. Depending on which country you’re in, you could also use it as an opportunity to learn a new language, which could end up boosting your employment prospects in the future.

Option 4: Consider Allied Health

Remember that being a Doctor isn’t the be-all and end-all of working in healthcare. There are a wide range of Allied Health careers (including Podiatrist, Radiographer and Paramedic) which involve working with patients and making a difference to people’s lives.

If you didn’t get into Medical School, it’s worth thinking about whether becoming a Doctor is truly the right path for you – or whether you would find it just as rewarding to have a different role within the world of healthcare. More

From Classroom to Clinic: Why Hands-On Community Training Matters More Than Ever Community-based medical education is becoming central to modern doctor training, as the NHS shifts more care out of hospitals and into local services. This guide explains what “community training” really involves, what you’ll experience as a student, and how to evaluate courses. From Classroom to Clinic: Why Hands-On Community Training Matters More Than Ever Community-based medical education is becoming central to modern doctor training, as the NHS shifts more care out of hospitals and into local services. This guide explains what “community training” really involves, what you’ll experience as a student, and how to evaluate courses. When you’re looking at which medical schools to apply to, trawling through websites and prospectuses, you might be increasingly noticing how many schools emphasise community training. Medical degrees now highlight how embedded they are in local communities, offer more primary care and community based placement opportunities, and work with students to create real local change, such as at the University of Hertfordshire’s exciting new course. One of the new NHS ten year plan’s main goals is to move care from hospitals into the community, so this is a shift that is likely to impact your future career as well.

What Does “Community Training” Actually Mean?

‘Community training’ is an umbrella term that can mean different things at different medical schools: it’s helpful to go and look at each individual course and of course to talk with current students!

One helpful way to think about community training is through the lens of primary versus secondary and tertiary care. Primary care services are the NHS ‘front door’: healthcare centres which serve a small local population and make up the bulk of how people access care. It’s a common misconception that primary care is ‘just’ General Practice, but pharmacies, optometrists and community dentists are also part of primary care. Secondary and tertiary care centres, in contrast, are essentially hospitals: larger, specialist services that people travel to, having been referred from primary care.

Historically, medical training took place almost exclusively in secondary care (or in hospitals). This has been criticised for promoting a particular view of medicine that doesn’t recognise holistic, community factors influencing patients’ health beliefs and behaviours. Community training, in contrast, prioritises primary care placements to allow students to become embedded in these local health networks.

There’s more to community training than GP placements; after all, all medical schools now offer primary care provision. Community training approaches often focus on relationships with local communities and social justice, looking at how medical schools can give back to the people they serve. They also prioritise building relationships over time, such as through Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships, where students attend the same GP practice for a day a week (or more!) for a year, compared to traditional placement models of blocks of several months.

Many UK medical schools offer well established community based models, such as Kings’ Undergraduate Medical Education in the Community programme or the ScotGEM model of an integrated generalist degree focused on rural Scotland. More recently, the University of Hertfordshire’s new course will focus on building student relationships in an underserved region of the UK, to improve health services on a local community level.

When Do You See Your First Real Patient as a medical student – and does it matter?

One big plus of community training approaches to medical education is that they offer early patient contact, integrated throughout your degree. Traditional medical degrees typically offer no patient contact at all for the first two or three years, prioritising building scientific knowledge. Community training recognises that the role of a doctor is to apply science to support your patients, allowing you to build longer term relationships with a primary care service and patient cohort.

For example, the University of Hertfordshire’s course will offer early years clinical exposure from the first year, allowing you to build your understanding of local health needs. At the University of Bangor, the entire third year of the medical course runs as a Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship with a strong one to one relationship with your GP tutor. Of course, you will know best what learning style will suit you – but community training is a great way to have safe, supported early years clinical contact with strong mentorship, allowing you to develop as a future clinician. Apply now at Hertfordshire

How can Community Training help you develop as a better doctor?

As we shift to a prevention based, local community driven way of practicing medicine, community training is increasingly popular. Community training is probably the future of the NHS as we move away from hospital based care!
As a student, there are lots of advantages around a community training approach to medical education:

· Relationships: a community training approach means you return to the same clinics and communities, so you can build mentoring relationships and learn from tutors who know you well;

· Local knowledge: you will become embedded in the local communities you serve, making you better able to meet population health needs;

· Clinical knowledge: primary care services are generalist, seeing every patient and managing risk without the backup a huge hospital offers, meaning you get great clinical exposure;

· Making a difference: by spending longer in a community, you will have more time and knowledge to engage in things like Quality Improvement Projects to make your services even better.

