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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 If you spot something that looks out of date, tell us and we will check it.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 Southampton Medicine? Here's a complete breakdown of entry requirements, admissions criteria, and the application process for 2027 entry.
The University of Southampton is one of the UK's leading research-intensive universities, and its Faculty of Medicine has an excellent reputation for both teaching and research. Founded in 1971, Southampton Medicine has grown to become one of the most respected medical schools in the country, known for its innovative curriculum and emphasis on early clinical exposure.
Southampton offers three different routes into medicine, each designed for different types of applicants. The school is particularly noted for its integrated curriculum, which combines scientific knowledge with clinical skills from the very first year, and its strong links with NHS Trusts across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Considering University of Southampton? 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. Open to UK and international applicants.
You are viewing this courseUCAS Code: A101 | 4 years
Accelerated programme for graduates with any degree subject (2:1 minimum). UK applicants only. No contextual admissions route.
View full entry requirementsUCAS Code: A102 | 6 years
Six-year programme with a Year 0 for students who meet three of six widening participation criteria. UK applicants only; graduates not eligible.
View full entry requirements| Route | UCAS code | Length | Typical offer | Open to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine BM5 | A100 | 5 years | AAA including Biology and one additional science. Contextual offer: AAB. | UK and international applicants; school leavers, graduates and mature non-graduates |
| Medicine BM4 Graduate Entry | A101 | 4 years | 2:1 degree in any subject | UK applicants only. Not eligible for contextual admissions. |
| Medicine BM6 Widening Participation | A102 | 6 years | Minimum BBB or above including Biology and one additional science (no grade or tariff equivalents accepted) | UK applicants only, meeting three of six published widening participation criteria. International and graduate applicants not eligible. |
UCAS codes verified on Southampton's own course pages. A101 is graduate entry and A102 is BM6 — these are commonly quoted the wrong way round. UCAS institution code is S27.
The following requirements apply to the standard 5-year Medicine BM5 programme (A100). For Graduate Entry and BM6 programmes, see the dedicated pages linked above.
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A-Level Grades | AAA to include Biology and one additional science |
| Contextual Offer | AAB to include A-Level Biology and one additional science |
| Required Subjects | Biology, plus one of Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Studies or Geography |
| Not Accepted | General Studies, Critical Thinking |
| Science Practicals | Practical endorsement required |
All applicants must sit the UCAT in the year they apply, before the 15 October UCAS deadline. Southampton is unusually blunt about how the UCAT is used: it ranks applicants by UCAT score and invites the top candidates to a selection day. That is the shortlisting mechanism, and contextual status does not change it.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cut-off Score | No fixed cut-off published |
| How UCAT is Used | Applicants are ranked by UCAT score and the top candidates are invited to a selection day. After the selection day, offers are based on selection day performance — with UCAT used only as a tie-breaker where selection day scores are level. |
| SJT Consideration | Not used. The University of Southampton does not currently use the Situational Judgement Test. |
| UCAT Weighting | UCAT decides who is invited to a selection day. It does not decide the offer, except as a tie-breaker. |
| Reference | Not used as part of the selection process, though you must still provide one |
"Southampton takes a holistic approach to applications. Your UCAT matters, but so does your academic profile, your personal statement, and how you demonstrate your understanding of medicine. A strong UCAT can certainly help you stand out, but it's not the only factor. Focus on building a well-rounded application."
— Dr. Ash, Future Doc
Southampton publishes exactly three things it assesses:
Your personal statement is not scored separately, but the interview draws directly on the information you gave in it — so it still has to stand up to questioning. Your reference is not used in selection at all, although you must provide one. Contextual status affects the offer level (AAB instead of AAA) rather than your position in the UCAT ranking.
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.
Southampton runs a selection day made up of an interview and a group task. Attendance must be in person — no online alternative is offered. No offers are made without attending a selection day.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Selection day comprising an interview and a group task |
| Delivery | In person only — no online alternative is offered |
| Interview Period | Selection days run from January through to the end of February. Dates for the 2027 admissions cycle were due to be published in the autumn — check the course page. |
| Notice given | Home applicants are invited 2 to 3 weeks before the selection day; international applicants 5 to 6 weeks in advance. Southampton cannot offer an alternative date to the one on your invitation. |
| What's Assessed | Southampton's published non-academic criteria: that you are self-motivated and resilient; have reflected on relevant life experiences; can communicate effectively; can interact successfully with others; and understand the values of the NHS Constitution |
| Decision timing | Southampton aims to respond by the end of March. Offers are based on selection day performance, with UCAT used as a tie-breaker where scores are level. |
Worth noting: the group task is a genuinely different assessment from the MMI circuit most applicants prepare for. If you only rehearse solo station answers, you will be underprepared for the collaborative half of Southampton's selection day.
Preparing for your University of Southampton 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 (BM5) | Not published by Southampton |
| BM5 Places | Not published by Southampton |
| BM4 Graduate Entry (A101) Places | Not published by Southampton |
| BM6 (A102) Places | Not published by Southampton |
| Selection day invitations | Not published by Southampton |
| UCAT cut-off score | Not published. Southampton ranks by UCAT and invites the top candidates, so the effective threshold moves with the applicant field each year. |
| Situational Judgement Test | Not used by Southampton |
Southampton expects applicants to have undertaken some form of relevant experience. While there is no strict minimum hours requirement, they are looking for evidence of:
If clinical experience was not possible (e.g., due to access barriers), Southampton will consider alternative evidence of commitment and understanding of healthcare.
Considered with caution
Southampton generally prefers first-time achievement but will consider applicants who have resit with extenuating circumstances. Contact admissions directly to discuss your situation.
