Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy - School of Medicine 2024-25

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, if applicable.

All applications are considered in line with our standard entrance requirements. Proof of English language proficiency will be required; minimum levels are shown on Course Search approved tests shown on the University’s entry requirements page.

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 have the option to use the pre-sessional to meet their English Language condition.

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, and further course specific information can be found on the Course Search page for each programme.

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 Advanced entry section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

All applicants 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. It should be noted that MSc Physician Associate Studies applications will only be accepted via UCAS by the deadline of 31 January 2024 at 6pm (UK time).

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. Applications will be assessed on their strength relative to others in the given field, ensuring that the candidates with the most potential receive an offer.

As outlined in the University Taught Admissions Policy, by submitting an application to the University of Leeds, including submissions made via UCAS, applicants are confirming that the information given is true, complete and accurate. Applicants should not omit any requested or relevant information, make any misrepresentation (for example, through plagiarism) or give false or misleading information or documents at any point of the application process including after an offer is made. Should this occur the University reserves the right to dismiss a current or future application, withdraw an offer of a place and/or revoke registration. The University may subscribe to a system that processes personal statements received in support of an application in order to identify statements that show similarity. For example, for applications made via UCAS this service is provided by UCAS via their Similarity Detection Service, which checks all UCAS personal statements for similarity. Where potentially plagiarised material is identified by these systems the University will review the case and make a decision as to whether the applicant is permitted to submit a new personal statement in support of their application. In cases where this opportunity is not granted (or is not taken up by the applicant), the University reserves the right to reject or withdraw the application.

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. 

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

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, unless stated on Course Search.

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 taught postgraduate courses in the School of Medicine do not typically undertake interviews with applicants; however, in some courses this is a routine part of the selection process. Where this is the case it will be indicated on Course Search. Where an interview forms part of the selection process, this gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and aptitude for the course.

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. For example, interviews may take place on a one-to-one basis, either face-to-face or by video conferencing or telephone.

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. Email the University’s Disability Services team via disability@leeds.ac.uk for further advice or information regarding disability related adjustment. Email the Equality and Inclusion Unit via equality@leeds.ac.uk for advice on other adjustments.

MSc Physician Associate Studies interviews

As part of our approach to values-based recruitment and to help shortlist candidates for invitation to interview, those applicants who meet the academic criteria of the selection process may be asked to complete an additional assessment. An example of this additional assessment includes, but is not limited to, an additional assignment question or online questionnaire. More information about any further assessment will be detailed on Course Search and where any further assessment is required the Admissions Team will send instructions to applicants.

Where the number of high-quality applicants exceeds the number of places available, a gathered field may be implemented for the purposes of assessing applications. Applications will be assessed on their strength relative to others in the given field, ensuring that the candidates with the most potential receive an offer.

An example of this is the MSc Physician Associate Studies where the School of Medicine scores all applications received 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 an 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 University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, using the relevant email address contact in the Useful contacts and resources section.

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.