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UK Medical School GCSE & A Level Entry Requirements 2026
Given how competitive medicine in the UK is, it is important to know what each medical school’s entry requirements are.
The most important thing to remember about medicine entry requirements is that they are different at each university, so you should check their individual websites to see what grades, subjects and entrance exams they require.
Generally, entry requirements for medicine consist of specific grades in specific subjects, the right GCSE profile and sitting the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test). The BMAT was discontinued after the 2023 cycle, so the UCAT is now the single admissions test used by UK medical schools. Since 2024 the UCAT no longer includes Abstract Reasoning: it now has four parts (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and the Situational Judgement Test) and the three cognitive subtests are scored out of a combined total of 2700.
This guide outlines the general requirements to study for a medicine degree in the UK: GCSE subjects and grades, A level subjects and grades, the IB, the UCAT and what to do if you do not meet the standard requirements.
What GCSEs do I need to study medicine?
Every medical school has slightly different requirements, so you should check each of their websites when trying to decide which may suit your subject combinations best.
However, generally, they will ask for a 6 or above in GCSE Maths, English Language and Science. You should be taking Maths and English Language at GCSE, but there are no requirements for English Literature at any UK medical schools.
If you do not take specific Sciences at GCSE, then most universities will allow you to make up for it by taking them at A-level or taking Dual Award Science/Double Science instead. In particular, most medical schools require Chemistry or Biology to be taken with fewer requiring Physics as well.
If you are reading this in Year 10 or 11, your GCSE grades are the one part of the application still in your hands. We run 1-1 GCSE Maths tutoring, GCSE Biology tutoring and GCSE Chemistry tutoring, taught online by medics and dentists who scored A*/9 themselves and built for future medicine applicants.
What A-levels do I need to study medicine?
Medicine degree A-level requirements vary between different universities, so there are plenty of good A-level combinations for medical school.
However, some A-levels are needed for medicine at more universities than others so we do have recommendations for the best A-levels for medicine.
Most medical schools look for candidates who have A-levels in both Biology and Chemistry, so it’s a great idea to take these to maximise your options in the future.
Chemistry is the single most commonly required subject (essential at the majority of schools), with Biology a close second. For a full school-by-school breakdown, see our guide to the best A levels to study medicine.
Your third A-level can be any number of subjects - some universities, such as Cambridge University Medical School, mention that most candidates take either Physics or A-Level Maths.
Others, such as Brighton & Sussex Medical School, welcome applicants who study the third subject outside of A-Level Maths and Science.
Ultimately, most universities won’t mind what your third subject is as long as you avoid two types of subjects:
- Avoid subjects that aren’t considered: Some medical schools won’t consider subjects such as General Studies, Critical Thinking or Citizenship Studies. You should check their individual websites to see what subjects are and aren’t considered by particular universities.
- Avoid duplicate subjects: Many medical schools won’t consider two similar subjects if you take them both - for instance, Biology and Human Biology or Maths and Further Maths.
These medical schools require A-levels in Chemistry and Biology:
- Aston
- Birmingham
- Brighton & Sussex
- Cardiff
- Edge Hill
- Exeter
- Hull York
- Imperial
- King’s College London
- Lincoln
- Nottingham
- St George’s
- UCL
These medical schools ask for Chemistry A-Level, as well as at least one of Biology, Physics or A-Level Maths:
- Aberdeen Medical School
- Bristol Medical School
- Cambridge University - they recommend that your third A-Level should also be Biology, Physics or Maths
- Dundee Medical School
- Edinburgh Medical School
- Glasgow Medical School
- Liverpool Medical School
- Oxford Medical School
- Queen’s Belfast - they want you to have Chemistry but will consider various combinations of other subjects depending on what your grades are (find out more here)
- St Andrews
- UCLan - they only consider UK applicants from the North West of England
These medical schools require Chemistry OR Biology A-Level, so are great options if you don’t study Chemistry - you can do Medicine without Chemistry A-level:
- Buckingham
- Kent Medway - Candidates without both Chemistry and Biology for A-Level are strongly encouraged to take Physics, Maths, Psychology or Computer Science
- Lancaster - You need two of Chemistry, Biology or Psychology
- Leeds - Candidates without A-Level Chemistry should study Physics and/or Maths instead
- Newcastle - General Studies, Use of Mathematics, World Development, Communication and Culture or Critical Thinking aren’t considered but their website doesn’t mention other requirements
- Norwich (UEA)
These medical schools require Chemistry OR Biology A-Level, as well as Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths:
- Anglia Ruskin
- Barts
- Brunel (currently open to international applicants only)
- Keele
- Leicester
- Manchester
- Sheffield
- Sunderland
Italicised medical schools also will accept Psychology as a second science subject. Keele considers Economics to be a second science subject.
