UK Medical School Complete Guide

What is the Bachelor of Medicine course in the UK?

In the UK, the Bachelor of Medicine course is mainly awarded the degree title MBBS, which stands for "Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery." However, depending on the curriculum design of different medical schools in the UK, the degree titles may vary as follows:

• MBChB：University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, and 13 other medical schools.
• MBBCh：Cardiff University and Swansea University, 2 medical schools.
• MBBChir：University of Cambridge Medical School.
• BMBS：University of Nottingham, Brighton-Sussex, Peninsula, and 3 other medical schools.
• BM：University of Southampton Medical School.

Most medical bachelor's degree programs in the UK are five years long, except for some medical schools that have a six-year system (such as G5 universities like the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, etc., or Scottish medical schools like the University of Edinburgh).

The curriculum of medical schools in the UK is well-designed, following a "foundation first, practice later" teaching model. In the 5-6 year medical bachelor's degree program, the first 2-3 years are the "foundation theory phase," where students are primarily taught basic knowledge such as biomedical science, anatomy, pharmacology, and medical terminology through lectures and tutorials. Students are also arranged to visit nearby hospital wards and emergency rooms to gain initial understanding of the daily operations of a hospital.

Starting from the 3rd or 4th year, students will receive advanced medical theory courses, learning subjects such as pathology, hematology, and clinical pharmacology. In addition to specialized teaching, students also begin to engage in clinical case discussions and are then assigned to short-term medical internships in hospitals. They gain an understanding of the responsibilities and daily work of doctors, including examining patients, reviewing medical records, prescribing medications, conducting diagnostic tests, explaining and discussing treatment plans with patients, documenting medical information and patient histories, and referring patients to other specialist doctors for further diagnosis or treatment as needed.

Medical students in the UK gradually increase their time spent on hospital internships while also maintaining five to ten weeks of specialized learning on campus (depending on the curriculum design of different medical schools). Finally, in addition to arranging hospital internships for students, medical schools also provide pre-practice courses to prepare students who intend to register and practice in the UK.

2. What are the entry requirements for a Bachelor's degree in Medicine in the UK? 

Students who wish to apply for a Bachelor's degree in Medicine in the UK can do so through the UK university admissions system called UCAS or by applying directly. In addition, students must meet the following criteria

Academic Requirement

To apply to medical schools in the UK, it is expected that the predicted grades meet the following basic requirements:

Entrance Examination

To apply for a Bachelor's degree in Medicine in the UK, almost all medical schools require students to take a medical entrance examination in advance. For direct entry into the first year of the Bachelor's degree program in Medicine, UK medical schools primarily use two major exams, UCAT or BMAT, as important assessments for medical school applications.

UCAT and BMAT can only be taken once a year, and the scores are valid for only one year. Therefore, if you want to apply to specific medical schools in the UK, it is necessary to understand the exam format in advance and prepare accordingly.

UCAT（The University Clinical Aptitude Test）

UCAT is a computer-based exam designed to assess students' verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning abilities, as well as their situational judgment. It is a capability test established by most medical schools in the UK for applicants. Registration for UCAT opens in early June each year, and the exam period spans from July to October.

The exam consists of five sections: (1) Verbal Reasoning, (2) Decision Making, (3) Quantitative Reasoning, (4) Abstract Reasoning, and (5) Situational Judgment. The total exam duration is 2 hours, with 1-minute breaks between each section. Students must move on to the next section immediately after the break. Each section has different question types and time allocations.

UK medical schools that require UCAT scores.

• University of Aberdeen
• Anglia Ruskin University
• Aston University
• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• Cardiff University
• University of Dundee
• University of East Anglia
• Edge Hill University
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Exeter
• University of Glasgow
• Hull York Medical School
• Kent and Medway Medical School
• King’s College London
• University of Leicester
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• Newcastle University
• University of Nottingham
• Plymouth University
• Queen Mary University of London
• Queen’s University Belfast
• University of Sheffield
• University of Southampton
• University of St Andrews
• St George’s, University of London
• University of Sunderland
• University of Warwick (Graduate Entry Only)

In the UCAT exam, students are required to complete a computer-based test with five sections within a short 2-hour time frame. In terms of scoring, the first four sections of the UCAT are scored based on the number of correct answers, ranging from 300 to 900 for each section, with a total score of 3600. Only the fifth section, the situational judgment, is graded on a band scale, ranging from Band 1 (best) to Band 4 (worst).

Based on the performance of past UCAT candidates, the median scores for the first four sections vary each year but generally fall between 620-630. Taking the example of candidates applying for the 2022 academic year, the median score is 628. Generally, a score of 650 or above is considered a good performance, but due to intense competition for international student places, UK medical and dental schools generally consider a score of 680 or above as a high standard. Additionally, for the situational judgment section, most schools require students to have a performance in Band 1 or Band 2 in order to be considered for an interview.

