Undergraduate Admissions Policy - School of Medicine 2023-24

Please see Course Search for the course list, typical entry requirements, and accepted qualifications. 

The School of Medicine recognises that some applicants may have studied a more flexible curriculum, where they have been able to progress through their educational development at an appropriate rate according to their ability. Where a Level 2 (for example, GCSE) or Level 3 (for example, A-Level) qualification has been taken ‘early’ the academic reference should include the reasons for this, so that it can be taken into consideration by the admissions team.  Please note that A levels sat in Year 12 will not form part of the shortlisting scoring for interview and offers will be made on 3 A levels taken in Year 13 for Medicine or Gateway to Medicine.

The Faculty recognises that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and International Independent Project Qualification (IPQ) provide the opportunity for applicants to develop important research and academic skills, and may include it as part of an alternative conditional offer. Where applicable this will be detailed on Course Search. 

The School of Medicine does not accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English.  

You will need to show evidence of study in the last 5 years.

In order to gain admittance to all programmes within the School, applicants must pass the following checks:

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and fitness to practise

In order to comply with the requirements of relevant professional bodies, applicants to certain vocational or professional courses may be required to pass checks by the DBS, and/or to demonstrate medical fitness to train prior to being admitted. 

Applicants to these courses will be required to declare a criminal conviction at the application stage in order that certain checks with the 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, Certificates of Good Conduct or other criminality checks reveal prior criminal behaviour giving rise to concern for the protection of the public. 

International students: The DBS check can only include background checks on your time in the UK. If you have been resident in the UK for less than 3 years, then a criminal record check from outside the UK is required in addition to the UK DBS check. This may be referred to as an international criminality check but the name varies. 

Occupational health

Due to the nature of the programmes and professions, and to meet statutory and professional requirements, all candidates who are offered a place on these courses will be required to complete an occupational health questionnaire and, where necessary, assessment. Offers made are conditional upon a satisfactory occupational health assessment and clearance.   

Applicants with a health-related issue should contact the relevant academic school as soon as possible if their health is likely to impact on their ability to engage with the admissions process or subsequent course.

Documentation 

In addition to the documents listed in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, if you wish to submit any documentation regarding extenuating circumstances this must be done at the time of application. Failure to do this by the UCAS deadline will result in this information not being taken into account. Submission should be by email to the relevant email address listed in the Useful contacts and resources section.  

References  

The reference section of the application is carefully considered by the School of Medicine and is an important part of the selection process.

Eligible Access to Leeds and Realising Opportunities candidates will be considered for an alternative offer. However, the following minimum requirements will usually apply to any alternative offer made. Gateway Year to Medicine or other foundation year programme offered by the Lifelong Learning Centre are not open to Access to Leeds and Realising Opportunities candidates and have their own eligibility criteria (detailed below).

BSc Diagnostic Radiography,  BSc Audiology, BSc Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) 

Access to Leeds students are eligible for consideration for an Access to Leeds offer if they meet the University’s GCSE matriculation standard and have gained at least a GCSE grade 4/C (or equivalent) in five GSCEs including Science, Maths, and English. 

The alternative offer will be conditional upon successfully completing the Access to Leeds module and making the University of Leeds their firm choice as well as a reduction of two A Level grades (across two of three A levels, if taken), OR an equivalent reduction where alternative qualifications are offered. A minimum of a B (or equivalent) would still be required in a science subject. 

MBChB Medicine and Surgery 

Access to Leeds students are eligible for consideration for an Access to Leeds offer if they meet the University’s GCSE matriculation standard and have gained at least a GCSE grade 4/C (or equivalent) in six GSCEs including English Language; Mathematics; Dual/Double Science, or Science and Additional Science, or Chemistry and Biology. 

The alternative offer will be conditional upon successfully completing the Access to Leeds modules and making the University of Leeds their firm choice as well as a reduction of two A Level grades (across two of three A levels, if taken with a single drop in grades allowed in each subject), OR an equivalent reduction where alternative qualifications are offered. The reduction of grades will NOT be applied to Chemistry and/or Biology. 

Gateway Year to Medicine

We are committed to identifying all applicants who have the potential to succeed at the University of Leeds. All applicants to this course will be of home fee status and from a widening participation background.

Applicants who meet two or more of the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Gateway Year to Medicine. They will not be required to complete the Access to Leeds modules and a separate eligibility form will be sent to them to complete once they have submitted their UCAS application. Access to Leeds and Realising Opportunities students are only considered for A100 MBChB direct entry. 