These medical schools require Biology:
- Plymouth - Biology is required, plus at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
- Southampton - Biology is required, plus at least one of Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Studies or Geography
Following this guide is the best way to ensure that you’re meeting the UK medicine degree entry requirements for each university.
What GCSE grades do I need to study medicine?
Medical Schools with low GCSE requirements for medicine
Minimum entry requirements vary between medical schools. Most medical schools will require you to achieve 6 or above in Maths, English Language and Science subjects at GCSE.
However, most successful applicants have 7-9 grades in these subjects so you should be aiming for this level.
If you’re weaker in some than others, however, don’t worry! All medical schools have different requirements.
If English GCSE isn’t your strong suit, then consider the following universities:
- Bristol only requires a grade 4 in English
- Leicester will accept requires a grade 4 in English
- Exeter asks for a minimum of grade 4 in English
- St Andrews takes in candidates with a grade 5 in English
If your Maths GCSE grade is weaker, then you should look into the following options
If your GCSE profile is on the lower side overall, it is worth knowing which schools place less weight on GCSEs. Our UK medical schools ranking hub lets you compare entry profiles, and you can model your chances against UCAT cut-offs using the UCAT cut-off scores guide.
- Leeds only requires a grade 4 in Maths
- Queen’s Belfast will accept requires a grade 4 in Maths
- St Andrews takes in candidates with a grade 5 in Maths
Science requirements tend to be less specific, as many universities consider these more at A-level than at GCSE.
However, medical schools that specify grades tend to accept candidates with 6 or above.
In Biology and Chemistry - Lincoln and Nottingham ask for a grade 7 or above, Leeds asks for a grade 4 or above, and St Andrews asks for a grade 5 or above in just Biology.
In Physics - Keele, Kent Medway, Lancaster, Liverpool and Sunderland require a grade 6 or above, and Queen’s Belfast asks for a grade 4 or higher.
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What A Level grades do I need for medicine?
At A-level, UK medical school requirements tend to be more consistent than at GCSE. The standard requirements are AAA in three subjects, including any necessary subjects as outlined above. There are however some universities which now require A*AA - including Cambridge, Oxford, Keele, Imperial, UCL, Queen's Belfast.
If you are taking more than 3 subjects, then your highest grades including any necessary subjects will usually be considered.
What age do I need to be to attend medical school?
There is no national minimum age for medical school in the UK. Each university sets its own rule, so the answer depends on where you apply. Most students start at 18, and a smaller group start at 17.
The reason is clinical placement. Medical students meet real patients from first year, and NHS trusts apply extra safeguarding rules to anyone under 18, so schools tie their age policy to the point where placements begin.
Must be 18: 25 of the 50 UK medical schools require it, including Leicester and Oxford. The cut-off date varies: some want you to be 18 by the start of term, others allow a birthday later in your first year. If you turn 18 that autumn, check the exact date rather than assuming.
Will take 17-year-olds: 13 schools accept you at 17 at the start of the course, and five more publish no minimum age at all. Several of those sit in Scotland, where school leavers often finish at 17.
Check which group each of your four choices falls into before you lock in your UCAS list. Our guide to the minimum age requirements for medical school in the UK gives every school’s policy and cut-off date in one table.
Age policies do change between admissions cycles, so confirm on the university’s own admissions page before you apply.
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What entrance test should I take for medical school?
Every UK medical school now requires you to sit the UCAT. There is no longer a choice of admissions test: the BMAT was discontinued after the 2023 cycle, so the UCAT is the only entrance exam used for UK medicine. You should still check each university's website, because schools use UCAT scores very differently (some have a hard cut-off, others score it within a wider points system).
