Start with the entry requirements
Close to 28000 students apply to study medicine in the UK each year. In order to help filter students each medical school will set its own entry criteria that students must meet in order to be considered for interview. This is usually a combination of GCSE grades, A level / IB predicted grades and the UCAT / BMAT score.
It is vital to understand the entry criteria as medical schools will not even look at your personal statement if you don’t meet their entry criteria. Conversely, understanding which medical schools you can apply to will help bring down the number of medical schools you need to research and choose between.
Research the shortlisting process
Unfortunately, meeting the entry criteria is not enough to be invited for an interview. For all students that meet the entry criteria, medical schools will then look at each students individual application (school grades, UCAT / BMAL score, personal statement, work experience) before shortlisting the top students for interview. Each university will have information on their website outlining their shortlisting process and which aspects of the application they rate the highest. No medical school is easy to get into but some the shortlisting process of some universities may play to your strengths more than others.
Understand the course design
Most medical schools combine classroom and lecture based learning with clinical placements where student learn on the job. The exact balance between clinical placements and lectures will vary between medical schools. If getting onto the wards as early as possible is important for you, consider universities like Nottingham that have clinical placements from Year 1. Conversely, if you are happier in a lecture hall or tutorial, universities like Cambridge or Oxford might interest you more.
Problem Based Learning
A minority of medical schools rely on Problem Based Learning (PBL) as a key teaching approach. PBL is a group based learning tool in which students are encouraged to do their own research and tackle problems in a small group environment with the help of an instructor. PBL isn’t for everyone and so knowing the medical schools that do and don’t use it is an important consideration.
Where do I want to live?
Does the idea of being at university 200 miles away from home sound like a nightmare? For many students, location plays a key role in choosing medical school as some students will be happy to compromise on certain aspects of a course if it means being close to home. If you don’t think you’re going to happy living in the city the medical school is based in then there is little point in applying.
To intercalate or not to intercalate?
Intercalation in the term for undertaking an additional, one-year science degree as part of you medical degree. Not all universities offer the chance to intercalate and an extra year at university means another year of student loans so whether you would want to intercalate should also be part of your process of choosing universities.
Contact Think Tutors
Whatever medical schools you settle on, remember to research the entry criteria, understand the shortlisting process, review the course structure, and ask an expert for some sound advice.
For any support or help in navigating this process including tuition for UCAT and BMAT exams, interview preparation please do contact us.
We also offer tuition and expert advice on every major entrance exam, from Cambridge Law Test to the LNAT, MAT, STEP, BMAT, GAMSAT, UCAT, CAT, ELAT, GAA, HAT, PAT, MLAT, MML, OLAT, TSA and the Oxford Philosophy Test.