Medical School Foundation and Widening Access to Medicine Programs

Some UK medical schools offer 6 year programmes. These courses normally begin with 1 year of science-based teaching, after which you join the standard 5 year programme at the medical school. Alternatively, some courses spread the work of the normal degree over a longer period of time, to help people keep up with the course. These courses are usually designed to widen access to medical profession. As a result, courses are either aimed at people from a particular part of the country, people from less advantaged backgrounds or those who do not have a scientific background.

Having more than one science A level or a degree in a scientific subject may generally make you ineligible for these courses. In contrast, some 6 year courses do require science qualifications so make sure you read through the criteria carefully.

Entry Requirements: Applicants are required to achieve AAB at A2 Level or equivalent or an upper second class degree and BBB, in non-science subjects. Those applicants who have studied Chemistry to A2 Level standard, in combination with an additional laboratory based science, can apply for direct entry to the five year medical programme, A100.

GCSEs: Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade A/A* to include English Language, Mathematics and two sciences

A Levels: AAB to include no more than one laboratory-based science

IB: 35 points with 6, 6, 6 at Higher level

Scottish Highers: AAAAA

Scottish Advanced Highers: AB to include no more than one laboratory-based science

Access Course: Pass Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) with Distinctions in science

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma: DDM in Science

Degrees:

Entrance Exams: None

Eligibility Criteria: The Pre medical programme enables students who have no, or limited experience of, laboratory based science and have not studied Chemistry to undertake a years study where they can aquire the necessary science background before they are admitted onto the standard MB ChB course.

GCSEs: The best 9 GCSEs are assessed (short courses are not counted), which must include the following: English Language (minimum grade B) (or Welsh if 1st Language), Mathematics (minimum grade B) and Sciences. Please note that a minimum of at least five A*’s is normally required to progress through the admissions process.

A Levels: AAAc

IB: A total of 36 points (excluding Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay) is required, and not more than one subject may be from Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Scottish Highers: AAAAB

Scottish Advanced Highers: Those with AA including Chemistry should apply for A100

Access Course: Only Access Diploma Programmes that are recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education are accepted and the scientific content of the programme must be appropriate in providing a suitable foundation for the medical course (DDD)

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma: The 18 unit BTEC National Diploma in Science at Distinction (DDD) level is an acceptable qualification for entry to the 6-year scheme

Degrees: Should apply for A100

Entrance Exams: UKCAT

Eligibility Criteria: The Foundation programme is designed for students who have demonstrated high academic potential but who do not meet the specific subject requirements for entry to the five year medical programme i.e. those who have non-science subjects or a combination including no more than one of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

More Information: http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/en/degree-programmes/undergraduate/admissions/a104-foundation-year/

Entry Requirements:

GCSEs: N/a

A Levels: AAA grades at A level (A2), to include no more than one science subject and to exclude Chemistry. These results should be obtained at one sitting and at the first attempt at A level examinations, two years after GCSE. General Studies is an acceptable subject. Achievement at GCSE and AS level will also be taken into account.

IB: Obtain Diploma with a minimum total of 37 points, to include 6, 6 and 6 at Higher level. Subjects at Higher level should include no more than one science and exclude Chemistry. Plus 3 subjects at SL with average of grade 6.

SQA Higher: AAAAB grades at Higher, to include no more than one science subject and to exclude Chemistry. All to be obtained in 5th year. Achievement at standard grade will also be taken into account.

ILC Higher: AAA AAA grades at Higher level, to include no more than one science Higher and to exclude Chemistry.

Access Course:

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma:

Entrance Exams: UKCAT

Degrees: A minimum of an upper second class Honours degree in a non-scence subject is required to allow consideration. This should be the first degree obtained. Previous academic attainment will also be taken into account. All offers to current PhD studenst will be conditional on the formal submission and written confirmation of the acceptance of their PhD dissertation.

