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University of Manchester Medicine

One of the UK's largest and most respected medical schools, training doctors in the heart of the North West

Quick Facts

Location Manchester, UK
Courses Offered 3 (Standard, GEM, Foundation)
Annual Intake ~400 students
Admissions Test UCAT
Interview Format MMI (Multiple Mini Interview)
Teaching Hospitals MRI, Wythenshawe, Salford Royal

HOW WE BUILT THIS

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 If you spot something that looks out of date, tell us and we will check it.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

About University of Manchester Medicine

Considering Manchester Medicine? Here's a complete breakdown of entry requirements, admissions criteria, and the application process for 2026 entry.

The University of Manchester is one of the largest and most prestigious medical schools in the United Kingdom, with a rich history dating back to 1874. Located in the vibrant city of Manchester, the medical school is part of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and is renowned for its excellent research output, innovative teaching methods, and strong clinical partnerships across Greater Manchester.

Manchester now offers two routes into medicine: the five-year MBChB (A106) for school leavers and graduates, and the four-year Graduate Entry MBChB (A101). The six-year Medicine with Foundation Year route (formerly A104) no longer appears in Manchester's 2027 course listings. Manchester does not publish its place numbers for 2027 entry, but it has long been one of the largest medical school intakes in the UK, and competition remains fierce.

Considering University of Manchester? 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.

Medicine Courses at University of Manchester

Medicine MBChB

UCAS Code: A106 | 5 years

The standard 5-year undergraduate medicine programme for school leavers and graduates. Open to UK and international applicants.

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Graduate Entry Medicine

UCAS Code: A101 | 4 years

Accelerated programme for graduates. Not eligible for Manchester's contextual offer or care-experienced offer.

View full entry requirements

Entry Routes at a Glance

Route UCAS Code Length Status for 2027 entry
MBChB Medicine A106 5 years Available — UK and international applicants. Institution code M20.
MBChB Medicine (Graduate Entry) A101 4 years Available — but not eligible for Manchester's contextual or care-experienced offers
Medicine with Foundation Year Formerly A104 6 years No longer listed — Manchester's 2027 course page for this route returns a 404 and the A106 entry requirements make no mention of a foundation-year route. Confirm directly with ug.medicine@manchester.ac.uk before planning around it.

UCAS codes verified in October 2026 on Manchester's own 2027-entry course pages. Manchester also offers some A106 places at point of entry 3 to dental graduates holding FDS, MFDS or MDF who are planning a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Manchester Medicine Entry Requirements

The following requirements apply to the standard 5-year Medicine MBChB programme (A106). For Graduate Entry and Foundation programmes, see the dedicated pages linked above.

A-Level Requirements

Qualification Requirement
A-Level Grades AAA
Required Subjects Biology OR Chemistry, plus one further science from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths, or Psychology
Contextual Offer AAB (same subject requirements)
Care-Experienced / Refugee Offer ABB (same subject requirements)
Not Accepted General Studies, Critical Thinking, Extended Project (as third A-Level)
Science Practicals Pass required in practical endorsements

GCSE Requirements

  • At least seven GCSEs at grade 7(A)/8(A*)
  • This must include English Language, Mathematics, and at least two sciences, each at a minimum of grade 6(B)

International Baccalaureate

  • 37 points overall
  • 7, 6, 6 at Higher Level including Chemistry and Biology
  • Must also sit the UCAT

Graduate Applicants

  • For A106: Minimum 2:1 degree plus A-Levels meeting the standard subject requirements (Biology or Chemistry plus one further science) at grade A
  • For Graduate Entry (A101): Minimum 2:1 in any discipline, 4 years. Note this route is not eligible for Manchester's contextual or care-experienced offers.
  • All must meet GCSE requirements and sit the UCAT

UCAT Requirements

All applicants to Manchester Medicine must sit the UCAT in the same year they apply. Manchester is one of the medical schools that uses UCAT cut-off scores, which means your score must meet a minimum threshold to be considered for interview.

Aspect Detail
Cut-off Score Yes - varies annually (typically around decile 7-8)
How UCAT is Used Initial screening to determine interview invitations
SJT Consideration Band 1 or 2 required (applicants achieving Band 3 or 4 are not considered)
UCAT Weighting Primary factor in shortlisting; not used post-interview

"Manchester is one of the schools where your UCAT really matters for getting an interview. They use cut-offs, so you need to be scoring well above average to have a realistic chance. The good news is that once you get to interview, your UCAT score is set aside and it's all about how you perform on the day. This means thorough MMI preparation becomes absolutely crucial."

— Dr. Ash, Future Doc

Selection Criteria Weighting

  • UCAT Score: Primary screening factor
  • Academic Achievement: Must meet minimum requirements
  • Interview Performance: Determines final offers
  • Contextual Data: Considered for widening participation

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.

Interview Process

Manchester uses the MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) format, which consists of several timed stations. This format allows the admissions team to assess a range of competencies in a standardised way.

