Pupils → Alternative routes
FOR PUPILS
Alternative routes into medicine
Gateway years, graduate entry, ScotGEM, access courses and more – the other ways to become a doctor.
MORE FOR PUPILS
Alternative routes
ON THIS PAGE
Your options
If you're from Scotland and study in Scotland, SAAS pays your tuition fees. The bigger costs are living costs – rent, food and travel – over 5 or 6 years.
Gateway to Medicine
A foundation year for widening access pupils
ScotGEM
4-year graduate course with a rural/GP focus
Graduate entry
If you already have a degree
SWAP
College access course for adults
None of these routes guarantees a place - but each can get you there.
HCP-Med
For qualified healthcare professionals
Gateway to medicine
Gateway (pre-medical) years are foundation courses for pupils who meet strict widening access criteria but haven't met the standard entry requirements. You get the qualifications you need, then apply to medicine.
Key facts
It doesn't guarantee a place – you still apply to medicine after the gateway year
Only if you've never been at university before
You don't need the UCAT to apply for the gateway year (you will for medicine)
The deadline is usually January, not October
You may be interviewed for the gateway year and again for medicine
Offered by:
Aberdeen
Dundee
Glasgow
St Andrews
Edinburgh doesn't offer a gateway year. Staying on for S6 is still strongly advised.
Graduate Entry
Every Scottish medical school accepts graduates into the standard course. You'll need at least a 2:1 Honours degree. You can't skip to second year, and a Masters or PhD can't make up for a lower degree class. Most schools want you to apply within 3 years of graduating (Glasgow allows 7).
Aberdeen
Also need
B in Higher Chemistry (or equivalent in your degree)
Dundee
Degree
A relevant life science subject
Edinburgh
Degree
Medicine-related subjects preferred; non-science degrees accepted with B in Higher Chemistry
Widening access
Not considered for graduates, unless you're care-experienced or a refugee or asylum seeker
Glasgow
Degree
Non-science degrees accepted with A in Higher Biology and B in Chemistry
Time since degree
Up to 7 years; with a 7+ year gap, a relevant Masters or PhD may make up for missing Highers
St Andrews
Degree
Science or equivalent
Also need
B in Higher or Advanced Higher Chemistry; B in National 5 Biology, Maths and English
ScotGEM
ScotGEM (Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine) is a 4-year course for graduates, run by St Andrews and Dundee and funded by the Scottish Government. It focuses on remote and rural general practice – but you can go into any specialty afterwards.
Length
4 years
Where
St Andrews and Dundee
Test
GAMSAT
Degree
2:1, any subject
Entry Requirements
2:1 Honours degree in any subject
B in Higher Chemistry (other qualifications may be accepted – check the website)
B in National 5 Maths or equivalent
GAMSAT – plus the UCAT if you're also applying to standard medicine
How to apply
Apply through UCAS, then complete an online questionnaire, usually due in early November.
SWAP access courses
SWAP (Scottish Wider Access Programme) access courses are 1-year college courses for adults returning to education. They prepare you to apply for medicine – but don't guarantee a place. Tuition is usually covered, and colleges offer bursaries.
Who can apply
You've been out of full-time education for at least 3 years (5 if you studied to Higher level)
You have recent healthcare work experience
You don't already have a degree (if you started one but didn't finish, it's case by case)
Care-experienced young people (16–18) with badly disrupted schooling, and refugees or asylum seekers, may also be considered
College
Out of education
Sciences needed
Dundee and Angus College
3 years (5 if you studied Highers)
Biology, Chemistry and Maths at National 5 (B)
Edinburgh College
3 years
Biology, Chemistry and Maths at National 5
Glasgow Kelvin College
5 years
Biology, Chemistry and Maths, ideally at Higher
Glasgow Clyde College
3 years
Maths at National 5, plus recent Biology/Chemistry
West College (pilot)
3 years
None – a 2-year course if you don't have National 5s
All colleges also ask for recent healthcare work experience.
HCP-Med (Edinburgh)
HCP-Med is a 5-year course at Edinburgh for experienced healthcare professionals. Years 1–3 are part-time and online, so you can keep working; in years 4–5 you join the standard course for clinical placements.
Entry requirements
A 2:2 Honours or 3-year degree in science or healthcare – or a 2:1 in another subject plus C in Higher Chemistry
At least 2 years' experience as a qualified healthcare professional, clinical scientist or vet
Registration with a recognised professional body
Recognised bodies
-
Association of Physician Assistants (Anaesthesia)
-
Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine
-
General Dental Council
-
General Medical Council (physician associates)
-
General Pharmaceutical Council
-
General Optical Council
-
Health and Care Professions Council
-
Nursing and Midwifery Council
-
Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists
-
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Top tip: talk to admissions
Every route has its own rules and deadlines. If you're unsure whether you're eligible, email the university or college admissions team – they're happy to help.