What are the Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into in the UK?

What are the Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into in the UK?

Deciding to study medicine is a huge step. It’s exciting, challenging, and no doubt a bit daunting. 

With so many medical schools across the UK, you might wonder where to start and which ones give you the best shot at getting in. While no medical school could ever be described as “easy”, there are some with slightly lower entry requirements and higher acceptance rates, making the path a little less challenging. 

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the most accessible medical schools, looking at their acceptance rates, entry requirements and the exams you’ll face, like UCAT. We’ll also discuss what to do if your grades fall short, and how to boost your chances through clearing, gap years or alternative routes. 

Let’s dive into the details and help you choose the best route to a medical career in the UK.

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The Easiest Med Schools in the UK: Acceptance Rates and Entry Requirements

Which Medical Schools are easier to get into in England?

Let’s make it clear. Getting into medical school is never “easy”. But if you’re looking for medical schools with a reputation for being more forgiving in their admissions processes, it’s all about entry standards. This tells you what grades successful medical students achieved – a great way to quickly understand the difficulty of each medical school’s admissions process.

Most medical schools in the UK require strong A Level results, a personal statement, and high scores on the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test). You could also face tasks and interviews set by university admissions teams.

But for entry standards alone, the ten UK medical schools with the lowest average UCAS tariff points were:

  1. University of Buckingham
  2. University of Central Lancashire
  3. Anglia Ruskin University
  4. Hull York Medical School
  5. University of Exeter
  6. University of Southampton
  7. University of Leicester
  8. University of East Anglia UEA
  9. University of Birmingham
  10. University of Liverpool

Which university has the highest acceptance rate for Medicine in the UK?

As a rule of thumb, UK medical schools with lower entry standards tend to have higher acceptance rates (i.e. the number of applicants who actually get a place on the course). These schools are generally the universities at the lower end of subject league tables. So it makes sense there’s less intense competition for places.

Nonetheless, a few unis with high Medicine acceptance rates might surprise you. This includes:

What are the lowest entry requirements for Medical School in the UK?

To study medicine in the UK, you’ll need top grades. Generally speaking, this means AAA or even A*s. From our list above, the University of Buckingham is the only university under AAA. Their entry requirements are ABB, including Biology or Chemistry.

If you’ve just missed the mark, you could consider UCAS Clearing or retaking your A Level exams and reapplying next year.

Can I get into Medicine with AAB?

As we’ve seen, your options for studying medicine are quite limited with AAB grades. The University of Buckingham is currently the only UK Medical School that accepts less than AAA for standard entry. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road.

If you’ve just missed the grades you need, UCAS Clearing is a good option. While it’s rare, some medical courses with unfilled places may accept students with lower grades.

Another option is retaking your A Levels and reapplying next year. For those not heading straight to uni, many students take a gap year to boost their grades and gain valuable experience. During this time, you could volunteer at healthcare facilities, shadow medical professionals, or help with clinical research. All of these experiences will not only strengthen your future application but also give you a clearer picture of the career you’re aiming for.

What Medical Schools in the UK don’t require UCAT or BMAT?

Most Medical Schools in the UK use the UCAT to assess potential candidates. In fact, it’s only the University of Buckingham that doesn’t. They use their own assessments (computer-based tests known as “multiple mini assessments”) for students meeting other entry requirements.

If you’re considering the University of Buckingham, it’s a private university. This means you’ll have to cover tuition fees yourself, without help from the government’s student loans scheme.

You should also know that all UK universities have switched to the UCAT test. So no more BMAT. This means you only have one entrance exam to worry about. Hooray!

The Hardest Med Schools in the UK: Top Universities and Grades

What are the hardest Medical Schools to get into in the UK?

If you’re interested in the other end of the spectrum, the hardest Medical Schools to get into in the UK, this tends to be the most prestigious Russell Group universities. So we need to head to the top of the league tables.

At these unis, you’ll not only face high entry standards (think all As and A*s at A Level) but intense competition for places. 

As ranked by the Complete University Guide, here are the top ten Medical Schools in the UK and their standard entry requirements.

Searching for more challenging courses? Don’t miss our guides to the hardest degrees and universities to get into in the UK. But if that all sounds too much, don’t worry. We’ve also covered the easiest degrees and university application processes too!

Which is the number one Medical University in the UK?

The University of Cambridge currently leads the pack for Medical Schools in the UK. Why? Well, Cambridge isn’t just famed for world-class teaching, but also for cutting-edge research making a real difference in healthcare. 

