Applying to UK Medical School in Malaysia

Thinking of studying medicine in the UK? If you’re a Malaysian student preparing for your medical school application in 2025 (for 2026 entry), this guide covers everything—from timelines and application tips to advice for parents, teachers, and technical visa requirements.

Table of Contents

Overview of the UK Medical School Application Process

Malaysian students applying to medical school in the UK need to complete these steps:

UCAS Application – Use the central UK university application system.
1. This includes writing a personal statement, which explains why you want to study medicine and demonstrates the attributes that medical schools look for in a student and aspiring doctor.
2. Exam transcripts and predicted grades are also part of the UCAS application.
3. Students will also be required to submit academic references, which could be from a teacher or from a professional where you have undertaken medicine work experience.
UCAT Admissions Test – This test is required by most UK medical schools and your final score is taken into account alongside the rest of your application.
Interviews – These will likely be held online for Malaysian students and will take the form of an MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews) or a panel interview.

In addition, if you are applying from abroad, some medical schools may ask for other documentation or requirements, which could include:

Meeting English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL).
Ensuring SPM/STPM or A-Level results meet UK entry requirements.
Organising a student visa (Tier 4).

Read on for more information on each section of the medical school application process.

Applying for Medicine in 2025: A Timeline

Planning ahead is key when you apply to medicine courses in the UK, especially as it might differ from the timeline for applying to university in Malaysia. Here’s a breakdown of the important dates:

UCAS Application 2025 (For 2026 Entry)

All students applying to university in the UK must do so through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Services). Students will submit all their documents through the online portal and can check the status of their application via the portal too. Here are some important dates to consider when starting your medical school application.

13 May 2025 – UCAS applications open.
2 September 2025 – You can start submitting your application for medicine.
15 October 2025 (18:00 UK time) – Final deadline to apply for medicine through UCAS.

It is important to note that students applying to medical schools are required to submit their application by 15 October, which differs from other courses where the application deadline is January.

Students can apply to four different medical schools and choose a fifth course as a back up. It is also important to note that students are unable to apply for Oxford University and Cambridge University in the same application cycle.

UCAT 2025

The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is required by 99% of medical schools in the UK. More information on the UCAT format is provided within this article. Please see the important dates for registration and sitting the UCAT exam for 2025.

13 May 2025 – UCAT registration and bursary application opens.
17 June 2025 – UCAT booking opens.
7 July 2025 – UCAT testing begins.
19 September 2025 – Last day to book your UCAT.
26 September 2025 – Final test day.

Interviews

Students will be invited to a medical school interview if their application meets the university requirements. As a Malaysian student applying from abroad, this will likely take place online.

November 2025 – February 2026 – Interview invitations sent.
December 2025 – March 2026 – Interviews take place.

⚠️ Note: Malaysia Day (16 September) and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (5 September) may affect availability of schools or services. Factor these dates into your preparation.

Top Tips for Choosing a UK Medical School

Choosing the right school is one of the most important parts of the medical school application. Here’s what to consider:

UCAT Requirements – Some schools are more UCAT-heavy than others.
Teaching Style – Problem-Based Learning (PBL), traditional, or integrated courses.
Location – Do you prefer a large city campus (e.g., London, Manchester) or a smaller city (e.g., Norwich)?
International Support – Look for universities with strong international student services.
Graduate Outcomes – Research employment or postgraduate training stats.

💡 Pro tip: Use your UCAT score strategically. Apply to medical schools where your score aligns with previous successful applicants.

New Opportunity: Hertfordshire Medical School (Opening 2026)

The University of Hertfordshire is launching its new medical school in September 2026. This will be the first medical school in the county and is set to offer a five-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. What’s more, it is only offering places to international students for 2026 entry. This course will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, small group seminars and clinical teaching. Students will learn through active learning with integrated anatomy, clinical skills, communication skills and simulation training.

Highlights of their medicine programme include:

State-of-the-art facilities: The brand new, purpose built facilities will include virtual and augmented reality, as well as medical simulators, clinical skills labs and ward settings.

Clinical Placements: Unlike many medical schools, students undertaking the MBBS at Hertfordshire will benefit from experiencing clinical placements in the first year.

