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See How the POP WorksA complete directory of every medical school programme in the United Kingdom
There are over 40 universities in the UK offering undergraduate medicine programmes, with many providing multiple routes into the degree. When you include standard 5-year programmes, graduate entry courses, gateway and foundation year pathways, and extended 6-year routes, the total number of distinct programmes reaches 83.
This page provides a directory of every UK medical school programme with links to detailed profiles covering entry requirements, admissions test expectations, interview formats, and application advice. Use it to compare your options and make informed decisions about where to apply.
Note on UCAT scores: 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 from previous years may not directly apply to the current format. Throughout this guide, UCAT competitiveness is described in relative terms (e.g. “top decile”, “moderate”) rather than specific score thresholds.
England has the largest concentration of medical schools in the UK, with 67 distinct programmes across the country. These include standard 5-year courses, graduate entry routes, gateway and foundation year pathways, and extended 6-year programmes. Schools are grouped below by sub-region to aid comparison.
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year MBBS/BSc · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year MBBS with extended foundation · Widening participation
Extended Programme5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBS · Newer medical school
6-year MBBS/BSc · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year BMBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
4.5-year MBChB · Independent admissions process
6-year MB BChir · UCAT required · Panel interview
5-year BMBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year BM BCh · UCAT required · Panel interview
5-year BM · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year BM with foundation year · Widening participation
Widening Participation5-year BMBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year MBChB with gateway year · Widening participation
Gateway Programme5-year BMBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year BMBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year MBChB with extended foundation · Widening participation
Extended Programme5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year BMBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year BMBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year BMBS with extended foundation · Widening participation
Extended Programme5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · Newer medical school
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year MBChB with extended foundation · Widening participation
Extended Programme5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · Rural-focused programme
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · Newer medical school
Scotland has six universities offering medicine, with nine distinct programmes. Scottish students typically apply with Highers and Advanced Highers rather than A-Levels, though both qualification types are accepted. Scotland is also home to the ScotGEM graduate entry programme, a collaboration between St Andrews and Dundee.
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
6-year BSc/MBChB · UCAT required · MMI interview
Wales has three universities offering medicine, with four distinct programmes between them. Cardiff is the most established, while Bangor and Swansea provide additional routes into the profession.
5-year MBBCh · UCAT required · MMI interview
5-year MBBCh · UCAT required · MMI interview
Northern Ireland has two universities offering medicine, with three distinct programmes. Queen's University Belfast is the more established school, while Ulster University is a newer addition to the UK medical school landscape.
5-year MB BCh BAO · UCAT required · Panel interview
5-year MBBS · UCAT required · MMI interview
With only four UCAS choices available for medicine, selecting the right medical schools is one of the most important decisions in your application. Here are the key factors to consider:
There are over 40 universities in the UK offering undergraduate medicine programmes. Many of these offer multiple routes into the degree, including standard 5-year courses, graduate entry (typically 4 years), gateway and foundation year pathways, and extended 6-year programmes, bringing the total number of distinct programmes to 83.
No. The majority of UK medical schools require the UCAT, but not all. A smaller number of schools require the GAMSAT instead (primarily graduate entry programmes such as Swansea and St Andrews ScotGEM), and a few accept either test or have no admissions test requirement. The UCAT format changed in July 2025 with the removal of Abstract Reasoning, reducing the maximum score from 3,600 to 2,700.
The GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) is primarily required by graduate entry medicine programmes. Universities that use the GAMSAT include St Andrews (ScotGEM), Swansea, and Nottingham (graduate entry), among others. Some programmes accept either the UCAT or GAMSAT, while others require a specific test. Always check each programme's current requirements individually.
Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, and King's College London are generally considered among the most competitive, with the highest A-level requirements and strong admissions test expectations. However, competitiveness varies by year and depends on the overall applicant pool. Choosing strategically based on your individual profile is more effective than focusing on perceived prestige.
Yes. Most medical schools accept graduate applicants to their standard 5-year programmes, provided they meet the academic requirements. Many universities also offer accelerated graduate entry programmes (typically 4 years), which are specifically designed for applicants who already hold an undergraduate degree. These often have different entry requirements and may require a degree in a science or health-related subject. Graduate entry programmes usually require the UCAT or GAMSAT.
These are alternative routes into medicine designed to widen access to the profession. Gateway programmes (sometimes called “Year 0” courses) add an introductory year before the standard medical degree, typically targeting students from underrepresented backgrounds. Foundation programmes are similar, providing an additional year of preparation. Extended programmes integrate the foundation content into a longer 6-year degree structure. All three routes lead to the same medical qualification as the standard 5-year programme.
With only four UCAS choices available for medicine, strategic selection is essential. Key factors include matching your UCAT or GAMSAT score to each school's expectations, ensuring you meet all academic requirements (including subject-specific and GCSE thresholds), considering the interview format (MMI vs panel), thinking about location and clinical environment, understanding the course structure, and spreading your risk across a mix of aspirational and realistic choices.
Most applicants treat the UCAT, personal statement, work experience, and interviews as separate hurdles. Future Doc's Predictable Offer Protocol coordinates every element as one interconnected system through a dedicated coach. The result: 93% of our students receive at least one offer. If they don't, they come back next year for free.
See How It Works Or browse free resources →Last updated: February 2026
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