Description: In this article Medical Admissions tutor Conall shares his perspective on how to choose the right UK medical school for you.
Choosing which medical schools to apply to on your UCAS forms can be a daunting decision.
There are over 40 schools to choose from in the UK, so how can you restrict yourself to just 4?
Make sure that you are choosing the best schools for you to apply to by considering the criteria mentioned in this guide.
Course Style and Teaching
This is arguably the most important factor to consider when deciding which schools to apply to,
It will dominate your experience of medical school.
Courses come in 3 broad categories:
The first style, and the oldest, are traditional medical schools.
Although becoming increasingly rare, these courses are suitable for students who wish to split their learning into distinct periods.
Oxford and Cambridge universities are the only schools offering this type of course in the UK today.
It is defined by the practice of splitting the course into distinct pre-clinical and clinical sections.
Three years are spent learning purely scientific knowledge before moving on to clinical studies in your 4th year of study.
Disciplines such as physiology and pharmacology are taught independently from one another as opposed to grouped by organ systems.
Perfect for those who desire a strong understanding of the science behind medicine.
Integrated Courses
Integrated courses are the GMC recommended style of teaching and can be found at most schools in the UK.
These courses mix clinical and pre-clinical knowledge from the beginning of the course.
Some schools expose students to patients as early as the first week.
Studies are taught by body system – anatomy, biochemistry and clinical skills of (for example) the digestive system are taught in one block.
PBL Courses
Problem Based Learning or PBL courses are a new style of medical degree that focuses on clinical in small groups.
This allows students to form their own learning goals and reach them through independent research.
These types of courses give students unrivalled independence and direction over their own learning.
Some universities allow you to complete what is known as an intercalated degree.
This is a year out from your medical studies where you pursue a related field for a year and obtain a BSc in it.
It can be a very attractive choice for students who have an interest in research science.
If intercalation is something that you are particularly interested in, options for your BSc could be another deciding factor, and excellent to mention in an interview.
Entrance Requirements and Shortlisting
Securing a place at medical school is a challenge.
The best students do all they can to maximize their chances, and this starts with the application choices.
Pay close attention to A Level or IB subject requirements, grade requirements, and the shortlisting process of the institution.
Take extra care if applying without A-level chemistry, many courses require this.
If you’re applying with an outstanding UCAT score on your side, select universities that work to your strengths to ensure your success.
Consider whether you may benefit from a contextual offer from some schools, this may be your ticket to a ringfenced interview and lower offer conditions.
Admissions Test Usage
Admissions tests are essential to your medical school application.
Many universities use them almost exclusively to determine which applicants to shortlist for interviews.
The important decision to make is whether to apply to universities exclusively requiring the UCAT, BMAT or a mixture of the two.
Crucially, you take the UCAT before you finalize your decisions.
Following this, you can make a decision by comparing typical cut-off scores to your own.
Don’t apply to universities where you know you are below the cutoff or you’re wasting a potential offer.
Personal Considerations
With all these criteria to think about, it’s important to not look past the fact that your university will be the place where you spend a huge amount of time for at least 5 years.
Consider all the things that you personally would like in a university.
Perhaps you are a sportsperson or musician – find out about the societies online and use this in your interview prep.
The location is an important consideration, for example, some students particularly wish to study in London or outside of it.
You may wish to study in a campus university which feels like its’ own world, or you might prefer the business of a spread-out city location.
What Next?
My advice to any prospective medical student would be to consider what the perfect course looks like for you, and search disqualifies schools that do not fit your criteria.
Perhaps you really want to study a PBL course in a city and those are not negotiable for you.
This allows you to easily narrow down your options to a shortlist that is more manageable.
What I cannot stress enough is that you must partake in open days (virtual or physical) if possible.
They’re the best way to get a feel for the university and to inform your decisions well. Start your research early to make your decision as easy as possible.
If you’d like some personalised guidance on your or your child’s journey to medical school, I’m offering tutoring and coaching sessions through Telios Tutors.
Interested in working with Conall? Contact Us