A Guide to Graduate Entry Medicine and Dentistry
Find out all you need to know about graduate entry medical courses.
Updated 3 Mar 2025
Graduate entry courses are for students who already have an undergraduate degree.
They are usually 4 years long and once you graduate, you can start your foundation training.
Many graduates are attracted to graduate entry medicine (GEM) and graduate entry dentistry (GED) courses as they allow study with a mature cohort. Your classmates usually have a range of skills and experiences from their past studies and careers, which really enriches the learning experience.
Who should consider graduate entry medicine/dentistry?
If you're a high school student who is not 100% sure you want to become a doctor or dentist or don’t feel ready, you should consider graduate entry. Doing another degree will give you the chance to thoroughly research medical and dental careers and find your interests, as well as to develop maturity and confidence.
If you didn't get the A-level grades you'd hoped for, graduate entry could also be for you. Usually universities have lower A-level requirements for graduate entry medicine. People tend to mature later on in life and universities recognise that your previous academic achievements aren’t a reflection of your current ability.
It is also a good option if your UCAT score was not competitive.
What test do you need to sit: UCAT or GAMSAT?
There are three possible tests you could sit, depending on the university you choose:
University Clinical Admissions Test (UCAT)
Length: under 2 hours (computer based).
Questions: 184 multiple choice questions spread over 4 sections.
Challenges: The time limit. For some sections you’ll have as little as 22 seconds per question! Our UCAT timing article covers some hacks to save time in the exam.
Ready to dive in? Check out the world’s most popular UCAT Online Course
Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
Length: Written Communication - 1 hour and 5 minutes (remote proctored); Humanities and Biological Sciences - 4 hours and 10 minutes.
Questions: Written Communication - 2; Humanities and Biological Sciences - 167.
Challenges: It’s long and arduous. The questions are university level.
Need help preparing for the GAMSAT? Explore our GAMSAT Online Course
Which universities offer graduate entry medicine?
There are 21 universities that offer graduate entry medicine. You can find more detailed requirements for the subjects through the Medical Schools Council and on their respective university websites.
Bangor University
Degree: 2:1 from recognised feeder stream
A-levels: BBB/ABC including Biology and Chemistry
GCSEs: 6 (B) in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and English/Welsh Language
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: No specific requirements
University of Cambridge
Degree: 2:1 in any discipline
A-levels: AAA including Chemistry and 1 of Physics, Biology and Maths
GCSEs: No specific requirements
Personal statement: Reviewed prior to interview but not scored
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Required
Cardiff University
Degree: 2:1 from recognised feeder stream
A-levels: BBB/ABC and pass in the science practical
GCSEs: 9 GCSEs including 6 (B) in Maths and English Language, 66 (BB) in Double Science, or 66 (BB) in Biology and Chemistry
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Not required
University of Chester
Degree: 2:1 for BSc, 2:2 accepted for Masters or Doctorate
A-levels: Not reviewed
GCSEs: Not reviewed
Personal statement: Required but not used to shortlist candidates
Admissions test: UCAT, GAMSAT or MCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Required
Pears Cumbria (Imperial College London & University of Cumbria)
Degree: 2:1 or above in a Biosciences or Allied Healthcare degree
A-levels: Not required
GCSEs: Not required
Personal statement: Assessed during interview
Admissions test: UCAT or GAMSAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Assessed during interview
University of Dundee and University of St Andrews (ScotGEM)
Degree: 2:1 in any subject
A-levels: A or B in Chemistry
GCSEs: 5 (B) in Maths
Personal statement: Required but not scored
Admissions test: GAMSAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Required
King’s College London
Degree: 2:1 in a Biosciences subject
A-levels: No specific requirements
GCSEs: No specific requirements
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Expected
University of Liverpool
Degree: 2:1 in any subject, 2:2 accepted for Masters or Doctorate
A-levels: No specific requirements
GCSEs: No specific requirements
Personal statement: Assessed during interview
Admissions test: GAMSAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Assessed during interview
University of Manchester
Degree: 2:1 in a Biosciences or Allied Healthcare degree
A-levels: BBB, required only for applicants who are still completing a 2:1 honours degree
GCSEs: 6 (B) in English Language and Maths
Personal statement: Required but not scored
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Required
Newcastle University
