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We compile these profiles from each university's own published admissions pages and review them monthly. Entry requirements do change mid-cycle, and universities sometimes publish updates without announcing them.
Use this page to get oriented quickly, build your shortlist, and work out which questions to ask — then confirm the specifics that your application depends on (grades, admissions test, fees, eligibility) directly with the university before you apply. If you spot something that looks out of date, tell us and we will check it.
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Entry year covered: 2027
Considering Brighton Sussex Medicine? Here's a complete breakdown of entry requirements, admissions criteria, and the application process for 2026 entry.
Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is a unique partnership between the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex, established in 2003. Located on the stunning Falmer campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park, BSMS offers students the best of both university experiences while training in one of the UK's most vibrant and diverse cities.
BSMS is renowned for its student-centred approach, consistently ranking highly for student satisfaction and teaching quality. The school offers a single 5-year undergraduate medicine programme (A100), with a strong emphasis on patient-centred care, communication skills, and early clinical exposure across hospitals and GP practices throughout Sussex and the South East.
Considering Brighton and Sussex Medical School? Future Doc's Predictable Offer Protocol™ coordinates every element of your application as one interconnected system, from UCAT preparation to university selection to interview readiness. 93% of our students receive at least one offer. Find out how it works.
UCAS Code: A100 | 5 years
The standard 5-year undergraduate medicine programme for school leavers and graduates. BSMS offers only this standard entry route, with no graduate entry or foundation programmes available.
You are viewing this courseBSMS offers guaranteed interviews to certain Biomedical Science students from partner institutions who meet specific academic criteria. If you're studying Biomedical Science and considering medicine, this pathway could be an excellent route for you. Contact BSMS admissions for current eligibility requirements.
The following requirements apply to the 5-year Medicine BM BS programme (A100) at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A-Level Grades | AAA to include Biology or Chemistry, plus one further subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics |
| Contextual Offer | AAB to include Biology or Chemistry, plus one further subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics, for eligible contextual applicants |
| Required Subjects | Biology or Chemistry, plus one further subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics |
| Third Subject | Any subject except General Studies, Critical Thinking or, for non-speakers of English, an A-Level in your original language |
| Science Practicals | Practical endorsement required where applicable |
All applicants to BSMS must sit the UCAT in the same year they apply. The UCAT forms part of the selection process alongside academic achievements and other application components.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cut-off Score | No fixed cut-off, but applicants are ranked by total UCAT score, with indicative thresholds varying each year |
| How UCAT is Used | Applicants are ranked by their total UCAT score to fill interview places, alongside meeting the SJT band requirement |
| SJT Consideration | An SJT band of 1, 2 or 3 is required (Band 4 is not considered) |
| Overall Approach | Holistic assessment combining UCAT with other factors |
"BSMS takes a balanced approach to selection. Your UCAT matters, but so does your academic profile and the quality of your application overall. Students who perform consistently across all areas tend to do well. Don't neglect any single element of your application."
— Dr. Ash, Future Doc
Note: The UCAT format changed in July 2025 with the removal of Abstract Reasoning, reducing the maximum score from 3,600 to 2,700. Cut-off scores and statistics from previous years may not directly apply to the current format.
BSMS uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. This involves rotating through a series of stations, each designed to assess different competencies required for medicine.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) |
| Number of Stations | 5 stations |
| Duration per Station | 10 minutes each, with a short break between stations — roughly one hour for a full circuit |
| Interview Period | December 2026 to February 2027 for 2027 entry (BSMS's FAQ gives a wider December–March window) |
| In person or online | Your choice. In person in early December or early January; online via Zoom in late January or early February. Questions and mark schemes are identical. |
BSMS does not publish the content of its stations. The list below is what MMI stations at UK medical schools generally cover, not a BSMS-published breakdown.
Important: Each MMI station is independently scored, so even if one station doesn't go as planned, you have multiple opportunities to demonstrate your strengths.