Eligibility Criteria: N/a

More Information: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/medicine.htm

Entry Requirements:

GCSEs:

A Levels: Candidate's predicted academic achievement must be three GCE A levels in the grade range ABB - BCC. They must include AS Biology and Chemistry and A2 Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above. In order to progress to the Foundation Centre Phase final GCE A level grades must not fall below BCC. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

IB:

Scottish Highers:

Scottish Advanced Highers:

Access Course: Not suitable for entry into this programme

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma:

Entrance Exams: UKCAT

Degrees: Graduates cannot apply for entry into this programme.

Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must meet at least two of the following:
First generation applicant including those who have a parent, or parents who graduated from their first degree within the last 5 years or are currently studying for their first degree; be in receipt of Educational Maintenance Allowance; be in receipt, or have parents in receipt, of a means tested benefit; be resident in an area that falls within the lowest 40% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation; be currently in/about to leave the care of a local authority/foster home.
Candidates must be studying in the North East of England and have a clear and demonstrable interest in medicine which is supported by a personal statement from the student and a testimonial from an academic member of their school or college.

More Information: http://www.dur.ac.uk/foundation.centre/medicine/

Entry Requirements:

GCSEs: For September 2012 entry applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade B or above including english language, maths and a single science subject (biology, chemistry or physics)

A Levels: BBB

IB: 31 points

Scottish Highers: BBBBB

Scottish Advanced Highers: BBB

Access Course: Not suitable for entry into this programme

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma: DDM

Entrance Exams: UKCAT

Degrees: Graduates cannot apply for entry into this programme.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must meet, and provide proof of, at least one of the following criteria:

- Your household income is less than £25,000 per year.

- Your parent or guardian have no Higher Education qualifications such as a Degree, Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.

- Your parent or guardian are unemployed or their occupation falls within particular groups of the socioeconomic classification system (NS SEC 4 - 8).

- Your postcode falls within an area of multiple deprivation.

- You have been in Local Authority Care.

More Information: http://www.uea.ac.uk/med/medicine-health-policy-and-practice/mbbs-medicine-with-a-foundation-year#requirements

Entry Requirements:

GCSEs: A minimum of grade C in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.

A Levels: 360 UCAS tariff points are required from three A-levels.

IB: 35 points

Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers: 360 UCAS tariff points are required from three Advanced Highers, with no less than a B in any subject. Chemistry must not have been taken. Biology is acceptable with two non-science subjects. Physics and Mathematics are acceptable with a third non-science subject.

Access Course:

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma: The BTEC National Diploma in any subject is acceptable. Three Distinctions must be achieved.

Entrance Exams:

Degrees: Graduates who entered an Ordinary Degree programme will be considered, subject to marks greater than 70%. Graduates who failed to graduate with honours from an Honours Degree programme will not be considered.

Graduates with at least a 2.1 honours degree in a non-science subject can be considered for the Health Foundation Year provided they did not take sciences to A-level standard or higher. Students with Health Degrees such as Physiotherapy or Nursing, without Chemistry at A or AS level, should apply for this entry route. Allowances will be made for graduates whose A-level grades do not meet the usual entry criteria.However, all entrants must have a minimum of GCSE grade C in English Language and Mathematics.

Eligibility Criteria:

More Information: http://www.keele.ac.uk/health/schoolofmedicine/undergraduatemedicalcourse/entryrouteshowtoapply/#a104

Entry Requirements: Three A levels, including chemistry, one additional science or mathematical subject, and any other subject.

GCSEs: 5 GCSE passes at a minimum of Grade B, which must include English Language, Mathematics and one Science subject.

A Levels: If you have 3 A levels & 1 AS level then grades of BBC-AAA are needed. If you have 2 A levels & 3 AS levels then grades of AA-BB at A level and AA-CC at AS level are needed.