The UCAT score significantly affects whether students will have the opportunity to obtain an interview. The medical school at Queen Mary University is highly regarded in the UK, and the UCAT is a necessary document for admission. In the interview selection process, the university clearly states that the UCAT score accounts for 50% of the interview selection. In the past, students who were able to obtain interviews and offers generally scored above the median of 700 or higher in each section, with Band 1 or 2 in the fifth section. It is evident that simply achieving the minimum required score is not enough to meet the threshold for entering medical school.

BMAT（Biomedical Admissions Test）

In addition to the UCAT, students who are interested in applying to medical schools at G5 universities (University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, UCL) or other universities such as University of Leeds, Brighton, Keele University, Lancaster University, etc., will need to take the BMAT medical exam.

The duration of the BMAT exam is 2 hours, and it covers logical reasoning, scientific and mathematical knowledge, and essay writing. The exam consists of three main sections.

In terms of the grading criteria, the first part, Thinking Skills, and the second part, Scientific Knowledge and Applications, will be scored on a scale of 1.0 to 9.0, with a median score of around 5. A score of 6 is considered a good performance, while a score of 7 or above is considered a high score. As for the Writing Task, there will be two sets of scores: one for content, which will be scored on a scale of 1-5, and one for English proficiency, which will be scored using the letters A-E.

Uk medical schools that require BMAT scores.

• University of Cambridge
• University of Oxford
• Imperial College London
• University College London
• University of Leeds
• Brighton and Sussex
• Keele University
• Lancaster University 

The BMAT exam can only be taken once a year, with registration taking place in September. If students are interested in applying to UK medical schools that recognize the BMAT, they need to register and participate in the exam through the British Council or other recognized test centers in September of the application year.

3. Medical school interviews in the UK

When applying to medical schools in the UK, after passing through academic performance evaluation, UCAT/BMAT entrance exams, and resume assessments, students will face the final challenge - the interview.

Typically, there are three types of interviews for UK medical schools:

• Panel Interview
• Group Interview
• Multiple Mini Interview- MMI

Among them, the MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) format is widely used by medical schools in the UK. Unlike traditional interview formats, students no longer enter a single room to answer questions from one or two interviewers or take turns answering in a group. Instead, they are required to move to different interview stations and go through a series of scenarios involving medical issues, ethics, problem-solving, etc., to test their understanding, communication skills, adaptability, etc.

The purpose of MMI is to assess students from multiple angles through different measurement points to determine if they (1) are competent as doctors/dentists, (2) possess communication skills, (3) understand scientific knowledge, (4) are aware of medical ethics, and (5) can make appropriate judgments in emergency situations. Here are some examples of MMI stations:

• Ethical Dilemmas
• Prioritisation
• Teamwork
• Critical Thinking
• Professional Judgement
• Communication
• Role-Play
• Character Development

If students are interested in applying for the following university's Bachelor of Medicine program, the MMI interview will be an inevitable challenging step:

• University of Aberdeen
• University of Birmingham
• University of Brighton & Sussex
• University of Bristol
• Cardiff University
• University of Dundee
• University of Exeter
• University of Hull York
• Keele University
• King‘s College London
• Lancaster University
• University of Leeds
• University of Leicester
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• Newcastle University
• University of Nottingham
• University of Queens, Belfast 
• University of Sheffield
• University of St Andrews
• St Georges, University of London
• University of East Anglia (Norwich)
• University of Warwick

In selecting the most suitable students for medical studies from numerous excellent applicants, UK universities have always placed great importance on this matter. Many applicants for Bachelor of Medicine programs may have outstanding academic or entrance examination scores, but these can only demonstrate the students' learning abilities in the field of knowledge.

Without a fair and transparent interview process, it would be difficult for admissions officers to discern students' motivations for studying medicine or judge whether they possess the essential professional qualities and attributes required to become doctors, such as good communication skills, empathy, respect for others, and altruism. Therefore, in selecting students, medical schools in the UK not only assess their academic performance but also evaluate their performance in other non-academic character abilities.

Hence, the interview is undoubtedly the final checkpoint for medical schools to assess candidates.

4. Apply UK medical school via UCAS

When applying for a Bachelor of Medicine program through UCAS, students must be aware that the application deadline is earlier than other subjects. All application documents and university choices must be submitted to UCAS by October 15th of the year before the intended year of enrollment. Assuming a student intends to start their medical studies in 2023, the application deadline would be October 15th, 2022, for the completion of the entire UCAS application (including school/recommendation letters uploaded by referees).