Preparing for your Brighton and Sussex Medical School interview? Future Doc's Think Like a Doctor™ module includes university-specific practice, high-pressure simulations, and an intensive In-Person Interview Day. Our near-100% interview-to-offer conversion rate reflects months of preparation across the full application, not just last-minute coaching. Learn more.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Places (2027 entry) | 197 UK entrants and 10 international entrants, as published by BSMS |
| Annual Applications | Not published by BSMS |
| Application to Place Ratio | Not published by BSMS |
| UCAT cut-off score | Not published. BSMS ranks applicants with SJT Band 1–3 by UCAT score and invites the top-ranked; the threshold moves each year with the applicant field. |
| Interview reserved for contextual applicants | BSMS aims to offer 30% of its interviews to candidates with contextual data flags |
BSMS expects applicants to have undertaken relevant experience that demonstrates their understanding of and commitment to a career in medicine. While there is no strict minimum hours requirement, they are looking for evidence of:
BSMS recognises that access to clinical experience varies, and they will consider alternative evidence of commitment to medicine where formal work experience was not possible.
Considered — one dropped grade only
BSMS will consider resit applicants, but will ordinarily only consider applications from applicants who have dropped one grade in one subject. Be prepared to address any resit in your application and explain the circumstances.
Yes
Re-applicants are welcome to apply again. You should demonstrate how your application has improved since your previous attempt and show continued commitment to medicine.
Limited places
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Home (UK) Students | Full allocation |
| International Students | Limited places available |
Note: International applicants should check current availability and fee status carefully. The number of international places is limited, and competition is particularly high.
Not published
We could not find any guaranteed-interview route for Biomedical Science graduates on BSMS's own admissions pages. Graduates apply through the standard graduate entry route to the five-year BM BS. The interview guarantees BSMS does publish are for care leavers and for applicants studying at a Sussex sixth form or college. If you hold a biomedical degree, email medadmissions@bsms.ac.uk before you rely on anything else.
Not used
BSMS states plainly that it does not use personal statements at any point during the admissions process, for UK or international applicants. Write one for your other choices; it will not be read here.
A contextual offer is an adjustment a university makes for applicants whose circumstances have made their education harder than the grades alone suggest. Universities use them because they recognise that two students with the same predicted grades have not always had the same run at them. They are a formal, published part of the admissions process — not a favour, and not something you have to argue for.
What the adjustment actually is varies by school, and it matters more than most applicants realise. Depending on where you apply, qualifying can mean: a lower grade offer; being ranked against other widening participation applicants rather than the whole field; a guaranteed or prioritised interview; a lower admissions test threshold or extra shortlisting points; relaxed GCSE or subject requirements; or access to a separate gateway or foundation year route.
BSMS calls its scheme an adjusted offer. To qualify you must be a home fee paying student and meet at least one criterion from three different sections of the list below. This is stricter than it looks: ticking all three boxes within a single section does not qualify you. You need three separate sections.
Geographical and educational criteria are checked from your UCAS form. For the household and individual criteria, and for care experience, BSMS emails you after it receives your UCAS application and invites you to upload evidence.
If you meet criteria from three different sections, BSMS will lower the grades it asks of you and rank you in a separate pool rather than against the whole applicant field. If you are a care leaver, or you are studying at a Sussex sixth form or college, the benefit is different again — an actual interview guarantee rather than a better ranking position.
| How it helps | What that means for you |
|---|---|
| Lower A-level offer | AAB instead of AAA for 2027 entry, with the same subject conditions (Biology or Chemistry plus one further subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics). |
| Lower IB offer | 35 points instead of 36, to include grade 5 and grade 6 at Higher Level, with Higher Level subjects including Biology or Chemistry plus one from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. |
| Separate ranking pool for interview | Applicants with adjusted offers are ranked by UCAT separately from the wider applicant pool. You are competing against other contextual applicants, not against the whole field. |
| Reserved interview places | BSMS states it aims to reserve 30% of interviews for applicants with contextual data. This is arguably worth more than the one-grade reduction. |
| Automatic interview for care leavers | At least three months in local authority care during secondary and/or post-16 education means you are automatically invited to interview, subject to satisfying the academic criteria. This is a genuine guarantee, not a ranking advantage. |
| Guaranteed interview for Sussex students | If you are studying at a sixth form or college in Sussex, meet the standard GCSE requirement, are on track for the standard (or adjusted) A-level offer, apply to BSMS through UCAS by the deadline (institution code B74, course code A100), and achieve SJT Band 1, 2 or 3, you are guaranteed an interview regardless of your UCAT cognitive ranking. This is geographic, not socio-economic, so it stacks with the adjusted offer. |
| Outreach routes (BrightMed, BrightIdeas, UKWPMED) | BSMS runs sustained outreach programmes that carry their own admissions benefits for participants who also meet the widening participation criteria. Check the current year's terms with BSMS directly — the published benefits have changed between cycles. |
For a side-by-side comparison, see every UK medical and dental school's widening participation scheme.
| Fee Status | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Home (UK) | £10,050 |
| International | 2027/28: TBC |
BSMS has not yet published fees for 2027/28 entry. The home figure above is England's regulated fee cap for 2027/28, which BSMS charges — for September 2026 entry it publishes £9,790 per year, exactly the cap for that year. For international students BSMS publishes £51,500 per year for 2026/27 entry, with a £5,000 tuition fee deposit payable on accepting an offer; it has not set the 2027/28 rate. Confirm both figures with BSMS before you apply.
