Candidate Selection Information

Candidate selection

Competition for places at the Graduate Entry course is fierce; each year, we interview around 120 candidates, with 50 students admitted to the course.

A range of criteria will be used to assess candidates. While each application will be looked at as a whole, candidates must meet the minimum academic requirements outlined in the section on entrance requirements. Candidates are expected to be available to attend a competitive interview and no offers will be made without interview.

The School of Medicine has a comprehensive admissions policy that ensures that all applications are dealt with in the same way. When applications are received, they are assessed to make sure that candidates fulfil the minimum requirements. Candidates must:

• have obtained or be predicted to obtain a degree of adequate class to satisfy the School of Medicine’s academic criteria
• have sat the UKCAT examination
• not submit a late application

Candidates who do not fulfil the above requirements will be rejected immediately. If a candidate fulfils the minimum entry requirements and scores well in UKCAT his or her application form will be passed to an experienced member of the selection panel. The selection panel is made up of members of staff who are involved in medical education. After that staff member has reached a decision about whether to interview the candidate or not, that decision has to be ratified by one of the admissions tutors. The panel members look at the following criteria when assessing applications:

• Grade(s) and content of previous degree(s)
• UKCAT scores
• Potential to become a leading clinician scientist
• Motivation and understanding of medicine as a career
• Community activities
• Leadership and teamwork interests
• Referee’s report