Why Study in UK Universities for Medical School
If you’re planning to become a medical professional, there is no better option than choosing to study in UK universities. In the UK, you have the opportunity to study under global academic leaders in the medical field. The country has a history of medical innovation going as far back as the 1700s, with four of the world’s top ten medical schools in the UK.
Now, getting into a program in medicine can be a challenge, and costs may be a concern as well. Nonetheless, most universities have a 100% employment rate after graduation for medical program graduates. Although programs in this field are challenging, many argue that they are also rewarding, and create great career opportunities for you too. Here’s what you need to learn about studying medicine in the UK.
How Medical School in the UK Works
Medical school in the UK is the first step to becoming an expert doctor (or other medical professional) with global demand. A medical school is generally a faculty or institute of a university that offers a degree in medicine. There are mainly four types of courses you can apply to in medicine.
| Type of Course | Course duration | Degree offered | Student type | Eligibility |
| Standard Entry Medicine | 5 years | MBBS, MBChB and other Bachelor’s degrees in medicine | Regular | International and UK students |
| Graduate Entry Medicine | 4 years | Master’s or MSc degrees in specialized subjects | Regular | International and UK students |
| Medicine with a Preliminary Year | 1+5 years | Bachelor’s degrees in medicine | Did not take Science subjects at A levels | UK and EU students only |
| Medicine with a Gateway Year | 1+5 years | Bachelor’s degrees in medicine | Did not complete A levels due to special circumstances | UK students only |
There are several sub-disciplines within the field of medicine that you can consider if you choose to study in UK universities. The specializations that you can consider include:
• Anesthetics
• General Practice
• Medicine
• Pathology
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Surgery
As an international student, you have over 60 specialist sub-disciplines within the field of medicine to choose from.
Requirements for Admission to Study in UK Universities for Medicine
Medical schools in the UK have strict admission requirements. Medicine as a field is highly intensive and challenging. Because of this, admissions officers are quite specific about eligibility criteria, because it helps them gauge the applicant’s ability to succeed in their programs. Typically, you will need to meet the following criteria:
● Excellent AS and GCSE results
● High grades in A levels or equivalent exams
● Pass an interview with the medical school
● Paid or unpaid work experience in medicine (optional/if applicable)
● Personal statement
● Health and background checks
● Admissions tests
Admissions Tests to Study Medicine in the UK
Practically all degree programs in medicine in the UK will ask you to sit an admissions test to qualify for entry. The test and relevant score requirements depend on the university you apply to and its admissions criteria for its programs.
Most universities in the UK accept the UCAT – the University Clinical Aptitude Test. You will need to register for these tests and sit for the exams in exam centers close to you.
| Test | Applicable for | Registration Dates |
| UCAT | Most medical schools | May-September |
| BMAT | Some medical schools | 1st to 29th September |
| GAMSAT | Graduate students | August |
Top Medical Schools in the UK
The UK is known for being an academic hub for students all over the world. It is also the center of the highest level of medical knowledge. Four of the ten best medical schools in the world are in the UK. There are a lot more universities at the higher end of the world rankings that offer degrees in medicine. Some of the several options you can consider include:
| University Name | QS World Ranking as Medical School |
| University of Nottingham | #67 |
| University of Liverpool | #78 |
| University of Southampton | #105 |
| University of Exeter | #157 |
| University of Aberdeen | #173 |
These universities host some of the best faculties or schools of medicine in the UK. Here is a quick overview of some of your options when considering studying in UK universities for a degree in medicine.
University of Nottingham
The UoN School of Medicine is the largest faculty in the University of Nottingham. Like many of the universities on our list, this is one of the prestigious Russell Group universities of the UK. Nottingham’s School of Medicine comprises of several academic units and platforms focusing on different specializations in the medical field. These include:
Academic Units:
• Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience
• Translational Medical Sciences
• Injury, Recovery, and Inflammation Services
• Lifespan and Population Health
Platforms:
• Education Center
• Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit
The University of Nottingham offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in medicine. BMBS degrees with a 5-year course duration are among your options to study in UK universities. Similar courses for graduate entry and options with a foundation year are also available. Additionally, the School of Medicine delivers BSc and MSci courses in Cancer Sciences. Postgraduate taught courses include MSc degrees in several specializations. Some of the university’s noteworthy facilities include their:
● Biomedical Research Center
● Biodiscovery Institute and Center for Cancer Sciences
● Clinical Research Facility
● Clinical Skills Center
● Medical Imaging Unit
● Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Center
● Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry Facility
University of Liverpool
The School of Medicine at the University of Liverpool, a Russell Group university, runs under the capable hands of over 250 expert staff members. The team includes several of NHS partner doctors who help improve the quality of education and ensure the learning experience aligns with real-world practical applications and industry demand.
