Undergraduate Admissions Policy - School of Medicine 2025-26

Please see Course Search for the course list, typical entry requirements, and accepted qualifications. Please note that all previous qualifications will be considered.

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 must include the reasons for this, so that it can be taken into consideration by the admissions team. Some programmes may not accept early qualifications in gathered field scoring (see the Gathered field section for further information). Failure to provide this information will mean that the early qualification will not be considered at the time of shortlisting.  

For Medicine and Surgery MBChB and Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB, Level 2 and Level 3 qualification resits are not accepted without mitigating circumstances. A-levels sat in Year 12 will not form part of the shortlisting scoring for interview for these courses, and offers will be made on the basis of three A-levels taken in Year 13.

The School of Medicine will only accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English grade 4 or C. Unless an applicant’s Level 2 English qualification is integrated into their Level 3 qualification, the English language requirements for their chosen programme must be met at the point of application.

Applicants will need to show evidence of study in the last five years. This study must be within a relevant scientific field. Consideration of the duration of study, level of study and method of assessment will be considered to ensure that the student has demonstrated that they have the capacity to study a full-time undergraduate course.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

An Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate is required for students to undertake clinical placements as part of their studies within the School of Medicine. For more information, see the Criminal convictions section of this policy.

Fitness to practise check

The primary duty of care of a healthcare professional is to their patients. Students studying on a healthcare programme likewise share this responsibility to the patients with whom they will come into contact. Depending on the course, these responsibilities are set out by the Academy of Healthcare Science, British Medical Ultrasound Society, General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, and/or Society of Radiographers. 

We will not accept an application from an applicant who has been removed from any professional regulatory body register or who is awaiting investigation for an issue that could lead to removal from a register.  

Where significant reservations have been raised about an application or applicant conduct during the current application process or previous admissions cycles, the applicant will not be shortlisted for interview.

Occupational health check

Due to the nature of the programmes and professions, and to meet statutory and professional requirements, all applicants who are offered a place on an undergraduate course in the School of Medicine will be required to complete an occupational health pre-registration 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 School of Medicine as soon as possible if their health is likely to impact on their ability to engage with the admissions process or subsequent course. This allows the Occupational Health team at the University to support applicants to meet their true potential on the programme despite any pre-existing health concerns they may have. Contact details for the School of Medicine can be found at the end of this policy.

Additional information can be found at Occupational health requirements for students and applicants to the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

Blood-borne viruses check 

All Medicine and Surgery MBChB and Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB students are required to undergo screening for blood-borne viruses (Hepatitis B and C, and HIV). 

UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) 

All applicants for Medicine and Surgery MBChB and Gateway to Medicine MBChB are required to sit the UCAT in the year of application. The UCAT is a computer-based admissions test used by a consortium of UK and international universities to help select applications for medical and dental degree programmes. We strongly recommend that applicants prepare for the test. There are many materials to help test takers on the UCAT website.

Only the result from the first attempt will be accepted. 

Documentation 

In addition to the documents listed in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Admissions Policy, if applicants wish to submit any documentation regarding extenuating circumstances this must be done at the time of application. Failure to do this by the application deadline will result in this information not being taken into account. Submission should be by email to the Admissions team’s 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. The School of Medicine requires that the referee be someone who knows the applicant academically from their most recent period of academic study and who can share supporting information relevant to the course that the applicant is applying for, along with any predicted grades for qualifications that the applicant is currently studying. References from paid and unpaid employment will not be accepted.

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. 

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

Applicants can progress through:

• Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year (CFGO)
• International Foundation Year.

These full-time, one year courses enable 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.

For further information, see the Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year course page and the International Foundation Year website.

Other foundation courses may be considered. Applicants are advised to contact the School of Medicine Admissions team for guidance.  

Medicine and Surgery MBChB ​​​​​​

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 the MBChB Medicine and Surgery programme. Admission is not guaranteed, applicants will be required to complete a multiple mini interview. Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65% is required, with no less than 60% in any module.
• International Foundation Year. For applicants 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.