How does Community Training help keep up with the changing healthcare needs of the population?

Healthcare is increasingly moving into the community and out of hospitals as a way to keep up with the changing healthcare needs of the aging population and meet NHS demand. Separately, of course, primary care has always been a strong part of the NHS and of how we manage health: it’s only relatively recently that we have prioritised hospitals over communities!

Community training recognises that many patients want to be cared for at home or in their local area, by healthcare professionals who know and understand them and their local geographies. Continuity of care – between the same doctor and patient, but also between families, geographies and communities – is key for better health outcomes. GPs who have worked in the same area for decades will often end up caring for multiple generations of the same family, with much deeper relationships as a result.

A Case Study in Community-Integrated Training

One exciting case study in community integrated training is the new medical school opening at the University of Hertfordshire. Herts’ remit is to address the concerning shortage of doctors in Hertfordshire, a large and varied county in the East of England, stretching from Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire in the north to the outskirts of London in the south. By opening a new medical school focused on community-integrated training in the region, there is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a new generation of physicians helping this area to thrive.

Conclusions

Hands-on community training approaches are increasingly popular and likely to be part of your future in medicine wherever you study. If building relationships and bringing about change in the local community appeal to you, look for one of the many medical schools emphasising this in their teaching. Most medicine happens outside of hospitals! HELP

6 Things to Do After You Get An Offer So you’ve received an offer to study Medicine… What happens next? Find out the 6 things you should do after getting an offer. 6 Things To Do After You Get A Medicine Offer Find out the six things you should do next if you’ve received an offer to study Medicine – including offer holder events and UCAS decisions. So you’ve made it through the application process and finally had an offer to study Medicine at university… What happens next? In this blog, a medical student at Manchester University shares the six things you should do after you’ve received an offer.

Attend Offer Holder Events

After you’ve received an offer to study Medicine, the Medical School might invite you to an offer holder event at the university. This could involve looking around the university, experiencing some aspects of the course, hearing from students and meeting other offer holders. Or they might hold a remote event online, where you’ll receive an introduction to the Medical School and the course.

During one of the offer holder days I attended, I got a taster of a problem-based learning (PBL) session and tried out some consultation skills with simulated patients, in addition to joining various talks and Q&A sessions.

These events are definitely worth attending, because they really help you to get a feel of what the course and the university are like, as well as the teaching style that you will experience there. Even if you’re already certain that you’re going to ‘firm’ your offer, you should still go for the day because it’s also an opportunity to meet some of your fellow offer holders – so when you start the course, you might recognise a few people already! Prepare For Med School In A Week Bridge the gap between A-Levels and Med School this summer Find Out More https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/medical-school-bridging-course/

Make Those Decisions

The UCAS deadline for replying to offers is 3 June 2026. It’s very difficult to change your replies to offers once you’ve submitted them, so you need to take your time and make sure you’re happy with your decision before doing anything final.

Go to those offer holder days, talk to current students if you can, and do some research into what the university is like to help you in your decision-making. You could also have a look at social media to see what medical students say and get a taste of what life could be like.

Remember that you have to select a ‘firm’ choice and there is also an optional ‘insurance’ choice. If you do choose to select an insurance choice, make sure the grade requirements are lower than that of your firm choice so it can really serve its purpose! If you have only received one offer for Medicine, you may want to select your fifth UCAS choice (a different degree) as your insurance.

Think About Accommodation

After you’ve accepted an offer, you’ll usually be able to apply for university accommodation. This varies from uni to uni, and some will even allow you to apply for accommodation if you’ve selected them as an insurance choice. Be aware that there are deadlines associated with applying for accommodation, so get organised with this as soon as possible!

Many universities offer accommodation tours and there is always plenty of information available on their websites about the different options you can choose. You may want to talk to current students, because they’ll be able to give you a true picture of what certain places are like, how far they are from the university, what the pros and cons are, etc. Of course, you’ll also need to consider the costs involved, because some accommodation options might be more expensive than others.

Focus On Your A-Level Work

Whilst you still have a few details to sort out with regards to your offer, it’s vital that you don’t get distracted from achieving those A-Level grades.

