Applications and Personal Statement

All applications to study medicine at a UK university must be made through UCAS. Medical schools will not accept applications outside of UCAS. On the UCAS website there is information on each institution and the online application form.

The deadline for applications is 15th October each year, for admission beginning the following year in September/October.

Start your application early and ensure that you submit your application well before the deadline.

You can only apply to FOUR UK medical schools in any one application. It is important that you make your choices wisely and make an informed decision. Visit the medical schools you are interested and speak to admissions tutors and find out as much as you can about the institutions through their websites.

You must also check that the medical school you are applying to requires you to take the UKCAT. See the UKCAT pages for more information.

The entrance requirements for each medical school vary slightly but the general entrance requirements with respect to A Levels are 3 A Levels (excluding General Studies) at AAB and A Level Chemistry is usually a requirement, and some medical schools expect you to also have A Level Biology. Alternatively, five Scottish Higher's are required mostly at grade A.

Additional A Level subjects chosen are usually up to the applicant, and traditionally these have been science-related subjects. However, where a medical school does not specify what the additional A Levels should be, you could effectively study what you like and a range of A Level subjects can demonstrate diversity and outside interests which are always important in a career such as medicine.

After the application is submitted - over the next few months the applications will be read and assessed by admissions tutors at each of the medical schools to which you have applied. Each medical school will now correspond with you directly and inform you of any decisions.

If you are successful at the first stage you will be invited to attend for an interview. (For more advice on the Interview please see the pages on Interviews)

Personal Statement

The personal statement is one of the most important aspects of an application to Medical School.

It is important that the statement is well written, concise yet informative and stands out above the rest. Which is much easier said than done!

The personal statement is the part of the application that will set you apart from everyone else, and the section that admissions tutors will take most notice of. So this is your chance to tell them why you are suited for the course.

It is better for candidates to focus on their strengths and why they think will make great doctors instead of focusing on what they think the admissions tutor wants to hear.

Here are a few areas you may like to address in your personal statement:

Why you want to study medicine
What drives you to pursue a career in medicine?
What will make you a good doctor?
Demonstrate that you have the skills to study medicine
Show commitment for the course and career
Show that you understand a career in medicine
Reveal any extracurricular activities - sports, hobbies
Mention your medicine-related work experience
Relevant voluntary work
Relevant part-time work
Academic prizes
Evidence of a social life
Explain any reasons for taking a gap year

It is important to keep your personal statement balanced - between achievements and showing why you are suited to study medicine. Remember - admissions tutors read hundreds of personal statements each day and if you keep it original and creative then yours will be the one that sticks in their mind and get you an interview.

It is unwise to specify a preference for a particular medical school in your personal statement because the medical schools can question your desire to study at their institution at the interview stage.

During the interview it is highly likely that you will be questioned on aspects of your personal statement so it is important that you can elaborate and talk fluently and confidently on what you have written. More information on the interviews can be found in the interviews pages.