Exeter
Exeter University is one of the top universities in the UK and is well renowned for its research, high-quality teaching and highly-ranked student satisfaction.
Exeter offers undergraduate programmes that provide routes into the science and healthcare fields. The Medical School is located in a small and historic city in the coastal part of Devon and gives students the chance to study in a vibrant environment. Exeter is currently ranked 12th in the UK for medicine by the Guardian 2026 and 15th by the Complete University Guide 2026.
About The Course
Exeter offers a BMBS Medicine course with its curriculum providing a great clinical focus. Exeter allows its students to develop the correct clinical skills throughout the course with an integrated teaching approach.
The course is patient-centred with many hospital and community healthcare placements offered to students.
Structure Of The Course
Year 1
In the first year of the medical course, students will be placed at the St. Luke’s Campus where they will begin to learn the core modules for biomedical sciences and some aspects of clinical sciences. Students will also start clinical placement experiences to practise their skills.
Year 2
This year is dedicated to further developing the core medical sciences, health population and incorporating a more integrated clinical placement.
Year 3
In the third year of the medicine course, students will begin Clinical Pathway 1. This will be undertaken at one of Exeter’s NHS Trust Sites. Students will rotate through various specialities in medicine in both hospital settings as well as in community placements. This will be across Cornwall or Devon.
Year 4
Year 4 of the course will be the start of Clinical Pathway 2 and provide students with extensive exposure to different clinical settings. This will give students the chance to use their basic sciences and clinical learning in a ward-based setting. Clinical skills will also be enhanced throughout the year.
Year 5
In the final year, students will get a chance to be more independent as they prepare to start their job as foundation trainee. They will undertake various apprenticeships across South-West England in different hospitals and evaluate patients’ conditions and their illnesses. Students will also be given the opportunity to travel abroad for a student-selected elective to get involved in healthcare abroad.
Academic Requirements
GCSEs: Grade B/6 in English Language
A-levels: A*AA A in both Biology and Chemistry.
Scottish Higher: AAAAA Chemistry and Biology at Grade A
Scottish Advanced Higher: AAA Chemistry and Biology at Grade A
International Baccalaureate: 38 points/766 Biology and Chemistry at HL6
Bachelor's Degree (Graduates only): Minimum of 2:1 in either BSc/MSci (Hons) Medical Sciences or Neuroscience at Exeter University.
Mitigating Circumstances
Resits policy: Applicants who have or need to re-sit modules are welcome to re-apply to Exeter Medical School.
Extenuating circumstances: If applicants feel that they have experienced or are currently experiencing issues that have disrupted their studies, they can complete an online extenuating circumstances form which can be found here.
Deferred entry: Deferred entry is accepted at the University of Exeter.
Transfers: Transfer requests will only be accepted from home candidates. Applications from students who are currently enrolled in a UK registered Medical School may be considered to join Year 1-4 of Exeter’s BMBS programme. Applicants will be asked to write a personal statement outlining their reasoning as to why they would like to transfer alongside a transcript of all the years of their study.
Further Entry Requirements
Work experience: Work experience is not part of Exeter’s standard entry requirements. Work experience will only enhance a student’s passion for studying medicine; however, Exeter recognises that not all students may be able to get the opportunity, so all students are welcome to apply.
Personal statement: Students are advised to bring a copy of their personal statement and know it thoroughly as it may be referred to in the interview.
Admissions Process
Application to Exeter Medical School must be done via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Deadlines for submission are earlier for medical courses, typically mid-October. This application will include all of your academic history as well as your personal statement and other qualifications/achievements. Applicants who meet the academic requirements for entry will be assigned a score and ranking. UCAT scores, alongside academic achievements, will be taken into consideration when sending out interview offers.
Admissions Tests:
UCAT ✅
GAMSAT – Applicants who have completed a degree (or are applying 2 years after the completion of their A-Levels) would need to complete the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test to be considered. Applications will be ranked according to the GAMSAT overall score.
Unfortunately Exeter does not disclose data regarding applicants typical UCAT and GAMSAT scores and no recent freedom of information request has been submitted. However, given the high academic requirements for Exeter, applicants can expect to require a strong UCAT score to receive an interview at Exeter.
Interview Type: MMI
Interview Topics:
- Communication and Teamwork
- Empathy
- Strengths and Weaknesses
- Reflectiveness
- Passion and Motivation to pursue Medicine
- Ethical Scenarios
- Decision Making
You can find out more about Exeter’s interviews in our guide. Candidates are graded based upon their interview performance, and offers are typically made solely on their score.
Admissions Statistics
| Total number of applicants: | 2218 |
| Total number of places: | 255 |
| Total number of entrants: | 255 |
| Acceptance rate: | 11.50% |
Fees
| Home students: | £9790 pa |
| Rest of UK: | £9790 pa |
| International students: | £45700 pa |
Teaching Methods
Teaching style: Exeter focuses on an integrated course with a variety of teaching methods. Patient-centred education is vital to Exeter’s curriculum and will equip students with strong knowledge of both the basic sciences and qualities that a competent doctor possesses. Teaching will be delivered through small groups, larger groups, and placements.
Intercalation mode: Students may partake in an optional intercalated degree in another subject. This can be either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree. Exeter offers a wide range of intercalation options which may be found here.
Graduate Prospects
A 2023 student survey revealed that 3 years after graduating from medicine at Exeter, average annual earnings was £48,000 with 94% feeling the course developed the skills and knowledge needed for their current and future work.
FAQs
What is the general teaching style at Exeter?
General teaching is delivered through problem-based learning in groups of 7-9 students.
Does Exeter offer dissections?
The BMBS programme does not offer dissections as part of its course however, some activities may have an optional sign-up involving dissections.
Can I join a club or society at Exeter University?
There are over 180 clubs and societies to get involved in at Exeter University. These can either be social clubs, sports clubs or academic clubs. All students are welcome to join any society.
How do I apply to Exeter Medical School?
Applicants may submit their application through the UCAS portal online or through the Exeter Medical School website (for postgraduate courses).
School Details
- Website
- http://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/
- info.stlukes@exeter.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)1392 724837
School Details
- Website
- http://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/
- info.stlukes@exeter.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)1392 724837
"It offers an extremely supported way of teaching the course. We have meetings with our academic tutor every term and feedback is always efficient and in depth."
