UCAS
How to Study Medicine Abroad in 2026
Everything you need to know about studying medicine abroad in 2026 for 2027 entry. Which universities to apply to and how to find out more information about them. Written by qualified experts in 2026.
Why study medicine abroad in 2026?
An increasing number of medical students each year are choosing to apply to study outside the UK at medical universities abroad. As the number of applicants to study medicine domestically is growing at a faster rate than the number of places available, it is becoming even more competitive and difficult to attain a spot year after year.
Studying medicine abroad can be a great way of pursuing a career in medicine if you are unsuccessful in your application to study in the UK. Alternatively, you may just want a change in scenery and to live somewhere else as you pursue your education!
Whatever your reasoning for considering an application outside the UK, this guide details some of the key considerations for a selection of the most popular foreign destinations for prospective medical students. Additionally, many UK medical schools have study abroad programs that will give you the opportunity to spend some time in a foreign country even if you don’t end up studying there full-time.
Before you decide, it is worth being clear about what happens afterwards. If you intend to come back and practise in the UK, your overseas qualification must be recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC): the school has to appear in the World Directory of Medical Schools, and as an international medical graduate you will need to pass the UKMLA (the UK Medical Licensing Assessment, which replaced the old PLAB route from 2024) before you can register and start Foundation training.
Studying medicine in Ireland in 2026
Due to its geographical proximity to the UK, studying in Ireland is a popular alternative for students looking to leave the UK.
must submit an application through the Central Applications Office (CAO), Ireland's equivalent of UCAS.
If you are looking to study in Ireland from the USA, then you should apply through the Atlantic Bridge Program, which is a streamlined process.
Ireland is by far the most popular destination for UK students, so it is worth reading our dedicated study medicine in Ireland guide and our Irish medical schools hub for the full breakdown of entry requirements, fees and the HPAT. Students applying from North America should see the Atlantic Bridge programme guide.
Once you register with the CAO and pay an application fee of €25-40 (depending on when you apply), you’ll have to enter your details and mail a copy of your exam results to them.
You can then add your selected courses to your account. The good news is that you can add up to 10 ‘level 8’ courses such as medicine - which means that you can apply to every medical school in the country if you would like to. This includes:
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Cork
- National University of Ireland, Galway
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- University College Dublin
- University of Limerick (Graduate Entry only)
For undergraduate (school-leaver) entry you will also sit the HPAT-Ireland, a 2.5-hour aptitude test run by ACER, usually in late February, covering Logical Reasoning, Interpersonal Understanding and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Your HPAT score is added to your CAO points from your A-levels (or equivalent). Graduate Entry Medicine (for example at the University of Limerick or RCSI) instead requires the GAMSAT or MCAT rather than the HPAT.
Our experts are able to help you with the entire application process - get in touch today to find out more.
👉🏼 Read more: Compared: UK Medical School Fees For International Students
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Studying medicine in Europe in 2026
Applying to study medicine in Europe brings with it some key benefits. Not only do many European medicine universities teach in English, but tuition fees are often comparable with those in the UK and the cost of living can be even lower.
Additionally, there are numerous excellent medical schools, many of which are recognised by the GMC and feature in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
These medical schools can be found in a wide range of countries such as Latvia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and more.
Applying to study is different based on which country you are considering applying in, so you should research them individually before making your decision. As a general rule, however, you’ll find that the A-level (or equivalent) requirements are likely to be lower than in the UK. You may have to sit local entrance exams on top of the UCAT.
If you are considering studying medicine in Europe, then you should contact Medical Doorway, which specialises in helping candidates in your position. Additionally, check out our full guide to studying Medicine in Europe - including a list of the top 10 European medicine universities with some key information about each of them.
For a country-by-country breakdown of fees, English-taught courses and entry tests, read our full guide to studying medicine in Europe. A key point for anyone planning to return home: to register with the GMC and work as a doctor in the UK, your medical school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and your degree must cover at least 5,500 hours over 3 or more years.
Studying medicine in the USA in 2026
The USA is home to more than 150 accredited MD medical schools, so prospective candidates have plenty of options. Note that US medicine is a graduate (postgraduate) degree: before applying you must first complete a bachelor's degree, including the required pre-medical science courses.
This should demonstrate an understanding of Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. Additionally, you must sit the MCAT entrance exam which will test your understanding of science and problem-solving. You can register here between January and June.
You’ll have to apply through AMCAS: The American Medical College Application Service. They will deliver your information and MCAT score to relevant universities. You may also have to submit additional information, such as an essay or reference, and should look at the websites of individual medical schools to ascertain whether this is relevant to you.
Applications tend to open in May and close in June, so make sure not to miss the deadline. There are fees associated with this application, however, the FAP (Fee Assistance Program) can help to cover these.
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Studying medicine in Australia in 2024
Many doctors who train in the UK end up working in Australia due to the lower pressure and higher pay. Some medical students are choosing to study there to get a head start on this process!
Australia is home to over a dozen medical schools, some of which are for undergraduates, some for postgraduates, and some for either. Five of these even rank in the top 50 globally.
Your application should be submitted via Study Options - the official representative of Australian and New Zealand universities in the UK and Ireland.
This process is entirely free, and your application will even be fast-tracked through university assessments! This makes the process of applying to Australia simpler than in some other locations such as the USA.
