MBBS Requirements in UK, Costs and Free Tuition
A lot of people have been wondering and asking “What is the cost of studying Medicine UK?” In fact, several of the mails we have received in recent days have centered around that question. Medicine is one of the most difficult professions to get into in the UK.
Aside from the fact that it is financially demanding, gaining entry to study Medicine in the United Kingdom could also be somewhat difficult too.
Not a great way to begin this topic, right?
But nevertheless becoming a medical doctor in the UK has never been a walk in the park, seeing that you will end up dealing with human lives – that should not come as a surprise!
Like every other difficult task, it seems impossible, and if it’s what you want to do then why let anything hold you back? Applying for medical study scholarships can further aid your study.
Details of Requirements, Costs of Studying Medicine in UK
In the United Kingdom, becoming a medical doctor typically follows a structured educational pathway, which includes obtaining a degree in medicine from a recognized medical school.
Tuition free study for international students in the United kingdom are readily available but are mostly made possible through a bilateral arrangement between the government of student’s home country and the school and/or British Government.
STANDARD ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICINE IN UK
Different medical schools in the UK have their unique GCSE requirements for Medicine, including subject and grade requirements. Here are what the GCSE requirements are;
Undergraduate Medical Entry Requirements
Students applying to a medical school in the UK broadly have two main course choices; the A100 medicine program or the A104 medicine with foundation year.
For an undergraduate course, you usually need to have achieved further education qualifications such as A-levels, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers, or equivalent qualifications from your country in related subjects. You should also have;
Academic Requirements:
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- International Baccalaureate (IB):
- A minimum of 37 points overall is usually required, including chemistry and another science subject.
- GCSE (or equivalent):
- Grade 5 passes (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics are typically required.
- Additional science subjects such as Biology and Physics are recommended, with Grade 6-9 passes expected, especially in science subjects.
- International Baccalaureate (IB):
Graduate Medical Entry Requirements
Graduate entry Medicine is open to application from those who already have a bachelor’s degree. Many universities require the previous degree to be health-related, but not all. It is a four-year accelerated degree in most cases, but at some universities, it is a five-year course. In some cases, work experience may count towards entry to a course.
Students who have an impressive first degree can apply for a graduate/accelerated four-year graduate Medicine course even if they have no science background and have been out of education for some time.
Post-Graduate Entry Paths
In many cases students read Biochemistry or Biomedical Sciences at undergraduate level and go on to postgraduate Medicine, and that is a recognised – and well-respected – career path for strong students who narrowly missed getting onto undergraduate Medicine. Others – whether science or humanities graduates, spend some years working in a non-medical field post-university before applying for graduate studies in Medicine, with success in their career and impressive volunteer experience in healthcare.
Specific Entry Requirements for Graduates
The following are included in the list of what is required are;
- International Baccalaureate: 37 points.
- A-level: AAA.
- IELTS: 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any one component.
(If English isn’t your first language, the university or college may ask you to take an English language test or show your English language qualifications before you can enroll. This may also be necessary for your visa application).
- The course you’re describing is commonly known as a “Standard Entry Medicine” program with a foundation year, which extends the duration of the medical degree to six years. Here’s an overview of how this type of program typically works:
Standard Entry Medicine with Foundation Year:
- Foundation Year: The program begins with a foundation year, also known as a “pre-clinical year” or “pre-medical year.” This additional year provides students with a solid foundation in basic medical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and medical ethics. It helps prepare students for the rigorous medical curriculum ahead.
- Duration: Following the foundation year, students proceed to the standard five-year medical degree program, which focuses on both academic study and clinical training. Therefore, the overall duration of the program is six years.
- Curriculum: The curriculum during the foundation year may include a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, and practical exercises to build essential knowledge and skills in the biomedical sciences. In subsequent years, students progress to more advanced medical studies, clinical rotations, and hands-on training in hospital settings.
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- Assessments: Throughout the program, students are assessed through a variety of methods, including written examinations, practical assessments, clinical skills assessments, and professional competency evaluations.
BEST MEDICAL SCHOOLS TO STUDY MEDICINE IN UK
From our research, here are some of the best universities where you can study Medicine in the UK (Note that this is not a ranking):
* The University of Liverpool.
* The University of Edinburgh.
* King’s College London.
* The University of Cambridge.
* The University of Glasgow.
* University College London (UCL)
COSTS OF STUDYING MEDICINE IN THE UK
For international students, the average cost of a medical degree can be as somewhere as high as £38,000 per year and as low as £8,000 per years, depending on a lot of factors; the medical school in question, your mode of entry, EU/EEU student, etc. Cost of living in UK is estimated at £800 to £1200 per month to cover the cost of accommodation, food, books, travel, etc. Note that this is just an estimate and may be higher or lower depending on a student’s lifestyle and spending habits.
At Leicester Medical School, for instance, UK and EU students were quoted to pay a standard £9,250 per year, including the iBSc. Those living in a non-EU country pay tuition fees of £20,590 per year for the Medical Degree (MBChB) for the first two years, then over £40,000 for years 3, 4 and 5 (It should be noted that these rates are not communicated officially and may change).
SOME GREAT UK UNIVERSITIES AND THEIR AVERAGE FEES
A number of UK schools including the Medical schools and their average or starting fees are listed as follows (**);
- Glyndwr University
- Undergraduate: £7,450
- Postgraduate: £8,100
- The University of West London
- Undergraduate: £9,350
- Postgraduate: £9,950
- Southampton Solent University
- Undergraduate: £9,785
- Postgraduate: £10,300
4. Edinburg Napier University
- Undergraduate: £10,080
- Postgraduate: £10,760
- Leeds Metropolitan University
- Undergraduate: £9,500
- Postgraduate: £10,100
- Canterbury Christ Church University
- Undergraduate: £9,710
- Postgraduate: £10,510
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- Undergraduate: £9,700
- Postgraduate: £10,000
- Aberystwyth University.
- Undergraduate: £9,750
- Postgraduate: £10,750
- Robert Gordon University
- Undergraduate: 9,900
- Postgraduate: £10,000
10. University of Bedfordshire
- Undergraduate: £9,600
- Postgraduate: £9,600
**please note that these fees are not communicated officially, it is always advisable that you reach out to the respective schools to get the most current and more reliable information.
If you are already a student in any of these schools or in the system and would like to update us with the current rates, we will welcome such at the comment section or use the contact form to reach us.