Yes
Re-applicants are welcome to apply again. You should demonstrate how your application has improved since your previous attempt.
A100 only
| Programme | International Students |
|---|---|
| Medicine BM5 (A100) | Accepted |
| Medicine BM4 Graduate Entry (A101) | UK applicants only |
| Medicine BM6 Widening Participation (A102) | UK applicants only |
Note: International applicants should check English language requirements. IELTS Band 7.0 overall is typically required.
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.
Southampton applies its university-wide contextual criteria to BM5, with one crucial difference: medicine BM5 school leavers must meet two criteria where one is enough on every other Southampton course. The criteria for 2027/28 entry are:
If you meet two of those, Southampton will consider you for a lower A-level offer on BM5. If you cannot reach the BM5 bar at all, the BM6 Widening Participation degree (UCAS A102) is a separate six-year course with its own, different criteria — and you need three of its six.
BM6 eligibility criteria — you must meet three of these six:
| How it helps | What that means for you |
|---|---|
| Lower A-level offer on BM5 | AAB to include A-level Biology and one additional science (with a pass in the practical element where separately endorsed), instead of AAA. Southampton's own wording: “Any BM5 Home (UK) School Leaver applicant who meets two of the University contextual admissions criteria will be considered for the contextual A Level entry requirement.” |
| A much lower bar via BM6 (A102) | Minimum BBB or above including Biology and one additional science, over six years with a Year 0. Southampton notes it does not accept grade or tariff equivalents to BBB on this route. The GCSE bar is also lower than BM5's. |
| A separate ranking pool for BM6 | BM6 applicants are ranked by UCAT against other BM6 applicants for BM6's own selection days — not against the much larger BM5 field. |
| Local interview places on BM6 | Southampton states it offers “a number of interview places for Local applicants (whose address on their UCAS application is in Dorset, Hampshire or Wiltshire) applying to the BM6 programme”. This is a geographic provision that stacks with the socio-economic criteria. |
| Automatic assessment | No separate contextual application for BM5. Southampton assesses eligibility from your UCAS form and emails you if a contextual offer is made. You do not have to make Southampton your firm or insurance choice to receive it. |
For a side-by-side comparison, see every UK medical and dental school's widening participation scheme.
Southampton bands its international medicine fee by phase of the course, so the clinical years cost substantially more than the first two. Each band has its own row below.
| Fee Status | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| UK students (BM5) | £10,050 |
| EU and international, years 1–2 (BM5) | £35,900 |
| EU and international, clinical years 3, 4 and 5 (BM5) | £64,900 |
| UK students (BM6 Widening Participation, A102) | £10,050 |
| EU and international (BM6) | Not applicable — Southampton states “this course is not available to EU and international students” |
All figures are published by Southampton on the BM5 and BM6 course pages for academic year 2027 to 2028. Over the five years of BM5 the banded international rate adds up to a very different total from a flat annual fee — do that arithmetic before you accept an offer.
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations. Southampton lists costs you must cover yourself, including vaccinations and immunisation, medical insurance if you choose an elective abroad, and possible extra charges for retake and professional exams.
Bursary: UK and EU students with household income under £36,200 a year may be eligible for a University of Southampton bursary towards living costs. Specific bursaries exist for care leavers and students estranged from their parents.
The BM5 programme at Southampton is integrated, combining basic science with clinical experience from Year 1.
Introduction to biomedical sciences integrated with early clinical exposure. Students learn anatomy, physiology, and pathology while gaining experience in clinical settings through hospital visits and GP placements.
Integration of science and clinical practice through body systems. Increased clinical contact and application of knowledge to patient care.
Full clinical immersion with rotations across medical and surgical specialties. Includes opportunities for electives and student-selected components.
An optional intercalated BSc or BMedSci is available, allowing students to pursue research in areas including population health, cancer sciences, or neuroscience.
Students train at excellent facilities across Hampshire:
"Southampton offers a fantastic balance of academic rigour and clinical exposure. The early patient contact really helps you understand why you're learning what you're learning. Plus, the South Coast location means you get good variety in your clinical placements without the intensity of London living."
— 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.
Southampton does not publish a specific UCAT cut-off. They use a holistic assessment that considers your overall UCAT performance alongside academic achievement and personal statement. Aim for above the national average across all sections to be competitive.
Southampton does not run a standard MMI circuit. Its selection day process includes an interview and a group task, and attendance must be in person — no online alternative is offered. Prepare for both elements: the individual interview covers motivation, insight and ethical reasoning, while the group task assesses how you work with other candidates.
Southampton generally prefers first-time achievement but will consider resit applicants with extenuating circumstances. If you're considering applying after resitting, contact the admissions team directly to discuss your situation before applying.
International students can apply to the 5-year Medicine BM5 (A100) programme. Southampton has a supportive international student community and offers excellent clinical training. However, the BM4 Graduate Entry (A101) and BM6 (A102) programmes are only open to UK applicants.
Work experience is important as it demonstrates your understanding of and commitment to medicine. Southampton looks for evidence of insight into what a medical career involves, reflection on experiences, and demonstration of relevant skills. Quality of reflection matters more than quantity of hours.
Focus on achieving strong academics (AAA), preparing thoroughly for the UCAT, and gaining meaningful work experience that you can reflect on articulately. Your personal statement should demonstrate genuine insight into medicine. 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, Southampton is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the UK. It offers early clinical exposure from Year 1, strong research opportunities, and excellent NHS partnerships. The integrated curriculum and patient-centred approach prepare graduates well for medical practice.
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 University of Southampton admissions pages and Medical Schools Council guidance.
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