Aspect Detail
Format MMI with multiple stations
Number of Stations Typically 7-8 stations
Station Duration 5-7 minutes per station
Interview Period January to March
What's Assessed Communication, ethics, problem-solving, teamwork, empathy

MMI Station Types May Include

  • Ethical scenario discussions
  • Role-play with simulated patients or actors
  • Data interpretation and critical thinking tasks
  • Teamwork and collaboration exercises
  • Motivation and reflection stations
  • Communication skills assessments
  • NHS knowledge and healthcare awareness

Important: Manchester assesses candidates holistically at interview. Prepare for a variety of station types and practice thinking on your feet.

Preparing for your University of Manchester 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.

Application Statistics

Metric Figure
Annual Applications Not published by Manchester — around 3,500 is a commonly quoted estimate
Total Places (A106) Not published for 2027 entry — around 390 is a commonly quoted estimate
Interview Invitations Not published by Manchester — around 1,100–1,300 is an estimate
Post-Interview Success Rate Not published by Manchester — around 60–65% is an estimate
UCAT Cut-off Not published in advance. Manchester sets the threshold each year from the distribution of scores it receives, so there is no figure to aim at before you sit the test.

Work Experience Requirements

Manchester values evidence of insight into the medical profession and healthcare settings. While they do not specify minimum hours, they expect applicants to demonstrate:

  • Understanding of what a career in medicine involves
  • Clinical or healthcare-related experience (where possible)
  • Caring roles or voluntary work demonstrating empathy
  • Reflection on experiences and what was learned

If clinical experience was not possible due to access barriers or circumstances like COVID-19, Manchester will consider alternative evidence of commitment to healthcare and understanding of the profession.

Special Applicant Categories

Do They Accept Resits?

Yes, with conditions

Manchester accepts A-Level resit applicants to the standard A106 programme, but the bar is raised: re-sitting applicants are required to achieve A*A*A, with the higher grades expected in the final examinations in one of the dropped subjects.

Do They Accept Re-applicants?

Yes

Re-applicants are welcome to apply again. You should demonstrate significant improvement in your application, particularly in areas that may have been weak previously.

International Students

A106 only

Programme International Students
Medicine MBChB (A106) Accepted (limited places)
Graduate Entry Medicine (A101) Home fee status only
Medicine with Foundation Year (formerly A104) No longer listed for 2027 entry

Note: International students must meet English language requirements (typically IELTS 7.0 overall with no component below 6.5).

Contextual & Widening Participation Offers

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.

They Might Apply To You If…

Manchester runs a flag system — WP, WP+ and WP++ — applied from data you already give UCAS. You may be flagged if:

  • You are a UK resident and under 21 on 1 September of the year of entry
  • You live in an area of disadvantage, or an area with low progression into higher education
  • You attended a UK school or college performing below the national average over several years
  • You were eligible for free school meals during secondary education
  • You are a young adult carer (under 25)

A separate and more generous adjustment applies if you:

  • Spent three months or more in care
  • Were granted refugee status or humanitarian protection
  • Were issued a visa under a Ukrainian scheme

If you meet any of these conditions, Manchester may lower the grades it asks of you, relax its GCSE requirement, and take your reduced access to coaching and work experience into account when your application and interview are reviewed.

What It Gets You

How it helps What that means for you
A one-grade lower offer (WP flag) AAB rather than the standard AAA, with the same subject requirements — Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry, plus one of Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Maths or Further Maths.
A two-grade lower offer (care experienced, refugee, Ukrainian scheme) ABB rather than AAA, same subject requirements. This is the larger of Manchester's two published reductions.
A relaxed GCSE requirement WP+ and WP++ applicants may offer six GCSEs at grade 7 or above instead of the usual seven.
Context is applied to how you are read Interviewers and personal statement reviewers take reduced access to coaching, work experience and extracurricular activities into account. That is not a number you can point to, but it is a published instruction to the people scoring you.
Travel costs covered WP+ and WP++ applicants have their travel costs to campus interviews covered — worth knowing if cost was going to decide whether you could attend.

What It Does Not Get You

  • Graduate Entry Medicine (A101) is excluded. Manchester states contextual offers apply only to courses with standard entry requirements of ABB or higher, and A101's academic requirement is waived for degree-holders — so neither the contextual offer nor the care-experienced/refugee offer reaches it.
  • A flag does not guarantee an interview. Manchester publishes no guaranteed-interview scheme for Medicine, and states: "We do not make any offers without interview."
  • SJT band 3 or 4 still means rejection, regardless of WP flag.
  • Contextual offers do not apply to T-Levels.
  • No UCAT threshold is published in advance — it is set each year from the distribution of scores received, so there is no published threshold for a WP flag to lower.
  • The A104 Medicine with Foundation Year route is no longer available. If you were counting on a Manchester gateway year, there isn't one — see the entry routes table above.

For a side-by-side comparison, see every UK medical and dental school's widening participation scheme.

Fees (2027/28)

Manchester states plainly on its 2027-entry page: "Fees for 2027 entry have not yet been set." Here is what it has published, and what is still outstanding.