Degree: 2:1 in any subject, or integrated Masters, or post-registration qualification if you're a practising healthcare professional
A-levels: Not scored
GCSEs: Not scored
Personal statement: Required but not scored
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Required
University of Nottingham
Degree: 2:2 in any subject
A-levels: Not scored
GCSEs: Not scored
Personal statement: Required but not scored
Admissions test: GAMSAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Encouraged (doesn't have to be in a hospital setting)
University of Oxford
Degree: 2:1 in applied or experimental science, including Engineering
A-levels: AAB with A/A* Chemistry
GCSEs: Applicants with a degree in a subject other than Bioscience must have a Biology GCSE
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Panel interviews
Work experience: Required
Queen Mary University of London
Degree: 2:1 in any subject
A-levels: BB in Chemistry and Biology if degree is not related to Molecular or Biomedical Sciences
GCSEs: Not scored
Personal statement: Required but not scored
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Structured panel
Work experience: Assessed but not scored
University of Sheffield
Degree: 2:1 in a life sciences subject
A-levels: BBB, one subject must be either Chemistry or Biology
GCSEs: Not required
Personal statement: Not required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Required
University of Southampton
Degree: 2:1 in any subject
A-levels: Not reviewed
GCSEs: 4 (C) in Maths, English Language and either Biology and Chemistry, Combined Science, or Science and Additional Science
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Selection day
Work experience: Not required
St George’s, University of London
Degree: 2:1 in any subject, or a postgraduate degree in any subject at a pass or above
A-levels: Not scored
GCSEs: Not scored
Personal statement: Not scored
Admissions test: GAMSAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Not required
University of Surrey
Degree: 2:1 in any subject
A-levels: Not scored
GCSEs: 4 (C) or above in Maths and English
Personal statement: Not scored
Admissions test: UCAT/GAMSAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Not required
Swansea University
Degree: 2:1 in any subject, 2:2 accepted with subsequent higher degree
A-levels: No minimum requirements
GCSEs: 4 (C) in Maths and English
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: GAMSAT, UCAT or MCAT (for international applicants)
Interview: Panel
Work experience: Not required
Ulster University
Degree: 2:1 in any subject. If you don't have a 2:1 but have a Masters with an overall pass of at least 60%, you are still eligible to apply
A-levels: Not scored
GCSEs: 4 (C) in English Language and Maths
Personal statement: Not scored
Admissions test: GAMSAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Not required
University of Warwick
Degree: 2:1 in any subject
A-levels: Not scored
GCSEs: Not scored
Personal statement: Not scored
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Required
University of Worcester
Degree: 2:1 in any subject, or 2:2 plus Masters or Doctoral degree
A-levels: Not scored
GCSEs: 4 (C) or above in Maths and English. If you have a non-science degree, you will need GCSEs at 4 (C) or above in two science subjects
Personal statement: Required but not scored
Admissions test: UCAT/GAMSAT plus SJT (Casper)
Interview: Panel interviews
Work experience: Not required
Which universities offer graduate entry dentistry?
There are five universities that offer graduate entry dentistry. You can find more detailed requirements for the subjects through the Dental Schools Council and on their respective university websites.
University of Aberdeen
Degree: 2:1 in health sciences from the UK
A Levels: None
GCSE: None
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Required
University of Central Lancashire
Degree: 2:1 in a biomedical subject
A Levels: CCC with at least two from Biology or Physics or Chemistry or Maths
GCSE: 5 (B) in English and Maths
Personal statement: Not required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Multiple mini-interviews
Work experience: Not required
King's College London (3 years)
Degree: Qualified doctors who have completed FY1 and FY2
A Levels: None
GCSE: None
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: None
Interview: Panel
Work experience: Not specified
King’s College London (4 years)
Degree: 2:1 in a biosciences subject, or 2:2 with at least a merit in a postgraduate degree in a biosciences subject
A Levels: None
GCSE: None
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: To be confirmed
Work experience: Expected
University of Leeds
Degree: 2:1 in BSc Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy from the University of Leeds
A Levels: None
GCSE: None
Personal statement: Not required
Admissions test: None
Interview: Panel
Work experience: Not required
Newcastle University
Degree: 2:1 including Biology and Chemistry as a significant percentage of the degree
A Levels: None
GCSE: None
Personal statement: Required
Admissions test: UCAT
Interview: Panel
Work experience: Required
How can you increase your chance of getting into graduate entry medicine/dentistry?
