Leeds
The University of Leeds began with the founding of The Medical School in 1831, with the development of the other departments following afterwards.
Leeds is currently ranked 22nd in the UK for medicine by the Guardian 2026, and 21st by the Complete University Guide 2026.
About The Course
Leeds offers a five-year medical degree taught in an integrated teaching style consisting of lectures, seminars and early clinical exposure.
Students will study the biomedical aspects of medicine first, doing so in Years 1 and 2 of study.
Clinical placements will begin largely in Year 3 and will be based in cities across West Yorkshire, such as Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford and Wakefield.
Leeds’ five-year Medicine degree curriculum places a strong emphasis on both communication and practical skills, whilst training through the medical sciences.
Structure Of The Course
Year 1
Year 1 of the course is largely based around the biomedical aspects of clinical practice. Students will learn anatomy, radiology, physiology and pharmacology via an integrated learning style while also developing their communication skills to prepare for placement in later years.
Year 2
Year 2 allows students to study medical conditions while developing skills in patient consultation and diagnostics. Students will have clinical contact in this year to further their knowledge of human experience within healthcare.
Year 3
Year 3 consists of five five-week clinical placements in a variety of different specialities, including Primary Care, Surgery and Dermatology. There will also be consultation/clinical skills teaching happening alongside placements.
Year 4
Year 4 furthers the students’ clinical experience with speciality placements including women’s health, mental illness and palliative care. Students are expected to hugely develop their skills in diagnoses and management plans in this year.
Between Years 4 and 5 all medical students have the opportunity to plan and carry out their six-week elective placement.
Year 5
Year 5 is the student’s final stage of transition from medical student to doctor. There are six four-week placements in this final year.
Academic Requirements
GCSEs: A minimum of 6 GCSEs grade 6 or above required in Maths, English Language, Biology and Chemistry or Dual Science. Please note that applicants applying with these minimums are unlikely to be shortlisted to interview and that scoring is based on 8 GCSEs.
A-levels: AAA. Chemistry or Biology. Physics or Maths must also be offered if Chemistry is not taken. Taking a fourth A-level will not put you at an advantage. All applicants must provide evidence of being within full-time education in the last 5 years.
Scottish Higher: AAAAB Biology and Chemistry
Scottish Advanced Higher: AA In Chemistry and Biology
International Baccalaureate: 36 points with a mark of 6 in 3 Higher Level subjects which must include Chemistry and Biology. If English and Maths are not offered at GCSE, they must be offered with a mark of at least 5 at Standard level. 6 in three Higher Level subjects, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry. Two subjects from Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Physics must also be offered at either Higher or Standard Level if not offered at GCSE with a minimum of 5 points each. If English is not offered at GCSE, this must have a mark of at least 5 at Standard Level.
IELTs (International applicants only): Score of 7.5 overall with at least 7.5 in Spoken English.
Bachelor's Degree (Graduates only): Minimum 2:1 honours degree in any discipline awarded within the last three years plus three A Levels at grades ABB, to include Chemistry and Biology one of these at grade A or equivalent international qualification. A minimum of six GCSEs at grade 5 or above required in Maths, English Language, Biology and Chemistry or Dual Science.
Mitigating Circumstances
Resits policy: From 2026 onwards, Leeds will accept one resit attempt per A2 level and GCSE without mitigating circumstances. Further resits will require suitable mitigating circumstances evidence.
Extenuating circumstances: Well-supported documentary evidence of any extenuating circumstances is required and must be mentioned in your personal statement or explained by your referee. Applications will not normally be considered from those undertaking a third attempt at an academic entry qualification regardless of extenuating circumstances.
Deferred entry: You can apply for deferred entry to medicine at Leeds on your UCAS application.
Transfers: Transfers from other medical schools may be considered if there is evidence of exceptional extenuating circumstances; you have an excellent academic record at your current institution; or you have support from your current institution to transfer. You must be studying medicine at university to be considered for a transfer.
Further Entry Requirements
Work experience: Appropriate work experience is attractive in any medical school application, however, Leeds appreciates that the pandemic has made gaining work experience more difficult, so it is not a requirement to have clinical work experience when applying to Leeds.
Personal statement: The personal statement will not be formally scored as part of the application process, however, it will be read and you may be asked questions about it at interview.
Admissions Process
The first stage of the selection process is considering academic achievement, both achieved and predicted, alongside total UCAT score. As they are considered together, higher grades can compensate for lower UCAT scores and vice versa. Next, candidates with the top UCAT and academic performance scores are invited to interview from which offers will be made depending solely on interview performance.
Admissions Tests:
UCAT ✅
Leeds began using the UCAT for their selection process in 2024 and the lowest scores required in order to receive an interview offer in 2025 was 2570 for home students and 2750 for international students. As the 2026 cohort is the first year to sit the UCAT without the Abstract Reasoning component, comparable scores are 1917 and 2097 respectively. It is important to note that those who scored on the low end of this threshold likely had very good academic grades, therefore a UCAT score above this threshold does not guarantee you an interview.
Interview Type: MMI
Interview Topics: Interviews for Leeds take place in early January and are face-to-face for home students, and online for international students. The interview will take just over an hour, with each station lasting 6 minutes in addition to 2 minutes reading time before the station starts where you can make brief notes and prepare your answer.
Interview topics at Leeds Medical School interviews include:
- Self-reflection
- Problem-solving
- Ethics
- Communication skills
- Scenario-based responses
You can find out more about Leeds interviews in our guide.
Admissions Statistics
| Total number of applicants: | 2448 |
| Total number of places: | 278 |
| Total number of entrants: | 278 |
| Acceptance rate: | 11.36% |
Fees
| Home students: | £9790 pa |
| Rest of UK: | TBC |
| International students: | £48996 pa |
Teaching Methods
Teaching style: Leeds Medical School utilises an integrated teaching style including lectures, seminars and early clinical exposure. Leeds also offers the unique opportunity to carry out a ‘Year in Enterprise’ at the Business School which provides students with an MSc in Enterprise.
Intercalation mode: Students who wish to intercalate can do so after Years 2, 3 or 4.
Graduate Prospects
In 2025 the National Student Survey reported 98% of graduates from Leeds Medical School were in full time employment or further study 15 months after graduation, with average earnings of £37,500. Additionally 96% felt they were using what they learnt during the course in their current work.
FAQs
Is Leeds a BMAT or UCAT university?
Leeds was a BMAT university until they switched to UCAT for 2024 entry. In 2025, the lowest scores required to receive an interview offer for home students was 2570, which is 1917 adjusted for the 2026 UCAT.
Is Leeds hard to get into for medicine?
Leeds has an acceptance rate of approximately 11.4%. The academic qualifications required to study medicine at Leeds are very similar to the majority of UK medical schools.
How many people are invited to interview for medicine at Leeds?
In 2025, Leeds interviewed 774 candidates for their MBChB course.
Is Leeds Medical School good?
While this is a subjective question, Leeds is a Russell Group University and has a student satisfaction rating of 75% in 2024. Leeds is currently ranked as the 25th best medical school in the UK according to the Complete University Guide.
Where do medical students live in Leeds?
Sentinel Towers is ideally located for medical/healthcare students. Clarence Dock Village is a good place to live in terms of transport links.
School Details
- Website
- https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/medicine
- ugmadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
- Phone
- 0800 915 0402
School Details
- Website
- https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/medicine
- ugmadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
- Phone
- 0800 915 0402
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