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Graduate Entry Medicine Application Process
What is Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM)?
Graduate Entry Medicine describes medical courses that are taken at an accelerated pace and specifically designed for students who already have another degree. The courses take into account the knowledge and study skills you will have obtained in the years since leaving school and therefore can be completed in a shorter time.
Graduate Entry Medicine is extremely competitive as places and funding are limited. It is common for there to be over 30 applications per place for some of these GEM courses. If you’re a school-leaver considering GEM, it is worth considering these competition rates as it is usually a better option for you to take a gap year and re-apply to the standard courses.
What is the Application Process for GEM?
The GEM application process is the virtually the same as that of the undergraduate course. You apply through UCAS with a personal statement and reference in the same way that you will have applied for your first undergraduate degree. Unique to medicine courses however is the limit on universities you can apply to. You’re only allowed to apply to four medical schools instead of the usual five choices. Unlike school-leavers applicants to graduate entry medicine can apply to both Oxford and Cambridge.
What are the Entry Requirements for GEM?
You will need to sit one an aptitude exam before you apply. Which exam or exams you take will depend on which medical schools you decide to apply to. The table below lists the requirements of each medical school. You can learn more about the UCAT, BMAT and GAMSAT in our UCAS guide.
What is the Interview Process for GEM?
Once you have sent your UCAS application, it becomes a waiting game for invitations to interview. The interview process will vary between each medical school. Some universities may ask for additional forms or proof of work experience/references in this time too.
An additional element of the interview that you should be prepared to discuss is your undergraduate degree. You should touch on what you learnt, what you enjoyed and give an overall reflection of your time at university. Interviewers will be interested to know why you didn’t decide to study medicine straight away. Don’t be afraid to be honest – sometimes applicants who have had a change of heart about their careers can come across as more genuine and enthusiastic as people who have always wanted to be doctors.
After this, you will hear a decision from your chosen universities about your application – fingers crossed for offers!
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Where can I study Graduate Entry Medicine?
| Medical School | Number of Places | Aptitude Test | Non-science degrees? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barts (QMUL) | 39 | UCAT | Yes |
| Birmingham | 40 | UCAT | No |
| Cambridge | 40 | None | Yes |
| Cardiff | 25 | GAMSAT | No |
| ScotGEM | 55 | GAMSAT | Yes |
| Ulster | 30 | GAMSAT | Yes |
| King’s | 27 | UCAT | No |
| Liverpool | 29 | GAMSAT | No |
| Newcastle | 25 | UCAT | Yes |
| Nottingham | 113 | GAMSAT | Yes |
| Oxford | 25 | BMAT | No |
| Southampton | 48 | UCAT | Yes |
| St Georges | 60 | GAMSAT | Yes |
| Swansea | 106 | GAMSAT | Yes |
| Warwick | 193 | UCAT | Yes |
Frequently Asked Question
→What is the Graduate Entry Medicine application process?
The application process for Graduate Entry Medicine varies depending on the university and country. Generally, candidates will need to complete an online application form, provide official transcripts, and submit relevant test scores such as the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Candidates may also need to provide personal statements, letters of recommendation, and attend an interview.
→How long is graduate entry medicine in the UK?
Our graduate entry Medicine degree offers a four-year route into the medical profession for those who already hold an undergraduate degree, not just in the biomedical/life sciences, but also a wide range of non-science disciplines, like Law and English.
→What qualifications do I need to apply for Graduate Entry Medicine?
To apply for Graduate Entry Medicine, candidates will need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject such as biology, chemistry, or a related field. Candidates must also have achieved a minimum grade point average (GPA) and meet specific test score requirements, such as the GAMSAT or MCAT.
→When is the best time to apply for Graduate Entry Medicine?
The application deadlines for Graduate Entry Medicine programs may vary depending on the university and country. Generally, applications open in the fall or winter and close in the spring or summer. Candidates should check with the specific universities they are interested in for application deadlines and requirements.
→How competitive is the Graduate Entry Medicine application process?
The Graduate Entry Medicine application process is highly competitive as there are a limited number of spots available in each program. Candidates should be prepared to meet the specific application requirements and demonstrate a strong academic performance, relevant work experience, and a genuine passion for medicine.
