The UK provides some of the best MBBS programmes in the world. The University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of College London, Imperial College London and King’s College London are some of the best universities in the United Kingdom for MBBS programmes.
Medical Schools in the UK prefer to choose students on the basis of their merit and not depending on factors such as wealth or cultural background. They look for factors such as academic ability, motivation and conscientiousness in students while admitting them. This makes the medical profession in the country one of the most diverse and varied professions in the world.
Universities in the United Kingdom offer four types of medical courses to its students. These include:
- Standard Entry Medicine: This is usually a five-year-long course (also popularly known as MBBS) for a bachelor’s in medicine.
- Graduate Entry Medicine: This is a four-year-long accelerated course for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in medicine.
- Medicine with a Preliminary year: This is usually a foundation year that prepares academically lagging students for Standard Entry Medicine.
- Medicine with a Gateway year: this course is offered to students who have a lot of potentials but unfortunately come from weak or low participation backgrounds. It is a six-year-long course with a foundation year at the beginning.
For entry in any of these above-mentioned programmes, a student needs to first clear one of the three of these examinations- UCAT/UKCAT (the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test), BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test), GAMSAT (Graduate Medical Schools Admissions Test).
More than thirty universities in the United Kingdom use the UCAT examination as a procedure for admitting students into MBBS programmes. Registration for UCAT must be done between the months of May and late September. UCAT also administers the Situational Judgement Test for Admission to Clinical Education (SJTace) which is an admissions test used for entry to the Scottish Graduate Entry Medical Programme (ScotGEM).
Indian students aspiring to go to the United Kingdom also have to appear for the NEET examination in India beforehand (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). Generally, a NEET score of 117 or higher is accepted by most universities in the UK. Good scores in science subjects and the English language are also a necessity. Most universities require a good score in Chemistry while Biology test scores are mandatory in all universities in the UK. Students must register for the UCAT/UKCAT examination keeping in mind the registration deadlines. The IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) is also a necessary exam to be applied for if anyone wishes to study in the UK. It tests students on four parameters of the English Language- reading, writing, speaking and listening. Indian students generally require their 10+2 completion certification and their NEET test scores. One needs to be above 18 years of age to apply.
Below is a list of the documents required while applying for an MBBS programme in the UK:
- Marksheets of classes X and XII or any other diploma in possession
- Academic reference letters or letters of recommendation (LOR) from professors or teachers who have recently taught you
- In case you have work experience, a letter of recommendation from the employers about their experience with you
- Academic resume or Student Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of purpose/ essays
- Photocopied score reports of UKCAT/UCAT and IELTS examinations
- Proof of funds or financial documents
- For Indians, NEET scores as well
After all the documentation and application are done, one must also complete their UCAS application (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). This helps in filling in your applications to colleges and universities of your choice. After this, colleges get done with the shortlisting process and students are informed with offer letters in case they have made it.
