This page covers everything you need to know when applying for our Medicine & Surgery (MBBS) programme, including:
Before you apply for MBBS
Think clearly about why you want to become a doctor and write a list of your reasons. It would be good to get these across in your application.
Where do you want to study? Whichever university you apply to, make sure you visit it, talk to the students and have a good look around the campus and city. Five years is a long time.
Things to think about
How to apply
UK applications are made via UCAS. UK medical school applications need to be submitted by October the year before entry. If you’re applying for September 2024, you will need to submit your application by 16 October 2023 at 6.00pm.
International applications can be made via UCAS or direct via our application portal. We accept direct applications throughout the year. However, you should apply as early as possible so that we can process your application in good time.
There are several stages to the MBBS admissions process:
We will assess your application against both academic and non-academic set criteria. Please make sure your application form is as comprehensive as possible.
You'll need to write a personal reflective statement as part of your application. The personal statement is a key element of the admissions process. Our Admissions Team have put together some guidance on how to write this in line with our set criteria. You can find this in the personal statement section of this page.
You'll also need to make sure you include all the supporting information for your application. This includes:
- Your academic qualifications where available.
- Copies of your IELTS qualification (or equivalent) if needed
- At least one reference, which must include an academic reference. This should also include predicted grades if you haven't finished your qualification yet.
- A letter confirming any work experience, job shadowing, or volunteering you've done.
If applying via UCAS, you will need to send these via email to our Admissions Team. Please quote either your UCAS or UCLan ID.
If you're invited to interview, you'll need to complete a transferable skills statement.
If you're applying for September 2024 entry, you'll need to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). The test assesses your ability and aptitude in a range of areas. This includes verbal, quantitative and abstract reasoning. It also tests your decision making and situational judgement. You can find out more information on the UCAT website, including a free practice test.
Please makes sure you look at the testing dates available so you can complete the test in good time. You UCAT score will help us decide who is offered an interview. The threshold score will be set based on the scores of those applying in each cycle and will not be known beforehand. The UCAT result is only valid for one year
All applications are first read by our Admissions Team to ensure that you meet the minimum academic requirements. If you meet the academic requirements, your application will be given an academic score and passed to our selection panel. If you do not meet these, your application will be rejected at this initial stage. For UK applicants, your UCAT results will be utilised as part of the interview selection process.
If you produce a strong personal statement, using the guidance on this page, you are more likely to be invited to interview. If you have a very low evaluation for any aspect of your application, you are unlikely to be called for interview.
You should make sure that your referee sees the criteria by which your reference will be scored. Please see the reference section on this page. Both you and your referee should address each aspect outlined in the guidance. Referees should be aware that we expect to see more than a record of academic achievement. Strong references that highlight your strengths in the specified areas are more valuable than basic "school report" style references.
If you're invited for interview, you'll take part in our Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). You will not be made an offer without an interview. The interviews are usually held at our Preston Campus between December and April. For international students, we may interview in other locations across the world.
Once all the interviews are complete, applicants who succeed in the MMI stations will be ranked by their scores. Offers will be given to the highest-ranking applicants until we fill all the available spots. A small number of applicants who perform exceptionally well at interview may be made an early offer.
If you're successful at interview, you must go through health screening during the enrolment process. This includes checks for tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, and HIV. Failing the health screening won't stop you from studying the MBBS, but it may affect how you study and your ability to practise as a doctor.
Further details are available on the General Medical Council’s website.
Personal statement for MBBS
You should look at your personal statement in the same way as a job application. You should use it to provide evidence that you have the qualities required by a trainee doctor. Don't tell us what you think you're good at. Instead, give us examples of things you've done that show us what you're good at.
Your personal statement should cover the following:
Reference for MBBS
In your reference, we want to know what your referee thinks about you as a whole person. We don't just want to know about your academic achievements and potential.
Your reference is likely to be written by your head teacher, college principal, head of year or form tutor.
The areas in which we require information from your referee are listed below:
Interviews for MBBS
The interview stage takes place between December and April each year. This usually consists of a multi-station Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). For those interviews taking place at our Preston Campus you will also have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the School facilities.
Further information for MBBS
Our School values the positive impacts of disabilities and diversity on our MBBS programme. We welcome and encourage applications from all students. We offer guidance on diversity and disability, which you should look at before filling out your application.
Related links
Medicine
We are proud to train future doctors and physician associates. We also prepare students for other healthcare careers. And, we develop the skills and knowledge of qualified professionals in the sector.
Medicine & Surgery, MBBS
Offering an innovative approach to medical education, we focus on early patient contact - you’ll see patients from the very first term in both community and hospital settings.
Becoming a doctor in the UK
Do you want to become a doctor in the UK? This step-by-step guide will walk you through what you need to do. We'll look at the qualifications, timescales, and key steps involved in pursuing a career in medicine.
Monday 18 September 2023