Studying medicine in the UK is one of the best options for studying abroad. Medical universities in the United Kingdom are among the most prestigious universities in the world. The number of applicants who want to study medicine in the UK is increasing every year due to the high level of quality of education and advanced and modern equipment.

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The United Kingdom has practically one of the top higher education systems in the world. This is why medicine is one of the most popular majors in the UK for applicants all over the world. If an applicant cannot study medicine in his/her country, he/she should not be disappointed. Iranian students who didn’t get the best grades in their SATs can also apply to study medicine in the UK.

 

According to the Scimago Journal & Country Rank, the UK ranks second place in the world in medical researches. This indicates that a lot of medical tests and research are being done in this country. The best-equipped hospitals in the world are located in the UK and are accessible to students who have already proved their ability, talent, and will to the student admissions authorities of the relevant university.

 

As medicine is very popular in the UK, it has become one of the most competitive majors. According to reputable websites, about 21,000 people compete for 8,000 spots to study medicine in the UK each year, and about 40% of them succeed. As we said, you should not lose hope. But be aware that it is not easy to get into UK colleges.

 

The most important thing is to prove your interest in this field and get high scores in the relevant exams of each institution. Admission standards are strict for all medical schools in the UK. Also, admission interviews are pretty difficult. In these interviews, they will ask you questions about your personal motivation, previous work experiences, personal interests and your skills.

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Requirements for Studying Medicine in the UK

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Studying medicine in the UK takes less time than in other countries. Studying this course takes up to 7 years at universities in most countries, however, in the UK, students can complete this course in 5 years. UK colleges’ and universities’ admission process is much easier and shorter than in other leading countries such as the US and Canada. However, due to the very large number of applicants who want to study medicine in the UK, many of whom are from EU countries and thus have advantages over their competitors, only a limited number of applicants from other countries can be accepted in this field.

 

Another advantage of studying medicine in the UK is that medical schools in the country have a very close relationship with UK hospitals. Some requirements for studying medicine in the UK include passing entrance exams, getting high scores in language tests such as IELTS, and etc. The three exams that play a major role in your acceptance of studying medicine in the UK are UKCAT, BMAT, and GAMSAT.

 

Of course, every university chooses one of these three tests based on their standards to admit students. Each of these tests assesses different and specific skills. Also, the date and registration deadline for each test is different. They also cost £28 to £44. Therefore, before taking any steps, you should find out which exam your university is using.

 

It should be noted that applicants who want to study medicine in the UK must first complete a two-year A-Level course in UK colleges. Keep in mind that applicants must get an AAA score in two subjects of the A-Level course, Chemistry and Biology. They can then take the UKCAT, BMAT or GAMSAT exams and apply for admission to UK universities after achieving the required scores.

 

Another requirement for studying medicine in the UK is proof of English language proficiency.

 

People who want to study medicine at the undergraduate level often must have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 with no skills less than 6.5. On the other hand, applicants who are under 17 years of age and want to study medicine in the UK and have completed their elementary to high school years in another country, must take the GCSE course, otherwise, they must pass the A-Level or Foundation course. After completing a 4-year course, the specialised training course begins, which is the most difficult step of studying medicine in the UK. This specialised training course can take up to 7 years, at the end of which a Certificate of Completion Training (CCT) is issued.

 

Note that if a student has completed 12 years of school with excellent grades but does not have the required English language and academic skills for studying an undergraduate degree in medicine, he/she enters a 6-year international course to study for a medical degree after completing a one year course, getting a minimum score of 75% and passing his/her interview successfully. Also, if a student gets a score of 65%, he/she enters the 3-year biomedical sciences course.

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Cost of studying medicine in the UK

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When you think about the costs of living and studying in a top country like the UK you might wonder whether it’s worth it or not. If you are looking for an answer, we must say that it is definitely worth it. But what are the costs of studying medicine in the UK? It can be said that tuition is a big part of these costs.

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As you know, the UK or Great Britain includes England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. So the city in which you intend to study in can increase or decrease your costs greatly. Also, tuition varies based on the university and your field of study. However, according to some UK laws, universities are not allowed to charge more than a certain amount for tuition. For example, the maximum tuition fee for British students and citizens of the EU is £9,000. In general, the cost of studying medicine in the UK for an international student is around £18,000 to £20,000. Of course, students that achieve excellent grades have the opportunity to receive scholarships from the third year onwards. In addition to scholarships, students can use student loans. The deadline for submitting a student loan application is in April.

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But getting a loan means going into debt and the stress of repaying. So receiving grants may be the best option to cover medical course fees in the UK. NHS Bursary is a UK scholarship for medical students who are in their final year. Supplementary Grants are also awarded to students with low financial ability and income. In most cases, scholarships are awarded to those who have proven their academic competence.

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One of the best but most difficult ways to pay for tuition in the UK is getting a part-time job. But the important thing to remember is that some universities do not allow you to work while studying. If the university lets you work part-time while studying, you should find out how many hours a week you are allowed to work. This is because some universities do not allow students to work more than one hour per week.

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Medicine is one of those majors that no matter how much you pay for studying it, you will earn so much more in the future. The average annual salary of a doctor in the UK after graduation (Foundation’s second year) is around £28,000. Also, in the future, if you reach top levels in medicine, you will earn £80,000.

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The best universities for studying medicine in the UK

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Everyone knows that becoming a doctor is not easy, especially in the UK. The first step must be taken firmly. Studying medicine in the UK is the first step. UK universities offer more than 60 majors in medical sciences. Some of the most important and popular medical courses include anesthesia, general medicine, pathology, psychiatry, radiology, and surgery. Although UK universities are among the top universities in the world, there is competition among them as well. This competition has caused universities to try to improve the quality of their education in all fields, especially in medicine.

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Our top picks for Medical schools in the UK are: 

• University of Edinburgh

• University of Glasgow

• University of Liverpool

• University of Manchester

• Queen Mary University of London

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In addition to the general conditions for studying medicine in the UK, each of the above universities has its specific conditions as well. For example, one of the mandatory subjects for getting a medical degree at most UK medical schools is chemistry with a course in math, biology or physics. Tuition fees also vary based on the university. Remember that medicine is not just an academic field. This course determines your future and the path of your life. So it is better to choose the first step firmly and carefully as mentioned. Studying medicine in the UK, a country known for its health and medical services, can be that firm step.

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Frequently Asked Questions about studying medicine in the UK

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What is the competition like for studying medicine in the UK?

Each year, about 21,000 people compete for 8,000 spots in UK medical schools.

 

How much does it cost to study medicine in the UK?

The cost of studying medicine in the UK for a bachelor’s degree in the UK’s top medical schools starts at $13,000 and goes up to 50,000.

 

How much does it cost to study medicine in London?

The cost of studying medicine in London starts at £22,000 a year and goes up to £40,000.