Other foundation courses may be considered: applicants are advised to contact the School of Medicine Admissions team for guidance.

Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB

No access routes can be used for entry to the Gateway to Medicine MBChB programme. 

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 Medicine and Surgery 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 using the email address provided in the Useful contacts and resources section. Applicants will be required to complete the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) and a multiple mini interview (MMI).

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

Full-time undergraduate applications must be made through UCAS by 6pm (UK time) on 29 January 2025, except for Medicine and Surgery MBChB and Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB, which have a deadline of 6pm (UK time) 15 October 2024.

Applications cannot be altered after the submission deadline, including errors or omissions in grades, due to the use of gathered field admissions assessment for these programmes. 

Single applications

Values-based recruitment is carried out across our programmes. Applicants who apply to more than one course in the School of Medicine will only be considered for one course. Please note that if an applicant demonstrates motivation and insight for another non-School of Medicine vocational course (e.g. nursing or dentistry) they will be rejected without further consideration. 

Where possible, applicants who apply for multiple programmes within the School of Medicine will be informed that they must choose one course only. 

Applicants cannot apply to both a foundation route and standard entry route for their chosen programme. Where this is identified, applicants will be required to withdraw one of their applications, applying only to the programme most suited to their qualifications.

Medicine and Surgery MBChB, Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB 

The School of Medicine will not accept applications from applicants who wish to transfer on to any year of study for the Medicine and Surgery programme or Gateway Year to Medicine from any other programme 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.  

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

The School of Medicine may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a degree in a related field elsewhere. Applicants must meet the GCSE and A-level requirements (or equivalents) and pass their first year at their current institution with no fails in any units. It is also expected that applicants have not previously attempted the second year of a programme elsewhere. Applications must be made through UCAS; direct applications will not be considered. The applicant’s academic history during their previous degree will be taken into consideration. 

The School of Medicine will not accept applications from applicants who wish to transfer into year 2 or 3 of these courses.

Alternative Entry Scheme for mature applicants ​​​​​​

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

Mature students (those who will be over 21 at the point of entry) 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 multiple mini interview (MMI), in line with the standard procedure for all other applicants, to assess the non-academic attributes required to study these courses.     

Support is available through the 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. For further details, see the Support for mature students page.    

Due to the clinical nature of programmes within the School of Medicine, applicants must be 18 years of age or over on the start date of the course for which they are applying. Applicants who are not 18 on the first day of the programme may apply for deferred entry for the following year. Further information on the University’s approach to age and safeguarding is available in the University of Leeds Admissions Policy. 

The School of Medicine will consider applications from those who have previously applied to the institution. Reapplications will not be considered within the same application cycle. 

Applicants who have previously studied on the programme but failed to complete their studies will not be considered for reapplication. 

The School of Medicine may consider applications from those who are re-taking examinations prior to entering the University in Audiology BSc, Diagnostic Radiography BSc, Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc or Medical Ultrasound (Sonography) BSc. 

For applications to Medicine and Surgery MBChB and the Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB, 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 who wish to defer following the submission of their application are required to do so prior to the acceptance of an offer before the applicant decision-making deadline set by UCAS.

Values-based recruitment forms an important part of our selection processes, so the School of Medicine reserves the right to reject any applicant 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 for their course of choice. 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. 

Our selection criteria 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. 

For Medicine and Surgery MBChB and Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB, 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’ (PDF). 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.”

Interviews form part of the selection process and give applicants 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 a set of multi mini Interviews (MMIs).  

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

Some applicants (for example, disabled applicants, applicants who are pregnant, etc.) may require adjustments to their interview to provide them with full and equal access to the process. The School of Medicine Admissions team is responsible for making reasonable adjustments where possible but these must be declared at the point of invitation to interview and cannot be considered retrospectively. 

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

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 applicants 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 that is used for shortlisting to interview.  

Diagnostic Radiography BSc

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 is detailed on Course Search. Where any further assessment is required the Admissions team will send instructions to applicants. 

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

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