UCAS Medicine Statistics 2026: Applicants, Places and Competition Trends

UCAS Medicine Statistics 2026 reveal a major rise in applications for UK medical schools, with 25,770 students applying by the October 2025 deadline - a 10.4% increase from last year.

In this article, we break down the UCAS Medicine Statistics for 2026 entry, comparing UK and international applicants, analysing year-on-year trends from 2017–2026, and explaining how the Office for Students (OfS) limits medical school places across England. You’ll also learn what these numbers mean for competition, interviews, and your 2027 application strategy.

UCAS Medicine Statistics 2026 – Key Numbers at a Glance

• How many applied for Medicine in 2025: 25,770 applicants at the October deadline

• Change since last year: +10.4% from 23,350

• UK medicine applicants by age 2026:

  • 18-year-olds: 12,600

  • 19-20-year-olds: 3,150

  • 21 and over: 4,920

• International medicine applicants UK 2026: 

  • 5,040 in total

  • Non-EU: 4,120

  • EU: 920

• How many medical school places UK for 2026 entry (England, OfS maximums):

  • Expected maximum medical intake 8,126

  • Anticipated home places 7,670

  • Anticipated overseas places 456

UCAS Medicine Applicants and Intake 2018–2026: Year-on-Year Change and OfS Place Limits

Entry Year	Applicants	YoY change	Total Intake	Home	Overseas	Notes / context
2026	25,770	+10.4%	≈ 8,126
2025	23,350	−3.3%	8,126	7,670	456	+350 new home places under NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
2024	24,150	−7.4%	7,830	7,320	510	+205 new home places (Brunel, UCLan, Chester, Edge Hill, Worcester).
2023	26,820	−9.7%	7,571	7,115	456	Stable year; no expansion.
2022	29,710	+3.6%	7,571	7,115	456	Identical to 2023-24 targets.
2021	28,690	+21%	8,313	7,857	456	Exceptional increase due to A-level grade inflation and government flexibility.
2020	23,710	+6.1%	Target removed	—	—	Intake caps suspended after 2020 results policy.
2019	22,340	+7.8%	7,391	6,935	456	Moderate expansion pre-pandemic.
2018	20,730	+7.9%	6,701	6,245	456	Baseline before expansion began.

Key takeaway: the decrease in applications seen since 2022 has reversed. Interest in Medicine rose by more than 10 % this year, while available places have increased only marginally.

How many applied for Medicine in the UK in 2026?

A total of 25,770 people applied to study Medicine by the 15 October 2025 deadline. This marks the first significant rebound since 2022 and remains far above pre-pandemic levels (22,340 in 2019).

Long-Term Trend in UCAS Medicine Applications (2017–2026)

Applications rose steadily from 2017 to 2021 during the pandemic boom, reaching an all-time high of 29,710 in 2022, before dropping for two years and now rising again.

The table below summarises the full decade-long pattern:

Entry Year	Applicants (UCAS) - TheUKCATPeople
2017	19,210
2018	20,730
2019	22,340
2020	23,710
2021	28,690
2022	29,710
2023	26,820
2024	24,150
2025	23,350
2026	25,770

Our Interpretation: The post-pandemic correction seems complete. Medicine has stabilised near 25-27 thousand applicants per cycle, roughly 30 % higher than before COVID-19.

Is Medicine getting more or less competitive?

Despite fewer total applicants than in 2022, the number of places remains capped. Competition is therefore unchanged or slightly higher at many UK medical schools.

How Many UK Medical School Places Are Available in 2026?

The Office for Students (OfS) sets annual maximum fundable intakes for English medical schools. The table below shows how these have evolved.

Key points

• The current maximum of 8,126 places is the highest sustainable level since caps were re-introduced after 2020.

• Almost all growth has been in home places, reflecting the government’s workforce strategy. Though there are some rumours of medical school’s increasing some of the international places in 2026 entry such as Imperial and King’s College London

• Overseas intake remains around 450 places nationwide, so international competition is intense.

UCAS Medicine Applicants by Age Group 2026 (UK)

UK 18-year-olds

12,600 applied. This is the largest group. If you are in Year 13, focus on a realistic school list and targeted UCAT preparation. Our live one-day UCAT course gives you a structured plan and timing practice that mirrors the test.

UK 19-20-year-olds

3,150 applied. Many are gap-year applicants or reapplicants. Use your extra time to raise UCAT section scores and build experiences that interviewers value. See our data-driven UCAT Cut-Off Guide to align your shortlist.

