Applying for Medicine in 2023: A Timeline

So you’ve decided to apply to medical school – congratulations! The next one year may be, at times, stressful and scary but in the end, it’ll all be worth it. One of the things that can make medical school applications nerve-wracking is the constant barrage of deadlines. In this post, we’ll be covering all the important dates that you need to know for medical school admissions in 2023.

UCAS

UCAS is the official online portal for higher education applications in the UK. Registering on UCAS is the first step in preparing your application and sending it out to various universities. UCAS have released the key dates for registration for 2024 entry:

  • 2 May 2023: UCAS search tool displays 2024 courses. 
  • 9 May 2023: Adviser portal opens for 2024 entry. 
  • 16 May 2023: Undergraduate applications open for 2024 entry. 
  • 5 September 2023: Completed undergraduate applications can be submitted to UCAS. 
  • 16 October 2023: Applications for Oxford, Cambridge and most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 (UK time).

The most important thing to note, here, is the date by which medicine applications close (before applications to other courses). Therefore, by October, you should have collated all necessary documents and chosen your 4 medical schools and 1 safety choice.

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UCAT 2023

The UCAT is the more popular of the 2 undergraduate medicine entry examinations. You will need to register and book to sit this exam. UCAS have yet to publish their UCAT test dates 2023. As a guideline, the below are registration dates from last year:

Dates for 2022:

2nd June 2022: UCAT Registration, UCAT bursary and access arrangement applications open
28th June 2022: UCAT Bookings open
26th July to 29th September 2022: UCAT Testing period
22nd September 2022: UCAT Registration and access arrangement applications close
15th October 2022: UCAS application deadline
November 2022: UCAT Results delivered to universities

As mentioned above, the UCAT testing period takes place from July to September so keep this in mind when deciding when to begin intensive preparation. Please refer to the UCAT website for updated guidelines.

Download Free UCAT Questions

    BMAT 2023

    The BMAT is the other medical entrance exam used by a smaller handful of universities in the UK. The BMAT 2023 is being held twice this year – March and October. While the registration date for March has already passed, applicants can apply for the October sitting.

    DateEvent
    1 September 2023Registration opens 
    Test centres can register candidates from this date
    15 September 2023Deadline to apply for modified papers (e.g. enlarged print) 
    29 September 2023 at 18.00 (BST)Deadline for test centres to register candidates
    Deadline to apply for Access Arrangements (e.g. extra time)
    Deadline to apply for test voucher code*
    18 October 2023Test date
    24 November 2023Results released
    1 December 2023Deadline to apply for a Results Enquiry
    BMAT 2023 Registration Dates

    Once again, keep the BMAT exam dates in mind when deciding how to prepare for the exam and when intensive preparation may be more appropriate. You can find these on the Cambridge Assessment Testing Website.

    MEDICINE INTERVIEW 2023

    As discussed above, the nerve-wracking applications process ends by mid-October. Unfortunately, this is where the constant waiting typically begins. Before we discuss dates, it is so important to reiterate the importance of unsubscribing to unhealthy comparisons. Just because your friend hears back in a few weeks, doesn’t make it any less likely that you will be too. Each university works on their own timeline to send out invitations and conduct interviews. Furthermore, international students tend to hear back later than local students.

    As a general rule of thumb, medicine interview invites start going out between November and early December. They may continue to be sent out well into the new year. Once you receive an invite, you will have a choice of dates across the first few months of 2023 to attend your interview.

    TIPS FOR PREPARING

    As you’ve probably guessed by now, the medical school application process is fairly long-winded and time intensive. Proactive preparation is key to ensuring a stress-free year ahead. Remember, you’ve still got school and other commitments to juggle alongside so be weary of how you manage your time. In many ways, applying to medical school is your first of many tests in time-management!