Now that you’ve sat the UCAT, done your interview and received an offer, you might feel like the main body of your application is over –  but remember that your A-Level grades are arguably the most important thing, because they can make or break everything that you’ve worked for up until now! Come up with a revision plan and stay motivated so you don’t fall at the final hurdle.

Prepare To Start Med School

Alongside your A-Level work, you might want to start thinking about your first year of Medical School and what it will involve.

Do some reading about topics like PBL (if this is the teaching style that your Medical School uses), patient interaction and dissection to get ahead and make sure you know what to expect as a first-year medical student.

Be Proud Of Yourself

Getting an offer for Medicine is incredibly competitive, so take some time to reflect and celebrate what you’ve achieved so far.

You’re now in the final stretch of the process, so concentrate on your A-Levels and you should be on your way to becoming a medical student! More

The Dos & Don’ts of Waiting for Medical School Offers Discover what you should (and shouldn’t) do while you’re waiting to find out if you got a place to study Medicine. The Dos & Don’ts Of Waiting For Medical School Offers Discover what you should (and shouldn’t) do while you’re waiting to find out if you got a place to study Medicine. Waiting for Medical School offers can be a stressful time. The main thing to remind yourself is that worrying will not change the outcome – so you should try to distract yourself and avoid dwelling on it too much. Here are some dos and don’ts from a medical student at Manchester University to help you stay calm when you’re waiting for news after a Medical School interview…

Don’t keep checking online forums

It can be tempting to do this, as I know from first-hand experience. I probably spent whole days refreshing The Student Room, but you should try to stop yourself! Remember that it won’t make you feel any better and it won’t change the outcome.

Forums like The Student Room can be helpful when, for example, you’re preparing for interviews. But once your interviews are done, make sure you don’t keep going online to compare yourself to other candidates – or to unnecessarily worry yourself when other people start receiving offers and rejections. 

When I was waiting for my Medical School offers, someone claimed in a forum that they had received an offer from a particular university, but this turned out to be a ‘joke’. It sent everyone who had applied there into a huge panic, when in fact the university hadn’t even started giving out offers. You should always take things you read online with a pinch of salt.

Don’t think negatively

It’s a waste of time and energy, and it won’t change anything. Just remind yourself that whatever is going to happen will happen, so it’s now simply a waiting game. If you do get an offer, it’ll be amazing. But if you don’t, there are still other options available to you – it won’t be the end of the world.

It can be easy to get into a negative cycle of thinking. Remember that you were invited to interview because the Medical School believes that you’re a good candidate.

Before one of my interviews, an admissions tutor told all of us that every applicant who’s been invited to interview actually deserves an offer for Medicine and would get one in an ideal world. Unfortunately, there is a cap on the number of students that each Medical School can take on. This is the reason why people get rejected at interview – because competition for places is so fierce. Specialist Application Advice Want expert advice to navigate the Medicine application process? Get Application Advice https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/application-advice/

Don’t replay the interview in your head

Interviews are high-pressure situations, so no matter how well yours went, you’re unlikely to feel 100% happy with everything you said and did. Try to stay away from the trap of dwelling on it and thinking “I should have said x” or “I wish I’d answered x differently.”

The outcomes of interviews are unpredictable, and trust me when I say that you won’t be able to truly judge how good or bad your performance was. I got rejected by the Medical School where I thought I’d had my best interview, and I was placed on the reserve list for a Medical School where I thought the interview couldn’t have gone worse!

Do work on your A-Levels

When you were preparing for interviews, you might have fallen a little behind with your A-Level work, so now is the time to catch up. It’s the only thing you really have control over at the moment! 

Remember that even if you do receive a Medical School offer, you’ll still need to achieve those A-Level grades to get your place. The more preparation you do now, the more likely you are to be happy on results day. 

Do check your emails regularly

Make sure you don’t do this obsessively, but check your emails at least once a day. It’s a good idea to check your junk folder too, as I know students who have initially missed emails from Medical Schools in there. Whether it’s good news or bad news, you’ll want to find out as soon as you can.

The university might send their decision to you directly via email, or update it on UCAS Track. If it’s done via UCAS Track, you should receive an email notification about the change in status, so you’ll definitely be well covered if you keep an eye on your inbox. 