Guaranteed accommodation: You are guaranteed accommodation for the duration of the 5-year degree. Accommodation is located on campus with just a short 10 minute walk from the medical school.

You can apply directly to the University of Hertfordshire rather than going through UCAS. You can find the link on the ready to apply section on the course page.

Talk to One of Our University Admissions Experts!

Need personalised guidance on your application? Our admissions experts specialise in assisting international students, including those from Malaysia, to navigate the UK medical school application process successfully.

What’s It Like Being an International Student in the UK?

As a Malaysian student, you’ll find the UK diverse, exciting, and filled with academic and cultural opportunities:

Support: When moving over to the UK, you will find a lot of support at university, including societies and clubs where you can make friends. Most universities also have dedicated teams for international student welfare.
Accommodation: This is often guaranteed in your first year and will likely be on campus. You will be able to choose from different options, including rooms with en-suite facilities.
Community: There are many student-led societies at UK universities, including Malaysian societies.
Weather & Food: The UK climate is slightly different to Malaysia and more temperate. We recommend bringing warm clothes, although it can get warm in the summer. You will find that many supermarkets in the UK have a range of produce and if you opt for a bigger city, you may find specialist Malaysian supermarkets if you want a taste of home.

Preparing for the UCAT

The UCAT is a key part of the medical school application. It tests mental ability rather than academic knowledge. The UCAT is split into four sections, each testing a different ability.

UCAT Sections:

Verbal Reasoning (44 questions in 22 mins)
Decision Making (35 questions in 37 mins)
Quantitative Reasoning (26 questions in 26 mins)
Situational Judgement (69 questions in 26 mins)

Each of the first three sections is marked from 300-900, giving a possible score of 2700. Situational Judgement is given a banding, with 1 being the highest and 4 being the lowest. When taking the UCAT, you need to be aware that many universities will not invite students with a band 4 score to interview. In order to remain competitive, you should be aiming for a score over 2100. For previous average scores of previous cohorts, you can visit the UCAT website.

Medicine Work Experience

When applying for work experience, it is important to note that medical schools expect you to have gained medicine work experience. While it is preferable to have experienced different medical settings, you can also gain work experience in doctor surgeries, hospitals, hospices and volunteer in residential care homes. You can undertake this in your home country or in the UK. If you gain medicine work experience in Malaysia, you should be aware of the differences between medical care at home and in the UK, including the structure of the NHS (the National Health Service).

What Happens After You Apply to Medical School in the UK?

After you have applied through UCAS, you can track your application through your online portal. Universities will start inviting applicants to interview from November. However, you may be invited as late as March so don’t be disheartened if you haven’t heard anything. You can refer to the university website for more information on when you should expect to hear.

You will be invited to interview either through the online portal or via email so be sure to keep checking your inbox. As an international student, you will likely be invited to an online interview.

After the interview has taken place, you should expect to hear back either in a couple of weeks or in a couple of months so again, don’t be disheartened if you have not heard anything within a fortnight. This is because some medical schools offer places to applicants on a rolling basis and some will wait until all of the interviews have taken place.

If you receive an offer from a medical school (or several), this will probably be a conditional offer, based on securing the required grades in your final exams. Once you have received confirmation from the medical school that you have secured a place based on your final grades, you can start the application process for your visa.

FAQs

→ When should I start preparing my application for medicine?
It is advisable to start as early as Form 5 or Year 12. You can begin UCAT preparation and It’s best to start early, ideally the summer before the application cycle. This gives you time to prepare for the UCAT and work on your personal statement. Furthermore, you need to be aware of the academic requirements so that you can focus on exam revision in order to meet the criteria. For a September 2026 start to your medical studies, UCAT test dates are from July to September 2025, and the UCAS application deadline is Oct 15^th 2025. Some medical schools, including the University of Hertfordshire, allow international students to apply directly to the University.

→ What if I don’t get any offers?
There are plenty of options if you do not secure a place at medical school. You could consider UCAS Extra, Clearing, or reapplying the following year.

→ Can I study medicine in the UK without A-Levels?
Medical schools that accept international students will likely accept A-Level equivalent exams, including foundation or IB qualifications. You should check the entry requirements first before applying.