Medicine MBBS

GCSEs

Minimum grade 6 in Maths, English Language, Biology, and Chemistry or Dual Science 

A Levels

Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a minimum of grades AAA at A-level, to include:

• Chemistry or Biology at grade A;
• a second science grade A (to include one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Maths);
• a third subject at grade A.  Although candidates may study a science as a third subject, we actively welcome applicants who study subjects outside of the sciences listed above, as we recognise the value of other disciplines in the understanding and practice of medicine.
• Human Biology, Sports Science, Further Mathematics and Statistics are only accepted as a 4th A level noting that 4th A levels do not form part of our scoring system. We welcome general studies and critical thinking as a fourth A2, but they do not typically form part of our offer.  EPQs are not considered within our scoring.

Or International Baccalaureate

Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a total score of 36 points with a grade of 6 in three Higher Level subjects, two of which must be Chemistry or Biology and another science (to include one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Maths). If English and Maths are not offered at GCSE, an equivalent must be offered with a mark of at least 5 at Standard level.  

Or International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications from countries around the world.

Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a pattern of grades equivalent to AAA  at A level, to include:

• Chemistry or Biology at the highest level studied and
• a second science (to include one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Maths).

Find out more about our international entry requirements.

Graduates

Minimum 2:1 honours degree in any discipline awarded within the last three years plus three A Levels at grades ABB, to include Chemistry or Biology or another science (to include one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Maths). One of these must be at grade A or an equivalent international qualification.  The minimum GCSE or level 2 qualifications requirements must also be met. 

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

All applicants must take the UCAT, which assesses various skills relevant to medical education. The admissions team implements a gathered field approach to evaluate applications against peers, ensuring the best candidates are selected.

Applicants who have not taken UCAT:

If the UCAT is not supported in your country and you do not have access to a test centre, please contact our Admissions Team.

For those candidates where UCAT is supported in your country, but you have not taken it, your application may be considered if you satisfy the other conditions for entry. However, as places are limited, your invitation to interview will be delayed, or you may not receive an invitation.

English Language Requirements

IELTS with at least 7.0 overall and in each component (or equivalent). 

General requirements

• Candidates must be at least 18 years old by January 1 of the academic enrolment year. For example, an applicant wishing to study in 2026/27 must be 18 years old by 1 January 2027.
• Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to declare their needs, allowing the admissions team to make reasonable adjustments during the interview process.
• An Enhanced DBS check is mandatory for clinical placements, and any criminal convictions may affect admission eligibility. For international students, an in-country police check is also required. (Please see below for details.)
• Applicants must meet both general university entry requirements and specific programme requirements. Evidence of study within the last five years and an academic reference are mandatory.
• We will also require a satisfactory occupational health clearance.

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health

This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, including children. In order to ensure that the University offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates, you must have Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance (formerly termed CRB). We will arrange this for you.

For international students, an in-country police check is also required. 

We will be able to guide you through this process once you have been offered a conditional place of study at SMU.

It is important to note that should your Enhanced DBS check prove to be unsatisfactory for the purpose of the course you have applied to, your offer of a place for that course may be withdrawn.

If you have already enrolled on a course and your DBS check subsequently discloses a criminal conviction, you may be required to withdraw from the course even if you have already started.

If you are aware that your DBS check will disclose a previous conviction, please contact the course leader for advice as not all convictions may preclude you from continuing with the course.

We will also require a satisfactory occupational health clearance.

Resits and reapplications

Applicants re-sitting exams will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Applications will not normally be considered from those undertaking a third attempt at an academic entry qualification. 

The School of Medicine welcomes applications from those who have previously applied to St Mary’s, but we do not accept reapplications within the same application cycle.

Foundation Programmes

St Mary’s may accept completion of selected International Foundation programmes for international applicants whose home countries’ pre-tertiary qualifications do not meet the requirements for direct entry onto a degree course. Contact the Admissions Team for further information.

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

Further Information

For more information about entry requirements please get in touch.