Do think about a possible plan B

Hopefully you won’t need it – but if ultimately you don’t receive any offers, it’s wise to be prepared.

There are multiple options available to you  – for example, taking a gap year and reapplying for Medicine next year, or getting into a different degree through Clearing and then applying for Graduate Entry Medicine later. It’s worth being aware of these options in advance, so you won’t feel completely lost if the time comes.

Having a back-up plan will also help to keep you a little calmer, because it should emphasise to you that getting no offers really isn’t the end of the world.

Find out more: What To Do If You Receive No Medical School Offers More

Missed Out On Medicine? Consider Studying In Europe If you missed out on a UK Medical School place this year, check out these options and find out about studying Medicine in Europe. Missed Out On Medicine? Consider Studying In Europe If you missed out on a UK Medical School place this year, check out these options and find out about studying Medicine in Europe, and how MedConnect can help you. Every year, universities provide students with the opportunity to apply for leftover spaces last-minute. As you may know, this process is called Clearing. The system is designed for students who failed to meet the required grades for their chosen course or haven’t received any offers. But how does Clearing work for super-competitive courses like Medicine and are there any alternatives? Let’s look at how Clearing differs in the UK and Europe, whilst considering other alternative options for prospective medical students.

What is Clearing?

Clearing is part of the university admissions process that happens every year. It’s designed for students who either didn’t meet grade requirements for their course or didn’t get any offers.

It’s a UCAS-led process enabling students to apply for course spaces for the next academic year. That means little time is lost between receiving results and getting into a course!

Clearing exists in Europe too – however it differs slightly from the UK. In Romania for example, some universities have two sessions. An early July session where they try to fill as many spaces as possible, and a late September session where students can apply for the leftover spaces.

In Bulgaria, most universities have very late deadlines compared to the UK. This allows students to apply until late August for a chance to start their course a month later, in late September or October. Want To Study Medicine in Europe? Talk to a real student or graduate through MedConnect Europe and start your application! Apply Direct Now https://medconnecteurope.co.uk/

Can You Get Into Medicine Through Clearing?

Clearing is a little different for Medicine compared to other university courses. This is, in part, due to Medicine’s competitiveness and the small chance of spaces going unfulfilled.

Students wanting to go through Medicine Clearing may have missed the grades required for their chosen Medical School, or didn’t get any offers but still hope to study Medicine this year. If that’s you, you need to understand that it’s very difficult to get into Medicine via Clearing – but there are also some great alternatives available that can help you overcome the challenge.

There is a stronger chance of finding spaces at European Medical Schools during the Clearing period. This is due to less competition compared to the UK and greater availability of spaces.

How Does Clearing Work?

Clearing works on a first-come-first-serve system. Knowing where places are, by keeping a list in a single document with contact info and standard entry requirements, is a smart approach.

For UK universities, you’ll need to use the UCAS website to search for vacant spaces, contact the university, and check if you meet the admissions criteria.

Keeping in touch with MedConnect Europe about the requirements for Medical Schools in European countries can help you gain a better understanding about the process too.

Alternatives to Clearing

Medicine Clearing is unlike clearing for most other courses. Spaces are rarely available – and when there are, competition is intense. Luckily, there are other options available to help you bypass the Clearing process and go on to study Medicine.

Some of these options may not be as “ideal” as getting into Medicine the first time you apply, but they’re still worth exploring if your dream of becoming a Doctor is still alive!

Reapplying After A Gap Year

It is possible to reapply for Medicine the following year if you didn’t get the grades needed this year. During this extra time, you can do other things to boost your UCAS application, such as more work experience.

However, applying again after a gap year can be even more competitive than applying the first time round. If you’re resitting A-Levels to improve your grades, some universities may ask for higher grades than they required if you were not resitting. Also, some Medical Schools won’t allow you to reapply if you got to the interview stage last year. This means that reapplying for Medicine in the UK can be tricky.

Graduate Entry Medicine

Another option involves studying something else at university, gaining a degree, and then applying for Graduate Entry Medicine. Some Medical Schools even have spaces open for a small number of Biomedical Science students to transfer to Medicine after year 1 or 2 of their studies.

Choosing a STEM degree can keep your options open. You might want to search for universities in Clearing that have pathways into Medicine or Graduate Entry programmes.

