Your one-stop shop for all things application related!
You Can Be A Doctor:
Application Guide
Your school subjects are crucial for your application
Entry requirements vary between medical schools and are often updated/altered year on year. It is therefore important that you do your own due diligence and check websites and prospectives carefully. If you are confused or unsure, you can reach out to admissions staff and seek clarification (they usually have an email address listed).
You will find that some universities have more challenging grade requirements than others. As you are only permitted to put 4 medical schools on your UCAS application, it is recommended that you apply tactfully. For example, Edinburgh’s entry requirements are strict, with standard applicants needing AAAAA, 3 of which must be in science subjects. Edinburgh also have a UCAT cut-off score. Dundee instead require AAABB, only 2 science subjects, and are currently the only medical school who do not require Chemistry at Higher level. Dundee have no minimum UCAT cut-off score.
Some medical schools also take National 5 grades into account. It is rare that medical schools will accept grades achieved across multiple sittings (for example, if you achieve a C grade in Higher Chemistry in S5 and resit to obtain an A grade in S6, or if you sit a required Higher subject in S5 and then another in S6, unless your school do not offer required subject combinations in S5). This depends on your circumstances and is decided on a case by case basis. Continuing study in S6 is strongly advised as some medical schools require Advanced Higher grades.
All Scottish medical schools offer adjusted entry requirements for applicants who fulfill specific widening access criteria. These can also be termed contextual admissions. They are not the same as “Gateway” courses - these have a different set of entry requirements. Some applicants may additionally be entitled to UCAT score uplifts. Please do check to see if you are eligible!
National 5s
The subjects you take for National 5s influence which ones you'll be able to do for highers and advanced highers. It might be that some subjects are mandatory but take a look at the entry requirements below to see what subject you need to take. Glasgow, for example, requires at least Nat 5 English.
Your choice of other subjects should be things you enjoy and think you can do well at - as some universities might look at National 5s scores as part of your application
Top Tip: Choosing National 5s
-
Pick subjects you enjoy and are good at
-
Be aware that to do subjects at Highers level, they need to have been taken at National 5s
-
Take a look at the entry requirements below to see what else you might need to take!
Highers / Advanced Highers
Whilst some universities look at National 5s, Highers are always reviewed! Even if you score well in the UCAT, smash the SJT, and perform at interview, universities still require certain subjects and minimum grades to be achieved in highers before you'll get a place (usually AAAAB or above). The standards may seem high but remember that widening access students may have slightly lower grade requirements!
Each university has specific subject and grade requirements and these may change from time to time. We will try to keep things as up to date as possible for you! If you're looking to apply outwith Scotland check out the Medical School's Council entry requirement tool.