1. Stay focused
Keep your goal in mind from day one of your undergraduate degree. Take every opportunity to boost your application.
2. Work hard on your degree
Once you’ve started your degree, stay on top of all your work and give every assessment your best.
It’s crucial to do well in your undergraduate degree as you need to have at least 2:1 qualification to meet the entry requirements for most medical or dental schools.
Choose an undergraduate degree that you'll enjoy. You’re more likely to do well!
3. Do work experience
Medical and dental schools will also expect you to have real work experience. Get a job or some work experience in a hospital or dental setting, if possible.
Keeping a reflective diary throughout your studies will help you recognise the skills you’ve developed.
4. Show your motivation
You’ll need to show your motivation for medicine and dentistry. It’s likely you’ll be asked questions along the lines of ‘why medicine/dentistry?’ and ‘why now?’ in your dental or medical school interview.
Having already done an undergraduate degree, medical and dental schools will expect higher levels of maturity in your application. Avoid using phrases like ‘I’ve always wanted to be a doctor’, which could make you sound naive.
5. Prepare for the admissions tests
Start preparing for your admissions test early. You have three years before you begin applying so make the most of it. Research universities and choose which admissions test(s) you want to do.
6. Apply strategically
Unless you’ve always had a dream university, apply strategically. As a graduate entry applicant, you’ll have to apply via UCAS, which means there are only a limited number of applications you can make.
All medical and dental schools have the same core curriculum, so the quality of your education won’t be compromised based on where you’re studying.
Apply to universities that have the most places and the fewest applicants to increase your chances.
If you have a high score in your admissions test, apply to places that put greater weighting on your admissions test.
FAQ
How can I arrange funding for graduate entry medicine/dentistry?
You can apply for an NHS bursary from your second year, this would cover part of your tuition fees and the remaining amount can be covered by a student loan. Your first year study can partially be covered by a student finance loan.
Is it competitive?
Graduate entry medicine and dentistry courses are becoming increasingly competitive, although it partly depends on which university you wish to apply to.
For example, for graduate entry medicine, Swansea University has a ratio of 4:1 applicants-per-place, whereas Newcastle University has a ratio of 32:1.
My degree is non-science related. Will this affect my chances?
Some universities don’t accept non-science related degrees.
This means that you have fewer options, but if you’ve done well in your degree there are opportunities at certain schools. Look into medical and dental schools that are open to all degrees and think carefully about showing your ability and motivation.
What are the key differences between a graduate entry medicine/dentistry application and an undergraduate application?
The key differences are your assumed maturity and a requirement for stronger reflections. The application process is very similar, but you will have access to work experience and other opportunities that a 17 or 18 year old wouldn’t.
What are the alternatives to GEM?
There are a range of options and routes into medicine and dentistry:
Take a gap year and reapply for undergraduate medicine or dentistry
Try going through clearing
Apply to study in Eastern Europe (lower grade requirements)
Apply to study in Australia or New Zealand
Do a course with a transfer scheme
Do a degree and reapply for undergraduate medicine or dentistry
This is a great option and you’ll have a high chance of getting in as medical and dental schools like to have students that are more experienced. However you’d have to fund your studies almost entirely yourself as you won’t be eligible for a loan.
Will I be too old to study medicine or dentistry?
There is no set upper age limit to commence a medical degree although most universities state that they will take the length of time that a graduate would be employable in the NHS into account. There are many students commencing both GEM or GED and standard courses who are in their thirties and forties, and a few students who are in their fifties.
