Study Medicine: A Step-by-Step Guide
Want to study medicine and wondering what the medical school application process is like, step by step? You’ve come to the right place!
This page will guide you through each step of applying to medicine in detail – including deciding if medicine is right for you, A-Level choices, UKCAT preparation, BMAT revision and medical school interview techniques.
9 Steps to Studying Medicine
1. Decide on Medicine
In brief: Is medicine right for you?
A medicine course at university involves five or six years of study, plus extra training. It’s a big commitment, so it’s important you spend some time considering if this is the right path for you. Being a doctor is incredibly rewarding – and can also be incredibly challenging. Research different medical degrees, as well as what the day-to-day life of a doctor involves to discover if this is the right option for you.
Key resource: Deciding on Medicine
2. Choose your GCSEs
In brief: Most medical schools require good Science, Maths and English grades at GCSE.
Most medical schools will require you to have A*- C GCSE grades, with a minimum of grade B in English and Maths – so it’s important you work hard and revise for your exams thoroughly. You can check different medical schools’ GCSE requirements on their websites.
Key resource: GCSE Requirements for Medicine
3. Choose your A-Levels
In brief: Most medical schools require good Chemistry and Biology grades at A-Level.
This is an important step if you want to study medicine. Most medical schools in the UK require that candidates study Chemistry and Biology to A-Level, with the most competitive schools requiring A* grades. The third subject preference varies between universities (some encourage Maths or Physics), so it’s best to check that with each medical school individually.
Key resource: What A-Levels do you need to be a doctor?
4. Medical work experience
In brief: Gain work experience in a medical or care-giving setting, such as a GP, hospital or care home.
Completing work experience is a crucial if you want to study medicine, as it will allow you to build a portfolio of experience to draw on in your personal statement. Securing placements in a hospital or GP can be very competitive, so start searching early. Remember that placements in a care-giving setting are equally valuable – for example, you could volunteer weekly at your local care home. As places are competitive, don’t feel disheartened if you find it difficult to gain a variety of experience. Medical schools prefer quality over quantity: it’s about what you have learned, rather than listing an impressive list of hospital placements.
Key resource: Medical Work Experience
5. Sit your UKCAT
In brief: Prepare for the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT).
If you want to study medicine, most medical schools require that you take the UKCAT exam. They take your overall score into account when selecting candidates for interview – so it’s essential you revise well. The UKCAT can be sat any time between early July and early October. It’s recommended that you spend around four weeks regularly revising for the exam and then two weeks of intense revision and practice questions under timed conditions. From there, you can identify which sections you are struggling with and then focus on those.
Universities want to know that you possess the skills to be a great doctor, and the UKCAT has five sections: Situational Judgement, Abstract Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Decision Making. Registering for your UKCAT and sitting the exam is an important step in demonstrating that you are the perfect candidate to study Medicine.
Key resource: UKCAT Guide
6. Choose Medical Schools
In brief: Visit different medical schools to pick the right one for you.
Most courses last three years, but your medicine course will last five or six, so it’s important you choose the right one for you. Take a look at each university’s entry requirements: which grades do they require at A-Level and does that align with your predicted grades? Do they require the BMAT? Make sure you research the course structure: is it an integrated or traditional course? Do they use Problem-Based Learning? Make a note of the universities that most appeal to you, and a list of open days to attend over the summer.
Key resource: Medical School Comparison Tool
7. Write your Personal Statement
In brief: Communicate your passion for medicine in your personal statement
Your personal statement is your chance to show the universities you apply to that you are a perfect candidate for medicine. You’ll need to cover the following three questions: Why do you want to study medicine? How have you explored your interest? Why are you a great fit? It’s important to detail your personal motivation for medicine, how you have explored this interest through work experience or volunteering, as well as any wider reading you’ve done. Don’t forget that the UCAS deadline for Medicine is much earlier than other courses – 15th October instead of January!
Key resource: How do medical schools use my personal statement?
8. Sit your BMAT
In brief: Revise for the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
If you want to study medicine, a handful of medical schools in the UK require that candidates sit the BMAT. The exam is designed to test your problem-solving, mathematic and scientific skills, as well as your ability to think critically and to form a logical argument – and preparation is key to a good score. The BMAT can be sat in September or November, and tests specific knowledge as well as aptitude, so use the Admissions Testing Service’s Assumed Knowledge Guide to revise for Section 2’s Physics, Chemistry and Biology questions. Using past papers will also be a good way to prepare for Section 1’s problem-solving as well as Section 3’s essay question.
Key resource: BMAT Guide
9. Practise Medicine interview questions
In brief: Practise interview questions with a friend
Practise answering common interview questions with a friend (‘Why medicine?’ or ‘What did you learn from your work experience?’) by using our Interview Question Bank. This will help you to vocalise your ideas in a relaxed environment, so you’ll feel much more comfortable in your real interview. It’s a good idea to re-read your work experience diaries and your personal statement so that your experiences are fresh in your mind. Remember too that Ethical Scenario questions are common at medicine interviews, so make sure you know your four pillars of Ethics (Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-Maleficence and Justice) – and practise applying these in your answers!
Key resource: Interview Question Bank