In order to study in Australia, you will have to sit the UCAT ANZ and submit a medicine personal statement. At TheUKCATPeople, we offer expert tuition in both of these - you can find out more information about the packages that we offer here.
Studying Medicine in Hong Kong in 2026
Hong Kong boasts two medical schools, both of which are frequently ranked amongst the top 50 in the world.
These are the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, and the Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
You can apply to both of these universities through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS). Once you’ve checked the entry requirements on the universities’ websites, you can set up an online application and pay the HK$420 application fee (which cannot be refunded).
The deadline tends to be around December, so keep an eye out for this!
Interviews are then held around May-July. HKU interviews in English and Chinese, whereas CUHK conducts its interviews fully in English.
If you have been offered an interview and would like some help preparing, then you can contact one of our expert tutors for one-to-one interview coaching sessions.
More Information on Studying Medicine Abroad
If you are interested in studying medicine abroad after reading this article, then you should check out the websites linked in each subsection.
Additionally, for more information and advice on applying to study in the UK, check out the rest of our UCAS guide or contact one of our experts for more help.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I study medicine abroad as a UK student?
Yes. UK students can study medicine abroad in Ireland, across Europe, the USA, Australia and Hong Kong, and many courses are taught in English. Each country has its own application route and entrance exam. If you plan to return to practise in the UK, choose a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools so your degree is recognised by the GMC.
Where can UK students study medicine abroad in English?
Ireland teaches medicine in English, as do many universities in Europe (for example in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Latvia and Poland), plus Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Several European schools run dedicated English-taught medicine programmes for international students. Always confirm the language of instruction and GMC recognition before you apply.
Is it cheaper to study medicine abroad than in the UK?
It can be. Tuition fees in parts of Europe are often comparable to or lower than UK international fees, and some countries charge far less than the roughly £30,000 to £67,000 a year UK medical schools charge overseas students. However, you must also budget for living costs, travel and any exams needed to register back home, so compare the total cost, not just tuition.
Will a medical degree from abroad be recognised in the UK?
Only if it meets GMC requirements. Your medical school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, and your degree must include at least 5,500 hours of study over three or more years. To register and work as a doctor in the UK you will then need to pass the UKMLA, the UK Medical Licensing Assessment that replaced the PLAB route from 2024.
How do I study medicine in Ireland from the UK?
Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO), Ireland's version of UCAS, and pay a fee of about €25 to €40. You can list up to ten Level 8 courses, including every Irish medical school. For undergraduate entry you also sit the HPAT-Ireland aptitude test. Graduate entry instead requires the GAMSAT or MCAT.
Which countries can UK students study medicine in abroad?
The most popular destinations for UK students are Ireland, Europe (including Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic and Latvia), the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Ireland is the most common choice because of its proximity, English teaching and shared training structures. Your decision should factor in fees, language, the entrance exam required and whether the degree is GMC-recognised.
What entrance exams do I need to study medicine abroad?
It depends on the country. Ireland uses the HPAT for undergraduate entry and the GAMSAT or MCAT for graduate entry; the USA requires the MCAT; Australia and New Zealand use the UCAT ANZ for undergraduate courses or the GAMSAT for graduate entry; and many European schools set their own science entrance exam. Check each university's requirements directly.
How do I apply to medical school in the USA?
US medicine is a graduate degree, so you first complete a bachelor's degree with the required pre-med science courses (biology, general and organic chemistry). You then sit the MCAT and apply through AMCAS, the American Medical College Application Service. Applications typically open in May and close in June, and the Fee Assistance Program (FAP) can help with costs.
Can I work in the UK after studying medicine abroad?
Yes, provided your degree is recognised. As an international medical graduate you must hold a primary qualification from a school in the World Directory of Medical Schools and pass the UKMLA to gain GMC registration. You can then apply for Foundation training or an equivalent entry-level post. Build in extra time, as registration and securing a UK training post can be competitive.
How do I study medicine in Australia from the UK?
Apply through Study Options, the official UK and Ireland representative for Australian and New Zealand universities, which is free and can fast-track your application. Undergraduate courses require the UCAT ANZ and a personal statement, while graduate courses use the GAMSAT. Australia has over a dozen medical schools, several of which rank in the global top 50.
How do I study medicine in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has two highly ranked medical schools: the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Both are entered through JUPAS, the Joint University Programmes Admissions System. Applications usually close around December, with interviews from May to July. CUHK interviews fully in English, while HKU interviews in both English and Chinese.
Is studying medicine abroad a good idea if I do not get a UK offer?
It can be a strong alternative to reapplying, especially if you are set on starting medicine straight away. Just go in with your eyes open: research the entrance exam, fees, language of teaching and, crucially, GMC recognition if you intend to return. Many UK students study in Ireland or Europe and return to practise after passing the UKMLA.
Do European medical schools count for the GMC?
Many do, but it is not automatic. Since Brexit, EU qualifications are no longer recognised by default, so confirm the school is in the World Directory of Medical Schools and that your degree meets the GMC's 5,500-hour, three-year minimum. You will still need to pass the UKMLA to register. Always verify recognition before accepting a place.
How many medical schools are there in Ireland?
There are five undergraduate medical schools (Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Galway, RCSI and University College Dublin), plus the University of Limerick for graduate entry, giving six in total. Through the CAO you can apply to all of them on a single application, listed among your Level 8 course choices.
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