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Are you an aspiring medic living in Hong Kong? Thinking of studying Medicine in the UK? You’ve come to the right place!
The UK is a fantastic place to study Medicine: unlike other countries, Medicine is available at undergraduate level, which means you can start your medical education immediately after finishing school. It is also home to some of the best medical schools in the world with great reputations for world-class research, such as Oxford and Cambridge. The National Health Service (NHS) is one of the largest publicly-funded health services in the world, and means all UK universities have close ties with different hospitals across the country.
This page will guide you through studying Medicine in the UK – from studying for your UKCAT to applying for a Student Visa.
There are currently 33 universities in the UK which offer a range of medical courses – including Dentistry, Nursing and Surgery. These are:
However, in your UCAS application you can only apply to four universities – so make sure you check the programmes thoroughly to pick the right UK medical schools for you.
Entry requirements differ between medical schools, so for programme specific requirements, it’s best to visit their websites. However, as a rule, most UK universities require a strong academic record in Chemistry and Biology – if you’re unsure on the requirements for a course, you can contact the school’s admissions services.
UK universities also require English language proficiency and ask for an IELTS (or equivalent English test – some schools count HKDSE Level 4, or require an SELT – Secure English Language Test). Check the medical school’s website to check which tests they accept.
It’s worth remembering, too, that most UK universities have a limit on the number of international students they can admit – this is around 7.5%, so competition for spaces is high. A good way to boost your application, aside from good academic merits, is to gain some medical work experience to demonstrate your commitment to Medicine – try reading our page on Medical Work Experience for some tips.
The UCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) is designed to test aptitude for Medicine, rather than knowledge. It tests a range of skills, including verbal reasoning, situational judgement and decision making.
The majority of universities use the UCAT, including Abderdeen, Barts (Queen Mary, University of London) and Manchester. It’s important to double check if the universities you’re applying to use the UKCAT – you can check this on each individual website, or use our Medical School Comparison Tool.
A good way of preparing for this test may be to book yourself a place on our UCAT course. This course will equip you with everything you’ll need to know about the test. You could also use a range of resources available on our website, including Online UCAT Course!
Like the UKCAT, not all UK universities use the BMAT. This test is designed to assess your mathematical skills, scientific knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
The following universities currently use the BMAT in their admissions process:
So if you’re thinking of studying Medicine in the UK and applying to these universities, make sure you register and prepare for your test! We have a range of resources on our website to help you prepare for each section of your BMAT, including a BMAT question bank and Online BMAT Course. You can also book yourself onto our BMAT Course, delivered by top UK admissions experts.
Studying Medicine in the UK means you’ll need to apply using the UK University and College Application Service (UCAS) – this is our equivalent of Hong Kong’s JUPAS. The application process is very similar in that it requires a personal statement and your academic results. If you’re stuck, UCAS also has a very handy International Guide for applicants outside the UK.
For more information on applying to UK universities from overseas and studying Medicine in the UK, see our section on international UCAS applications.
Although some schools do offer Skype or telephone interviews, some universities ask that international applicants travel to the UK for their interviews – so be prepared for the potential flight expenses! If you’ve been offered an online interview, you can read our guide on How to prepare for a Skype Medicine Interview. A good way to check this is on the school’s website, or by getting in touch with them directly.
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