All applications for medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses have an early UCAS deadline of 15th October. This means that students applying for these courses need to do a lot of preparatory work throughout Year 12.

 

Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary Sciences Admissions Tests

The main entrance exam for UK medical schools is the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). It is a computer-based test used by a consortium of UK universities to select applicants to their medical and dental degree programmes. 

The BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test) was previously used by some universities, but has been replaced by the UCAT.

 

---

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

UCAT (formerly UKCAT) is an admissions test used by medical schools to assess students’ suitability to study medicine. Its full name is the University Clinical Aptitude Test. It is also used by dental schools for Dentistry programmes. Information about the testing schedule, testing format, sample papers, registration and booking, the bursary scheme and practice tests can be found on UCAT’s website: 

 

 

---

Medicine Work Experience

There is an expectation that students will have completed relevant work experience for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science/medicine course applications. It is important that students take responsibility for arranging relevant work experience and make contact with organisations to secure such opportunities.

If you are planning to apply for medical courses, there are also a number of virtual resources that will help you to gain some virtual work experience. You should also explore different volunteering opportunities, including online volunteering.

 

---

Medical Schools Council

The Medical Schools Council issued a Work Experience in Covid-19 guidance document which gave advice around sourcing a range of work experience opportunities to support applications to study medicine.

Information from the Medical Schools Council can be found below: 

 

 

---

Observe GP

Observe GP is an online resource for aspiring medics. Observe GP, is a free interactive video platform, created by the Royal College of General Practitioners for aspiring medics aged 16+. It provides insights into medicine through videos and activities. To find out more about Observe GP visit:

 

 

---

Brighton & Sussex Medical School Virtual Work Experience

Brighton & Sussex Medical School’s virtual work experience course provides a ‘virtual’ work experience for those looking to apply to medical school. It is free to enrol on this course and is a brilliant resource for those looking to apply for medicine in the Autumn: 

 

 

---

Newcastle University – Medicine and Dentistry Resources

Newcastle University have resources available to support students who are preparing to put in UCAS applications for Medicine and Dentistry courses. They have resources available on their website to support, including personal statement advice, preparing for interview advice and advice on the UCAT. You can contact Newcastle University’s live messaging function through Unibuddy and view the range of resources available here:

 

 

---

The Aspiring Medic's Support (TAMS)

The Aspiring Medic’s Support (TAMS) is a community of aspiring and current medical students who have come together to provide a mentoring programme, free personal statement support, a Medical Concepts Webinar Series and much more. To explore their resources, visit:

 

 

---

Future Learn – Free Healthcare and Medicine Courses

The Future Learn platform provides you with a range of free courses related to healthcare and medicine. With current difficulties in securing work experience to support applications to medicine, these short courses provide an excellent way for you to demonstrate your commitment to studying medicine and to developing your independent learning skills here: