Graduate-entry medicine
If you hold (or are about to finish) a degree, usually a 2:1 or better, some schools offer a four-year accelerated programme. Admissions often use the UCAT or GAMSAT; competition per place is high, and funding arrangements differ from standard courses.
Medicine with a foundation or gateway year
These six-year courses are aimed at applicants who did not have the chance to take the usual science A-levels, or who come from widening-participation backgrounds. They include a year that prepares you for the main course.
Gap years and re-applying
- A gap year used for volunteering, paid work or earning funds is entirely acceptable; many schools welcome it.
- If you are rejected, ask for feedback. Many successful applicants apply twice.
- Think about a related degree (biomedical science, pharmacology) with a view to graduate entry.
Choosing between routes
| If you… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| have strong grades but missed UCAT or deadlines | A gap year and a reapplication for the next cycle |
| do not have the required science A-levels | A medicine course with a foundation or gateway year |
| are completing a first degree with a 2:1 or better | Graduate-entry medicine |
This page is general education, reviewed 24 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change: always confirm with the official sources below. It is not medical, legal or immigration advice.