Securing a coveted spot in medical school is a journey laden with academic hurdles, personal reflections, and stringent evaluations. For aspiring physicians aiming to join the prestigious Barts Medical School, understanding the intricate admissions process is paramount. From academic prerequisites to the pivotal interview stage, every facet of the application journey holds significance.

At the heart of the selection process lies a meticulous evaluation of academic credentials and aptitude, intertwined with an assessment of personal attributes crucial for a career in medicine. Applicants are rigorously reviewed to ensure they meet the minimum academic requirements, a threshold that serves as the gateway to further consideration. Among the pivotal criteria is the UCAT score, where candidates achieving a standing within the third decile range or higher are given due consideration. Coupled with academic benchmarks, applicants must attain or be predicted a UCAS tariff of 152 or more, derived primarily from specified academic achievements. This amalgamation of academic prowess and standardized testing forms the cornerstone upon which candidates are evaluated.

The Process Applications are firstly reviewed to check if minimum academic requirements are met. Applicants who achieve an overall score within the third decile range or above in the UCAT and meet their minimum academic entry criteria will be given a score for their UCAS tariff. Candidates will be expected to have achieved or be predicted a UCAS tariff of 152 or more. 152 points must be achieved from the main scoring academic acceptable criteria. 50% of the weighting will be on Tariff and 50% on the UCAT score.

The Interview

Type - 2 member panel

Either a senior academic or clinical staff, a medical student and sometimes a lay selector. Length: Short interview.

Dates

Barts Medical School Interview Dates: Between January and March

Topics

Barts Medicine Interview Questions / Topics:

• Motivation and realistic approach to medicine as a career
• Show initiative, resilience and maturity
• Work well as part of a team
• Be well organised and demonstrate problem solving abilities
• Likely contribution to university life
• Communicate effectively in a wide range of situations

Work Experience - Selectors strongly recommend that candidates have explored what a career in medicine entails and that this is reinforced by work experience. The interview will explore your understanding of the realities of a career in medicine. We recognise the challenge of obtaining work experience and a period of volunteering in a caring role can be equally as valuable.

Exams? – A levels- A*AA

A-level results must be achieved in one sitting over a study period of no longer than two years.

Must include

Biology or Chemistry, and a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics)

GCSE

777666 or AAABBB

Must include

Biology or Human Biology
Chemistry
English Language
Mathematics or Additional Mathematics or Statistics
Science (Double Award) may substitute any individual science.

Statistics –

• Applicants- >2500
• Interview invites- >800
• Offers given- >440
• Chance of success post-interview- 55%

How Important is the Personal Statement? - Not scored, but assessed at interview shortlisting. Used at interview to ask about work experience.

UCAT Scores – Lowest score invited for interview in 2019 and 2020 was 2300 and in 2021 was 2340. Average scores for interview selection in 2020 and 2021 were 2653 and 2728 respectively.

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