Table of Contents
The UK offers a wealth of chances for those who want to work in healthcare, making it one of the most popular places in the world for students to study medicine. With state-of-the-art research facilities and creative teaching approaches, UK medical schools provide students with an intense learning environment. By prioritizing hands-on learning, problem-based learning, and interprofessional cooperation, these colleges provide a comprehensive education that goes beyond conventional classroom confines.
In this blog, we are going to address why you should consider studying medicine in the UK, what the best medicine courses are for international students, the types of medicine degrees offered, and the Employability rate for graduates who pursued medicine. This basically means we will cover the career and salary of medicine in the UK. We will also cover the best medical colleges in the UK and, lastly, how to apply for them.
This blog is all you need to understand the current academic and job scenario in the UK.
Why Study Medicine in the UK?
The medical schools in the UK offer top-notch research, globally recognized curricula, and a welcoming, multicultural learning environment. In addition to schools for students who choose to study in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, there are medical schools in England. Both pre-clinical and medical programs are offered by universities. All this can be broken down into the following points: studying medicine in the UK.
1. Leading Medical Schools
The UK is home to many of the world’s top medical universities, making it a popular choice for medical students. The QS World University Ranking 2024 places four UK universities—the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London, and Imperial College London—in the top ten worldwide.
World-class instruction, exceptional placements in nearby hospitals, and high student satisfaction rates are all provided by these and other universities.
2. Professional experience
Practical learning is at the core of every program that UK medical schools have created. Early in the educational process, students will complete placements at nearby hospital trusts and receive instruction from some of the most renowned physicians and scientists in the world. In the first two months of the curriculum, clinical practice is offered by many UK colleges!
3. Research
The UK’s research-focused approach to education has earned it international renown, drawing top researchers and scholars. Since 2001, the United Kingdom has won the second-most Nobel Prizes in medicine.
Innovative research from all UK medical institutions enriches their curricula and has practical applications.
4. Employability
One of the most marketable degrees worldwide is an MBBS degree. The demand for qualified medical professionals who can speak English and have studied in the UK will always be there, regardless of where you decide to work or where you go in your career.
Medicine Course Duration
In the UK, a bachelor’s degree in medicine is an undergraduate program that normally takes five to six years to finish. A solid foundation in the sciences and/or healthcare is necessary for a Master of Medicine, which normally takes one to two years to finish.
Best Medicine Courses in the UK with Fees
Course | Fees (per year) | University |
|---|---|---|
£50,100 | University of Aberdeen | |
£35,000 | University of Edinburgh | |
£46,650 | Imperial College London | |
£35,920 | University of St Andrews | |
£38,000 | University of Oxford | |
£67,000 | University of Cambridge | |
£52,000 | University of Glasgow | |
£38,000 (Years 1-2); £58,000 (Years 3-5) | University of Manchester | |
£33,600 | Newcastle University | |
£42,000 | Queen Mary University of London |
Medicine Degree Types in the UK
According to the Medical Schools Council, the following are the types of courses offered in the UK.
1. Standard Entry Medicine: MBBS or MBChB
Typically lasting five years, the Standard Entry Medicine program might last up to six years in certain institutions. It might be shortened to MBBS or MBChB, for example, although all of them lead to a bachelor’s degree in medicine.
2. Graduate Entry Medicine
Those with a prior bachelor’s degree who have earned at least 2.1 can enroll in the Graduate Entry Medicine course. A 2.2 might be accepted by some schools. While not all colleges demand it, many do require a prior degree to be relevant to health. Although some colleges offer five-year courses, the accelerated degree program typically lasts four years. Another name for it is the Graduate Entry Program. Only UK students are eligible to enroll in certain graduate programs.
3. Medicine with a Preliminary Year
Preliminary years are sometimes called foundation years. This is not the same as the Foundation Program, which is a post-graduation practical training program for new physicians.
This course is offered as a five-year Standard Entry Medicine program with an extra year added at the beginning, for a total of six years.
This course is intended for students who did not pursue the necessary science courses but have excellent A-level or comparable grades. At the A level, the grade criteria are often three As, which must be earned in a single sitting. Students get the extra year of science instruction they need to catch up. It is not a way to improve the grades of those who don’t fit the prerequisites for admittance into regular medical school. Please be aware that only students from the UK and the EU are eligible for many of these courses.
