Ulster's graduate-entry medical school in Derry~Londonderry takes graduates of any subject through GAMSAT, gives priority to Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland residents, and starts in August.
By Dr Akash Gandhi · Last checked: 22 September 2026
Ulster graduate entry medicine is the four-year MBBS (UCAS code A101) in Derry~Londonderry, and you need a 2:1 honours degree in any discipline or a Masters at 60% overall, GCSE English Language and Maths at grade C or 4, and a GAMSAT score of at least 50 in each section that also clears Ulster's annual interview threshold.
Ulster accepts GAMSAT only, from the eight sittings between March 2023 and September 2026 for August 2027 entry. Priority goes to applicants ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, with a smaller number of places for applicants from Great Britain, and international applicants are also encouraged.
Shortlisted applicants sit a multiple mini interview, and Ulster allows a maximum of two MMI attempts. The 2027 course starts on 16 August 2027, and students must attend from the first day.
The Ulster MBBS is funded by the Northern Ireland Executive as part of its response to a shortage of doctors, and the admissions policy follows from that. Ulster gives priority to applicants ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, with a smaller number of places for applicants from Great Britain. The total number of places is not published.
| Applicant | What Ulster says |
|---|---|
| Ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland | Priority. Tuition fee loans are available to eligible medical students from NI and ROI. |
| From Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) | A smaller number of places, which differs year on year depending on the calibre of the applicant field. |
| International | Encouraged if keen to join the medical workforce in Northern Ireland. Apply through the international route; IELTS 7.5 overall with no band below 7.0, and a clinical placement levy each year on top of tuition. |
Ulster says applicants do not have to show knowledge of the Northern Ireland health system at selection. Like other UK schools, it expects insight into the work of a doctor and a commitment to working as one after graduation.
Applying from Great Britain
Because GB places vary with the strength of each year's field, you may want to pair Ulster with other GAMSAT courses. The graduate entry medicine hub shows which UK courses also accept GAMSAT.
Source: Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025))
Ulster does not accept the UCAT for this course. You need a minimum of 50 in each section of GAMSAT and an overall score above the interview threshold, which Ulster sets competitively each year from the applications it receives. For reference, Ulster states that across its 2020 to 2025 data the average overall GAMSAT score of candidates invited to interview was 59.
| Year | March sitting | September sitting |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Accepted | Accepted |
| 2024 | Accepted | Accepted |
| 2025 | Accepted | Accepted |
| 2026 | Accepted | Accepted (the latest sitting for applications by 15 October 2026) |
Our GAMSAT guide explains the three sections and how scores are reported.
Source: Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025))
1-1 GAMSAT tutoring across all three sections, planned around your degree background and your test date.
Degree and GCSEs checked
A 2:1 honours degree in any discipline, or a Masters at 60% overall, completed by the end of June 2027 with results confirmed by mid-July. GCSE English Language and Maths at grade C (or 4), or Irish Leaving Certificate English and Maths at H6 or O4. Level 2 Essential Skills Application of Number is not accepted in place of GCSE Maths.
GAMSAT threshold
At least 50 in each section, and an overall score above the threshold for that year.
Multiple mini interview
You must pass the MMI assessment. Ulster's 2027/28 page does not state whether it is online or in person; the Medical Schools Council entry for 2026 entry describes an online MMI.
Pre-offer checks
A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from AccessNI or another relevant authority, a medical declaration and occupational health clearance, and a check against the Medical Schools Council excluded student database.
A maximum of two MMI attempts
You can apply to Ulster as many times as you like, but you can sit its MMI only twice. If you have taken the Ulster MMI twice without an offer, Ulster says a further UCAS application is unlikely to be considered, so it helps to arrive at your first interview fully prepared, for example with mock interviews.
As a general rule Ulster does not consider applicants who have studied, or are studying, at another medical school in the UK, Ireland or abroad. If you withdrew because of an unforeseen health or caring circumstance, you can still be considered if you explain this in your UCAS personal statement, and if shortlisted you will need a letter from that medical school.
Source: Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025)); Medical Schools Council, Ulster MBBS Medicine Graduate Entry (A101) (Start date September 2026 (2026 entry))
Ulster opened its graduate entry medical school in 2021, set up with City St George's, University of London as its partner medical school, and received GMC accreditation in April 2025. The course follows a problem-based learning model built on three themes: Basic and Clinical Sciences; Patients, Populations and Society; and Professional Skills.
| Year | Name | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinical Science Year | Foundation science, clinical and communication skills with models and simulated patients, and placements in primary care |
| 2 | Transition Year | A 17-week PBL programme rotating with 5-week attachments in general practice, medicine and surgery, then a 3-week student-selected elective placement |
| 3 | Penultimate Year | Mostly clinical placements across medical and surgical specialties |
| 4 | Final Year | Assistantships in medicine, surgery and general practice, rotations in anaesthetics, intensive care and emergency medicine, and a student-selected elective |
Source: Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025)); Medical Schools Council, Ulster MBBS Medicine Graduate Entry (A101) (Start date September 2026 (2026 entry))
The 2027 course starts on 16 August 2027, and Ulster expects every student to attend from the start: late arrival is approved only in exceptional circumstances. The programme runs longer than the usual 33-week student accommodation year, which Ulster notes means higher living costs.
Source: Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025))
September 2026
Latest GAMSAT sitting Ulster accepts for on-time applications
Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025))
15 October 2026
UCAS equal consideration deadline
Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025))
After 15 October 2026
Ulster to publish details of late applications from March 2027 GAMSAT candidates
Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025))
End of June 2027
Degree or Masters must be completed, with results confirmed by mid-July
Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025))
16 August 2027
Course starts in Derry~Londonderry
Ulster University, Medicine MBBS course page (2027/28 entry) (2027/28 entry (levy stated for 2026/27; GAMSAT average for 2020 to 2025))
St George's GEM
Ulster built its programme with City St George's as partner medical school.
Swansea GEM
Also takes graduates of any subject and accepts GAMSAT, with international applicants welcome.
Chester GEM
Another newer school open to any degree subject, accepting GAMSAT as one of three tests.
See every UK course side by side in the graduate entry medicine comparison table, or read the full Ulster medical school profile for the five-year course, rankings and admissions statistics.
Graduate entry guides
Help with a graduate application
Practise in the format this school uses, with mock MMI and panel interviews and written feedback after every session.
No. Ulster's graduate entry MBBS accepts GAMSAT only, with a minimum of 50 in each section and an overall score above the annual interview threshold.
At least 50 in each section, plus an overall score above a threshold Ulster sets each year. Ulster states that across 2020 to 2025 the average overall GAMSAT of candidates invited to interview was 59.
Yes, but places for Great Britain applicants are fewer. Ulster gives priority to applicants ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, and the number of GB places changes each year with the calibre of the field.
Yes. Ulster accepts a 2:1 honours degree in any discipline, or a Masters at 60% overall, and welcomes applicants from science and non-science backgrounds.
Possibly. Ulster says it may accept UCAS applications after 15 October 2026 from applicants registered for the March 2027 GAMSAT who want to start in August 2027, and will publish details after 15 October 2026.
Twice. There is no limit on applications, but Ulster allows a maximum of two attempts at its multiple mini interview, and a further application after two unsuccessful MMIs is unlikely to be considered.
On 16 August 2027 for 2027 entry. Students must attend from the start, and late arrival is approved only in exceptional circumstances.
Last checked: 22 September 2026. Universities update entry requirements during the cycle, so confirm on Ulster's own pages before you apply.
Photo: Magee College at night by Conradder, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped.
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