The UOL School of Medicine provides an MBChB course for undergraduates. This course is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine. The course spans 4 years for graduate entry and 5 years for regular students. The university also offers a BSc degree in Acute, Critical and Emergency Care. Postgraduate courses include options like Master’s degrees in Public Health. Among the University of Liverpool’s great facilities are its:
● Human Anatomy Research Center
● Clinical Skills Resource Center
● Network of several hospitals with direct clinical placement options
University of Southampton
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton has been in the top 100 medical schools for 8 consecutive years. It houses the UK’s only center for cancer immunology. You will be taught in a hospital setting to gain practical knowledge at this UK top 20 university, which is also one of the Russell Group members.
The Soton Faculty of Medicine offers BMBS degrees in 4-6 year-long courses. There are also postgraduate opportunities in several specializations. MSc and PG degrees are also options for those looking to study in UK universities for medicine. Facilities include:
● Clinical skills suite
● Center for learning anatomical sciences
● Health services library
● X-ray imaging equipment
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is another of the UK’s excellent Russell Group universities. The Exon Medical School consists of three departments:
● Clinical and Biomedical Sciences
● Health and Community Sciences
● Public Health and Sport Sciences
This medical school is in the top 5 in the country for Sports Science, according to both The Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide. It also ranks in 10th place in the UK for clinical research. It is world-leading in its internationally excellent medical research, with more than 750 research staff on board.
The University of Exeter’s Medical School offers BMBS degrees of 5 years’ duration. You can also get a BSc in Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and other subjects if research is your goal. Postgraduate courses include degree options like PGCert, PGDip and MSc degrees. Programs are available in Genomic Medicine, Health Data Science and Neuroscience.
University of Aberdeen
At the University of Aberdeen, the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition provides globally leading medical degrees. This school constitutes a number of institutes:
● Rowett Institute
● Institute of Applied Health Sciences
● Institute of Medical Sciences
● Institute of Dentistry
● Institute of Education in Healthcare and Medical Sciences
Undergraduate study options comprise of an MBChB degree in Medicine, of 5 years. Aberd, as some call the University of Aberdeen, also provides BSc and MSci courses in medical sciences. These degrees are great options for students hoping to study in UK universities for medical research. MSc degrees are also available in several specializations.
Cost of Studying Medicine in the UK
The cost of studying medicine in the UK is pretty high. Generally, the tuition for international students is much higher than for students in the UK. You must study for at least 5 years to get an MBBS or equivalent Bachelor’s degree. This means that the total tuition fees are higher than the standard 3-year bachelor’s degree programs in the UK.
However, this does not mean you should give up on your ambitions to study medicine in the UK. For starters, the return on investment of graduating from a UK degree program in medicine is immense. You will hold a qualification with global recognition that lets you access professional opportunities not just in the UK, and worldwide. Salary prospects for medical professionals in the UK are also very attractive, with national average salary ranges for some professions falling between £50,000 – 100,000 yearly.
Secondly, UK universities offer millions of pounds in scholarships every year. From general scholarships all international students can qualify for to scholarships on offer by the universities’ medical schools specifically, these are options worth looking into.
Here is a quick look at the cost of a bachelor’s degree in the following universities:
| University | Tuition fees for international students per year |
| University of Nottingham | £36,400 |
| University of Liverpool | £42,700 |
| University of Southampton | £28,900 |
| University of Exeter | £45,700 |
| University of Aberdeen | £50,100 |
Careers in Medicine
Unsurprisingly, a career in medicine comes with high pay and employment prospects. Almost all universities in the UK boast a 100% employment rate for medical students. Whether you graduate with an MBBS, MBChB or BMBS degree, you open up a plethora of opportunities across the many specializations in the medical field. According to Indeed.com, the following are among the highest-paying medical professions in the UK:
• Medical Director
• Neurosurgeon
• Anesthetist
• Plastic Surgeon
• Psychiatrist
• Cardiologist
• Director of Nursing
• Clinical Director
• General Practitioner
• Pharmacist
Foundation Program for New Doctors
After you complete a medical degree in the UK, you receive a provisional registration, with a licence to practice. And if you wish to work in the medical field in the UK, you need to apply for the Foundation Program, a two-year training program for new doctors. Through this program, you can get your full license to practice medicine and work as a doctor in the UK.
Rounding Up
By choosing to study in UK universities for medicine, international students open up a plethora of opportunities for their future career and life success. Although the requirements for admission are intensive, you will have a guarantee of the best education. The medical schools in the UK are among the best of the best, with global recognition. UK universities offer MBBS, BMBS and MBChB degrees in Medicine that set you on the path to a thriving career in medicine. While the cost of studying may be high, it is sure to pay for itself quickly, with the medical profession among the highest earning sectors in the country.
