Traditionally, the only way to get a medical degree was through the five—or six-year undergraduate course; however, nowadays, there are other options that allow you to enter a medical degree after a gateway/foundation year, following a degree in another science subject, or via transfer from certain science degrees.
In this guide, we will look at the different options available to you and explore where you can apply.
Written by Sharon Daniel
Gateway to Medicine Degree
A gateway year in a medical degree is designed to help students progress onto the first year of a medicine programme and develop study skills and knowledge. You may benefit from a gateway year if you didn’t get the top grades at A level, meet widening participation criteria, or didn’t take many science subjects at A-level.
There are two types of foundation medicine courses:
Medicine with a foundation year
A one-year programme of science-based teaching followed by a standard five-year undergraduate degree programme.
Extended course
Teaching is spread out over six years so you learn the basics and the advanced material at the same time.
UK Gateway To Medicine Degrees
In the UK, these are the medical schools that currently offer gateway schemes:
- Aberdeen
- Bristol
- Dundee
- Edge Hill
- Hull York
- Keele
- King's College London
- Lancaster
- Leeds
- Leicester
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Nottingham
- Plymouth
- Southampton
- St. Andrews
- UCLan (Central Lancashire)
- UEA (East Anglia)
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Graduate Medicine
Another option for obtaining a medical degree is to enter graduate medicine. This is an option for students who didn’t receive an offer for undergraduate medicine or have studied a different degree and want to change to a different career.
The graduate entry course is a pathway for people who have already obtained a degree and wish to study medicine. The programmes consider those with a science degree, but some may also consider non-science degrees, which may require at least one science A level.
UK Graduate Entry Medical Schools
- Barts
- Cambridge
- Chester
- Cumbria
- Dundee/St. Andrews
- King's College London
- Newcastle
- Nottingham
- Oxford
- Sheffield
- Southampton
- St. George's
- Surrey
- Swansea
- Worcester
- Warwick
Graduate entry medicine is a four-year degree compared to the five or 6-year undergraduate degree. Graduate entry medicine students can apply for partial tuition fees, maintenance loans, and the NHS bursary scheme. The entry requirements vary between different medical schools, but in general, they include the following:
Graduate Entry Medicine Entry Requirements
- 2:1 Degree
- GAMSAT or UCAT Admissions Test
- Work Experience
- Personal Statement & References (via UCAS)
The application process for graduate entry medicine is done via UCAS and you can apply to up to four universities, just like undergraduate medicine applications. You submit your Personal Statement and if your application has been shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview. The timelines for applying to graduate entry medicine are the same as the timelines for applying to undergraduate medicine.
You may be familiar with the UCAT exam from undergraduate applications, but GAMSAT is a test specific to graduate entry medicine. The test is divided into three sections covering reasoning in humanities and social sciences, written communication, and reasoning in biological and physical sciences.
The tests happen twice a year: in March (entries open from November to January, but the tests are only held in London, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool or Derry) or in September (registrations open from May to mid-July). The test costs £286, but if you register late, you must pay an extra fee of £65. You will receive your test score in May if you do the March sitting or in November if you do the September sitting. GAMSAT.Ninja is the leading question bank for this test, so be sure to check it out if you’re sitting the GAMSAT.
Transfer To Medicine
Some universities also have transfer schemes which allow you to transfer to a medical degree if you study a related degree such as biomedical science. You may even be pushed ahead to interview if you apply for another degree or can enter the first year of medicine in the next academic year.
These transfer schemes are often very competitive, and the requirements vary across universities. Usually, transfer courses are for biomedical or medical sciences; however, some universities may consider transfers from other courses such as biological sciences, neuroscience or pharmacology.
Universities That Allow Transfer To Medicine
Universities that have transfer schemes include:
- Anglia Ruskin
- Barts
- Bradford
- Brighton
- Cardiff
- Exeter
- Leicester
- Newcastle
- Plymouth
- Sussex
More details about the entry requirements can be found on their websites.
For the first time in 2024, medicine apprenticeships will be offered to a select few applicants across the UK. This scheme is planned to expand over the next five years, so it may become an even more viable pathway to medicine. Learn more about it in our Medicine Apprenticeships Guide.
As you’ve now seen, there are many different gateways to a medical degree, such as a gateway/foundation year, graduate entry medicine, and transfer schemes. This means that it’s never too late to do a medical degree if it’s something you want to do.
No matter how you’re planning to enter medicine, we can offer support for your Personal Statement, UCAT and Interviews with our Tutoring Bundles! Through one-to-one sessions with expert tutors, live crash courses and extensive resources, you’ll be prepared for everything you need to know to find success in your medical school application.
Thank you for reading and we wish you the best of luck with your application!
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Not sure where to start with your Medical School application?
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