Dr Sonal
Sep 24, 20237 min
Updated: Mar 10
If you have received a low UCAT score in 2023 and still aspire to pursue a medical career in the UK, all hope is not lost. While a low UCAT score can limit your options, some UK medical schools place less emphasis on this exam or have lower UCAT cut-off thresholds.
In this article, we'll explore low UCAT medical schools that may be more accommodating to applicants with lower UCAT scores for the 2024 entry.
We will end with suggestions for other routes into medical school.
However, it is crucial to remember that entry requirements can change, so always check the latest information on university websites before applying.
👉🏼 UCAT Cut-Off Scores 2023 - 2024 Entry - Every Score You Need To Know!
Aston is one of the newer medical schools and places a higher weight on academics rather than the UCAT, this makes it a great choice if you have strong GCSEs and a low UCAT score.
UCAT = ⅓ of the selection process
Academics = ⅔ selection process
After the interview, the interview score is added to the previous totals
Final selection = UCAT 25%, Academics 50% and Interview 25%
All SJT Bands are accepted
Calculate your academic score to see if you met their cut-off for an interview last year of 31.5 points out of 36 points.
Traditionally a lot of places are given for contextual offers (up to 40% in the past)
👉🏼 Find out about Aston UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria 👉🏼 Find out about Aston UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria
👉🏼 Aston Medical School Key Information👉🏼 Aston Medical School Key Information
Whilst unclear how the UCAT is used at Cardiff, Cardiff has always placed great emphasis on GCSE grades, making it a great place to apply if you have very strong GCSE grades and a low UCAT score.
The top 9 GCSE grades are scored, it is believed that this is out of 27 points
Cardiff states that “The UCAT and GAMSAT may be used as part of our selection process” though it is unclear how
In the past, you have needed 27/27 points to be considered for an interview at Cardiff
👉🏼 Find out about Cardiff UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria 👉🏼 Find out about Cardiff UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria
👉🏼 Cardiff Medical School Key Information👉🏼 Cardiff Medical School Key Information
Keele puts greater weighting on the medicine personal statement and traditionally has a low UCAT cut-off score (2280 for 2023 entry)
UCAT (20%) = 5 points
SJT (8%) = 2 points
Other Contextual (12%) = 3 points
Personal Statement (60%) = 15 points
There is a high weighting on the Personal Statement - make sure that your personal statement adheres to their PS guidelines
Ensure that you meet their UCAT Cut Off score
It used to have a Roles & Responsibilities form, but this will not be used in 2024 entry, instead, greater weighting will be placed on the Personal Statement
Get your personal statement reviewed to help make it stand out
👉🏼 Find out about Keele UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria 👉🏼 Find out about Keele UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria
👉🏼 Keele Medical School Key Information👉🏼 Keele Medical School Key Information
Kent & Medway has traditionally had a generous UCAT threshold, though it has a relatively small number of places each year for medicine.
Fairly generously low UCAT threshold (2470 in 2023 Entry)
UCAT SJT Band 4 = rejection
KMMS has separate policies for pre-A level, post A-level, pre-graduate, and post-graduate applicants
A-level predicted grades are not considered
Slightly unclear how the UCAT and academics are looked at
The average UCAT score invited to interview at Kent & Medway in 2022 was 2629
👉🏼 Find out about KMMS UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria 👉🏼 Find out about KMMS UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria
👉🏼 Kent & Medway Medical School Key Information👉🏼 Kent & Medway Medical School Key Information
Queen’s Belfast places only 12.5% of its weighting on the UCAT, the rest is on academics. This makes Queen’s Belfast a great choice if you have strong GCSEs and a low UCAT score.
UCAT = 12.5% (6 points)
GCSEs = 87.5% (36 points) - top 9 GCSEs looked at
Total = 42 points
Find out more about the Queen’s Belfast selection criteria here
You need to have strong academics (GCSE scores) - ensure that you work out your total score out of 42.
See the past Queen’s Belfast Cut-Off Scores to see if your score is competitive or not
Learn hot topics and practice role plays for the Queen’s Belfast Interview
👉🏼 Find out about Queen’s Belfast UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria 👉🏼 Find out about Queen’s Belfast UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria
👉🏼 Queen’s Belfast Medical School Key Information👉🏼 Queen’s Belfast Medical School Key Information
Sunderland, like Keele, is one of the few medical schools that traditionally has a low UCAT requirement, and places a greater emphasis on their ‘Interview Selection Tool’.
UCAT must be in the top 8 UCAT deciles (in 2022 this was 2250 and above)
UCAT SJT Band 4 is rejected
Resits are permitted under certain circumstances, if you have AAB, only the B needs to be retaken
Interview Selection Tool will need to be filled in after applying
Students will complete a Casper online test & a numeracy test online
Sunderland is good to apply to if you have lots of volunteering in terms of hours
You are allowed to list up to four volunteering/paid jobs (shadowing doctors during work experience does not count)
They only look at activities carried out in the last two years
👉🏼 Find out about Sunderland UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria 👉🏼 Find out about Sunderland UCAT Cut Offs & Selection Criteria
👉🏼 Sunderland Medical School Key Information👉🏼 Sunderland Medical School Key Information
As well as the UCAT universities mentioned above, there are other routes into medicine, each of which has its challenges, advantages and disadvantages. Here we will run through a few of them.
Consider taking the BMAT and applying to universities that rely on this exam instead.
Read more:
Your year will aim to ensure that you get your achieved A-Level / IB grades. You can then make a plan to improve your UCAT score in view of reapplying to medicine next year.
Read more:
Most universities abroad do not require the UCAT and often have more lenient A-Level grade requirements. Many, however, may not be taught in English.
Read more:
You can go on to university either via clearing or through applying for another course. In your final year, you can then reapply for medicine.
This is, however, often a more challenging route to take than applying as an undergraduate. It may be favourable if you do not achieve the desired A-Level grades.
Read more:
While a low UCAT score can present challenges, some universities in the UK take a more holistic approach to admissions, considering factors beyond UCAT scores.
Be sure to research each university's specific requirements and policies, and don't hesitate to contact them for advice.
Remember that perseverance and strategic planning can still lead you to a rewarding medical career.
The UCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) is an essential exam for aspiring medical students in the UK. It assesses skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving, which are crucial for success in medical studies.
Several UK medical schools consider factors beyond UCAT scores. Ones to consider in 2023 for 2024 entry are Aston, Cardiff, Keele, Kent & Medway, Queen’s Belfast and Sunderland.
To enhance your chances, focus on strengthening other aspects of your application, such as academic qualifications, personal statement, and interview performance. Consider universities with lower UCAT thresholds.
Low UCAT universities include: Aston, Cardiff, Keele, Kent & Medway, Queen’s Belfast, Dundee and Sunderland. This is because they often look at other factors important in the application such as volunteering or GCSE grades.
Yes, you can consider alternative routes like the BMAT, taking a gap year to improve your UCAT score, studying medicine abroad, or pursuing graduate entry medicine.
There are several medical schools in the UK that only require a low UCAT to apply to: Cardiff, Keele, Aston, Sunderland, Kent & Medway, Queen's Belfast and Dundee.
Yes, improving your UCAT score through retakes can enhance your chances of acceptance, especially if you had a low score last year.
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