Fee Status Annual Tuition
Home (UK) £10,050 — Manchester confirms the Government has announced the fee cap will be £10,050 for 2027/28, subject to Parliamentary approval. Home fees are set at the cap, which then increases annually to reflect inflation.
International (Years 1–2, pre-clinical) 2027/28: TBC. The 2026/27 rate, published for reference only, is £39,900.
International (Years 3–5, clinical) 2027/28: TBC. The 2026/27 rate, published for reference only, is £60,900. Clinical fees are set at the rate applicable when you enter Year 3, not when you start the course, and Manchester reserves the right to increase international fees by up to 7% a year.

Years 5 and 6: the NHS Business Services Authority currently pays undergraduate medicine tuition fees from the fifth year of study onwards, plus means-tested living cost funding, for eligible students ordinarily resident in England. Broadly comparable arrangements apply if you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, but you will need to check with your own national authority.

Verified October 2026 on Manchester's own MBChB Medicine (A106) page for 2027 entry. No specific academic scholarships are available for this course.

Course Structure

The MBChB programme at Manchester is structured around integrated learning, combining scientific knowledge with clinical skills from the start.

Years 1-2: Foundations

Integrated science and clinical teaching covering the biomedical basis of medicine. Early patient contact through community placements and hospital visits. Introduction to clinical skills and professional development.

Years 3-4: Clinical Immersion

Hospital-based clinical rotations across major specialties including medicine, surgery, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology, and paediatrics. Students rotate through various NHS trusts in Greater Manchester.

Year 5: Preparation for Practice

Advanced clinical placements preparing students for Foundation training. Student assistantship programme, elective period, and specialty rotations. Focus on becoming a safe and competent junior doctor.

Intercalation

Optional intercalated degrees are available, allowing students to pursue in-depth study in areas such as research, public health, or medical education. This adds an additional year to the programme.

Location and Teaching Sites

Students train across multiple NHS trusts in Greater Manchester, providing diverse clinical experiences:

  • Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) - Major acute teaching hospital in central Manchester
  • Wythenshawe Hospital - South Manchester University Hospital
  • Salford Royal Hospital - Northern Care Alliance, specialist stroke and major trauma centre
  • Royal Manchester Children's Hospital - Paediatric specialist centre
  • The Christie - World-renowned cancer centre
  • Community and GP Practices - Placements across Greater Manchester

"Manchester offers an incredible range of clinical experiences. You're training in one of the UK's largest NHS regions, with access to everything from major trauma to world-class oncology at The Christie. The city itself is fantastic for students - affordable, diverse, and with a real sense of community. It's no wonder Manchester consistently ranks highly for student satisfaction."

— Dr. Ash, Future Doc

How to Strengthen Your Application

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.

Manchester Medicine FAQ

What UCAT score do I need for University of Manchester?

Manchester uses UCAT cut-off scores that vary each year depending on the applicant pool. Historically, the cut-off has been around the 7th-8th decile (approximately 2,700-2,800 in the pre-2026 format). You also need to achieve Band 1 or 2 in the SJT section. Focus on scoring as highly as possible across all sections.

Does Manchester use MMI or panel interviews?

Manchester uses MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) format with typically 7-8 stations. Each station lasts 5-7 minutes and assesses different competencies including communication, ethics, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Can I apply to Manchester if I've resit my A-Levels?

Yes, but with a higher bar. Manchester accepts A-Level resit applicants to the standard A106 programme on the condition that you achieve A*A*A, with the higher grades expected in the final examinations in one of the dropped subjects.

Is University of Manchester good for international students?

International students can apply to the 5-year MBChB (A106) programme, though places are limited and fees are significantly higher. Manchester is popular with international students due to its global reputation and the city's diverse, welcoming atmosphere.

What makes Manchester different from other medical schools?

Manchester is one of the UK's largest medical schools, offering extensive clinical exposure across Greater Manchester's diverse NHS trusts. The city offers excellent value for money compared to London, with a vibrant student scene and strong graduate employment rates.

How can I improve my chances of getting into University of Manchester Medicine?

Focus on three areas: achieve a strong UCAT score (above the typical cut-off), meet the AAA academic requirements, and prepare thoroughly for MMI stations. 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.

Is University of Manchester a good medical school?

Yes, Manchester is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the UK. It offers excellent research opportunities, diverse clinical placements, and a supportive learning environment. The city itself is one of the best student cities in the UK, offering affordability and a great quality of life.

Official Resources

Contact

What Detail
Admissions email ug.medicine@manchester.ac.uk
Course page MBChB Medicine (A106), 2027 entry — institution code M20

Need Help With Your University of Manchester Application?

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
Dr. Ash - Founder of Future Doc

Dr. Ash

Founder of Future Doc and creator of the Predictable Offer Protocol. A qualified doctor and dentist who has helped thousands of students secure medical and dental school offers through Future Doc's interconnected coaching system.

Last updated: February 2026. Information verified against University of Manchester admissions pages and Medical Schools Council guidance.