What are the entry requirements to apply to medical school? How competitive is it for me as an American to apply? Will my UK medical degree transfer back to the US? What are some viable options if I can’t get into Medical School in the UK?
We address these questions and more as we help you understand what it means to study Medicine in the UK!
UK Medical Degrees
In the UK, it’s hard to believe, but British students can go directly into Medicine as an undergraduate. This often leads to a misconception in the US that the process will be quicker, cheaper, and perhaps easier to study a medical degree abroad. However, that is not accurate.
Medical programs are called the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB or MBBS). They have no general education or core curriculum requirements and are five years in length. This program is considered a combined Undergraduate and Graduate degree. The first two years are foundational and years 3-5 are hospital experience.
Students who complete the Medicine (MBChB or MBBS) program, must then complete an additional two years of professional training to practice in the UK. Therefore the length to start practicing is around 7 years.
Entry Requirements as an American
Medicine is one of the most competitive programs in the UK. Out of 130 universities, there are only 37 medical schools. The average UK student who is accepted into a Medical degree already has a strong knowledge and understanding of Math, English and Sciences with at least 3 to 5 A-Levels or Highers exams with scores of A’s. The equivalent of these exams in the US are AP exams with scores of 5’s.
In addition, most universities will also require you to take one admissions test: University Clinical Test (UCAT), Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) or Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) along with an interview.
Not only are the entry requirements quite high, but looking at it from an international standpoint, it becomes more competitive. Most universities accept only 10-15 international students per year. You’re not only competing against other Americans, but you’re also competing against other students from around the world.
The application deadline for all medical programs is October 15th.
Transferring your UK Medical Degree to the US
If a student wants to return to the US after graduating, there are going to be some extra steps. UK graduates with the MBChB or MBBS are generally exempt from having to attend medical school in the United States, but may need to complete a residency, in addition to passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to become a licensed doctor.
Either way, the process will be rigorous. It will take about 7-8 years to complete no matter which route you choose. So the decision should be less about saving time and more about what experience is going to be the best fit for you.
Other Medicine Pathways
If a student is looking to get the best of both worlds, a great option might be to complete a Bachelor of Science in the UK and apply to a medical school in the US.
The UK is a fantastic option for the student who knows what they want to study, as there are no general education or core curriculum requirements. You have the chance to study your major and related subjects from day one. Not to mention the transparent application process and reasonable tuition fees. One thing to keep in mind is that US medical schools could require specific general education courses. It’s important to do your research and check before applying.
If a full degree abroad isn’t the preference but a student has medical aspirations, studying abroad for a semester or a year might be a good choice. The University of Glasgow has a study abroad course called ‘Functional Anatomy’ that is exclusively available to visiting students. This was designed specifically for pre-med study abroad students by a professor who used to teach at a medical school in the U.S.
Once you research the process to find out if studying medicine overseas is truly what you want to pursue, you will have the fun task of finding the right schools to apply to. Some of the best medical schools in the world are in the United Kingdom.
Our University Partners and their Medical Schools
If you are interested in pursuing your full medical degree in the UK, below is a list of our university partners who offer Medicine. If you would like to connect with a university representative to learn more about their entry requirements and applying, we recommend filling in their university contact form. A university representative will contact you within 2-5 business days.
Ashley Warmington is the Senior International Officer for western USA at the University of Glasgow. Ashley studied her undergraduate degree in Scotland and has worked in UK admissions since 2016. She is now based in Southern California, where she helps American students through the UK application process.
One Response
The British Medical Association also has some helpful information about working in the US after studying Medicine in the UK: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/career-progression/working-abroad/working-as-a-doctor-in-the-usa