IB: N/A - you must have studied at a school in a non-selective state school or FE College in both inner and greater London, Kent & Medway. Therefore you would take A levels. If this is not the case for you and you are otherwise eligible then contact KCL via the e-mail given on this page

Scottish Highers: N/A - you must have studied at a school in a non-selective state school or FE College in both inner and greater London, Kent & Medway. Therefore you would take A levels. If this is not the case for you and you are otherwise eligible then contact KCL via the e-mail given on this page

Scottish Advanced Highers: N/A - you must have studied at a school in a non-selective state school or FE College in both inner and greater London, Kent & Medway. Therefore you would take A levels. If this is not the case for you and you are otherwise eligible then contact KCL via the e-mail given on this page

Access Course: Applicants must be taking a one year, full time Access to Science Diploma from an FE College. Applicants must be undertaking 60 credits, with at least 45 at Level 3 and the remainder at Level 2. an appropriate amount of Level 3 Chemistry credits will be required (depending on the content of the individual access diploma).

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma: Not acceptable

Entrance Exams: UKCAT

Degrees: Graduates are not normally accepted onto this course. Students can apply for the A100 course if progression is acceptable.

Eligibility Criteria: All 50 EMDP places are funded by HEFCE which means that only applicants with Home/EU fee status are eligible to apply to the programme.

To be eligible to be considered for the EMDP programme, you must be attending, or have attended since the age of 11, a non-selective state school or FE College in both inner and greater London, Kent & Medway. Satisfactory documentary evidence may be requested.

Applicants must have been studying for 2 years in one of our eligible schools for post-16 education. The qualifications offered for admission (eg A Levels) must have been studied during this period. If they are taking a one-year access qualification then they must have taken their GCSEs in a non-selective state school in London, Kent or Medway. Applicants must have completed their qualification no longer than 2 years prior to the start of the programme, e.g. A Levels completed in June 2009 for entry in 2011.

More Information: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/medicine/study/mbbs/index.aspx

Entry Requirements:

GCSEs: At least six subjects are required at grade C or above; at least four passes must be at grade A or A* that need not be in the sciences. Subjects currently not accepted for grade A requirements are: Applied ICT, Applied Business or short courses.

A Levels: ABB

IB: 33 points required overall, Higher level 665, Standard level 655. Acceptable Higher level subjects: 3 arts subjects 2 arts subjects and 1 science subject 1 art subject and 2 science subjects (not chemistry)

Scottish Highers: Grades AAABB required.

Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades ABB are required in one of the following combinations: Three arts/humanities subjects Two arts/humanities and one science subject One art/humanity and two sciences not including Chemistry

Access Course:

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma:

Entrance Exams:

Degrees:

Eligibility Criteria: The School requires voluntary work experience in a caring capacity. Applicants should be aware that the School may request confirmation of their work experience.

All applicants must have one of the following qualifications in English Language: GCSE at grade B or above Cambridge Syndicate: grade B or above in the Certificate of Proficiency, Advanced Certificate in English or IGCSE First Language International English Language Testing Service [IELTS] with a minimum average score of seven and with not less than seven in any one component taken at the same sitting

More Information: http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/foundation6yr/?code=01430&pg=3

Entry Requirements:

GCSEs: At least five GCSEs; double science grade BB or chemistry, if single sciences taken, grade B; biology, maths and English language grade C, other subject grade C; biology, if not taken to A level, must be passed grade B at GCSE.

A Levels: CCC including chemistry and excluding general studies and critical thinking.

IB: 24 with 444 at Higher Level to include Chemistry

Scottish Highers:

Scottish Advanced Highers:

Access Course:

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma:

Entrance Exams: UKCAT

Degrees:

Eligibility Criteria:Where possible, students must fulfil at least one criteria from group a) and at least one criteria from Group b).

If you are unsure whether you meet any of the criteria for Group a), then providing you meet at least two criteria from Group B, your application will be considered. Careful consideration is given to all applications.

Group a)

• Attending a school or college without a tradition of high academic achievement.
• Living in a deprived home location.

Group b)

• Being a refugee or in care.
• Being a first generation entrant to higher education.
• Being in receipt of means-tested benefit showing a household income of no more than £33,000.
• Having special reasons for being based in the East Midlands.
• Experiencing other disadvantages.