The UCAT requires no prior knowledge beyond basic maths skills and is an extremely time-pressured, multiple-choice exam. Since 2024 it has four parts: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning (each scored 300-900 for a combined total out of 2700), plus the Situational Judgement Test, which is reported in Bands 1-4 rather than added to your numerical score. Abstract Reasoning was removed in 2025. The exam is sat between July and September in the year before entry, so build your preparation around your chosen test date.
To plan your revision and understand each section, work through our UCAT guides hub, and practise under timed conditions on the UCAT online question bank.
What if don’t meet the entry requirements for medical school?
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for medicine, then don’t worry! First, consider if you can make these up in your remaining time at school or further education. Even if this isn’t possible, then there are plenty of different pathways into medicine.
Consider the following:
- Doing a Foundation Medicine Course first: Foundation Medicine Courses are generally only available to widening participation and international students and provide a 1-year foundation program designed to impart students with the background scientific knowledge that they may not have received at high school before they begin their medical education. This can be a great option if you’re eligible for it but don’t have the grades to get into medicine right away.
- Starting another degree and applying to transfer to medicine: This approach can be very risky, as the opportunities to transfer into medicine tend to be extremely rare. However, it is something worth considering as some students do it every year - especially if you choose the next option.
- Completing another degree and applying for Graduate Entry Medicine: Every year, medical schools hold open spaces specifically for graduate entrants into medicine. By completing another degree first, you can reapply later with a stronger profile to present to medical schools.
- Studying abroad: If you don’t want to apply to medical school in the UK, then consider doing so abroad! Check out our guide on how to apply to medical schools in various countries around the globe.
For more advice on getting into medical school, and expert tutoring at all stages of the application process, get in touch with our tutoring team!
They have experience working with tutees from across the globe at all stages of the application process and will be thrilled to speak to you about your specific needs.
What IB Grades do I need to study medicine?
UK medical schools accept the IB Diploma on equal terms with A-levels, but requirements vary significantly across institutions. The majority of schools require a minimum of 36 IB points with Chemistry and Biology at Higher Level, though the range extends from 34 points at Hull York, Nottingham, and UEA at the lower end, to 41 to 42 points in practice at Cambridge. Crucially, medical schools treat the total points requirement and individual Higher Level grades as two separate, simultaneous conditions - reaching the overall points total with an insufficient grade in HL Chemistry or Biology is not enough, and this is the most common mistake IB applicants make.
Choosing your subjects carefully is equally important. Chemistry and Biology at Higher Level is more or less a non-negotiable baseline for the vast majority of UK medical schools, including every Russell Group institution. Your third Higher Level subject gives you flexibility, with Maths, Physics, and Psychology all being strong options. International IB students apply through the same UCAS process as home applicants but should be aware that international places are capped at most schools and competition is proportionally higher. Our full guide covers every medical school's IB requirements in detail, including subject-specific conditions, resit policies, and what to do if your predicted grades fall short.
Read more: Full IB Grade Guide For Medical Schools
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Frequently asked questions
What are the lowest entry requirements for medicine in the UK?
A handful of schools accept AAB rather than AAA, including Brunel, Buckingham and Kent and Medway, and Lincoln drops to AAB for firm-choice applicants. Plymouth and St Andrews also have comparatively flexible GCSE demands. No UK medical school is genuinely easy to enter, but if your grades are borderline, targeting these schools and using contextual or gateway routes improves your odds. Always confirm current requirements on each university's website.
What GCSEs do I need to study medicine?
Most UK medical schools want a grade 6 or above in GCSE Maths, English Language and Science. You should take Maths and English Language at GCSE, but English Literature is not usually required. If you do not take separate Sciences, most schools accept Double or Dual Award Science, or let you cover the subject at A level instead. Requirements vary, so check each school individually.
What GCSE grades do I need for medicine?
The minimum is usually a grade 6 in Maths, English Language and Science, but most successful applicants hold 7-9 grades, so aim high. Some schools are more flexible on individual subjects: Bristol, Leicester and Exeter accept a grade 4 in English, while Leeds and Queen's Belfast accept a grade 4 in Maths. A few schools, such as Lincoln and Nottingham, ask for a 7 in Biology and Chemistry.
What A levels do I need to study medicine?