It is worth noting that Graduate Entry Medicine in the UK is still a highly competitive entry route into Medicine, with less than 20 UK Medical Schools offering this programme. You will also need to consider the financial implications of student and maintenance loan debts when doing two degrees.

Studying Abroad in Europe

Of course, you can still become a GMC-registered physician while losing no time at all. Studying Medicine in Europe is a good option that bypasses the routes of UK Clearing, Graduate Entry, or taking a year out (or several) to resit and reapply.

This route is so popular that thousands of medical graduates come back to work as Doctors in the UK after studying abroad every year.

Studying at reputable, globally recognised universities teaching in English, you’ll be surprised at the standard of teaching and the potentially lower costs too.

You can consider the following universities:

• University of Nicosia Medical School, Cyprus
• University of Crete School of Medicine, Crete, Greece
• Plovdiv Medical University, Bulgaria
• Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
• Palacky University, Czech Republic
• Masaryk University, Czech Republic
• Riga Stradins University, Latvia
• Debrecen University, Hungary
• Lithuania University of Health Sciences, Lithuania

Medicine Clearing Vs Study Medicine in Europe

The main advantage of studying Medicine in Europe over other options is competition.

It’s possible to gain acceptance into a European Medical School with lower grade requirements, granted you can pass entry exams which are more straightforward compared to the UK admissions tests.

You can also enrol in Graduate Entry programmes abroad that enable you to study Medicine for 4 years too.

Which European Country is Best for Medical Studies?

International Medical Schools in countries like Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Greece and Latvia are open to all English-speaking students and welcome individuals who were turned down or overlooked in the UK due to lower grades or intense competition. For students who missed out on an offer at home, these are all safe bets that offer good quality tuition and clinical training.

The course is taught completely in English and the degree is fully recognised worldwide. As such, practising Medicine in the UK after the degree would not be a problem at all. Many graduates from European Medical Schools have successfully started their careers in the NHS. There are hundred of Doctors graduating yearly, meaning that studying Medicine abroad is a proven pathway to fulfilling your dream.

Where is best for you will depend on individual preference and finances. Bulgarian universities currently have the largest number of graduate doctors working in the UK, so it’s always a good place to look into. Discover University Of Nicosia Medical School 99.8% of graduates are practising in top hospitals around the world! Apply Direct Now http://unic.ac.cy/med/education/6-year-md-degree/?utm_source=The+Medic+Portal+CTA+Banner+&utm_medium=The+Medic+Portal+CTA+Banner+Study+Abroad&utm_campaign=The+Medic+Portal+CTA+Banner+Study+Abroad&utm_id=TMP+CTA+Banner More

When to Start Preparing for the UCAT Not sure when to start preparing for the UCAT exam? Find out how much preparation you need and for how long while also revising for other examinations. When to Start Preparing for the UCAT Not sure when to start preparing for the UCAT exam? Find out how much preparation you need and for how long while also revising for other examinations. The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is the most commonly used admissions test for UK medical schools. It aims to assess candidates’ language, numerical, abstract reasoning and problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to demonstrate good judgement in different hypothetical scenarios.

Understanding the UCAT

  The UCAT is a two-hour-long examination taken on a computer at designated test centres which typically run from July to September. The four sections of the UCAT and their respective lengths are:

Verbal Reasoning (22 minutes): The first section of the UCAT assesses candidates’ ability to critically evaluate and comprehend written information.

Decision Making (37 minutes): This section assesses students’ decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

Quantitative Reasoning (26 minutes): In this section, candidates’ abilities to critically evaluate numerical information is assessed.

Situational Judgement (26 minutes): The final component of the UCAT comprises various scenarios in which the candidate must assess whether certain behaviours are appropriate and which factors are important in the situation.

Unlike other admissions tests, the UCAT does not require any prior knowledge. However, this does not mean you don’t need to prepare for it! Proper understanding of the UCAT, as well as practising exam techniques and example questions, dramatically improve candidates’ scores, which can make the difference between a medical school offer or a rejection. prepare When to prepare?

When to Start Preparing for the UCAT

The hardest part about the UCAT is the time pressure and this is where preparation can make the biggest impact. Two hours might sound long, but it goes by extremely fast!

Most people recommend 6-8 weeks to prepare, however, this can range from a few months to a couple of weeks.

There are a number of benefits to starting your preparation early. Firstly, it means that you can spread out your revision, for example, doing one hour a day compared to six hours a day if you leave it later to start.

