Medicine & Dentistry
Your route to Doctor
Diagnose and treat patients, then specialise — GP, surgery, paediatrics, psychiatry, emergency medicine and dozens more.
Career compatibility and admission likelihood are different things
Compatibility is about you. Admission is the institution's decision — we can only tell you how to be ready for it.
Destination
Doctor
Interview (MMI), then offer
UCAS: up to 4 medicine choices + 1 backup
UCAT in the summer before applying
Work experience or volunteering in a care setting
A Levels: Chemistry + Biology (+ third subject)
GCSEs: strong grades including Maths, English and Sciences
You are here
Tell us your year group to place this properly
My academic gap
Here's exactly what has to move
Current position
Stage not set · predicted grades
Target
AAA–A*AA at A Level including Chemistry and Biology, plus UCAT and interview
Science
Chemistry and Biology are required by almost every medical school
Maths
GCSE Maths minimums are strictly applied
English
GCSE English is a standard entry requirement
Official requirements set by General Medical Council / medical schools. Last checked August 2026 — always confirm directly with the institution.
What the destination officially asks for
AAA–A*AA at A Level including Chemistry and Biology, plus UCAT and interview
Admissions tests: UCAT · MMI interview
Timeline
- Year 11: strong GCSEs including Maths, English, Science
- Year 12: Chemistry + Biology, start work experience and UCAT prep
- Summer before Year 13: sit the UCAT
- October: UCAS deadline for medicine
- Winter: interviews
Official requirements from General Medical Council / medical schools · last checked August 2026. Always confirm with the institution — they set the rules, we don't.
Your routes in
Ranked honestly, for where you are now.
Some of these are harder than others. We say which, and why.
Qualifications
A Levels including Chemistry and Biology (most schools require both)
Grades
Typically AAA–A*AA, plus strong GCSEs including Maths and English
Admissions tests
UCAT (most schools) and interviews (MMI or panel)
Duration
5–6 years, then 2 foundation years
How competitive
Very competitive — several applicants per place
Funding
Student finance, with NHS bursary support in later years
Progression
Foundation training, then core and specialty training
The route, step by step
- 1GCSEs: strong grades including Maths, English and Sciences
- 2A Levels: Chemistry + Biology (+ third subject)
- 3Work experience or volunteering in a care setting
- 4UCAT in the summer before applying
- 5UCAS: up to 4 medicine choices + 1 backup
- 6Interview (MMI), then offer
Next action
Lock in Chemistry and Biology grades, then start UCAT practice early
Plan this route with the TutorWhere people study this
Real institutions, real requirements.
Universities, conservatoires and specialist schools that lead to this destination.
Oxford · A*AA–A*A*A + admissions test + interview
University of Oxford
Cambridge · A*AA–A*A*A + admissions assessment + interview
University of Cambridge
London · A*AA typical, Maths often required
Imperial College London
London · A*AA–ABB depending on course
King's College London
Manchester · AAA–ABB depending on course
University of Manchester
Nottingham · AAA–ABB depending on course
University of Nottingham
Edinburgh · AAA–ABB, Scottish Highers accepted
University of Edinburgh