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Learn About Our Programme See How We Can Support Your Application →One of Scotland's oldest and most prestigious medical schools, with a rich history dating back to 1451
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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 If you spot something that looks out of date, tell us and we will check it.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
University of Glasgow prioritises Scottish-domiciled applicants due to Scottish Government funding arrangements. Approximately 60% of places are typically reserved for Scottish students. Rest of UK and international applicants compete for the remaining places, making entry highly competitive for non-Scottish applicants.
Considering Glasgow Medicine? Here's a complete breakdown of entry requirements, admissions criteria, and the application process for 2026 entry.
The University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world, founded in 1451. Its medical school has been training doctors for over 250 years and is renowned for its world-class research, innovative teaching methods, and strong clinical partnerships across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Glasgow offers only the standard 5-year Medicine MBChB programme (A100). The course combines traditional medical teaching with early clinical exposure, problem-based learning, and an emphasis on patient-centred care. Students benefit from training in one of the largest NHS health boards in Scotland, with access to diverse patient populations and clinical specialties.
Considering University of Glasgow? 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. Open to school leavers and graduates. Scottish domicile applicants receive preferential consideration.
You are viewing this course| Route | UCAS Code | Length | Admissions test | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine MBChB | A100 | 5 years | UCAT | School leavers and graduates; Scottish domiciled applicants get preferential consideration |
| Gateway to Medical Studies | A900 | 1-year pre-medical year, then the 5-year MBChB | None | Scottish residents of at least three years, in S6 or on a SWAP access course, meeting the published widening participation criteria. Around 40 places. |
UCAS codes verified in October 2026 on Glasgow's own pages. Note the Gateway deadline is different: for 2027 entry it is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time, not the 15 October medicine deadline. Glasgow does not run a separate graduate-entry medicine programme.
The following requirements apply to the 5-year Medicine MBChB programme (A100). Glasgow considers both A-Levels and Scottish Highers, with specific requirements for each qualification pathway.
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A-Level Grades | AAA including Chemistry |
| Required Subjects | Grade A in Chemistry, plus one from Biology, Physics, or Mathematics |
| Third Subject | Any subject (excluding General Studies) |
| GCSE Requirements (UK) | Grade B/6 in GCSE English Literature or English Language, and Grade B/6 in GCSE Biology (only required if Biology is not taken at A-Level). International applicants should check the university website for equivalent qualifications. |
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Higher Grades | AAAAB at Higher in S5, plus BB at Advanced Higher in S6 |
| Required Subjects | Higher Chemistry, plus Biology and either Physics or Mathematics |
| National 5 | National 5 English at Grade B minimum |
| Advanced Highers | BB at Advanced Higher in S6 forms part of the standard offer |
All applicants must sit the UCAT in the same year they apply. Glasgow publishes a UCAT threshold for each applicant group, and interviews are allocated by UCAT score among applicants who meet all other screening requirements.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| UCAT Thresholds (2026 entry) | Not published in advance · set separately for each applicant group. Thresholds for the following cycle are not published until that admissions cycle is complete. |
| How UCAT is Used | Interviews are allocated by UCAT score for applicants who meet all other screening aspects, such as the minimum academic requirements and a satisfactory personal statement and reference |
| SJT Consideration | Not used — Glasgow does not consider the SJT portion of the UCAT |
| UCAT Weighting | Significant factor in shortlisting process |
"Glasgow is one of those medical schools where hitting the UCAT threshold is crucial. Once you meet their other screening requirements, interviews are allocated by UCAT score, and the threshold is set separately for each applicant group. If you're a Scottish applicant, you have a significant advantage in the numbers game, but you still need a competitive UCAT score. For rest of UK applicants, the threshold is higher and you'll need to be stronger again to secure one of the limited places."
— 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.
Glasgow does not use a Multiple Mini Interview. The interview session lasts 30 minutes in total and is divided into two sections, panel A and panel B. You are interviewed by two interviewers who cover both panels, the interview is conducted online, and it is conversational, with no writing required at any stage.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Online panel interview, divided into panel A and panel B |
| Structure | Two sections (panel A and panel B), both covered by the same two interviewers |
| Duration | 30 minutes in total |
| Interview Period | December to March |
Important: Because the same two interviewers cover both panels, treat the full 30 minutes as one continuous conversation rather than a series of independent stations. The interview is conversational and no writing is required at any stage. Glasgow is looking for well-rounded candidates who demonstrate the core values and competencies expected of future doctors.
