Choosing the Right Path: A Guide to UCAT Universities and Medical Schools in the UK
Choosing the Right Path: A Guide to UCAT Universities and Medical Schools in the UK
3rd May 2024
The UCAT plays an important role in the medical school application process. With almost all UK medical schools taking the UCAT into account, in this guide, we break down how each UCAT university uses your UCAT score to decide whether or not you progress onto the next stage.
What is the UCAT?
What Universities Don’t Use UCAT?
Got Your UCAT Score? Choose Your University Wisely
UCAT Universities in the UK
Navigate the Medical School Application Process with PreMed
What is the UCAT?
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is an admissions test that medical schools use to help select the best candidates for medical degrees. The test consists of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Decision-Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, and a Situational Judgment Test.
You can only sit this test once in a cycle, so make it count! Take a look at our guide to the UCAT exam for more information about how this test works.
What Universities Don’t Use UCAT?
Almost all universities in the UK use the UCAT to assess candidates for their medical programmes. But which med schools aren’t UCAT medical schools?
The University of Buckingham does not require you to sit the UCAT for medicine. They use their own form of computer-based test. However, this is a private university, meaning you will have to fund your education yourself, as student loans cannot be used at this university.
You could also opt to go to a medical school abroad! Of course, there are lots of factors to consider when considering studying abroad, such as entry requirements, funding, and location, but this could be an option to consider if you like the idea of studying in other countries.
Got Your UCAT Score? Choose Your University Wisely
It’s best to sit the UCAT and then choose the med schools you want to apply to, as each university uses your UCAT score differently. Plus, if you didn’t quite get the UCAT score you were hoping for, you could apply to universities with low UCAT requirements to increase your chances of getting into med school.
With only four university choices, make sure you do your research before applying!
UCAT Universities in the UK
In this section, we will explain how each UCAT university uses your UCAT score to assess your application. This list is not ranked; it is purely alphabetical! By understanding how each of these UCAT Unis uses UCAT scores, you can make an informed decision when choosing a medical school.
Aberdeen University
No minimum score.
UCAT scores are considered alongside academic achievements.
Candidates are ranked based on these criteria, with the highest rankings getting interview invites first.
The average score for 2023 entry was 2760 for UK applicants.
Situational Judgement Test (SJT) scores are not considered apart from when two candidates have the same scores.
The UCAT score is 1/3 of your application, with your academic qualifications making up the other 2/3.
All SJT bands are accepted.
Birmingham University
No minimum score.
Your application is weighed as UCAT decile: academic score: personal statement in the ratio 35:45:25.
The lowest UCAT score for 2023 was 2670.
Brighton & Sussex Medical School
The UCAT will be used by Brighton & Sussex University for September 2025 entry.
Bristol University
Once academic entry requirements are met, the UCAT will hold a 100% weighting.
The threshold for interviews in 2023 was 2910.
Cambridge University
Cambridge currently uses the BMAT but will switch to UCAT once the BMAT is phased out.
Cardiff University
No minimum score.
UCAT scores will only be used if there is a large number of applicants who all meet the entry requirements.
Dundee University
No minimum score.
The UCAT score will be considered alongside academic achievement.
The lowest UCAT score that progressed to the next stage in the process in 2023 was 1940.
East Anglia University
No minimum score.
The lowest score invited to interview in 2020 was 1980.
Edge Hill University
No minimum score.
Candidates are ranked from high to low based on UCAT scores once the minimum entry requirements have been met.
Band 4 SJT scores will be excluded.
The average UCAT score invited for an interview in 2023 was 2748.
Edinburgh University
There is a cut-off score of 2470 for 2024 entry.
Each section of the UCAT is scored and added to academic scores.
The top applicants will receive an invite for an interview.
Exeter University
The UCAT is worth 25% of your application.
The other 75% is made up of academic performance.
Glasgow University
Once the minimum entry requirements are met, UCAT scores are considered.
UCAT scores are ranked from high to low.
Those with the highest scores will be invited to interview.
The lowest score for interviews in 2023 was 2690 for UK applicants.
SJT scores are not considered.
Hull York Medical School
UCAT scores are scored by the university out of 40.
Your GCSEs will then be scored out of 30.
Your SJT banding will be scored out of 15.
The scores for each section will then be added together, and you will be ranked against other candidates.
The highest-scoring individuals will be invited for an interview.
A minimum banding of 1-3 is required for SJT.
Imperial College London
This new UCAT uni will use the UCAT from 2025 entry onwards.
Keele University
There is a cut-off score of 2280.
SJT bandings must be 3 and above.
Kent and Medway Medical School
A cut-off score of 2470 has been previously used (2022-2023).
You must score in Band 3 and above in the SJT.
King’s College London
The overall UCAT score is averaged across the four subtests.
The SJT is also considered.
In 2023, the average UCAT score that was invited to interview was 2930.
Lancaster University
The UCAT will be used for 2025 entry.
Leicester University
There was a cut-off of 2250 in 2023.
A 50:50 weighting between UCAT scores and academic ability is used.
