Every school's international policy, places available, fees, and competition data
Most UK medical schools accept international students, but places are extremely limited. Each school typically has a quota of 20-35 international places per year, making competition fierce. This guide lists every school's policy and helps you identify the most realistic options for your application.
Competition is intense: As an example, St George's has approximately 19 places for international students but receives around 300 applications. Of these, about 115 are interviewed and 32 offers are made. Expect competition ratios of 15-30 applicants per place at most schools.
UK medical schools operate under Home Office regulations that typically limit international (non-UK) students to around 7.5% of each cohort. This means:
The following table summarises schools that accept international students. Data is indicative and should be verified with each university.
| Medical School | Int'l Places (approx) | Int'l Fees (Year 1) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 20-25 | ~£31,000 | Scottish school; accepts international |
| Aston | 15-20 | ~£40,000 | Newer school; growing intake |
| Birmingham | 25-30 | ~£47,000 | Large programme; competitive |
| Bristol | 20-25 | ~£44,000 | Very competitive for internationals |
| Brighton and Sussex | 15-20 | ~£41,000 | Accepts limited internationals |
| Cambridge | 25-30 | ~£65,000 | Highly competitive; highest fees |
| Edinburgh | 30-35 | ~£32,000 (Y1-2), £49,000 (Y3-5) | Popular with internationals; clinical years more expensive |
| Glasgow | 20-25 | ~£52,000 | Scottish school; competitive |
| Imperial College London | 25-30 | ~£50,000 | Top-ranked; highly competitive |
| King's College London | 20-25 | ~£47,000 | Standard 5-year accepts internationals; GEM is home only |
| Leeds | 20-25 | ~£42,000 | Large school; accepts internationals |
| Leicester | 20-25 | ~£42,000 | Accepts limited internationals |
| Liverpool | 20-25 | ~£44,000 | Accepts internationals; competitive |
| Manchester | 30-35 | ~£49,000 | Large intake; popular with internationals |
| Newcastle | 20-25 | ~£44,000 | Both 5-year and GEM accept internationals |
| Nottingham | 20-25 | ~£43,000 | Both courses accept internationals |
| Oxford | 15-20 | ~£51,000 | Highly competitive; limited places |
| Queen Mary (Barts) | 25-30 | ~£48,000 | Note: Higher UCAT threshold for internationals (~2150 vs ~2040 on new 2700-max scale) |
| Sheffield | 20-25 | ~£42,000 | Both courses accept internationals |
| Southampton | 20-25 | ~£41,000 | Accepts internationals |
| St George's | ~19 | ~£42,000 | Example: 300 apps, 115 interviews, 32 offers, 19 places |
| UCL | 20-25 | ~£44,000 | Competitive; limited international places |
Fees shown are approximate and subject to annual increases. Always verify current fees with each university.
The following table shows competition ratios for international applicants at selected schools:
| Medical School | Int'l Apps per Interview | Int'l Apps per Place |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 2.2 | 17.5 |
| Aston | 2.5 | 10.4 |
| Barts (Queen Mary) | 4.0 | 20.0 |
| Birmingham | 4.5 | 18.1 |
| Brighton and Sussex | 3.9 | 28.6 |
| Bristol | 5.5 | 54.4 |
| St George's | 2.6 | 15.8 |
Data varies by year. Use as a guide, not absolute figures.
Bristol is extremely competitive for internationals: With a ratio of over 54 applicants per place, Bristol is one of the most difficult schools for international students. Unless your profile is exceptionally strong, consider other options.
Some schools don't accept international students or have very limited provision:
Always verify current policies directly with universities, as these can change.
Based on intake size, competition data, and feedback from applicants, these schools are often considered relatively more accessible for international students:
Note: "International-friendly" doesn't mean easy. All these schools remain highly competitive.
Many schools set higher UCAT cut-offs for international applicants. For example:
A score that's competitive for home students may not be sufficient for international applicants at the same school.
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