Preparing for your University of Glasgow 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 |
|---|---|
| Annual Applications | Not published by Glasgow — around 2,500–3,000 is a commonly quoted estimate |
| Total Places | ~285 |
| Scottish Domicile Places | Not published as a fixed quota — around 60% of the intake is an estimate |
| Rest of UK/International Places | Not published as a fixed quota — around 40% of the intake is an estimate |
| UCAT Threshold | Set separately for each applicant group; not published in advance |
Glasgow expects applicants to have undertaken some form of relevant experience that demonstrates understanding of healthcare and commitment to medicine. There is no strict minimum hours requirement, but they are looking for evidence of:
If clinical experience was not possible due to access barriers or restrictions, Glasgow will consider alternative evidence of commitment and understanding of healthcare.
Generally No
Glasgow does not typically accept applicants who have resat A-Levels or Highers unless there are documented extenuating circumstances that affected original performance. These must be explained and evidenced in your application.
Yes
Re-applicants are welcome to apply again. You should demonstrate how your application has improved since your previous attempt, including any new experiences or achievements.
Prioritised
Scottish-domiciled applicants receive preferential consideration. Approximately 60% of places are allocated to Scottish students, reflecting Scottish Government funding priorities. This means Scottish applicants face less competition and may be invited to interview with lower combined scores than rest of UK applicants.
Limited Places
| Applicant Type | Status |
|---|---|
| Scottish Domicile | Prioritised (~60% of places) |
| Rest of UK | Accepted (limited places) |
| International | Accepted (limited places, higher fees) |
Note: International applicants face higher tuition fees and compete for limited places alongside rest of UK applicants.
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.
Glasgow's mechanism is unusually conditional, and it is worth being clear about it up front: the grade reduction is real and specific, but it is bolted to completing a named pre-entry programme (Reach) during your school years rather than granted on background flags alone — and it exists only in the Scottish Higher currency.
If you meet these conditions and complete Reach, Glasgow will consider you on a lower Scottish Higher profile than the standard offer. If you meet the separate Gateway to Medical Studies criteria, you can instead apply for a one-year pre-medical route with no UCAT at all.
| How it helps | What that means for you |
|---|---|
| A lower Scottish Higher profile (Access Glasgow, via Reach) | You are held to AAABB (or AAAAC, where the C cannot be in Chemistry) in S5 plus BC at Advanced Higher in S6, instead of the standard AAAAB in S5 plus BB at Advanced Higher. UCAT and interview are still required and the offer remains conditional on S6 performance. |
| The Reach programme itself | A school-years pre-entry programme run alongside S4–S6. Completing it awards 10 SCQF level 7 credits and gives personal-statement and interview preparation. It is the gate that unlocks the adjusted offer — Glasgow does not describe it as guaranteeing an interview. |
| A separate entry route: Gateway to Medical Studies (A900) | A one-year pre-medical programme with around 40 places. Entry is AABB (or AAAC) Highers in one academic year in S5 or S6, including Higher Biology plus two of Chemistry, Physics or Maths with a minimum of ABB across those three sciences — far below the AAAAB + BB standard MBChB profile. SWAP Access to Medical Sciences at overall Merit with AAA in graded profiles is also accepted. |
| No admissions test at all on the Gateway route | Glasgow states plainly: "Do I need to sit the UCAT? No. Applicants aren't required to sit any medicine entry examinations." Interview only. UCAT is also not required to progress from the Gateway year into the MBChB. |
| An interview for every eligible Gateway applicant | Glasgow's published process: "Applicants who meet both the UCAS and WP eligibility criteria will be offered an interview." In practice that is the closest thing to a guaranteed interview Glasgow publishes for medicine. |
| Near-automatic progression from the Gateway year | Progression to MBChB "will be automatic for students who satisfactorily complete the Glasgow Access programme and achieve the necessary grades from summative assessment". Students who do not progress can transfer into Year 2 of a Life Sciences degree. |
For a side-by-side comparison, see every UK medical and dental school's widening participation scheme.