4. Medicine with a Gateway Year
These medical degrees are intended for highly capable individuals who may have faced obstacles to their education because of their personal situations. This can be considered in a variety of ways by the courses, for example by modifying the entry requirements for some applicants through the use of “adjusted criteria.” Please be aware that only students from the UK are eligible for these courses.
Abbreviations related to the Medicine degree;
MBBS | Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery |
BMBS | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery |
MBChB | Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery |
MB BCh | Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery |
MB BChir | Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery |
BAO | Baccalaureus in Arte Obstetricia | Bachelor of Obstetrics is sometimes used interchangeably with MBBS |
Graduate Medicine Careers and Salary in the UK
1. Anaesthetist.
National average salary: £107,996 per year
Primary duties include: Physicians with expertise in both local and general anesthesia administration and patient monitoring during surgery are known as anesthetists. They work in maternity units, intensive care units, and surgical rooms. Anaesthetists are essential staff members who respond to crash calls and assist in the resuscitation of individuals experiencing cardiac arrest.
2. Neurosurgeon
National average salary: £107,412 per year
Primary duties include: Primary responsibilities: Neurosurgeons are specialized surgeons proficient in evaluating, diagnosing, and surgically treating problems related to the neurological system. They must pay close attention to detail to spot clinical indicators of neurological disorders and determine which abnormalities in the brain and spinal cord can be operated on. This medical discipline requires many years of specialized training.
3. Plastic surgeon
National average salary: £104,137 per year.
Primary duties: Plastic surgery is a subspecialty of surgery that repairs damaged bodily tissues and structures using reconstructive methods. In trauma units, plastic surgeons frequently perform reconstructive surgery on patients who have sustained severe injuries in an effort to restore their functional and aesthetic qualities. Cosmetic operations can also be performed by private plastic surgeons.
4. Psychiatrist
National average salary: £104,137 per year.
Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with mental illness, including writing prescriptions for medication. They are in charge of overseeing patient care in both hospitals and the community and are essential members of mental health teams. Psychiatrists have the legal authority to retain and treat people under duress under the Mental Health Act.
5. Medical director
National average salary: £102,208 per year
Senior physicians having managerial duties in hospitals and health trusts are known as medical directors. A medical director manages the hospital’s organizational and operational processes in addition to their own clinical practice. They represent the needs of medical staff and sit on the hospital’s or trust’s executive board. They report clinical issues that have an impact on patient safety and care quality.
6. Cardiologist
National average salary: £92,951 per year
Primary responsibilities: Cardiologists are medical professionals who specialize in treating heart disorders. They perform specialized diagnostic tests like echocardiography or therapies like angioplasty and are skilled in evaluating patients with both acute and chronic heart problems. Many cardiologists conduct research on the causes and treatment of heart disease in their private practices or at specialized NHS heart units.
7. Director of Nursing
National average salary: £83,571 per year
Principal responsibilities: Within a healthcare trust, a director of nursing is in charge of the operational management of the work of nurses and midwives. Clinical responsibilities may or may not be part of this managerial position. In addition to creating and implementing nursing standards, directors of nursing may also be responsible in handling complaints.
8. General practitioner
National average salary: £82,271 per year
Primary responsibilities: General practitioners (GPs) are medical professionals who treat registered patients in the community and, if required, send them to hospitals. After junior doctor rotations in hospitals, they go through a three-year training program. They might work alone or in a team of general practitioners, and they might also be expected to offer emergency or after-hours care.
9. Clinical director
National average salary: £68,410 per year
Principal responsibilities: Clinical directors are in charge of providing a particular clinical service. In addition to their clinical practice, they carry out this managerial function, and they answer to the executive board of a healthcare trust as well as senior service managers. Clinical directors typically oversee a multidisciplinary team that provides care in compliance with predetermined standards and criteria.
10. Pharmacist
National average salary: £51,255 per year
Pharmacists’ main responsibilities include prescribing and delivering medications. They can work in a range of medical subspecialties, including cancer, and can be stationed in hospitals or the community. Pharmacists can also run their own independent pharmacy where they provide a range of NHS services, prescribe drugs, sell over-the-counter drugs, and counsel clients.
Graduate Employability Rate for Medicine
The employment rate for medical and dental programs is an impressive 99.4% within six months after graduation.
