Top 10 Medical Universities in UK
Studying medicine at university is a challenging but highly rewarding study path. Every ambitious young medic wants to apply to the best medical school; here, we’ve gathered together the top ten universities to study medicine in the UK.
There are several university league tables in the UK. We’ve compiled and compared rankings for medical universities from some of the top league tables in the country, including The Guardian University Guide and The Complete University Guide, so you can easily see which medic schools come out on top.
If you’re starting to think about your UCAS application, read on to find the best medical school for you.
Oxford
Oxford University Medical School is one of the most competitive medical schools in the world - only 9% of applicants are successful! There’s a reason for that, though - teaching is exceptional, and medical research conducted by the university is groundbreaking. The recent Oxford AstraZenanca vaccine is a testimony of the university’s commitment to breakthroughs in medicine.
If you’re considering applying to study medicine at Oxford, remember that teaching doesn’t just take place at the Medical Sciences Teaching Centre. In fact, because of the college system, much teaching for medicine takes place in colleges. Medicine students at Oxford don’t get clinical experience until fourth year - for the first three years, it’s a more academic degree.
Entry Requirements: A*AA at A Level
Cambridge
Oxford’s biggest rival, Cambridge, often ranks lower for Medicine, but it’s still one of the top medicine universities in the UK. Cambridge is a small town. In fact, students account for about one-fifth of the whole city’s population! That means that it’s buzzing with student life.
Like Oxford, Cambridge operates under a college system. That means much of your teaching - especially in the first three years of your medical degree - will take place in college, rather than in hospitals or lecture halls.
Entry Requirements: A*AA at A Level
Glasgow
Glasgow Medical School, part of Glasgow University, describes itself as ‘friendly, supportive, and stimulating’. As one of the largest medical schools in the UK, it has plenty of international links and state-of-the-art facilities. Teaching takes place in the Wolfson Medical School Building and the New Lister Building, which is newly refurbished and modern.
There’s a broad curriculum at Glasgow, meaning that you’ll have the scope and freedom to develop your own interests in medicine. What’s more, there are clinical placements across 25 hospitals in Glasgow and West Scotland, meaning that you’ll have lots of choice about where to get hands-on experience.
Entry Requirements: AAA at A Level
Swansea
Located by the sea in South West Wales, Swansea University is highly ranked year on year and has lots of options for aspiring medics.
Its unique Pathways to Medicine programme offer a different way to study medicine. When you apply for Medicine via UCAS, only four of your five choices can be for Medicine. Swansea allows you to fill that fifth choice with a medicine-related degree, which means the opportunity for an eventual career in Medicine is still open to you. Every undergraduate on a Pathways to Medicine is guaranteed an interview for Graduate Medicine at Swansea. Those Medicine-related degrees include Medical Pharmacology BSc, Population Health and Medical Sciences BSc, and Genetics BSc.
Entry Requirements: AAB - BBB at A Level
Keele
At Keele, hands-on experience is prioritised above everything else. Over 100 weeks are spent on placement in hospitals and general practice settings. If you learn best by doing things, or if you want to get as much patient care experience, Keele is a great medical school. While not as renowned as the likes of Oxford and Cambridge, Keele was actually ranked third best in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2020.
Keele is a campus university, which means that everything is within walking distance. Shops and cafes, lecture halls, teaching facilities, and student accommodation are all in one place.
Entry Requirements: AAA at A Level. However, Keele also has a Foundation Year for students with lower grades.
Dundee
Dundee admits around 160 medical students each year. A smaller cohort means that the medical school has a strong emphasis on community. What’s more, medical students at Dundee work with patients from the start of their first year - it’s a hands-on learning experience centred around patient care. At Dundee, a different style of medicine curriculum is preferred. Rather than an intense study of specific subjects before exams, topics are frequently revisited throughout the degree.
Training takes place in Ninewells Hospital, one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe. There’s also the opportunity to take electives across the world.
Entry Requirements: AAA at A Level
Imperial College London
If you want to live in London, Imperial is a top medical school. There are campuses in north London and west London, in super central locations. Much of the medicine teaching is based on the South Kensington campus. The university has an international feel, and those who are not from London need not worry about finding a place to live, as accommodation is guaranteed.
What’s unique about Imperial is the range of choice for medicine students. There are 17 different pathways, including Neuroscience, Business, and Global Health, which students can choose to specialise in.
Entry Requirements: AAA at A Level
Edinburgh
Edinburgh University is known for its vibrant student life and a busy, bustling atmosphere. It’s also a great place to study medicine. Edinburgh Medical School prides itself on innovation and modernity. Edinburgh has global connections, too - sixth year elective clinical placements are often taken abroad. Edinburgh ranked highly on the 2020 Complete University Guide - with strong student satisfaction, it ranked 4th in the UK.
Entry Requirements: AAA at A Level
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London is one of the best places to study Medicine in the capital. It’s also one of the oldest medical schools in the UK.
Students at Queen Mary work with patients from their very first year, providing a great foundation of practical experience. The teaching style is non-traditional - instead of lectures, students earn in small groups and tackle scenario-based problems. There’s also lots of scope for students to develop their own interests in their degree, from public health to medical ethics.
Entry Requirements: A*AA at A Level.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen has one of the largest clinical sites in Europe, as well as a varied and rigorous curriculum which is constantly reviewed and updated. It’s research facilities are state-of-the-art, too. It also has a Medical Humanities option, which is not offered anywhere else in the UK.
Entry Requirements: AAA at A Level
A great medicine degree starts with a great personal statement. Whether you already have a draft that you want a second opinion on, or if you need help getting started, our expert team are on hand to help you get into a top medical school. Find out more here.