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366 Comments
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
5 May 2021
Can I apply to GEM in third year with predicted grades?
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
6 May 2021
Yes, you absolutely can! Your referee (usually a personal tutor or similar at your current university) will need to provide a predicted grade and universities will then make a conditional offer based on you obtaining a particular degree classification, very similar to how offers were made when you did A-Levels.
TemilolaMedic Mind Tutor
15 June 2021
Hii, the aptitude exam that we have to sit for, is it the UCAT, BMAT and GAMSAT and also you said that we can apply to four medical school and we will need to write either of these exams. How many months do we have to write these exams. Can I apply to Graduate Entry Medicine without A Levels.
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
17 June 2021
It depends which universities you’re apply to. Some accept only GAMSAT, some accept only UCAT and only Oxford require the BMAT. If you don’t have A-Levels I’d recommend looking into Southampton, Newcastle, Warwick, St Georges and Swansea. The next sitting for UCAT is this summer and for GAMSAT is September 2021.
Anonymous 2.0Medic Mind Tutor
13 May 2021
Hi there! I have a few questions:
1) It says that we have to take an apptitude test before we can apply to GEM. Does this mean we have to have the final scores before we can apply?
I am in my final year of university, and I will be graduating with a non-science degree. I have only recently decided that I want to consider applying to GEM. The only GEM university I can apply to with non-science degree is SGUL, as they don’t require A Levels, but just GAMSAT scores and Undergrad degree classification. I am assuming the application is a year long process. i.e. you apply in the 2021 academic year, and then get admitted in the following academic year of 2022.
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
15 June 2021
So sorry didn’t mean to click on the red arrow. You asked a brilliant question.
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
17 June 2021
Hi, it depends which exam you take. The UCAT must be taken in the summer before you apply in which case you will have your results before you send off the application. For the GAMSAT, if you sit the exam in the September before you apply you won’t have your results but results from the prior 3 sittings will also be valid in which case you would have your results.
Take a look at our medical schools comparator as there are quite a few other GEM courses that accept non-science degrees with no A-Level requirements too. Southampton, Newcastle and Warwick are some that spring to mind.
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
19 June 2021
Hi, I am a final year Econ student and am looking to apply for GEM – I have A-levels in Chemistry, Maths, Econ. I have only recently decided I would like to pursue GEM and as such I do not have any clinical work experience – how much of a disadvantage would this be for me?
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
20 August 2021
Having no or little clinical work experience will put you at a disadvantage, especially at interview. There is still time to gain experience between now and interview season e.g. COVID-19 test or vaccination centre. You can use non-clinical experiences to illustrate your answers, although the interviewers are likely to wonder how you know you want to be a doctor for the rest of your career if you haven’t gone out of your way to experience what the job is like.
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
8 August 2021
Do you apply for GEM via the undergraduate UCAS site or post grad site?
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
20 August 2021
GEM applications are made through the undergraduate UCAS system as, although graduate-entry, GEM is still an undergraduate level qualification.
HibaMedic Mind Tutor
18 September 2021
Hello, is it possible to apply to both GAMSAT and UCAT required unis or do you only have to base your application on one Aptitude Test?
Thank you in advance.
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
12 February 2022
You can apply to a mix, worth noting though that you’ll know your UCAT score before submitting your application so can use that to help you decide. If you go for the Sept GAMSAT sitting you won’t have the score before you apply so it can be harder to see where you have the best chances.
SapidaMedic Mind Tutor
26 September 2021
Hi,
Just sat the GAMSAT for the first time two weeks ago, and the UCAS deadline is in October . Do I still apply despite not having the scores yet ?
SophieMedic Mind Tutor
5 October 2021
I’m finding it really hard to navigate UCAS as it’s a new system? Do you have any information on how to use UCAS to apply? Everytime I search for GEM it doesn’t come up
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
12 February 2022
Try searching by course code – it’s usually A101 for graduate-entry courses but double check on your university’s website if you’re not sure
NicolaMedic Mind Tutor
5 October 2021
Hi,
On UCAS it gives you the option to include your degree’s modules and module grades. Is this something we need to complete or does it show up in our transcript?