In addition, UCAS has specific regulations for applications to Bachelor of Medicine programs. UCAS allows students to apply for up to five university courses, but it does not permit students to apply to more than four universities offering Bachelor of Medicine programs. For the fifth choice, students are required to select a non-Medicine course, such as Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, or other health science-related subjects that are related to Medicine. Some ambitious students may also consider courses in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, or other health science disciplines.

5. Apply UK medical school via Direct Apply

Most medical schools in the UK require applications to be made through UCAS. However, certain UK medical schools accept international students through direct application, providing an avenue for students who have missed the UCAS deadline to apply, as well as offering additional opportunities for students who have already applied through UCAS. The universities that accept "direct applications" include the University of Buckingham, Brunel University London, and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

In addition, in recent years, some medical schools in the UK have adopted a new curriculum structure where students complete their theoretical courses in UK institutions and then transfer to affiliated hospitals abroad for practical training. For example, medical students at the University of Aberdeen complete their first 3 years of theoretical courses and then transfer to affiliated hospitals overseas for internships. Additionally, certain UK universities have opened medical school branches overseas under their name, such as Queen Mary University of London, which has a medical school branch in Malta, a European island country.

6. Medical foundation programme

In the United Kingdom, some universities also offer Medical Foundation programs for international students as an alternative pathway for those who aspire to study medicine but currently have slightly lower scores in public examinations.

The Medical Foundation programs in the UK require students to be at least 17 years old upon enrollment. Upon completion of the one-year bridging course with an overall score of 75% or above, students can progress to the university's Bachelor of Medicine program through entrance exams and interviews.

Some universities in the UK that offer Medical Foundation programs include Aston University, University of Aberdeen, University of Brighton, and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Some of these universities have limited spots for international foundation programs, with approximately 20 spots available each year. This is a consideration for many parents and students when it comes to their higher education plans.

7. How to become a doctor in thai when graduate from the UK

The process of becoming a doctor in Thailand after completing education in the United Kingdom:

The most important requirement to return and practice as a doctor in Thailand is to have a medical license, which can be obtained by graduating from a medical institution recognized by the Medical Council and having one year of work experience as a probationary doctor or having a medical license from a recognized foreign country.

To fulfill both of these qualifications, you can find information on universities recognized by the Medical Council directly from the website of the Medical Council at https://www.tmc.or.th/foreign_med.php

Last updated: 3rd October 2023.

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHEN IRELAND

 1 University of Leicester Medical School, University of Leicester,

5-year medical program

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree with a curriculum and clinical training approved by the United Kingdom and affiliated hospitals specified in the program.

1. University Hospital of Leicester

 1.1 Leicester General Hospital

 1.2 Leicester Glenfield Hospital

 1.3 Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital

 2. Lincoln Hospital

 3. Northampton General Hospital

 4. Ketterine district Hospital

 5. Peterborough Hospital

 6. Burton Hospital

 7. Bedford Hospital

 2 University of Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia,

UK 5-year program

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree with continuous teaching and learning throughout the program, accredited by the United Kingdom and affiliated with designated hospitals used for clinical training as specified in the curriculum and located within the United Kingdom.

1.Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

2.James Paget University Hospital

3.The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Linn

4. Norfolk and Suffolk (Mental Health)

 3 School of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of

Central Lancashire,

UK 5-year program, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) with continuous teaching and learning throughout the program in the United Kingdom. The program is accredited by the United Kingdom and affiliated with designated hospitals used for clinical training as specified in the curriculum and located within the United Kingdom, specifically at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The certification process varies for each institution and requires a minimum of 5 years since the last certification request. If the desired university in the UK is not listed on the website of the Medical Council, one can contact them directly to request certification. After completing medical studies in the UK, whether it's a 5 or 6-year program from any university, everyone must have at least 1 year of working experience as a junior doctor. This can be done either in Thailand or in the UK during the Foundation Year 1.

After completing medical studies at a university, one will receive registration from the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK, known as Provisional Registration. This allows for practice as a junior doctor in Foundation Year 1. Foundation Year 1 lasts for a total of 1 year, and upon completion, one will receive Full Registration, which is the professional medical license in the UK. Once Full Registration is obtained, one can return to Thailand to take the medical license examination.

Next is Foundation Year 2, which lasts for another year before choosing to specialize as a General Practitioner or in another specialty. More information on this can be found on the websites of the GMC and the Medical School Council in the UK.

Regarding the medical license examination in Thailand, after completing 1 year of work experience as a junior doctor or completing Foundation Year 1 and obtaining Full Registration in the UK, one can apply for the medical license examination in Thailand. The examination consists of three parts:

Part 1: Basic Medical Sciences

Part 2: Clinical Sciences

Part 3: Clinical Skills and Procedures, including Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), Modified Essay Question, and Long Case

Once all parts of the examination are passed and registration is completed, one will be considered a fully licensed doctor.