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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 If you spot something that looks out of date, tell us and we will check it.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 Plymouth Medicine? Here's a complete breakdown of entry requirements, admissions criteria, and the application process for 2027 entry.
Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine (formerly part of the Peninsula Medical School) is one of the UK's newer medical schools, established in 2000 and now operating independently as part of the University of Plymouth. The school is renowned for its innovative, patient-centred curriculum and its commitment to training doctors who are ready to meet the healthcare needs of diverse communities.
Located in the vibrant coastal city of Plymouth, with clinical placements across Devon and Cornwall, Peninsula offers students a unique combination of excellent medical education and an exceptional quality of life. The school's emphasis on early clinical contact, community-based learning, and small group teaching creates a supportive environment where students can develop into compassionate, skilled clinicians.
Considering Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine? 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. Combines integrated teaching with early clinical exposure in Devon and Cornwall.
You are viewing this courseUCAS Code: A102 | 6 years
Widening participation programme for students whose education has been impacted by adversity. Includes an additional foundation year before the standard programme. Home fee status applicants only.
View full entry requirements| Route | UCAS Code | Length | A-Level Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery BMBS | A100 | 5 years | A*AA–AAB; AAB if widening access eligible; ABB via UKWPMED |
| BMBS with Foundation Year (Year 0) | A102 | 6 years | BBB — home fee status only, 5 widening access points required |
Plymouth's institution code is P60. You may apply for only one of A100 and A102 — Plymouth will not make offers for both. The UCAS deadline is 18:00 (GMT) on 15 October.
The following requirements apply to the standard 5-year BMBS programme (A100). For the Foundation programme, see the dedicated page linked above.
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A-Level Grades | A*AA – AAB (typical offer range) |
| Contextual Offer | AAB (widening access); ABB for UKWPMED applicants |
| Required Subjects | Grade A in Biology, plus grade A in a second science (Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology); any third subject |
| Not Accepted | General Studies |
| Science Practicals | Practical endorsement required for science A-Levels |
All applicants must sit the UCAT in the same year they apply. Plymouth uses the UCAT as part of their holistic selection process, considering it alongside academic achievements and other factors.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cut-off Score | Published retrospectively, and it varies by year and applicant group. Plymouth says it cannot confirm the cut-off for the coming year until all applications are in |
| How UCAT is Used | Alongside A-Levels and GCSEs to select applicants for interview. The Admissions Advisory Panel reserves the right to consider all aspects of the UCAT when shortlisting |
| Validity | Valid for 12 months and must be sat in the year of application |
| SJT Consideration | Not published as a separate band rule — Plymouth states only that all aspects of the UCAT may be considered |
These are Plymouth's own published historical thresholds, given on the BMBS course page for illustration. They are not predictions for the coming cycle. Note the scale change: 2026-entry figures run on the post-2025 UCAT maximum of 2,700, so they are not comparable with earlier years.
| Entry Year | Home | International | Widening participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2680 | 2440 | UKWPMED: 2330 |
| 2024 | 2210 | 2600 | UKWPMED: 2210 |
| 2025 | 2600 | 2670 | UKWPMED and Widening Access AAB applicants: 2540 |
| 2026 | 1850 | 1990 | UCAT Widening Participation Home: 1800 |
| 2027 | Not published — Plymouth sets the threshold only after all applications have been received and assessed | ||
"Plymouth values well-rounded applicants who demonstrate genuine commitment to patient-centred care. Your UCAT score matters, but they're equally interested in your motivation, your understanding of healthcare, and your ability to communicate effectively. It's about showing you have the qualities to be a compassionate, skilled doctor."
- 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.
Plymouth uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format to assess candidates. No offers are made without an interview.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) |
| Number of Stations | Not published — Plymouth names the MMI format but gives no station count |
| Duration per Station | Not published |
| Interview Period | December to March |
| How offers are decided | Candidates are ranked on their interview score alone, and the top performers are offered a place |
| Deferred entry | Not permitted |
| What's Assessed | Communication, problem-solving, ethical reasoning, teamwork, empathy |
Important: Plymouth's MMI assesses candidates across multiple domains, giving everyone the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths even if one station doesn't go as planned.
Preparing for your Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine 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 Plymouth |
| Total Places (A100) | Not published by Plymouth |
| Interview Invitations | Not published by Plymouth |
| UCAT thresholds | Published — see the threshold table in the UCAT section above |
Plymouth publishes its historical UCAT and GAMSAT thresholds, which is more than most medical schools do, but it does not release application, interview or place counts. We would rather say so than quote a figure we cannot trace to Plymouth.
Plymouth expects applicants to have undertaken relevant experience that demonstrates their understanding of healthcare and commitment to medicine. They value quality over quantity and look for evidence of reflection.
Plymouth recognises that access to clinical work experience varies. Alternative experiences that demonstrate key skills and attributes are considered, particularly for applicants from widening participation backgrounds.
Yes, against published thresholds
Plymouth publishes specific grade thresholds for resit applicants rather than assessing every case from scratch: ABB must be achieved at first sitting, the standard resit threshold is ABC, and the widening participation resit threshold is ABC/BBB. You should still explain the circumstances behind a resit in your application.
Yes
Re-applicants are welcome to apply again. You will need to demonstrate how your application has improved since your previous attempt, including any additional experience or qualifications gained.
A100 only
| Programme | International Students |
|---|---|
| BMBS (A100) | Accepted |
| BMBS with Foundation Year (A104) | Home fee status only |
Note: International applicants must meet English language requirements (typically IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in each component or equivalent).
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.
Plymouth is one of the more mechanical schemes in the country, in a good way: eligibility is a points total you can work out for yourself before you apply, rather than a judgement someone makes about you.