This allows you to spend more time on other commitments and will reduce your boredom with revision while still having the same amount of time spent studying overall. Secondly, starting early allows sufficient time for you to identify areas of weakness and subsequently be able to practice to improve them.

Finally, having a larger amount of time to prepare will hopefully reduce your stress nearer to the exam date.

When you start your UCAT preparation depends on various factors such as personal circumstances and your current academic workload.

If you are sitting the UCAT in the summer after a set of examinations (for example, AS levels), you may wish to start your preparation earlier so you can spread it out whilst you also prepare for your exams.

In general, allowing 6-8 weeks to prepare gives candidates a sufficient amount of time to become familiar with the exam format and to improve on areas of weakness.

Am I Starting Too Early?

Firstly, how early is too early? In reality, there isn’t a strict point at which starting becomes “too early”. However, beginning preparation many months in advance can sometimes be counterproductive. The UCAT rewards focused, consistent practice rather than very long periods of preparation, and studying for too long can lead to fatigue or burnout, with improvements starting to plateau.

For most students, it’s more effective to build up preparation gradually closer to the test period. Start when you feel personally comfortable, choosing a timeframe that allows you to practise regularly without feeling overwhelmed. Hours Hours

How Many Hours Should I Spend on UCAT Preparation

Most successful candidates spend between 30 and 60 hours preparing for the UCAT. However, the quality of preparation is far more important than the quantity.

In order to have productive study sessions, remove distractions such as your phone so you can be focused on your work. Spend your study time doing effective revision such as practice questions under timed conditions instead of, for example, spending the majority of your time watching YouTube videos about the UCAT.

Initially, aim to do one or two hours a day then, as you approach your UCAT exam date, you may wish to increase the number of hours you spend studying to around 4 hours so you can do full-length mocks and go through the results. Burnout Burnout

How to Avoid Burnout During UCAT Preparation

The best way to avoid burnout during your UCAT preparation is to take frequent breaks and not spend too long each day practising. This is why it is ideal to start earlier, as you do not have to condense your revision as much. Revising for two hours a day is beneficial as this is the length of the actual examination but isn’t too long that you will get exhausted and risk burnout. 

Balancing UCAT Preparation with Other Commitments

While the UCAT is an important part of your medical school admissions process, you must not neglect your other commitments. If you have other academic commitments such as AS level examinations, make a study plan for how much time you need to allocate to each commitment – and stick to it! It is also really important to maintain a healthy work-life balance so make sure you give yourself plenty of rest and maintain your extra-curricular activities.

How to Best Prepare for the UCAT

There are many different sources you can use to prepare for the UCAT, including practice question banks, tutoring sessions and videos explaining tactics. Using a variety of sources can help with keeping motivation up and expose you to a range of tips and methods that may improve your score. Finally, create your study plan with realistic goals, for example; ‘Monday – 30 verbal reasoning practice questions’. tips Tips Essential Tips Use a variety of methods to keep it fresh and interesting, for example, question banks, YouTube guides, tutor sessions etc. Don’t leave it too late. Don’t neglect your mental health. Take breaks and keep up with things you enjoy to reduce burnout. Study efficiently and remove distractions. Spread out the workload. Little and often is better than cramming all your preparation in the week before the test. HELP

How To Choose Between Your Medical School Offers After you’ve received offers, these key points will help you to decide on your firm and insurance choices for Medicine. How To Choose Between Your Medical School Offers After you’ve received offers, these key points will help you to decide on your firm and insurance choices for Medicine. If you’re fortunate enough to receive multiple offers after your Medical School interviews, you have a big decision to make – and you might feel unsure what to do. It’s a matter of choosing a Medical School which suits you and your personality best, so the following points will help you to make an informed decision.

What Teaching Style Suits You Best?

You probably already considered different teaching styles when you were applying to Medical School and doing research to prepare for interviews – but now is the time to really think about which style you would prefer. After all, you’ll be studying Medicine for several years (longer than most other degrees) and it will feel like an eternity if you end up on a course that’s taught in a way you don’t enjoy.

You should also look into factors such as anatomy teaching, and how early into the course students receive clinical exposure. Some Medical Schools will have a few years of pre-clinical work, while others may incorporate clinical aspects and patient interaction from the very beginning. Prepare To Start Medical School Find out how to survive Year 1 Get the Guide

What Size School Would You Prefer?

