When you think of becoming a doctor, your mind probably jumps straight to the typical route of: A-levels, university, hospital – right? But that’s not the only route into medicine out there.
The different pathways make it possible for people of all educational backgrounds and even ages to study medicine. Yes, it’s still competitive, but it can be done! In the guide below, we explore the six main ways aspiring medics can land themselves a place studying for a medical degree.
1. Undergraduate degree
Length: 5 - 6 years
This is the standard route to medical school that most aspiring doctors will take after they complete their A-levels (or equivalent) and go straight into studying for a Medical Degree at university.
This pathway is typically made up of the following steps:
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A-levels: You will need at least three A-levels with the grades AAB to AAA, including chemistry and biology. Some universities may accept other scientific subjects such as physics or maths.
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Experience: While you are studying for your exams, it’s a good idea to secure a work experience placement in some medical capacity. We touch on this in more detail below.
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UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test): The exams don’t end there! Most university medical courses require you to sit the UCAT, which is designed to assess your cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and situational judgement.
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Personal statement: This is a standard step for anyone applying for a university course; however, given the competition for spaces on a medical degree, you will need to write a strong personal statement explaining your interest in the subject, any relevant experience, and why you're a good candidate over anyone else.
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Interviews: Again, a usual step for university applicants. Universities will conduct interviews – either in a standard format or MMI (multiple mini interviews) – to assess your suitability for a medical career.
If you’re following this route into medicine, work experience is crucial; it gives you a portfolio of experience that can be referenced in both your personal statement and at the interview stage. However – as we mentioned above – work experience in either a GP or hospital is very competitive. Many applicants choose to go down the volunteering route, as this is just as relevant and placements are easier to find.
Don’t obsess about the amount of hours you rack up volunteering or achieving the “perfect” placement, as universities will be far more interested in the quality of your work experience. It’s more important to be able to demonstrate what you have learned during this time, and that you are able to reflect on it.
Following the steps above – and if you are successful – you will be offered a conditional place at university, providing you meet the A-level grades required.
2. Graduate entry medicine
Length: 4 years
The route of graduate entry medicine is designed for people who have already completed an undergraduate degree (usually in a science-related field) and want to apply for a second degree in medicine. People typically go down this route if they didn’t receive any offers for a medical degree via the undergraduate method, and are now planning to study a different but still science-related degree. Or, you may have been working in a completely different area and fancy a career change.
The graduate entry medicine route is accelerated, so it only takes 4 years to complete, instead of the 5 or 6 years that the undergraduate medicine path would take.
You will typically need the following to go down the graduate entry medicine path:
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Undergraduate degree: You will need to have an undergrad degree under your belt already – a 2:1 or above – in a science-related subject such as biology, chemistry, biomedical sciences, etc.
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GAMSAT: The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test is required for a number of graduate-entry programs and is designed to test your scientific knowledge, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
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UCAT: This will vary depending on the university, but some graduate programs will also require you to sit the UCAT.
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Experience: Relevant work experience in healthcare or a related field is beneficial for graduate entry medicine.
Aspiring doctors can apply for graduate entry medicine through UCAS, just as you would for an undergraduate degree, and you will be able to apply for up to four schools – the same as an undergrad! But unlike an undergraduate medical application, you can include both Cambridge and Oxford in your choices.
From there the process will be similar if not identical to the undergraduate route; you will need to write and submit a personal statement, and then be invited to interview.
Universities with graduate entry medicine:
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Barts and the London Queen Mary's School
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Birmingham
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Cambridge
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Cardiff
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Chester
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Dundee/St Andrews ScotGem
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Imperial College London
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King's College London
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Liverpool
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Manchester University
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Newcastle
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Nottingham
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Oxford
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Pears Cumbria
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Sheffield
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Southampton
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St George's London
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Surrey
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Swansea
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Warwick
3. Foundation year program
Length: 6 years
If you don’t meet the standard entry requirements for an undergraduate degree but show academic potential, then you might consider going down the foundation year program route for a career in medicine.
Above, we mentioned that a standard medical degree takes five years to complete, but a foundation course will include an extra year that is usually called a ‘gateway year’ or ‘foundation year’.
There are two types of foundation courses:
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Medicine with a foundation year: This six-year course begins with one year of science-based teaching, followed by the standard five-year undergraduate course.
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Extended course: This six-year course has teaching spread out over the entire duration, so pupils get taught a combination of basic and advanced material.
Some universities do offer a standalone foundation course, which is shorter – taught over one to three years – and is designed to provide a foundation in science knowledge and boost your undergraduate application.
Here’s what you’ll typically need to apply for a foundation course:
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A-levels or equivalent: You’ll need strong GCSE and A-level grades under your belt, but the requirements for science-based subjects such as chemistry or biology aren’t necessarily needed. A foundation course is aimed to help students without a science background, or if they haven’t met the requirements for an undergraduate degree.
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UCAT/Personal statement/Interviews: Similar to the traditional route of entry, you may need to sit UCAT, produce a personal statement and sit interviews. However, some universities may have flexibility in their entry criteria for foundation year students.
Schools with foundation medicine courses:
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Aberdeen University - Gateway2Medicine
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Bristol University - Gateway to Medicine
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Dundee University - Gateway to Medicine
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Edge Hill University - Medicine with Foundation Year
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Hull York Medical School - Medicine with a Gateway Year
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Keele University - Health Foundation Year for Medicine
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King’s College London - Extended Medical Degree Programme
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Lancaster University - Medicine and Surgery with a Gateway Year
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Leeds University - Gateway Year to Medicine
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Leicester University - Medicine with Foundation Year
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Liverpool University - Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions (Medicine)
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Manchester University - Medicine with Foundation Year
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Nottingham University - Medicine with a Foundation Year
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Norwich Medical School (UEA) - Medicine with a Gateway Year
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Plymouth University - Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation
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Southampton University - Medicine BM6 Widening Participation
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St Andrews University - Gateway to Medicine
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University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) - Foundation Entry Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
4. International Baccalaureate (IB) route
Some students may choose to pursue an International Baccalaureate (IB) instead of A-levels. Universities that accept the IB qualifications will typically require a high score, especially when it comes to subjects such as biology and chemistry.
Each school will have different requirements, but you will typically require the following if you’re entering medicine via the IB route:
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IB diploma: The usual requirement is a score of 36-38 points with high marks in relevant subjects (biology, chemistry, etc.).
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UCAT and/or BMAT: Some medical schools that accept IB students require the UCAT or BMAT as part of the admissions process.
5. Transfer to a medicine degree
Although it is incredibly competitive to transfer onto medicine while studying for another degree, it’s not impossible! This option may only be available at certain universities, and will likely only be relevant for related degrees, such as biomedical sciences. As an alternative route, some universities have the option for applicants to be fast-tracked to the interview stage if you apply from another degree or enter year one of a medical degree, the next corresponding academic year or even go straight into the Graduate Entry (GEM) program.
Each university’s transfer offering will be different – and it may even change every year – so be sure to speak to the right people at your school, find out the specific requirements, and carefully consider all options before applying.
As you can see, there are a number of different ways to get into a career in medicine – some a little more non-traditional than others but by no means less effective or valuable! Whether you’re a school leaver, a recent graduate, or looking to change careers later in life, the right pathway for you will depend entirely on your current qualifications, learning background and preferences, and ultimate career goals.
Once you’re making your way through medical schools and all the exams that come with it, make sure you’ve got the perfect revision partner by your side! Check out Pastest’s complete library of medical revision courses – including med student revision – to see you through your degree with flying colours!