According to Statisca, 94% of students in the UK who graduated by the conclusion of the 2016–17 school year were employed. The professions of medicine and dentistry have the highest post-graduate employment rate and the lowest post-graduate unemployment rate in the United Kingdom.
All the statistics suggest a high chance that a degree in medicine and allied fields will land you a job.
On the pragmatic front, it is natural that a medical professional will find employment.
Best Medical Colleges and Schools in the UK 2025
In order to know the best medical schools in the UK, we can refer to two sources: the Times News Ranking and the QS University ranking.
In this blog, we will refer to QS world ranking.
The list is based on the latest ranking.
QS World Ranking | University | Overall score | Employer Reputation |
|---|---|---|---|
2 | University of Oxford | 95.4 | 96 |
5 | University of Cambridge | 91.6 | 95 |
6 | UCL | 89.9 | 82.6 |
8 | Imperial College London | 89.6 | 85.4 |
13 | King’s College London | 87.9 | 79.7 |
22 | The University of Edinburgh | 83.5 | 79.4 |
24 | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine | 83 | 63 |
30 | The University of Manchester | 81.5 | 79.7 |
48 | University of Glasgow | 78.9 | – |
57 | Queen Mary University of London | 77.2 | – |
How to Study Medicine in the UK for International Students?
Applying to study medicine in the UK as a foreign student may be both thrilling and daunting! You should carefully select medical schools and be aware of the specific requirements and factors that are part of the application process.
But do not worry, we will address the question here; you must consider the following things in mind – Think about things like academic credentials and English language competency exams, as well as any extra paperwork required for international applicants while selecting your institution and course.
1) Making your application via UCAS
To study medicine in the UK, you have to apply online via The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). On your application, you have the option to select up to four medical schools. Although you have a fifth UCAS option, it is best to choose complementary courses such as physiotherapy, psychology, biochemistry, biological sciences, biomedical sciences, or natural sciences. Your projected grades and your study into various universities, including their admittance rates, interview offer rates, and the number of seats available for overseas students, should guide your choice of the four medical courses.
2) Academic transcripts
In many international professions, academics are essential, especially if you intend to pursue undergraduate medical studies in the UK. As a result, fulfilling the minimal prerequisites for admittance is essential. In order to receive an A*/A grade or its equivalent, students must typically study mathematics, chemistry, or other sciences at the highest level during grades 11 and 12. IB and A Level programs are accepted at UK institutions.
3) English language competency assessments
International students are required to take English proficiency exams like the TOEFL or IELTS, particularly those from non-English speaking nations. Universities need them, but the government also needs them for student visas. The minimum score for the TOEFL is roughly 100, and the minimum score for the IELTS is 7.0.
4) The admission exam: UCAT
Undergraduate medical and dental programs in the UK require the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). It assesses critical traits like empathy, problem-solving abilities, abstract thinking capabilities, and other competencies needed by medical and dentistry schools. Instead of following a set curriculum, it evaluates aptitude and natural skills.
UCAT Exam comprises five subsections containing multiple-choice questions, learn more about the UCAT Exam here!
Apply with Rostrum: Book A Free Session With Us!
FAQs on Best Medical Courses in the UK
1. Where is it best for an international student to study medicine?
The “best” location depends on your individual preferences and priorities. However, some of the top-ranked medical schools in the UK that are popular with international students include:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Edinburgh
2. Are there any scholarships for international students to study medicine in the UK?
Yes, there are several scholarships available for international students pursuing medical studies in the UK. Some of the most common ones include:
- Chevening Scholarships: Prestigious scholarships offered by the UK government to outstanding international students.
- University-specific scholarships: Many universities offer their own scholarships for international students, including those studying medicine.
- External scholarships: Various external organizations and foundations also offer scholarships for medical studies in the UK.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: Scholarships for students from Commonwealth countries.
3. Can International Students do medicine in the UK?
- Yes, international students are welcome to apply for medical programs in the UK. However, the application process is competitive, and entry requirements are high.
4. Is NEET accepted in the UK?
The National Eligibility Entrance Test, or NEET, is not a requirement for admission to UK medical schools. The UCAT is the main entry test for UK medical schools.
5. Can international students get scholarships in the UK for medicine?
Indeed, scholarships are available to international students who wish to study medicine in the United Kingdom. For overseas students, the previously listed scholarships—Chevening, Commonwealth, university-specific, and external—all offer financial aid options.