For the five-year BMBS (A100) you need at least 5 points from Plymouth's widening access indicators. They are weighted:
Evidence must be submitted to Admissions at the point of application. Two of the 2-pointers, or one 2-pointer plus three 1-pointers, gets you there.
A separate route exists if you have taken part in UKWPMED at a participating medical school — flag it on your UCAS application and Plymouth confirms your participation with the delivering university.
If you qualify, Plymouth makes you a lower offer and softens its resit policy. It does not move the UCAT or GCSE bar on the five-year course, with one documented exception noted below.
| How it helps | What that means for you |
|---|---|
| A lower, fixed A-Level offer (Widening Access, A100) | AAB rather than the typical A*AA–AAB range, still requiring grade A in Biology and grade A in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. IB equivalent: 35 points with HL6 in Biology and HL6 in another science, instead of 36–38. |
| A further grade off via UKWPMED (A100) | ABB — grade A in Biology but only grade B in the second science. A full grade below the general widening access offer. |
| A separate, lower UCAT threshold for UKWPMED | Plymouth publishes this openly: for 2023 entry the home cut-off was 2680 while the UKWPMED cut-off was 2330. For 2025 entry, UKWPMED and Widening Access AAB applicants were set at 2540. |
| A separate widening participation UCAT threshold (2026 entry) | For 2026 entry Plymouth published Home 1850, UCAT Widening Participation Home 1800 and International 1990 — so the WP threshold is now published as its own line. |
| A softer resit policy | Standard applicants must have achieved ABB at first sitting; "the resit policy for Widening Participation students is ABC". |
| Softer alternative Level 3 grades | Plymouth will consider M2 in place of grade B at A Level for widening access applicants taking alternative qualifications — for example on the Cambridge Pre-U. |
| A foundation year with a transformed bar (A102) | The BMBS with Foundation Year offer is BBB (B in Biology, B in a second science) against A*AA–AAB for A100; IB 28–32 against 36–38; and the GCSE requirement drops to five passes at grade C/4 including English Language, Maths and two sciences, against seven GCSE passes for A100. The published UCAT threshold for 2026 entry (Home) was 1400. Access to HE Diplomas in a science area are accepted. |
| Guaranteed progression off the foundation year | Completing the Foundation Year guarantees progression to stage 1 of the five-year BMBS. No reapplication. |
For a side-by-side comparison, see every UK medical and dental school's widening participation scheme.
| Fee Status | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| UK full-time | £10,050 |
| International full-time | £43,175 |
Figures published by the University of Plymouth for the 2027-2028 academic year on the BMBS course page. Plymouth does not band the international fee by pre-clinical and clinical years. Two warnings it publishes itself: tuition fees from academic year 2028/29 onwards will be subject to automatic annual inflationary increases, and if the government introduces the proposed levy of around 6% on international tuition fee income, Plymouth reserves the right to increase international fees accordingly.
The BMBS programme uses an integrated, spiral curriculum that builds knowledge progressively while emphasising early clinical exposure.
Integrated biomedical science teaching with early patient contact. Students learn in small groups using problem-based learning approaches, with clinical skills sessions and community placements from the start.
Increased clinical immersion with rotations across hospital and community settings. Students develop clinical reasoning and practical skills while continuing to integrate scientific knowledge with clinical practice.
Final year focusing on preparation for Foundation Programme. Includes elective opportunities, student assistantship placements, and consolidation of clinical competencies.
Students have the opportunity to undertake an intercalated degree between Years 2 and 3 or Years 3 and 4, allowing for deeper exploration of research or specialist subjects.
Students benefit from clinical placements across the Devon and Cornwall region:
"Plymouth offers something genuinely different. The combination of excellent teaching, early patient contact, and that incredible Devon and Cornwall quality of life creates a unique medical school experience. Students here really get to know their patients and communities. If you're looking for more than just a London-centric medical education, Peninsula is 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.
Plymouth does publish UCAT cut-off scores, and it sets them separately for Home, International and widening participation applicants. For 2026 entry the published figures were 1850 (Home), 1990 (International) and 1800 (UCAT Widening Participation Home). Plymouth cannot confirm the threshold for the coming year until all applications are in, so treat these as a guide and aim comfortably above the figure for your group.
Plymouth uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. It does not publish how many stations there are or how long each one lasts, so prepare for a standard MMI and expect the detail in your invitation. What Plymouth does tell you is how it decides: candidates are ranked on their interview score, and the top performers are offered a place.
Yes. Plymouth publishes resit thresholds: ABB must be achieved at first sitting, the standard resit threshold is ABC, and for widening participation applicants it is ABC/BBB. You should still explain the circumstances in your application, and demonstrating improvement and reflection on your academic journey is important.
International students can apply to the standard 5-year BMBS programme (A100). Plymouth welcomes international applicants and provides support for students from overseas. However, the Foundation programme (A104) is only available to Home fee status applicants.
Plymouth's Peninsula School of Medicine is known for its patient-centred, integrated curriculum with early clinical exposure. The stunning Devon and Cornwall location offers an exceptional quality of life, while the smaller cohort size means more personalised teaching. The school's emphasis on community medicine and primary care also sets it apart.
Focus on achieving strong academics (a typical offer is A*AA to AAB including Biology and a second science), preparing thoroughly for the UCAT, and gaining meaningful work experience that demonstrates your understanding of patient care. 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, Plymouth is highly regarded for its innovative curriculum and focus on patient-centred care. The school produces well-rounded, compassionate doctors who are particularly well-prepared for community and primary care settings. The location offers an outstanding quality of life that many students find enhances their medical school experience.
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 Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine admissions pages and Medical Schools Council guidance.
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