• From a household with an annual income of £25,000 or below OR in receipt of 16-19 Bursary Fund or Discretionary Learner Support with income threshold of £25,000, OR in receipt of free school meals during their GCSE studies 
• Parents did not go to University    
• Attends, or has attended, a school which achieved less than the national average Attainment 8 score at GCSE  
• Studies disrupted by circumstances in their personal, social or domestic lives (Except in extreme circumstances, disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic will not be considered)
• Live in a geographical area with low levels of progression onto higher education. The online postcode search can be used to find out whether you meet the Access to Leeds geographical requirement of "living in an area with low levels of progression on to Higher Education".
• Living or grew up in public or kinship care.   

For progression from the first year of the Gateway to Medicine course a minimum grade of 60% is required for each of the 4 modules.

A minimum grade of 70% is required for Foundational Life Sciences and a minimum of 60% for each of the other 3 modules is required for progression from the first year of the Gateway to Medicine course.

Where applicants do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to a degree course, progression may be possible through one of the University’s extended degrees with foundation year. 

Diagnostic Radiography BSc and Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc 

Applicants can progress through the Interdisciplinary Science Foundation Programme (CFGO). 

This full-time, one year course enables students to prepare for degree level study and gain the necessary academic competence required for entry to the degree programme. Students who successfully complete the year can apply for internal transfer onto the programmes outlined in this admissions policy. Admission is not guaranteed and applicants are selected using academic and non-academic criteria. Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 60% is required with no less than 55% in any module.

More information about the Interdisciplinary Science Foundation Programme can be found on Course Search.

Healthcare Science (Audiology) BSc 

Applicants can progress through: 

• the Interdisciplinary Science Foundation Programme (CFGO). See the Diagnostic Radiography and Healthcare Science section for details.
• International Foundation Year

The Healthcare Science (Audiology) BSc programme will consider applicants who have successfully completed the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 60% is required with no less than 55% in any module.

MBChB Medicine and Surgery

Applicants can progress through:

• the Interdisciplinary Science Foundation Programme (CFGO)

This full-time, one year course enables students to prepare for degree level study and gain the necessary academic competence required for entry to the degree programme. Students who successfully complete the year can apply for internal transfer to our programme. Admission is not guaranteed, candidates will be required to complete the BioMedical Admissions test and a multiple mini interview. Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65% and a minimum score of 60% in each subject.  

• International Foundation Year

For candidates wishing to study medicine, applications to this programme will only be accepted if there is a formal agreement in place with their government. Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65% is required with no less than 60% in any module. Additionally candidates will be required to complete the BioMedical Admissions test and a multiple mini interview.

• Other access courses considered  

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) recognised qualification Access to Higher Education Diploma – Medicine will be accepted providing that the candidates meet our widening participation criteria at the point of entry and that progression requirements are met. Applicants must therefore contact the School for individual advice prior to application.

Foundation Clinical Sciences BSc Bradford students may apply through UCAS if they have a BBC including Chemistry or Biology at grade B, 6 GCSEs at level C or 4 including English Language, Maths and Science. Further details can be found on Course Search.

Bradford Foundation Year academic criteria are a minimum overall mean mark of 70% and a minimum overall mean mark of 70% in Chemistry. All assessments must be passed at the first attempt.

Gateway Year to Medicine

Not applicable.

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.

Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) – year 3 entry for qualified dentists

The School of Medicine will accept applications from qualified dentists who wish to train as maxillo-facial surgeons. Entry to the third year of the course may be possible for dentists who meet the following criteria when places are available:  

• have gained a registered qualification with the General Dental Council 
• have obtained Part 1 of the Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties (MJDF) or Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS)
• have been in an approved hospital post for at least one year  

Places may not be available in any given year - please contact the Admissions team for details. You can find their details in the Useful contacts and resources section.  Candidates will be required to complete the BioMedical Admissions test and a multiple mini interview.

Decision on such applications are made by the Academic Admissions Tutor (or other academic lead).  

Gateway Year to Medicine 

Not applicable. 

Full-time undergraduate applications must be made through UCAS by 25 January except MBChB Medicine and Gateway Year to Medicine, which have a 15 October deadline.

Alterations to grades cannot be considered after these deadlines due to the use of gathered field admissions assessment for these programmes.

The School of Medicine reserves the right to consider applications submitted after this date. Availability of courses in UCAS Extra will be detailed on the UCAS website at the appropriate stage in the cycle.

Candidates cannot apply to more than one vocational programme within the School of Medicine or to both a foundation route and standard entry route for their chosen programme. Where this is identified candidates will be required to withdraw their application from one of these undergraduate courses.

BSc Diagnostic Radiography, BSc Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) and BSc Audiology 

The School of Medicine will consider applications from applicants who wish to transfer onto Diagnostic Radiography BSc, Cardiac Physiology BSc and Audiology BSc from other courses within the University of Leeds and other institutions. Each will be reviewed on an individual basis with consideration of the following:  

• availability of clinical placements
• relevant entry requirements have been obtained for entry onto the programme they wish to transfer to  
• a personal statement to support entry onto the programme they wish to transfer to  
• confirmation of details of modules and student performance from the current programme they wish to transfer from.  