More Information: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ugstudy/course.php?code=022659

Entry Requirements:

GCSEs: 6 grade As at GCSE or equivalent to include Maths, English and the Sciences (dual award accepted).

A Levels: AAA

IB: 37 points

Scottish Highers: AAAAB

Scottish Advanced Highers: AA

BTEC: DDD in a relevant subject area

Welsh Baccalaureate: Pass + AA in A Level Chemistry and another science

Advanced Diploma: not accepted

Cambridge Pre-U: D3 D3 D3

Graduate: First class degree or a 2:1 + BBB at A Level

Eligibility Criteria: International students will require IELTS 7.0 with 7 in each component, or an equivalent English language qualification

More Information: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/prospectus/courseDetails.do?id=4009792011

Entry Requirements:

GCSEs: A minimum of five GCSEs at grades C or above, including mathematics, English and double award science (or equivalent). You may offer qualifications which are equivalent to GCSE.

A Levels: A level grades BCC including chemistry and biology (or equivalent qualifications). Subjects with material that overlaps (e.g. biology/ sports studies, mathematics/further mathematics) may not be offered in combination at A level. General studies and key skills are not accepted.

IB:

Scottish Highers:

Scottish Advanced Highers:

Access Course:

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma:

Entrance Exams: UKCAT. NB: Southampton do not use a cut-off score for BM6.

Degrees:

Eligibility Criteria: You must satisfy two of the eligibility criteria listed below in order to be eligible for the BM6 programme, and you will be expected to provide documentary proof:

• First generation applicant to higher education
• Parents, guardian or self in receipt of a means-tested benefit
• Looked after young people living in supported accommodation
• In receipt of an EMA (Education Maintenance Award) or similar grant
• Living in an area with a postcode which falls within the lowest 20 per cent of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (authenticated by the University), or a member of a travelling family

More Information: http://www.som.soton.ac.uk/undergrad/course/bm6/entry/

Entry Requirements:

GCSEs: Candidates require GCSE (or equivalent) passes (grades A*-C) in 5 subjects. This must include: the Sciences (Double Award or individual subjects), Maths and English Language (Grade B minimum). If GCSE English Language is not taken, you must pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with 7.0 overall and 7.0 in the written element (with no other section less than 6.5). Resits are not accepted except for GCSE English Language/IELTS.

A Levels: This course is not open to recent school leavers who have taken, or are taking or re-sitting A-Levels. We may consider those who have taken non-science A-levels in the past but candidates must still demonstrate evidence of additional study and career progression.

IB: This course is not open to recent school leavers who have taken, or are taking or re-sitting the International Baccalaureate (or equivalent international High School diplomas)

Scottish Highers: Nothing mentioned on the website but it can be assumed that these aren't desirable as you would normally apply for the 5-year course.

Scottish Advanced Highers: Nothing mentioned on the website but it can be assumed that these aren't desirable as you would normally apply for the 5-year course.

Access Course:

HND 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma:

Entrance Exams:

Degrees: Candidates already with a degree are not eligible for this course and should apply for the 4-year graduate entry course.

Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must demonstrate that they have a minimum of three years experience in a professional career path in any field that involves regular interaction with the public. There should also be evidence of significant career progression within that given field. For example, the candidate might have progressed from a private in the armed forces to a senior officer, a sales assistant to a store manager, a legal secretary to a qualified litigator, and so on.

We require evidence that candidates have completed a reasonable amount of hands-on work experience in a healthcare setting. If invited to interview you will be required to provide formal letters detailing the dates and hours worked and the duties carried out.

Candidates will be required to provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) with full details of their career and healthcare related work experience and this should be sent direct to Admissions as soon as possible after applying through with their UCAS application.

All candidates must be classed as Home Students. This includes UK or EU nationals and candidates with Indefinite Leave to Remain. At present international students (i.e. those from outside the EU) are not accepted to St George’s for the foundation year. You may be required to fill in a Fee Status form in order for us to confirm your status.

More Information: http://www.sgul.ac.uk/undergraduate/foundation-for-medicine-mbbs