Scotland runs its own fee system, so the English £10,050 cap does not apply here. Glasgow publishes separate 2027/28 tables by fee status, and it has set two of the three.
| Fee Status | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Scottish students (SAAS-funded) | £1,820 — and you can apply to SAAS to have this paid in full, provided you meet its residence conditions. You must apply to SAAS every year. |
| Rest of UK (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) | 2027/28: TBC. Glasgow publishes the 2027/28 RUK standard cost as "TBC" on its own fees page. It states RUK fees will rise each year of study in line with the UK Government fee cap; the 2026/27 rate was £9,790. |
| International and EU | £67,112 for MBChB and other clinical programmes. Glasgow states this already includes the Scottish Government Overseas levy towards NHS teaching costs, so there is no separate levy payment — but adds that fees may be revised if the levy changes. |
| Republic of Ireland | Glasgow publishes a separate page for ROI students — check gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees/republicofirelandstudents rather than assuming the RUK or international rate applies |
Verified October 2026 against Glasgow's own 2027/28 fee tables for students from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and EU and international students.
The MBChB programme is organised into four phases, with early clinical exposure and integrated teaching throughout:
Introduction to the foundations of medicine. Students begin learning biomedical sciences integrated with early clinical exposure and develop core skills through patient contact and problem-based learning.
Continued biomedical sciences with increasing integration of clinical medicine. Students deepen their understanding of the scientific basis of medicine while further developing clinical skills through patient contact and community placements.
Transition to more clinically focused learning. Integration of basic sciences with clinical medicine, developing clinical reasoning skills and beginning more extensive hospital and community placements.
Full-time clinical rotations across medical and surgical specialties. Students rotate through hospital placements across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, gaining hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings. Preparation for Foundation Year training.
Optional intercalated BSc available, typically taken between Years 2 and 3 or Years 3 and 4. Options include subjects such as Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Public Health, and Medical Sciences.
Students train across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, one of the largest health boards in Scotland:
"Glasgow offers exceptional clinical training in a city that has some of the highest health inequalities in the UK. You'll see conditions and presentations that you simply won't encounter in more affluent areas. This exposure to health disparities and complex social circumstances makes Glasgow graduates incredibly well-prepared for the realities of modern medicine. The teaching hospitals are world-class, and the research opportunities are outstanding."
— 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.
Glasgow sets a separate threshold for each applicant group, but does not publish the figures in advance. Interviews are then allocated by UCAT score among applicants who meet the other screening requirements, and the SJT is not considered at all. Thresholds are only published once each admissions cycle is complete, so aim as far above the published figure for your group as you can.
Yes, Glasgow prioritises Scottish-domiciled applicants due to Scottish Government funding arrangements. Approximately 60% of places are allocated to Scottish students. Rest of UK and international applicants compete for the remaining 40% of places, making entry highly competitive for non-Scottish applicants.
Glasgow uses an online panel interview, not an MMI. The session lasts 30 minutes in total and is divided into two sections, panel A and panel B, with the same two interviewers covering both. It is conversational, with no writing required at any stage, and assesses competencies including communication, ethical reasoning, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Generally no. Glasgow does not typically accept resit applicants unless there are documented extenuating circumstances that affected original performance. If you have resits, you should consider alternative medical schools that are more accepting of resits.
International students can apply, but places are limited and fees are substantially higher — £67,112 a year for MBChB in 2027/28, inclusive of the Scottish Government Overseas levy. Glasgow does not publish a fixed split between Scottish, rest-of-UK and international places, so treat any percentage you see quoted as an estimate. You must meet the same academic and UCAT requirements as home students, and note that the published adjusted (widening access) entry requirements exist only in the Scottish Higher currency, so they do not reach A-level or IB applicants.
Glasgow combines world-class research with exceptional clinical exposure in one of the UK's most socially diverse cities. You'll train in some of Europe's largest hospitals and encounter a wide range of conditions reflecting significant health inequalities. The school has a strong emphasis on problem-based learning and early clinical exposure.
Focus on achieving strong academics (AAA at A-Level or equivalent), prepare thoroughly for the UCAT to exceed the threshold for your applicant group, and practise intensively for a conversational two-panel interview. If you're Scottish-domiciled, you have a significant advantage. 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, Glasgow is one of Scotland's top medical schools with a rich history and excellent reputation. It offers outstanding clinical training across major teaching hospitals, strong research opportunities, and excellent employment outcomes. The diverse patient population and exposure to health inequalities prepare graduates exceptionally well for modern medical practice.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Medical School admissions | med-sch-admissions@glasgow.ac.uk |
| Gateway to Medical Studies admissions | med-sch-gatewayadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk |
| Graduate applicants | med-sch-gap@glasgow.ac.uk |
| Course page | Medicine MBChB (A100) |
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: March 2026. Information verified against University of Glasgow admissions pages and Medical Schools Council guidance.
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