In most circumstances, transfers without advanced standing will be into year one of the course. 

We will not accept applications from candidates who have been rejected by us for year one entry within the previous two years and candidates must meet the entry requirements required by our programmes.

MBChB Medicine and Gateway Year to Medicine

The School of Medicine will not accept applications from applicants who wish to transfer to the MBChB programme or Gateway Year to Medicine from other non-medical undergraduate programmes at the University of Leeds or elsewhere. Applicants are expected to complete their course before commencing on the MBChB i.e. they may apply either after graduation OR during the final year of study.   

In the absence of significant personal mitigating circumstances, we are unable to consider applications from current medical students or from applicants who have previously attended another medical school. Applicants would be expected to hold qualifications equivalent to the entry requirements to our course and we will not accept applications from candidates who have been rejected by us for year one entry within the previous two years. Such students would then only be considered if they can demonstrate:

• that they meet the entry requirements of the course
• evidence of exceptional extenuating circumstances  
• excellent academic record at their current institution  
• support for the transfer from their current institution   

If all these areas are met, the admissions team would ensure compatibility with the courses and availability of places on the MBChB. Candidates who have studied overseas therefore cannot be considered. Any initial approach regarding this should be directly from the student’s current institution. Depending on the degree of mismatch between curricula, applicants transferring to Leeds may be required to enter the Leeds curriculum at an earlier point than they had achieved at their original institution.  

The University’s Alternative Entry Scheme, run by the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) in conjunction with teaching schools, allows applicants who do not have the relevant formal qualifications to draw on their life and work experience to demonstrate their potential for success.

To be eligible for the scheme, an applicant must be applying for a course that specifies in the School Admissions Policy that prospective students may use the Alternative Entry Scheme. The University of Leeds offers a number of alternative routes in order to widen access to higher education. 

For further details of our Access to Leeds (A2L) and Realising Opportunities Schemes see the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy. 

Alternative Entry Scheme for mature applicants 

As per the information detailed in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy the School of Medicine will consider prospective students via the Alternative Entry Scheme run by the Lifelong Learning Centre. 

Mature students, those who will be over 21 at the point of entry, wishing to study on a full-time basis should apply using the standard application procedure detailed in the Application routes and deadlines section. Applicants are assessed on the basis of their application form. 

Applicants will be required to take part in a Multi Mini Interview (MMI), in line with standard procedure for all other applicants, to assess the non-academic attributes required to study these courses.    

Support is available through the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) and includes pre-entry advice, guidance and preparatory courses for adults, developing academic skills before entry and information on a range of issues relevant to such applicants.   

Due to the nature of the programmes covered by this admissions policy, we regret that we are unable to accept applications from students wishing to study part-time.  

In addition to the information in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, please note applicants must be 18 years of age or over by 1st September in the year that they will be entering the course.  

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

Please note that we would not accept reapplications within the same application cycle.

Applications from candidates who have been permanently excluded (expelled) from the University for disciplinary reasons, those who have been excluded under the Referred Student Procedure or for reasons of misconduct or fitness to train or work in a professionally regulated discipline will be rejected. Applicants should contact the school for further information.   

BSc Diagnostic Radiography, BSc Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) and BSc Audiology  

The University of Leeds welcomes applications from candidates who have previously applied and/or studied a different course at this institution. Where appropriate, such candidates may be able to apply for Advanced Entry where they will be required to meet the academic and non-academic requirements for the programme.

Medicine and Surgery and Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB

The School of Medicine will accept applications from applicants who have resubmitted applications. Re-applications from those that have achieved the required grades at first attempt will be assessed in competition with all the other applications.  

Applicants are expected to complete their course before commencing on the MBChB i.e. they may apply either after graduation OR during the final year of study.   

The School of Medicine may consider applications from those who are re-taking examinations prior to entering the University in Diagnostic Radiography BSc, Cardiac Physiology BSc and Audiology BSc.  

For applications to Medicine and Surgery and the Gateway Year to Medicine, applicants re-sitting exams will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Well-supported documentary evidence of any extenuating circumstances is required and the timing must support impact to study during the examination period.

Applications will not normally be considered from those undertaking a third attempt at an academic entry qualification.  

Applicants must typically meet the conditions set by the University by 31 August of the application year unless otherwise stated in the prescribed course or professional body requirements, even if the offer is deferred for entry to the following application year.  

The School of Medicine may not be able to confirm a place in the upcoming academic cycle following an improved final grade after a re-mark, however applicants may be offered a deferred place or be asked to reapply.  