Island students from the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands who have lived in the islands or the UK for three years are eligible for UK/home fee status, but are not eligible for UK government student funding.
The BSMS Medicine BM BS programme is designed to produce doctors who are not only clinically competent but also excellent communicators with a deep understanding of the patient experience.
Building the scientific foundations of medicine while introducing clinical skills and patient contact from the very first year. Students learn through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, and early clinical placements.
Bridging the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice. Increased time in clinical settings with rotations across different specialties and greater patient responsibility.
Full clinical immersion with rotations across all major medical and surgical specialties. Students work as part of clinical teams in hospitals and GP practices across Sussex and the South East. Final year includes preparation for foundation training.
BSMS offers opportunities for intercalation, allowing students to take an additional year to pursue a BSc in a subject of interest, deepening their knowledge in a particular area of medicine or science.
BSMS offers clinical training across a wide network of hospitals and GP practices:
"What makes BSMS special is the combination of excellent teaching, a supportive environment, and fantastic quality of life. Brighton is a wonderful place to spend your medical school years. The school is small enough that you're not just a number, but large enough to offer excellent clinical exposure. Students consistently rate their experience highly."
— Dr. Ash, Future Doc
Applying to medical school requires more than meeting the minimum entry requirements. Here are practical steps to strengthen your application:
For an overview of all UK medical schools and how they compare, see the UK Medical Schools hub page.
BSMS does not publish a specific UCAT cut-off score. They take a holistic approach, considering your UCAT performance alongside your academic achievements and other application elements. Focus on performing as well as possible across all UCAT sections while also strengthening other areas of your application.
BSMS uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. You will rotate through a series of stations (typically 6-8), each lasting around 5-7 minutes and assessing different competencies such as communication, ethical reasoning, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Yes, graduates can apply to the 5-year A100 programme. However, BSMS does not offer a Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme, so all applicants follow the same route. Graduates must still meet the A-Level requirements. Notably, Biomedical Science graduates from partner institutions may be eligible for guaranteed interviews.
BSMS offers guaranteed interviews to certain Biomedical Science students from partner institutions who meet specific academic criteria. This provides a structured route into medicine for those who have demonstrated their commitment and capability through undergraduate study. Contact BSMS admissions for current eligibility requirements.
International students can apply to BSMS, but the number of international places is limited. International applicants face higher fees and increased competition for places. Check current availability and requirements carefully before applying.
BSMS students benefit from the unique position of being part of both the University of Brighton and University of Sussex. Brighton is one of the UK's most vibrant and diverse cities, with excellent nightlife, culture, and beach access. The school has a strong sense of community, and the smaller cohort size means students form close friendships.
Focus on achieving strong academics (AAA including Biology or Chemistry), prepare thoroughly for the UCAT, and gain meaningful work experience that you can reflect on articulately. Practice for MMI-style interviews and develop your communication skills. Most applicants treat these as separate tasks, which is why the national success rate is just 16%. Future Doc's Predictable Offer Protocol coordinates every element as one interconnected system, which is why 93% of their students receive at least one offer.
Yes, BSMS is highly regarded for its teaching quality and student experience. The school consistently ranks well in student satisfaction surveys, and graduates are well-prepared for foundation training. The unique partnership between two universities, combined with Brighton's excellent quality of life, makes it a popular choice among applicants.
Most applicants treat the medical school application as a series of separate hurdles: the UCAT, personal statement, work experience, university selection, and interviews. They try to solve each one independently. This creates a fragmented approach where the pieces never add up.
Future Doc works differently. Through the Predictable Offer Protocol, a dedicated coach who knows your complete profile coordinates every element of your application as one interconnected system. Every decision is made with the full picture in mind.
The result: 93% of our students receive at least one offer. If they don't, they come back next year for free.
Find Out How It Works
Last updated: February 2026. Information verified against Brighton and Sussex Medical School admissions pages and Medical Schools Council guidance.
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