Applying to Medical School in the UAE: Timeline

If you are a UAE student thinking of applying to medical school in the UK then this guide gives you a complete overview of the application process for 2025 (for 2026 entry). 

Overview of the UK Medicine Application Process

Applying to UK medical schools involves several key steps:

• UCAS Application: Submit your application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the centralised system for UK university applications.
• Admissions Test: Most medical schools require the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). You can access official free UCAT resources to support your preparation.
• Personal Statement: Craft a compelling personal statement highlighting your motivation and suitability for a medical career.
• References: Obtain academic references from teachers or professionals who can attest to your qualifications.
• Interviews: Prepare for and attend interviews, which may be conducted in person or online.

For UAE students, additional considerations include meeting English language proficiency requirements, ensuring academic qualifications are equivalent to UK standards, and arranging for visas and funding.

Key Application Dates & Deadlines

UCAS 2025 (for 2026 Entry)

• 13 May 2025: UCAS applications open.
• 2 September 2025: Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS.
• 15 October 2025 (18:00 UK time): Deadline for applications to medicine courses.

UCAT 2025

• 13 May 2025 (09:30 BST): UCAT account creation opens; bursary and access arrangement applications open.
• 17 June 2025 (06:00 BST): Test booking opens.
• 7 July 2025: Testing begins.
• 16 September 2025 (12 noon BST): Access arrangement application deadline.
• 19 September 2025 (12 noon BST): Booking deadline; UCAT account creation closes.
• 26 September 2025: Last test day; bursary application deadline.

Medical School Interview Timeline

• November 2025 – February 2026: Interview invitations sent.
• December 2025 – March 2026: Interviews conducted.

It is important to note that while you are gathering all the documentation needed, you must remember that it is the Prophet Muhammed’s Birthday predicted Friday 5 September 2025 and offices and schools will be closed. Bear this in mind while making your timeline for applying to medical school in the UK.

Preparing Your Medicine Application as a UAE Arabian Student

Start UCAT Preparation Early

It is advisable to start your UCAT preparation early. While there’s only four sections to revise for (as compared to five in previous years), you will still need to allocate a large amount of time to practise questions and timed mocks to familiarise yourself with the format and test structure. 

THE UCAT is split into four sections:

• Verbal Reasoning – 44 questions, 22 minutes
• Decision Making – 35 questions, 37 minutes
• Quantitative Reasoning – 26 questions, 26 minutes
• Situational Judgement Test – 69 questions, 26 minutes.

Scoring for the first three sections is on a scaled score from 300-900. The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is scored in Bands, with Band 1 being the best and Band 4 being the lowest. Many medical schools will not invite candidates that scored a Band 4 to interview.

In order to be competitive in your UCAT score, aiming for around 2100 would put you in a good position. However, it should be noted that medical schools will look at all aspects of your medical school application so you should also make sure your grades are high and your personal statement is strong.

Once you receive your UCAT score, think about applying to medical schools strategically and have a look on university websites for previous statistics on past successful applicants and their UCAT scores to give you a better indication of whether you have a good chance of being invited to interview.

Organise Your UCAS Documents

Ensure you have the following documents ready:

• Academic Transcripts: Certified copies of your academic records.
• English Language Proficiency: IELTS or TOEFL scores, if applicable.
• Personal Statement: Writing a strong personal statement can set you apart from the competition. Make sure that it clearly shows your passion for medicine and reflect on experiences that will make you a good fit for the course.
• References: You will also be required to provide letters of recommendation from teachers or professionals that demonstrate your suitability for studying medicine. 

Medicine Work Experience

All medical schools require applicants to have undertaken work experience in a healthcare setting. This does not have to be in a hospital, it could be in a GP practice or a hospice. Arranging medicine work experience early is advised. Medic Mind also offer medicine work experience over the summer, taking place in London. This gives students insights into working in a hospital, a hospice and they also gain clinical skills. There is an option of shadowing a doctor in a GP practice as well.

Choosing the Right Medical School

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. 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.

International Students: For 2026 entry, Hertfordshire medical school is opening its doors to international students only, giving UAE students an advantage.

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 the UAE, to navigate the UK medical school application process successfully.

After You Apply: What Comes Next

• UCAS Track: Monitor your application status and receive updates.
• Interview Preparation: Prepare for interviews by practicing common questions and scenarios.
• Offers: Receive conditional or unconditional offers from universities.
• Results Day: Obtain your final exam results.
• Confirmation: Confirm your acceptance of an offer through UCAS.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ When should I start preparing to apply for medicine?

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 are the deadlines for the 2025 medicine application process?

• UCAS Application Deadline: 15 October 2025 (18:00 UK time).
• UCAT Testing Period: 7 July – 26 September 2025

→ How do I choose medical schools in the UK?

Consider factors such as course structure, location, entry requirements, and support services for international students. Research each school’s offerings to find the best fit for your goals and preferences.

→ When should I expect UCAT results?

UCAT results are available immediately after the test. Universities receive the scores in early November 2025. As a UAE student, you may be asked to provide these scores directly to the university, depending on your testing centre.

→ What if I don’t get any offers for medicine?

If you don’t receive any offers, consider applying through UCAS Extra or Clearing, exploring alternative courses, or reapplying in the next cycle after strengthening your application.

→ What happens after I submit my UCAS application?

After submission, you’ll receive confirmation from UCAS. Universities will review your application and may invite you for interviews. Monitor UCAS Track for updates.

→ When do interviews take place for UK medical schools?

Interviews typically occur between December 2025 and March 2026. Some universities may begin sending invitations as early as November 2025.