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Graduate Entry Medicine UK: Complete List of GEM Programmes (2026)
Every GEM programme in the UK with UCAS codes, degree requirements, and what each school prioritises
There are currently 24 dedicated graduate entry medicine (GEM) programmes across the UK. These accelerated 4-year courses are designed for graduates who want to enter medicine without repeating the full 5 or 6-year undergraduate pathway.
This guide lists every GEM programme with the key details you need: admissions test requirements, degree specifications, and what each school looks for in applicants. Use this to build a strategic shortlist that matches your profile.
Key Insight
Strategy > Perfection: Different GEM programmes prioritise different aspects of your application. Newcastle values work experience heavily, while KCL focuses more on academic performance. Choose schools according to your strengths rather than chasing the "best" programmes.
Quick Reference: All 24 GEM Programmes
| University |
UCAS Code |
Length |
Test |
Degree Required |
| Cambridge |
A101 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Science (2:1+) |
| Cardiff |
A101 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Health/Life Science (2:1+) |
| Chester |
A101 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| City St George's |
A101 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| King's College London |
A102 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Bioscience (2:1+) |
| Manchester |
A106 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| Newcastle |
A101 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| Nottingham |
A108 |
4 years |
GAMSAT |
Science/Health (2:1+) |
| Oxford |
A101 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Experimental Science (1st/high 2:1) |
| Queen Mary (Barts) |
A101 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Health-related (2:1+) |
| Sheffield |
A101 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| Southampton |
A102 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| St Andrews (ScotGEM) |
A990 |
4 years |
GAMSAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| Surrey |
A100 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| Swansea |
A101 |
4 years |
GAMSAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| Three Counties |
A100 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Any (2:1+) |
| Ulster |
A100 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Life Science (2:1+) |
| Warwick |
A101 |
4 years |
UCAT |
Any (2:1+) |
Note: UCAS codes can change. Always verify on UCAS directly before applying.
UCAT-Required GEM Programmes
The majority of GEM programmes require the UCAT. Here's what each school prioritises:
Cambridge Graduate Medicine
- Course: MB BChir | 4 years
- Degree: Experimental science degree with substantial biology/chemistry content
- Classification: 2:1 minimum (1st preferred)
- Interview: Panel interview
- What they prioritise: Strong academic track record, scientific reasoning ability
- International: Accepts international applicants
Cardiff Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBBCh | 4 years
- Degree: Health or life science degree
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Understanding of NHS Wales, relevant work experience
- International: Home/EU fee status only
Chester Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBChB | 4 years
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Values-based recruitment, commitment to NHS
- International: Accepts international applicants
City St George's Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBBS | 4 years
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Motivation for medicine, communication skills
- International: Accepts international applicants (limited places)
King's College London Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBBS | 4 years
- Degree: Bioscience degree (specific subjects accepted)
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Academic excellence, strong UCAT performance
- International: Home fee status only
KCL is academically focused: If your strength is your degree classification and UCAT score rather than extensive work experience, KCL may suit your profile. They weight academic performance heavily in selection.
Manchester Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBChB | 4 years
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Communication skills, ethical reasoning
- International: Accepts international applicants
Newcastle Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBBS | 4 years
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Work experience is heavily weighted; breadth and quality of healthcare exposure
- International: Accepts international applicants
Newcastle values work experience: If you have extensive and varied healthcare experience but perhaps a lower UCAT score, Newcastle may be a strong choice. They assess work experience more heavily than many other schools.
Oxford Graduate Medicine
- Course: BM BCh | 4 years
- Degree: Experimental science degree
- Classification: First or very strong 2:1
- Interview: Panel interview
- What they prioritise: Exceptional academic achievement, scientific thinking
- International: Accepts international applicants
Queen Mary (Barts) Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBBS | 4 years
- Degree: Health-related degree
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: UCAT performance (note: higher thresholds for international applicants)
- International: Accepts international applicants (higher UCAT threshold: ~2150 vs ~2040 home on new 2700-max scale)
Sheffield Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBChB | 4 years
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Balanced assessment across academics, UCAT, and personal qualities
- International: Accepts international applicants
Southampton Graduate Medicine
- Course: BM | 4 years
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Problem-based learning aptitude, teamwork
- International: Accepts international applicants
Surrey Graduate Medicine
- Course: BMBS | 4 years
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Communication, person-centred care values
- International: Accepts international applicants
Three Counties Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBChB | 4 years (partnership between Worcester, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire)
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Commitment to rural/regional medicine
- International: Home fee status only
Ulster Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBBS | 4 years
- Degree: Life science degree
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Understanding of Northern Ireland healthcare context
- International: Limited international places
Warwick Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBChB | 4 years
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: UK's largest GEM programme; balanced assessment
- International: Home fee status only
Warwick is graduate-only: Unlike most medical schools that offer GEM alongside undergraduate programmes, Warwick is entirely graduate entry. This creates a cohort of mature students with varied backgrounds and life experience.
GAMSAT-Required GEM Programmes
Three GEM programmes require the GAMSAT rather than UCAT:
Nottingham Graduate Medicine
- Course: BMBS | 4 years
- Degree: Science or health-related degree
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: GAMSAT performance, scientific background
- International: Accepts international applicants
St Andrews ScotGEM
- Course: MBChB | 4 years (delivered with University of Dundee)
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: Interest in Scottish/rural medicine, GAMSAT performance
- International: Limited international places
Swansea Graduate Medicine
- Course: MBBCh | 4 years
- Degree: Any discipline
- Classification: 2:1 minimum
- Interview: MMI
- What they prioritise: GAMSAT performance, understanding of NHS Wales
- International: Limited international places
Key Insight
Sit both exams: GEM applicants who only sit one exam are hugely limiting their potential applications. Preparing for a September UCAT AND the GAMSAT will be stressful, so space them out and commit to both. Use whichever score is stronger when making your final choices.
Degree Requirements Summary
Any Degree Accepted (11 programmes)
These programmes accept graduates from any discipline:
- Chester
- City St George's
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Sheffield
- Southampton
- St Andrews (ScotGEM)
- Surrey
- Swansea
- Three Counties
- Warwick
Science/Health Degree Required (7 programmes)
These programmes require a science, health, or related degree:
- Cambridge (experimental science)
- Cardiff (health/life science)
- King's College London (bioscience)
- Nottingham (science/health)
- Oxford (experimental science)
- Queen Mary/Barts (health-related)
- Ulster (life science)
International Applicants
Many GEM programmes accept international applicants, but places are limited. The following programmes accept international students:
- Cambridge
- Chester
- City St George's (limited)
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Nottingham
- Oxford
- Queen Mary/Barts (higher UCAT threshold)
- Sheffield
- Southampton
- Surrey
Home fee status only: Cardiff, KCL, Three Counties, Warwick
International fees for GEM programmes typically range from £35,000 to £50,000+ per year. Always verify current fees with each university.
Strategic Selection Tips
- Match schools to your strengths: If you have extensive work experience, consider Newcastle. If your academics are stronger, look at KCL or Oxford.
- Consider degree requirements carefully: If you don't have a science degree, focus on the 11 programmes that accept any degree.
- Don't limit yourself to one exam: Sit both UCAT and GAMSAT to access all 24 programmes.
- Check fee status: Some programmes don't accept international applicants. Verify before applying.
- Research interview formats: Cambridge and Oxford use panel interviews; most others use MMIs. Prepare accordingly.
Last updated: February 2026