To give just a few examples, Cambridge recently teamed up with ARIA to develop micro-machines that could transform brain health and worked on ultra-powered MRI scans to uncover how brain damage causes long Covid. Their research into combining kidney and lung cancer screenings is also helping to catch tumours earlier, a game-changer for early detection.

But it’s not just about the research. Cambridge Medical School offers top-tier clinical training, combining classroom learning with real-world hospital experience. Students get hands-on practice and access to some of the best medical facilities around. 

What are the odds of getting into Medical School in the UK?

In 2024, there were over 126,000 applicants for Medicine and Dentistry degrees. These students competed for around 9,500 Medicine places. So while we don’t have an exact breakdown, around 7% to 20% of students successfully make it onto a medical degree.

Of course, your chances of getting into Medical School in the UK will vary massively depending on the uni you apply to and the number of applicants each year. Acceptance rates generally range between 10% and 20% for most universities, so it’s certainly competitive out there!

To boost your chances, it’s vital to present a strong academic profile and compelling personal statement, as well as focusing on your performance in the UCAT and admissions interviews.

If you’re preparing for A Level exams and aiming for top grades, check out our top ten tips for acing your exams as well as how to create an effective revision timetable with time-blocking techniques.

What’s the fail rate for Medical School in the UK?

The fail rate for Medical School in the UK is pretty low. According to the General Medical Council, around 5% of students fail their finals.

Big Medical Schools can be great for offering a mix of teaching styles, patients, and experiences. But it’s easy for some students, especially those who haven’t built strong peer groups, to feel lost in the crowd.

That’s why teamwork is really important. Medical schools encourage students to support each other, which can make a huge difference when things get tough. 

If you’re struggling with your studies (whether at GCSE, A Level or a university degree), it’s vital to reach out for help and support. At Academic Coaching, we specialise in helping students work through their difficulties with personalised 1-1 support, academic life coaching and exam technique.

Getting into Med School: Your A Level Choices

What are the best A Levels to get into Medical School?

Choosing the right A Levels is a big deal for med school. Each uni has their own entry requirements, but there are a few subjects most expect you to take. 

Here’s what you should be looking at:

  • Biology: This one’s a must-have. It helps you understand everything from how the human body works to how diseases affect us.
  • Chemistry: Another essential. Most med schools won’t even consider your application without it because chemistry is key to understanding how drugs and treatments work.
  • Maths or Further Maths: While not always required, Maths and Further Maths are super useful. They help with problem-solving and provide the analytical skills you’ll need.
  • Physics: Similarly to Maths, Medical Schools look favourably on Physics, especially for the understanding of mechanics and electricity related to fields like radiology or surgery.
  • Psychology: Although not compulsory, Psychology can be a great addition. It helps you understand people’s behaviour, important when you’re dealing with patients.
  • Foreign Languages: Taking a language, like French or Spanish, can be an unexpected advantage. In our increasingly globalised world, being multilingual is a real asset in medicine.

What A Levels do I need to be a Surgeon?

If you’re set on becoming a surgeon, your A Level choices are even more important. Surgery is a super-specialised field, so you’ll want to focus on subjects that give you a solid understanding of the human body and how it works.

Here are the key A Levels to consider:

  • Biology: This one’s essential for future surgeons. You’ll need a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, and how the body operates.
  • Chemistry: You’ll want to keep this in your toolkit too. It helps you grasp how different treatments work and why certain chemicals react the way they do inside the body.
  • Maths or Physics: Not always required, but definitely helpful. Physics will give you insight into the mechanics of surgery, and Maths will help you with things like measurements and calculations during procedures.

Can you be a Doctor without Chemistry A Level?

The short answer? Most of the time, no. Chemistry A Level is a must-have for most Medical Schools because it’s central to understanding biochemistry, pharmacology and how the human body works at a chemical level.

That said, there are a few universities that are more flexible, accepting students who’ve taken Biology instead. For instance, the University of Buckingham asks for Chemistry or Biology. 

Can you be a Doctor with just Biology?

If Biology is your only A Level science, you’ll find it tricky to meet the entry requirements for most UK med schools. Most expect at least two science subjects, and Chemistry is usually non-negotiable.

But, don’t lose hope just yet! Some universities offer foundation courses or alternative routes into medicine for students who don’t have the traditional A Level subjects. These programs help you catch up on the areas you might have missed.

So while it’s not impossible to become a doctor with just Biology, you might need to take an extra step or two to get there.

Ready to make your UK Medical School dreams a reality?

Our Academic Coaching services are expertly designed to give you the support you need to excel. With personalised guidance from experienced tutors, including exam and study skills coaching, academic life coaching and university application advice, we’ll help you build a strong foundation for success in medicine. Take the leap and start achieving your goals today!