Applications from those who have not quite met the required grades may be reviewed and their places may be confirmed if there are places still available on their chosen course. However, where applicants are holding offers for deferred entry they may not be subject to the same level of flexibility.  

It should be noted that for the School of Medicine programmes an unconditional offer means that an applicant has met the academic and non-academic entry requirements but will still be required to meet the health and criminal record checks. If these conditions are not met prior to registration, proof that these checks will be fulfilled during term one can be used to confirm a place. This can be an appointment card or evidence of when forms were submitted.  

The University considers a deferred applicant as an offer-holder who wishes to change their year of entry to the following academic year, or an applicant who applies for the following academic year from the outset. Applicants seeking deferred entry must engage in the full admissions process (including any required attendance at interviews) during the cycle in which they applied. 

Applicants who wish to defer following the submission of their application are required to do so prior to the confirmation of a place.  

Values-based recruitment forms an important part of our selection processes, so the School of Medicine reserves the right to reject any candidate who does not display the values, skills and attributes required by future healthcare professionals. 

Although the personal statement is not formally scored, applicants are expected to demonstrate the motivation and enthusiasm to study. Applicants’ reflections on the values and behaviours required to study on their chosen programme will be explored further in the interview.

When writing the personal statement, it is important to consider that the course is based on professional values and core themes with the aim of producing tomorrow’s healthcare professionals. We therefore select on both academic and non-academic criteria.

These are underpinned by Health Education England’s mandate to select students with values and behaviours aligned with the NHS. A copy of the values-based recruitment framework can be downloaded from Health Education England’s website. 

We wish to hear about: 

• Why you have chosen a particular profession and what led you to this.
• How you have researched this profession and what you have found out.
• What specific experience of the profession you have.
• Your knowledge and understanding of your chosen profession and their contribution to the wider team.
• Your understanding of the current issues affecting your chosen profession.
• How your current studies have prepared you for your chosen profession and for studying at university.
• What transferable skills you have – for example, work experience, positions of responsibility through paid employment or school activities. 
• What caring experience you have and how this has influenced your choice of profession.

For MBChB and the Gateway programme, further information on the non-academic attributes can be obtained from the Medical Schools Council ‘Statement on core values and attributes to study medicine 2018 update’. It states that “medical schools in the UK aim to prepare students for practice in the NHS and therefore they are looking for students who have the potential to become good doctors.” Download the statement on core values (PDF) from the Medical Schools Council website.

Interviews form part of the selection process and give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and aptitude for the course. All applicants who are successful in the initial stages of the selection process will be invited to interview. All interviews will take the form of the Multi Mini Interview (MMI).  

This enables us to further assess the applicant’s interest in the programme along with their non-academic attributes.

Some applicants may require adjustments at interview (for example, applicants with a disability or who are pregnant) to provide them with full and equal access to the process. The Admissions team is responsible for making reasonable adjustments where possible.

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

Where possible, the School of Medicine will accommodate requests for alternative interview dates, however an alternative cannot be guaranteed.  

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.

The School of Medicine scores all applications received before the deadline based on the academic scoring and admissions tests to obtain a ranking which is used for shortlisting to interview. 

Medicine and Surgery and Gateway to Medicine

All applicants for the MBChB and Gateway to Medicine course are required to take the Bio-Medical Admissions Test (BMAT) in November. The result from the first sitting only will be accepted. Applicants can take the test at their own school or college or at one of BMAT’s open centres worldwide.  

This is a two-hour written test which consists of three sections: Aptitude and Skills, Scientific Knowledge and Applications and Writing Task.  

Further details are available on the BMAT website. The scores will be considered alongside the rest of the application.

Diagnostic Radiography 

For applicants for Diagnostic Radiography, those who meet the academic criteria will be asked to undertake the Cambridge Personal Styles Questionnaire (CPSQ).

This online tool assesses an applicant’s values and behaviours and will be used as part of our approach to values-based recruitment to help shortlist candidates for invitation to interview.

The School of Medicine may not be able to confirm a place in the upcoming academic cycle following an improved final grade after a re-mark or appeal where the offer condition had not been met with the initial results, though applicants may be offered a deferred place or be asked to reapply. 

Where a deferred applicant does not meet the conditions of their offer, they will not have their place confirmed. 

Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on how decisions will be communicated by the University. 

The School of Medicine provides feedback to all unsuccessful applicants and does not respond to direct requests.   

We will not provide detailed feedback on personal statements or on individual stations or components of the multiple mini interview.  

As per the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, applicants who have sought feedback and wish to challenge the decision made on their application should contact the Head of School, whose details can be found in the Useful contacts and resources section.