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
12 February 2022
It’s optional. It’s not a requirement to fill this part out but there’s no harm in doing so.
Frances PayneMedic Mind Tutor
6 October 2021
Hi,
I am looking into studying post-graduate and under-graduate medicine. I have completed a masters degree already in a non-science feild.
I was wondering what the process is like applying for both and how many places I can chose on UCAS? Can I choose 4 post-graduate courses and 4 undergraduate courses? Or only 5 in total (3 post-grad and 2 under-grad) etc..
Many Thanks
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
12 February 2022
You can only apply to four medicine courses – these can be a mix of graduate-entry and standard courses. So you could apply for four graduate-entry courses, or 3 graduate-entry and 1 standard entry and so on.
AishuMedic Mind Tutor
7 October 2021
Hi, I’m currently in second year studying biomedical science bsc, would I need to apply for medicine in September 2022 to start the course for 2023 September? thank you
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
12 February 2022
That’s right. To start in 2023 you’d need to apply in 2022 (deadline is 15 October) and sit the admissions tests in 2022 too.
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
13 October 2021
Do you need to have actual reference uploaded on ucas form when applying for post grad and grad entry medicine or is it enough to just have an accaptance from your referee with the reference to follow later?
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
6 February 2022
You need to have the reference submitted before the UCAS deadline of 15 October. You can submit your application before then without the reference, as long as your referee submits it before the deadline.
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
14 October 2021
When applying to graduate medicine do I make an undergraduate ucas account and apply or do I apply with a postgraduate ucas account ?
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
6 February 2022
Use an undergraduate account. Graduate medicine is an undergraduate level course still, it’s just that it has a degree as entry requirements instead of A-Levels or equivalent. Hope that helps 🙂
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
28 February 2022
how many medicine courses can you apply for on ucas, is it still 4? even if its a mix of GEM and undergraduate medicine
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
23 July 2022
Yes still only 4 choices. It can be all GEM, all standard-entry or a mix of both courses.
DPMedic Mind Tutor
20 July 2022
For a first year biomedical science student, do you apply to GEM at the end of year 2 or start of year 3 ? Just wanted to double check 🙂
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
23 July 2022
You apply during your final year. Application deadlines are in October so this will usually be right around the start of your third year. Hope that helps 🙂
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
5 February 2023
I have a masters in nursing, from India, which is NARIC UK recognised. Both Bachelors and Masters degree over 2.1. My A Levels-Maths, Biology, Physics-all A grade and chemistry -A*. What are my chances for GEM? Thank you
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
7 February 2023
It will depend on your fee status. There are many more places for home students due to the funding. If you’re classified as international you need to make sure you apply to GEM courses that accept international students (e.g. Warwick), but also be aware that there are only a handful of places available. It is also worth looking at some of the newer medical schools (e.g. Three Counties at Worcester) who are taking fully international cohorts at the moment. Your chances of getting in are highly dependent on your admission tests scores so make sure to prep well for UCAT/GAMSAT.
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
7 February 2023
Building on my question on 5th Feb,
I am UK citizen. Should I not get home fee status then? Also, I can see Cambridge doesn’t ask for any admission tests.
Thank you
Anna CharlotteMedic Mind Tutor
10 February 2023
Yes – as a UK citizen you’ll be classified as a home student so most GEM courses are open to you. With a 2.1 and good A-Levels you’ll meet the basic grade requirements for most universities, just remember to double check the degree subject requirements for courses you are interested in before applying.
You’re correct that Cambridge presently has no entrance exams and you would meet the minimum entry requirements for this course. However, it’s worth considering that they do preference students with first class degrees and they do also request academic transcripts as part of their admissions process. If you have a high 2.1 grade it could still be worth a shot, but it’s really up to you. Overall you are in a strong position for GEM and have a lot of options open to you depending on if you want to sit the GAMSAT or UCAT.
Hope this helps!
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
14 February 2023
Looking for MBBS in 2024 post graduate .(completing bio medical in 2023)