UK 21 and over

4,920 applied. Mature applicants continue to be a strong part of the cohort. Emphasise relevant work or caring experience and a clear understanding of the role. If you want tailored practice, book interview tutoring, 20-hour or 30-hour packages.

Table: Medicine Applications by Age Group (UK, 2026)

Age Group	Applicants	Share of Total
18 years	12,600	≈ 49 %
19-20 years	3,150	≈ 12 %
21 and over	4,920	≈ 19 %
International (all ages)	5,040	≈ 20 %

The steady representation of mature and re-applicant students suggests Medicine remains accessible beyond school leavers, though younger entrants still form about half of the cohort.

International UCAS Medicine Applications 2026 (EU & Non-EU)

• Total international applicants: 5,040

• 4,120 Non-EU

• 920 EU

Despite tuition fee increases, demand from outside the UK has risen again after a brief post-Brexit dip.

For Medicine applications the UK from International students there were 5,040 international applicants in total. Within this, 4,120 were Non-EU and 920 were EU.

What this means: international places are limited at most schools and selection can look different to home selection. Prioritise universities with a consistent record of interviewing and enrolling international students, and prepare early for online interview formats.

Trend Analysis: What UCAS Medicine Application Data Means for 2026 Entry

1. Applications rebounding - a 10 % rise signals renewed confidence and interest in medical careers.

2. Places still capped - intake has barely grown since 2021 outside of minor home expansions.

3. Competition unchanged - even with fewer than 2022’s record numbers, entry difficulty remains high.

4. International demand resilient - showing the UK retains strong global appeal for medical education.

Next steps for 2027 entry applicants

If you plan to apply or reapply this year:

• Use data to shortlist strategically: check each school’s latest UCAT cut-offs via our UCAT Cut-Off Guide.

• Prepare for the UCAT early: join our Ultimate UCAT Course for live doctor-led training covering timing and strategy.

• Get interview-ready: book Interview Tutoring Packages or the full Ultimate Medicine Package for mock MMIs and panel practice.

FAQs

How many people applied for Medicine in the UK for 2026 entry?

According to UCAS, 25,770 students applied to study Medicine for 2026 entry by the 15 October 2025 deadline. This represents a 10.4% increase compared with 2025. Application numbers are still well above pre-pandemic levels and show renewed interest in Medicine across the UK.

Is Medicine more competitive in 2026?

Yes - Medicine remains one of the most competitive UK university courses. Although applications have risen by 10%, the number of funded medical school places has stayed almost the same (around 8,100 in England). This means competition for interviews and offers is expected to be just as tough as 2025. Most medical schools still interview only two to three applicants per place.

How many medical school places are there in the UK for 2026?

In England, the Office for Students (OfS) has set a maximum of 8,126 Medicine places for 2025-26. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland together add several hundred more. Most recent growth in places has been reserved for home students under the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, not for international applicants.

How many international Medicine places are available in the UK?

There are around 450-500 international Medicine places in England, according to OfS limits. Each university sets its own quota. Some London universities such as King’s College London and Imperial College London are expected to slightly expand international capacity for 2026 entry.

Why did Medicine application numbers fall after 2022?

The sharp rise in 2021-22 was caused by the pandemic, increased interest in healthcare, and grade inflation. After these exceptional years, the number of applicants fell as deferred students entered their courses and A-level results normalised. UCAS data for 2026 now shows a stable recovery in applications.

Will medical school places increase for 2027 entry?

Currently, there are no confirmed increases for 2027. Any expansion would depend on the government’s NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and future OfS funding decisions. Applicants should assume intake caps will remain close to 8,000-8,200 places across England.

When is the UCAS Medicine deadline for 2026 entry?

The UCAS Medicine application deadline is 15 October 2025 at 18:00 (UK time). Late applications are not accepted for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine. Early submission is advised to avoid technical issues.

How many interviews do medical schools give?

Most UK medical schools interview around two to three applicants per place, though this varies by university. Highly selective universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial may interview a smaller proportion, whereas some medical schools like Liverpool tend to interview a higher percentage of applicants.

About the Author

Dr Akash Gandhi MBBS MA (Cantab) DGM DRCOG MBA MRCGP is a qualified GP and Co-Founder of The UKCAT People, one of the UK’s leading platforms for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine preparation. With over a decade of experience guiding students through UCAT, personal statements, and interviews, he combines clinical insight with educational expertise to help applicants succeed. His practical guidance has been trusted by thousands of students over the last thirteen years.