The size of the Medical School can make a big difference to the way the course is run. There are pros and cons to different sizes, and it’s all a matter of personal preference.

For example, a large Medical School will give you the opportunity to meet plenty of people and should offer a diverse range of extracurricular activities. However, some students may be sent far away from the university for clinical placements due to the volume of students being too much for local hospitals. Some students may also feel that they get “lost in the system” because there is less of a personal connection between the Medical School and the individual students.

On the other side, a small Medical School can be a bit more limiting with regards to meeting people and doing activities in your spare time. However, there might be more individual attention paid to your well-being and development (a blessing and a curse, some would argue). Plus, clinical placements might be be closer to the university, with less overcrowding in local hospitals.

There’s no right or wrong decision – it’s really about which kind of environment you’re more likely to thrive in.

How Do You Feel About The Location?

Medical School is a long commitment, and most students will be moving away from home for university. Think about the new place where you would be living. Do you like big, busy cities or small, quieter towns?

Consider what is important to you. Would you prefer a campus-based university where everything is in one place, or a city university where things are more spread out? Perhaps you want to live somewhere near the countryside, or maybe you can’t think of anything worse than that?

Another consideration might be the distance from your family and home. Some students are happy to get as far away as possible, while others feel terribly homesick. Many students like being far enough from home to be independent, but close enough to be able to visit easily. This may be difficult to imagine if you’ve never been away from home for a long period of time, but it’s important as it can really affect your university experience.

What Do Current Medical Students Say?

If possible, try to talk to medical students at each of your options to get a sense of what their day-to-day life is really like.

You might be able to find relevant people online in forums like The Student Room or on social media. You should also have the opportunity to speak to current medical students if you attend any offer holder events.

How Did You Feel At The Offer Holder Event?

It’s a good idea to attend offer holder events, as it gives the university another chance to remind you of why you chose to apply there in the first place. You should also get a much clearer idea of what the course and the student experience will be like, and a sense of whether you can really see yourself there.

Some of these events might be virtual, but it’s still a great chance to get answers to any crucial questions you have that could make or break your decision.

Don’t Forget Your Insurance Choice!

It’s not just about making your firm decision – you can also choose another offer as insurance.

Whether it’s another Medical School or your fifth UCAS choice (i.e. a different subject), make sure you select an insurance choice with lower entry requirements so that it really serves its purpose! For example, if your fifth UCAS choice has the same entry requirements as your Medicine offers, it wouldn’t be an appropriate insurance choice, because if you miss the grades, you won’t get into either programme. More https://www.themedicportal.com/e-learning/ucat-question-bank-with-mocks/ Practice UCAT Tests https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/preparation-packages/ucat/ UCAT Packages Medical School

See a full list of all medical school open days here. Medical School Open Days 2026 See a full list of all medical school open days here. Thinking of applying to medicine for 2027 entry? Attending university open days are a great way to assess whether or not the medical school is right for you.

What are the Dates for Medical School Open Days 2026?

Open days give you the chance to meet current students and lecturers, and to find out more about the structure and teaching style of the medicine course.

Most medical schools hold their open days over the summer, but some will also hold them early in September.

A key thing to remember is that the UCAS deadline for medicine is 15th October, so make sure you’ve made all of your medical school decisions before this date!

Here we’ve compiled a list of medical school open days for 2026. Information is accurate at the time of writing. Please check university websites for further details.

How Should I Pick Which Medical Schools to Visit?

You can only apply to four medical schools, so it’s essential you apply strategically to ensure you increase your chances of being invited for an interview.

There are many different factors you should consider when choosing the four universities you want to apply to, including:

• Whether you think you will meet the GCSE entry requirements (See: GCSE Requirements for Medicine)
• Whether you think you will meet the A-Level entry requirements (See: What A-Levels Do You Need to be a Doctor?)
• How each school will use your UCAT score (See: UCAT Scores Guide)
• How each school will use your personal statement (See: How Medical Schools Use Your Personal Statement)
• Whether you would suit the medical school’s teaching style (See: Which Style Would Suit you? Take the quiz!)

Want more help with choosing a med school?

• Want to know how each medical school ranks in the UK? See all Medical School Rankings>>
• Want tips on what to do on an open day? Read how to make the most of a med school open day>>

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