MBBS international entry requirements

The application process for our Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree is designed to identify candidates with the qualifications, passion and qualities needed to succeed in a medical career.

1. General requirements

• Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age by the start of the course.
• This course will initially be available to international students only, with plans to open to home students soon after.
• The highest latest qualification should be taken within five academic years prior to the time of application.
• A-Level subjects: Achieve a minimum of 3 A-levels (AAA) to include chemistry and biology (or human biology) at grade A and a third subject at grade A, completed in one sitting across a maximum of two years, or equivalent. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider a wide range of subjects for their third A level, including arts and humanities subjects but excluding general studies, critical thinking and thinking skills and global perspectives.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Applicants with Scottish Advanced Highers, will normally be expected to achieve, or have achieved AAB, to include chemistry and biology. Scottish Highers: Scottish Highers: AAAAB or above and including biology, chemistry and three other subjects.
• Cambridge Pre-U Diploma: D3D3D3 in biology, chemistry and one other subject.
• Access to Medicine Diploma: 39 credits at distinction and six credits at merit. All biology and chemistry credits must be at distinction.
• International Baccalaureate: Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a total score of 36 points with Higher Level 6 in chemistry or biology and Higher Level 5 in a second science (chemistry, biology, physics) or mathematics.
• Overseas qualifications equivalencies – Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a pattern of grades equivalent to AAA at A-Level, to include chemistry and biology, plus any third subject excluding general studies and critical thinking. Please refer to Section 3: Overseas equivalencies accepted for a list of country qualifications.
• Bachelor’s degree or above: Must have a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in any discipline, or an MSc, MPhil or PhD.
• GCSE requirements: Have achieved a minimum of five subjects at GCSE Grade 6 or above (to include English, maths and double or triple science) or equivalent.
• English language criteria – IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in all components. Please refer to Section 2: English language.
• Work experience: All applicants are required to demonstrate that you have conducted research and/or have actual or virtual work-based experience in a setting which has helped you explore the realities of working in a healthcare profession. You will be expected to discuss your experiences as part of your interview to illustrate that you have the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes for your career as a doctor.
• MMIs: We will require all shortlisted applicants to undertake Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) as part of the admissions process. These will run from November 2025 through to April 2026.
• UCAT : All applicants are required to take the UCAT test in the summer prior to submitting their application, i.e. in July - September. See the UCAT website for full details of the test, timescales and the location of test centres. While we include the UCAT score within our selection process, we do not have a standard cut off value. Applicants will be ranked by their UCAT score and a certain number will be invited to an Interview Day, provided you meet our main academic entry requirements.

Please note that the UCAT score of those applicants invited to interview is expected to vary year on year, and as such, it is not possible to give applicants an indication of the score that is required to attend an Interview Day. Applicants in financial need may apply for a UCAT bursary to cover the full test fee. Please check the UCAT website for details.

• DBS/OH checks : In order to ensure that the University offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates, you must have Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and an occupational health check. We will guide you through this process once you have received a conditional offer.
• Tuition fee deposit: will be made a condition of the offer and a £10,000 tuition fee deposit will be required prior to CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of studies) issuance for applicants needing a student visa to study in the UK.

2. English language

English language conditions can be met via any of the four routes detailed below:

• English language test
• country exemption
• professional registration
• academic qualifications.

2.1. English language test

You can take a specific English language test to demonstrate your English proficiency. You will be required to demonstrate IELTS is 7.0, with 7.0 in all components.

Other tests are acceptable including:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language: TOEFL (iBT) and (iBT Paper)
• Cambridge Advanced English: CAE, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: CPE
• LanguageCert ESOL Including SELT, International ESOL, Online version
• Occupational English Test: OET (OET Paper/Computer) and (OET @ Home)
• ONCAMPUS Test of English (OCTOE)
• Pearson Test of English: PTE (Academic)
• Trinity Integrated Skills in English: Trinity ISE.

2.2. Country exemption

If you are from an English-speaking country, you may already meet our requirements.

If you are a national from a majority English-speaking country as specified by UKVI listed below, you do not need to demonstrate your English language proficiency:

Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United Kingdom; USA.

Please note: Standard checks must still be carried out to ensure you meet our GCSE English requirements.

2.3. Professional Registration

You may meet our English language requirements because of the work you do. You will be considered as having met our English language requirements if you are able to provide evidence of one of the follow professional registrations:

• current and full registration with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
• current and full registration with the General Dental Council (GDC)
• current and full registration with a licence to practise with the General Medical Council (GMC)
• current and full registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

2.4. Academic Qualifications

We accept several academic qualifications as demonstration of your English language proficiency. You will need to have studied English language as a subject.

2.4.1. UK qualifications:

• GSCE English Language, grade 5
• AS or A Level English Language, grade B
• International Baccalaureate
• SQA Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher English, grade B
• Undergraduate degree 2:2
• Postgraduate degree pass.

2.4.2. International qualifications (taken prior to degree study):

Please note: any qualification used to meet our English language requirements must be dated within five years of the start date of your chosen programme.

If your country or qualification is not listed below, you will be required to obtain another English language qualification listed on this page, such as IELTS.

• European Baccalaureate English – level 1 grade 6, level 2 grade 7, level 3 grade 7.5
• iGCSE English as a First Language, grade 5
• iGCSE English as a Second Language, grade 6
• International Baccalaureate English A - standard level, grade 5

List of country acceptable English language requirements:

International qualifications (equivalent to a UK degree)

If you have an academic qualification equivalent to a UK bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree which was taught in one of the majority-English-speaking countries below (excludes Canada), you will meet our English language requirements. The degree must be completed no more than five years before the start date of your studies.

Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland (Republic of); Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; USA.

OR

If you have an academic qualification equivalent to a UK bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree, which was taught and examined (in its entirety) in English from one of the countries below, you will meet our English language requirements. The degree must be completed no more than five years before the start date of your studies.

Canada; Ghana; Hong Kong; Netherlands; Nigeria; Singapore; South Africa.

To evidence this requirement, you will need:

• A statement of comparability from UK ENIC.
• An official confirmation from the institution where you completed your degree that the course was taught and examined in English.

3. Overseas equivalencies accepted

Please refer to the table below. Please note that where countries are not listed, applicants would usually need additional qualifications such as an acceptable foundation programme, A levels or the International Baccalaureate.