Leeds University
The UCAT was used for 2024 entry and will be used from now on.
Liverpool University
UCAT scores are ranked from high to low.
Those that rank higher will be invited to interview.
A competitive score for 2023 entry was 2660.
A score of Band 3 and above for SJT is needed.
Manchester University
A threshold is applied, but this changes every year.
In 2022-2023, the threshold was 2750.
You should aim for a Band 1/2 in SJT to be more likely to be invited to interview.
Newcastle University
The threshold for 2023 entry was 2820.
UCAT scores are ranked from high to low.
Those with higher scores will be invited to interview.
Nottingham University
Points are used to rank your UCAT score.
Verbal Reasoning receives double points.
SJT is scored separately but weighted the same as the other subtests.
Band 4 SJT scores are excluded.
Oxford University
The UCAT has recently replaced the use of BMAT, so it is unclear how this will be used currently.
Plymouth University
A cut-off score of 2680 was used in 2023, but this does change from year to year.
The UCAT is considered alongside academic achievements.
Queen Mary University of London
UCAT scores and UCAS tariff are given a 50:50 weighting.
These scores are then ranked.
The top 3 decile will be invited to interview.
The lowest UCAT score invited for interview in 2023 was 2720.
Queen’s University Belfast
UCAT scores are scored out of six.
This is considered alongside GCSE scores.
Total scores will then be ranked with the highest scores being invited for interview.
Sheffield University
This UCAT uni used a threshold of 2440 in 2022-2023.
The threshold can change each year.
The UCAT is only considered if candidates meet the minimum academic requirements.
The lowest score invited for interview in 2022 was 2850.
Southampton University
UCAT scores are ranked from highest to lowest.
Those with higher rankings will be invited to a Selection Day.
The UCAT score and Selection Day performance are then considered together to determine who will receive an offer.
St Andrews University
You must score a UCAT score within the top 500 globally to get shortlisted for an interview.
The average UCAT score invited to interview in the last few years has been about 2400.
St George’s, University of London
The cut-off score for 2023 was 2630.
A minimum score of 500 in each section of the UCAT is required.
The SJT is not used.
Sunderland University
You must score within the top 8 deciles.
SJT scores must be Band 3 or higher.
UCL
UCL used the BMAT previously but will now be using the BMAT going forward.
Warwick University
The cut-off score varies from year to year.
You must score above the national mean score in Verbal Reasoning to secure a place at their Selection Centre.
The minimum UCAT score for invitation to the Selection Centre was 2580 in 2023.
Navigate the Medical School Application Process with PreMed
Choosing the right med school can be difficult, given the number of universities out there and the different selection criteria for each one. At PreMed, we can help! We have a range of guides to help you through each stage of the application process. From how to write a personal statement to tips for the UCAT exam, we have it all.
If you are looking for medical work experience to advance your medical school application, you have come to the right place. At PreMed, we offer in-person and online medical work experience to help you create the best medical school application. Book a work experience course with us today to start your medical school application on the right foot.
FAQs
What universities require UCAT?
Most universities in the UK require UCAT for medicine, especially now that the BMAT is being phased out. The UCAT universities in the UK that offer medicine are:
Aberdeen University
Anglia Ruskin University
Aston University
Birmingham University
Brighton & Sussex
Bristol University
Cambridge University
Cardiff University
Dundee University
East Anglia University
Edge Hill University
Edinburgh University
Exeter University
Glasgow University
Hull York Medical School
Imperial
Keele University
Kent and Medway Medical School
King’s College London
Lancaster University
Leicester University
Leeds University
Liverpool University
Manchester University
Newcastle University
Nottingham University
Oxford University
Plymouth University
Queen Mary University of London
Queen’s University Belfast
Sheffield University
Southampton University
St Andrews University
St George’s, University of London
Sunderland University
UCL
Warwick University
What universities don’t care about UCAT?
Although most universities require a UCAT score, there are some options for those who have not sat the UCAT or don’t want to use their scores.
The University of Buckingham is a non-UCAT university in the UK. Although a UCAT score is not required, this university uses its own computer-based test to assess candidates. It must be noted that this university is a private university, meaning you will have to self-fund your university education.
Another option would be to research international universities that don’t require UCAT.
Can I get into Medicine with a low UCAT?
If you have received your UCAT score and are disappointed with the outcome, all is not lost! As listed above, there are plenty of UCAT Unis to choose from. Some weigh UCAT scores as high, and some consider them alongside your academic achievements. It is important to understand how each UCAT university uses a UCAT score so you can give yourself the best chance of getting into med school.
If you are unhappy with your UCAT score, you have other options. For example, you could take a gap year to gather some more medical work experience and retake the UCAT in the next cycle.
Alternatively, you could apply to a related degree, such as Biomedical Sciences, with the hopes of transferring to Medicine the following year once you have retaken the UCAT. You could also finish your degree in a related field and apply for graduate entry into Medicine at the end of your degree.
There are many options available to you, so don’t worry! Make sure you carefully research each option to make the right decision.
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