    Start early with UCAT and BMAT

    We strongly suggest preparing for the UCAT and/or BMAT as soon as possible. Keep in mind that you will need more time to prepare if you intend on sitting both exams. Start slow with practice questions, tutorials and other study materials. Within 8-12 weeks of your exam, focus on spending more time, perhaps daily, in preparation.

    Keep track of UCAS key dates and deadlines

    Alongside this, sort out a folder with all your necessary documentation for your application. Don’t forget the boring basics, like financial or immigration evidence. Start researching medical schools by reading blog posts online and talking to medical students via Twitter and Instagram. We have a university comparison tool which you may find useful to compare universities. Many are more than happy to share their advice! However, hold off on firming any medical school choices until you’ve got your UCAT results back. These can heavily inform your decision to apply to certain schools that weigh the results heavily.

    Use your summer for Personal Statement and UCAT

    By the summer, you should start thinking about your personal statement. Often, starting is the hardest part. So remember to just put words down on paper – you can perfect them later. Ideally, you should be confident in your personal statement before October comes around.

    Once again, preparation, organization and proactiveness is key! Take it slow and make plenty of check-lists to make sure you’re not missing out on anything along the way.

    Enjoy your final year of school!

    Finally, remember to cherish your year in school. It won’t be long before you’re heading off to university, possibly away from friends and family. Whilst the application process is very important, remind yourself to take breaks and spend time with the people that you love. Prioritize yourself and your health above all else – medical school is waiting for you!

    Frequently Asked Question

    →When should I start preparing my application for medicine in 2024?

    It is recommended to start preparing your application for medicine in 2024 at least a year in advance. This will give you enough time to research and choose the right universities, prepare for the admission tests, and gather all necessary documents. UCAS registration opens mid May so get ahead of the curve and begin your application early.

    →When should I make my final decision on which university to attend for medicine in 2024?

    The deadline for making your final decision on which university to attend for medicine in 2024 is typically in the spring or early summer of the year you plan to start your studies. For medicine in 2024, the deadline for making your final decision is expected to be in the spring or early summer of 2024.

    →What are the key deadlines for the 2024 medical school application process?

    The key deadlines for the 2024 medical school application process will vary depending on the country and specific medical schools you are applying to. Generally, applications will open in the late summer or early fall of 2023 and deadlines will fall between November 2023 and February 2024.

    →What are some key milestones in the application process for medicine in 2024?

    Some key milestones in the application process for medicine in 2024 include researching and choosing universities, taking admission tests like the UCAT or BMAT, gathering documents like transcripts and recommendation letters, submitting your application through UCAS, and attending interviews.

    →What should I do after submitting my medical school applications?

    After submitting your medical school applications, you should continue to build your medical experience, stay up-to-date on any updates from the schools you applied to, and prepare for any potential interviews.

    →When should I expect to hear back from medical schools after submitting my applications?

    Medical schools typically begin sending out interview invitations and admissions decisions in the late fall and early winter of the application cycle. It is important to check with each individual medical school to understand their specific timeline.

    →What should I do if I don't receive any offers for medicine in 2024?

    If you don’t receive any offers for medicine in 2024, you can consider applying to universities through clearing or taking a gap year to improve your qualifications and reapply in the following year. It is also recommended to seek advice from your teachers or a university admissions counselor.

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    Post as “Anonymous”

    366 Comments

    AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor

    11 May 2021

    Any tips for interview prepararion for medical school applicants.

    AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor

    3 February 2023

    – bbc news healthcare app on your phone
    -time your answers
    – make certain sentences you could use to answer multiple qs (MMI means diff interviewer for each station)
    -Bullet point for each q so you remember key points to include in your ans
    – practice with parents/guardians , friends, teachers, people who have experience with med interviews!
    – read books (you can find a list of specific reading material on the med school web)
    -RESEARCH your med school through and through, watch YouTube vids ask med students or drs who attend there or have done
    -finally have faith in your self. They gave you an interview because they want you now all you need to do is show them you want them too.