Applying for Medicine Whilst on a Different Course

CAUTION: A word of warning.

This information may be out of date. Do not apply to any universities listed here without confirming your eligibility beforehand. These checks were originally carried out in April 2010, presumably the universities giving their policy for 2012 entry. Ensure that the policy has not changed for your particular year of entry!

Glasgow – “Applications from applicants, who have commenced a degree programme other than medicine, can apply through UCAS and have their application considered, providing they meet entry requirements. We would not take the first year of the degree programme into consideration as this does not meet our entry requirements." OKAY

Imperial – “We would consider someone who is already registered on another degree elsewhere; you would need to explain the choice to change the degree in your personal statement so that the shortlisters can determine your commitment to Medicine.”

Leicester – “We would consider an application from a student in the first year of another course.” OKAY

Newcastle – “Just because they have left one programme would not necessarily disadvantage them during the selection process, however, they would be expected to outline why they felt they didn't want to complete their course.”

Oxford – “Admissions tutors at Oxford are concerned only with selecting the most academically able students with the most potential to excel in their studies here. As a result, your being a student at another institution will not directly affect your application in any way; however, you will be expected to demonstrate a consistently excellent academic record, and thus they may ask to see transcripts from your university studies.”

Peninsula – “The fact that you will be leaving a degree course would not be detrimental to any application that you send to us. As you are still in the first year of your degree, your application would be judged on your A level results and UKCAT score... Alternatively, if you have signed on to the second year of your degree you would need to apply as a non-direct school leaver and would be required to sit GAMSAT” OKAY

QUB - "Thank you for your email enquiring about entry to medicine. We will consider applications through UCAS to medicine from candidates who have commenced another degree programme (not medicine) provided that this is not more than a second application to through UCAS. Such applicants must have passed any exams taken in the current University course." OKAY

Soton – “Provided you meet the academic entry requirements, it will be fine for you to apply.” OKAY

Barts – “The School of Medicine and Dentistry does not accept applicants who have not completed their degree courses... You must work to finish your degree course and apply via UCAS for either the five year or graduate entry programme.” OKAY

Birmingham – "We do not normally consider applicants who withdraw from other courses." OKAY

Bristol – “Applicants who embark on a degree course are expected to complete their degree and then apply as a graduate.” OKAY

Cambridge – “Please note that the Cambridge Colleges will not normally, as a matter of principle, consider applications from students attending other UK universities applying to study the same or a very similar subject at Cambridge. If you wish to make such an application, it will have to be strongly supported by your tutor at your current university... If you wish to apply to Cambridge to study a different subject from the one you are currently studying at university, we would assume that had had a change of heart and no longer wish to study the subject you are currently pursuing. In this case your application would be considered, but would still need strong support from your current university tutor.”

Cardiff – “Unfortunately we do not consider applicants who are in their first year of a degree or applicants who withdraw.” OKAY

Dundee - “They [The selectors] also do not consider applications from students currently studying other subjects at a University. Such students would have to complete their degree and apply as a graduate” OKAY

UEA – “We do not accept applications from candidates who are in the first year of a degree elsewhere.” OKAY

Edinburgh – “We would not normally encourage an application from anyone who was currently on-course and was not due to complete their qualification in the year of application.”

HYMS - “Thank you for your email and your interest in HYMS. If you start the degree at another university you must complete it before applying to medical school (you can apply in your final year of the course if you are predicted a 2:1).” OKAY

Keele – “We regret that we do not consider applications from students on degree courses in other subjects who wish to transfer without first completing their degree.” OKAY

KCL - “We would never advise potential applicants to start a degree with the intention of leaving it, it does not look very positive on a UCAS application and to apply to medicine you need as competitive application as possible. Subsequently if you are considering medicine then you should either complete your degree and apply as a graduate to our 4 year programme or take a gap year and apply from September for 2009 entry.” OKAY

Lancaster - "No, you would have to finish your degree first." OKAY

Leeds - “At Leeds we do discourage applicants from starting out on another degree course if they intend to apply for medicine. The reasons for this is that it is not fair to other applicants who may have been rejected for that course and it also isn’t fair to the course the student is on as they are losing students elsewhere. We do advise that applicants who have commenced another degree course should complete that course and then apply as a graduate applicant for medicine.” OKAY

Liverpool - “We will not consider applications from people on an undergraduate degree programme. You must have completed the programme and been awarded the degree prior to submission of your application.”

Manchester - “We only consider undergraduates applying a the start of their final year with a minimum 2.1 degree prediction”

Nottingham – “We do not accept applications from students who are already on a course and we would require that an applicant has withdrawn from any previous degree course... An applicant would need to have a strong personal statement that is backed up with relevant proof to show their motivation for a career in medicine that was not there when they applied for a different degree.”

Sheffield – “Thank you for your email. We do not encourage people to withdraw from a current course of study before or during our application cycle. We look for a level of commitment here, therefore is it advisable to complete the course prior to applying here. ” OKAY

St Georges - “If a candidate is already enrolled on a degree course and is partway through (first or second year), we will not consider an application to MBBS5. Candidates are required to complete the degree and apply to us as a graduate.”