Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy - School of Medicine 2021-22

Please see Course Search for the course list, typical entry requirements, and accepted qualifications. If the course listed above does not appear in Course Search please contact the School's Admissions team, using the contact details in the Useful contacts and resources section at the bottom of this page.

Teaching, assessment and student support will take place in English, unless otherwise stated. The School must be confident that candidates have the proficiency in English language necessary to succeed on the chosen course and that they meet the UKVI minimum requirements to obtain a Student visa.

All applications from international students are considered in line with our standard entrance requirements. Proof of English language proficiency will be required and minimum levels and approved tests for the School of Medicine are detailed in the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

Where an applicant does not meet the English language requirements for the academic course, but does meet the requirements for the University of Leeds pre-sessional English language summer courses, they will be informed if they are eligible for a combined offer for the pre-sessional and taught postgraduate course.

In addition to the documents listed in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, some additional documents may be requested; typically these are to support the applicant’s previous experience or in the form of evidencing higher education or professional qualifications.

Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on references.

Any decision on credit transfer or entry of students with advanced standing is an academic decision taken within the relevant academic school at the point of admission onto a course. Retrospective applications from students who are part-way through a course will not normally be considered. Any applicant requesting advanced standing/credit transfer should contact the School.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Accredited prior learning (APL) is a process undertaken by the University in order to assess and, as appropriate, recognise prior experiential learning or prior certificated learning for academic purposes. For further information see the corresponding Advanced Entry section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

All applicants for taught postgraduate courses should apply online via the Applicant Portal unless otherwise stated in Course Search. If an application deadline is in place, this will be stated on Course Search. For some courses, there is a limited intake to the course and applicants meeting the entry criteria exceed this intake. In these circumstances a gathered field approach will be used. This means applications are scored based on personal statement, academic scoring and admissions tests before the deadline, to obtain a ranking which is used for shortlisting to interview.

Some courses in the School of Medicine are offered on a part-time basis; these are indicated in the list at the start of this admissions policy. Applications should be made via the Applicant Portal unless otherwise stated in Course Search. Overseas applicants should note that student visa regulations will not normally allow study on a part-time basis.

Applicants for the MSc or PG Diploma Clinical Embryology distance learning courses will not be eligible for a Student visa and should instead apply for a Short Term Study visa. Overseas applicants should note that student visa regulations will not normally allow study on a part-time basis.

For other courses, see the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

For applicants outside of the UK or requiring a student visa please see guidance from GOV.UK. 

Some courses within the School of Medicine (as indicated on Course Search) may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults. As a result, applicants to these courses will be required to declare a criminal conviction at the application stage in order that certain checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) can be undertaken. Admission may not be possible where satisfactory results are not achieved.

The University will send further instructions as part of the admissions process where such checks are required.

The School of Medicine is obliged to refuse admission to applicants for certain courses which are regulated by national or statutory bodies where enhanced DBS checks reveal prior criminal behaviour giving rise to concern for the protection of the public.

The School of Medicine will consider applications from those who have previously applied to the institution.

The School of Medicine considers applications from candidates who have previously studied at the institution in line with the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy. Where appropriate, such candidates may be able to apply for Advanced Entry (see relevant section above).

Taught postgraduate applicants are required to submit their results for consideration as soon as possible. Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK are recommended to submit their results no later than 31 July for courses starting in September, although they will still be considered if submitted after this date.

Applicants who wish to defer an offer of a place to the following academic year should make the request via the Applicant Portal.

The deadline for requesting a deferral is different, depending on the start date:

• September or October start date, deadline - 1 April 2022
• January start date, deadline - 1 July 2022

The personal statement of the application form helps us to assess the nature of the applicant’s interest in the academic subject and is an important part of the selection process. It is essential that applicants take this opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and aptitude for the academic subject. We wish to hear about specific working experience or academic achievements that are relevant to the course. For programmes requesting a personal statement, guidance for applicants is provided in the course details on Course Search.

The majority of postgraduate taught courses in the School of Medicine do not typically undertake interviews with applicants; however, in certain circumstances course leaders may invite an applicant to interview as part of the selection procedure. This may allow us to further assess the applicant’s aptitude and interest in the programme in the cases where the applicant’s circumstances are not straightforward.

If invited to interview, the applicant will receive an email invitation from the School to attend an interview on a specific date. We will do our best to accommodate requests for an alternative date but this cannot be guaranteed.

Interviews may take place via a number of alternative means depending on the circumstances of the applicant. For example, interviews may take place on a one to one basis or via Skype, video conferencing or telephone particularly for overseas applicants.

Some applicants (for example, disabled applicants, applicants who are pregnant, etc.) will require adjustments at interview (for example, a sign-language interpreter) to provide them with full and equal access to the process. The School is responsible for making reasonable adjustments where possible. The University’s Disability Services team should be consulted for further advice or information regarding disability related adjustments (email Disability Services via disability@leeds.ac.uk) and the Equality and Inclusion Unit for advice on other adjustments (email the Equality and Inclusion Unit via equality@leeds.ac.uk).

Physician Associate Studies interviews

All applicants who are successful in the initial stages of the selection process, which will include completion of a values based recruitment tool (The Cambridge Personal Styles Questionnaire), will be invited to interview. Further details will be provided to all applicants to this course and are available on request.

The MSc Physician Associate Studies uses a gathered field approach. All applications are scored based on personal statement, academic scoring and admissions tests before the deadline, to obtain a ranking which is used for shortlisting to interview.

Relevant voluntary or work experience may be taken into account when a taught postgraduate application is assessed. Details of this are stated on Course Search.

Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on how decisions will be communicated by the University. Unsuccessful applicants who wish to request feedback on the reason for the outcome of their application should do so in line with the Feedback section of the above policy, using the relevant email address contact in the Useful contacts and resources section below. Generally, where applicants request feedback on why they have not been admitted, feedback will be given. However, please note that initial feedback is given as standard to all unsuccessful candidates who apply via the Applicant Portal.

Please read our Appeals and complaints procedure for details on what to do if you feel you have grounds for an appeal or a complaint.