Almost every UK medical school requires Chemistry, and most also require or strongly prefer Biology. Chemistry plus Biology keeps the maximum number of schools open. Your third subject can usually be anything academic, though avoid non-counted subjects like General Studies or Critical Thinking, and avoid pairing two very similar subjects such as Biology and Human Biology. A small number of schools accept medicine without Chemistry if you take Biology plus Physics or Maths.
What A level grades do I need for medicine?
The standard offer is AAA in three A levels, including the required subjects. Several competitive schools now ask for A*AA, including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL and Keele. A few schools accept AAB, such as Brunel, Buckingham and Kent and Medway. If you sit more than three A levels, your top grades (including any required subjects) are usually what counts. Always check the exact offer on the university's page.
Can I study medicine without Chemistry A level?
Yes, but your choice of schools narrows. Schools that accept Chemistry or Biology (rather than requiring Chemistry specifically) include Buckingham, Kent and Medway, Lancaster, Leeds and Norwich (UEA). Typically you must take Biology plus another science or Maths instead. Because Chemistry is essential at most schools, dropping it limits where you can apply, so plan your four UCAS choices carefully around the schools that accept your combination.
Can I study medicine without Biology A level?
Yes. Many schools require Chemistry plus at least one of Biology, Physics or Maths, so Chemistry with Physics or Maths is accepted in plenty of places, including Aberdeen, Bristol, Cambridge, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Oxford and St Andrews. Chemistry is far harder to drop than Biology, so if you must choose, keeping Chemistry usually keeps more schools open to you.
What entrance exam do I need for UK medicine?
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test). Since the BMAT was discontinued after the 2023 cycle, the UCAT is the only admissions test used by UK medical schools. It has four parts: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning (scored out of a combined 2700), plus the Situational Judgement Test reported in Bands 1-4. You sit it between July and September in the year you apply.
Is the UCAT scored out of 2700 or 3600?
Out of 2700. Abstract Reasoning was removed for the 2025 test, leaving three cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning), each scored from 300 to 900, for a maximum combined score of 2700. The older 3600 maximum applied when there were four cognitive subtests. The Situational Judgement Test is still reported separately as a Band from 1 to 4.
What IB grades do I need to study medicine?
Most UK medical schools ask for a minimum of 36 IB points, with Chemistry and usually Biology at Higher Level. Competitive schools may want 38 or higher with specific Higher Level grades (often 6s or 7s). Chemistry and Biology at Higher Level is effectively non-negotiable for the majority of Russell Group medical schools. Points and subject demands vary widely, so check each school and see our full IB requirements guide.
What GCSE grades do you need for medicine at Oxford?
Oxford does not set a fixed GCSE threshold, but GCSEs are used as a measure when shortlisting, so a strong profile of 7-9 grades is expected to be competitive. At A level Oxford requires A*AA, including Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics or Maths, plus the UCAT. As with all schools, confirm the current requirements directly on Oxford's admissions pages.
What grades do you need to study medicine in the UK?
Typically AAA at A level (A*AA at the most competitive schools), including Chemistry and usually Biology, together with a strong GCSE profile (most applicants have 7-9s in Maths, English and Science) and a competitive UCAT score. The exact mix of grades, subjects and how the UCAT is used differs at every medical school, so always check each university's own entry requirements before applying.
How old do I need to be to start medical school?
Almost all UK medical schools require you to be 18 by the start of, or shortly after, the course begins, and each sets its own cut-off date. A few schools, such as Leicester and Oxford, are strict on this. Scottish applicants who finish school a year earlier should check carefully, as some schools will not admit students under 18. Confirm the exact policy on each university's website.
What can I do if I don't meet the entry requirements for medicine?
Several routes remain open. You can resit or improve grades, take a foundation (gateway) year (often aimed at widening-participation or international students), apply for Graduate Entry Medicine after another degree, or consider studying medicine abroad. Choosing schools that weight GCSEs or the UCAT less heavily can also help. Plan strategically rather than applying to four very competitive schools with borderline grades.
Do all UK medical schools have the same entry requirements?
No. Requirements differ at every medical school across GCSE grades and subjects, A level grades and subjects, how the UCAT is used, age policies and acceptance of resits or the IB. Some schools require Chemistry and Biology, others accept Chemistry with Physics or Maths, and grade offers range from AAB to A*AA. This is why you should always check each university's own admissions page before finalising your four UCAS choices.
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