Brunel Medical School
Brunel Medical School is London’s newest medical school, having taken its first cohort of students in 2021, initially admitting international students only but as of 2024, accepting home students.
As the first cohort of students has yet to graduate, there is no information regarding Brunel’s ranking in UK Medical Schools.
About The Course
Based in Uxbridge, West London, Brunel University offers a five-year undergraduate medical programme which aims to produce medical graduates with high levels of professionalism, teamwork and kindness.
A unique aspect of Brunel Medical School is its house system in which students are allocated into one of five houses with a house tutor and group house meetings to help support personal and academic development.
Structure Of The Course
Year 1
The first year at Brunel Medical School aims to develop students’ understanding of the basic scientific concepts underpinning medicine including anatomy, biochemistry and physiology.
Throughout the year, students progress through different bodily systems starting with cardiovascular and finishing with musculoskeletal.
Additionally, during the first two years, students will be introduced to clinical scenarios through experience in General Practices where they will practice their clinical skills with patients and associated healthcare professionals.
Year 2
The second year continues the studies from the first year in bodily systems starting with gastrointestinal and finishing with reproduction & aging. In addition to further training in clinical skills, students have the opportunity to engage in a student-selected component (SSC) at the end of the year where they undertake a project of particular interest to improve their scholarly skills.
Year 3
The third year at Brunel introduces students to clinical placements in hospitals, mental health centres and primary care where clinical and communication skills can be further improved. Feedback this year will focus on improving knowledge, professionalism and clinical skills.
Year 4
Year 4 involves clinical placements in more specialised areas of medicine such as paediatrics, ENT and obstetrics & gynaecology. Students focus more on holistic patient management in addition to further developing their clinical knowledge and skills.
Year 5
The final year at Brunel aims to prepare students for the transition to their junior doctor roles including further placements in different areas of medicine and then at least two assistantships and an elective placement after final exams designed to prepare students for Foundation Year 1.
Academic Requirements
GCSEs: Five GCSEs at grade B/6 including two science subjects (e.g. Double Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics). A minimum of C/4 in English language and B/5 in Mathematics.
A-levels: Minimum grades of AAB. General Studies are not accepted as the third subject. To include Biology or Chemistry at grade A and a second science subject (Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics) at grade B.
International Baccalaureate: Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a total score of 36 points with: Higher Level 6 in Chemistry or Biology and
Higher Level 5 in a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) or Mathematics.
IELTs (International applicants only): 7.0 overall (min 7.0 in all areas)
Bachelor's Degree (Graduates only): Upper second-class degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to Medicine.
Mitigating Circumstances
Resits policy: Applicants who have had to retake the qualifications required for entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis and extenuating circumstances must be submitted.
Extenuating circumstances: Applicants who have not sat the UCAT or GAMSAT admissions test may receive a delayed invitation to interview and will be reviewed by the selection panel when considered for entry.
Deferred entry: Brunel does not normally consider applications for deferred entry but may be in exceptional circumstances.
Transfers: Students wishing to transfer from another medicine or undergraduate science degree are not normally considered.
Further Entry Requirements
Work experience: Although Brunel does not have the required number of hours of work experience, it is very useful in candidates’ applications, particularly in the interview stage of selection.
Personal statement: At Brunel, all personal statements are read when they assess your application. They are particularly important in borderline cases based on your predicted grades and the university’s entry requirements.
Admissions Process
For UK students, application to Brunel 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. However, international students have the option to apply either through UCAS or directly to the university.
Applications for Brunel remain open past the mid-October deadline until places have been filled, however, applying earlier will give candidates a better chance in the application process.
Admissions Tests:
UCAT ✅
All undergraduate candidates are required to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in order to apply for Medicine at Brunel. You can learn more about the UCAT in our guide. While there is no cut-off score applicants must achieve, it is important to note that band 4 SJT scores will be rejected.
Interview Type: MMI
Interview Topics: Graduate applicants for Brunel must sit the GAMSAT admissions test which you can find out more about in our guide.
Next, each candidate is assessed to ensure they meet the pre-determined entry requirements and have satisfactory personal statements and references. Those who pass this stage will then be ranked according to their total UCAT/GAMSAT score. The top x number of applicants will then be invited for an interview.
Interviews at Brunel are in the format of Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI’s) comprising six stations designed to assess candidates based on attributes outlined in the GMC’s Good Medical Practice. There are four windows to interview at Brunel in December, February, March and May and all will be conducted virtually.
Finally, applicants will be ranked according to their total score in the MMI and a cut-off score will be determined. Those who score above this will subsequently be offered a place at Brunel Medical School.
Note: Due to the recent implementation of a medical degree at Brunel and the even more recent use of the UCAT/GAMSAT, there is no available data regarding admissions statistics.
Admissions Statistics
| Total number of applicants: | TBC |
| Total number of places: | TBC |
| Total number of entrants: | TBC |
| Acceptance rate: | TBC |
Fees
| Home students: | £9250 pa |
| Rest of UK: | TBC |
| International students: | £49398 pa |
Teaching Methods
Teaching style: Team-Based Learning (TBL) is a key aspect of teaching at Brunel in which students work in teams of six in purpose-built classrooms where ideas can be exchanged and problems solved, facilitating an active learning approach. Each group will include an academic coach to guide their sessions and provide regular feedback.
In addition to TBL, students will learn through a variety of other teaching styles including anatomy practicals, small group teaching, clinical placements and clinical skills sessions.
Intercalation mode: If you’ve completed at least two years of an undergraduate UK medical degree and wish to further develop your skills and knowledge to improve your career prospects, then you might undertake a year-long programme of Biological Sciences at Brunel.
Graduate Prospects
As the first cohort of students at Brunel Medical School have not yet graduated, there is no information available about graduate prospects.
FAQs
Is Brunel Medical School new?
Yes, Brunel Medical School opened in 2021, initially only accepting international students but as of 2024 they will be taking 50 home students in addition to their 140 international students.
What admissions rest do I need for Brunel?
Undergraduate applicants will need to sit the UCAT admissions test whilst graduate applicants will sit the GAMSAT test, both of which make up a part of Brunel’s selection process. Uniquely however, Brunel also considers applicants who have not sat either exam who will be reviewed individually by a selection panel.
Where is Brunel University?
Brunel University is based in Uxbridge, West London in a suburban environment but close to a bustling international city.
What A-levels do you need for Brunel?
Brunel requires a minimum of AAB at A-level with both A’s in Chemistry/Biology and a second science as outlined in the section above, ‘academic requirements’.
School Details
