Queen's Belfast University Medicine (A100) 2019 entry

are you sure the cut off was 30 last year? On average the past 5 years the cut off for interview has ranged from 36-38

Ultimately it depends on the cut off score for QUB's internal points system. You should not be concerned about your UKCAT score, but rather, your UKCAT score in relation to the rest of your application

You calculate your points score by ranking your top 9 GCSEs, where an A* is worth 4 points, A is worth 3 points, B is 2 and C is 1. This brings you to score out of 36.

You then add your GCSE points score to your UKCAT score, which is out of 6. Therefore, in total, your points score is out of 42.

Banding of UKCAT Scores Points
1200 – 1899 = 0
1900 – 2099 = 1
2100 – 2299 = 2
2300 – 2499 = 3
2500 – 2699 = 4
2700 – 2899 = 5
2900 – 3600 = 6

The cut off for interview has never been higher than 38 points. Last year, I think it was 30 points for some reason.

All in all it is very clear that, whilst the UKCAT is extremely important and shouldn't be neglected, GCSE point score contribute the majority of the points, therefore your GCSE point score is far more important than your UKCAT score.

(This makes sense, since the UKCAT only represents 2 hours of your life whereas GCSEs show how well you've performed in the long run, over a variety of subjects and how dedicated you are to your studies. UKCAT only tests aptitude and it's multiple choice so has its limitations too as 1) its not a control test, since people do different exams so some may have easier/ harder questions and 2) people might, by fluke, get really high scores just by guessing whereas its harder to get 9A* GCSE just by fluke therefore justifying why they weight GCSEs more heavily, to show you can cope with the prolonged academic intensity of medicine)

Your UKCAT score isn't bad, provided your academic point score makes up for it. I'd say if you have around 38 or above, you're fairly safe because if the cut off rises to 39 or 40, it means everyone they interview has like 9A* GCSE and UKCAT of 650 or so, which is quite high. The cut off has never been higher than 38.

Also I called the admissions team and they said that the combined UKCAT and GCSE point score is just to get to the interview stage. Once you achieve an interview, it is the interview alone which determines whether or not you get an offer. So someone with 42/42 points has no advantage over someone with, say, 38/42 points at the interview stage.

It is also worth mentioning that QUB doesn't look at the SJT band for the UKCAT however, in borderline cases (i.e they don't have many places left to make an offer and are trying to differentiate between similar performing candidates at interview to fill up the few places remaining), they may look at SJT, and/or extra GCSE A*/A grades not included in the 9 which they looked at before interview.

I hope this was helpful, and I urge you not to worry. If your academics are good then you actually make for a great candidate

@Vorpent
Thank you so much! Yes, I score the full points for my Highers. I phoned them up. So i have 33 points for the academics and 3 for UKCAT. 36 points in total. I just hope they don't lower make the cut off more than 36. Considering that every year the cut off has been lowering and last year's was 30, I hope that it isnt more that 36.

What exactly to they mean by top 9 GCSE, is any combination or the core subjects ( maths, English, sciences) plus your top scoring subjects. For context I got 8A* (including maths and triple science) 1A 1B (in English language)

They are some great stats btw.

It says on the website

'The total points score will be based on results in the best 9 subjects, at first attempt unless the GCSE was taken a year early and then repeated at the normal stage. Only GCSEs taken in Years 11 and 12 will be counted (Years 10 and 11 in England and Wales)'

So your 8A* 1A will equate to 35/36 for academics, which is a strong score. So ideally you want 3 points on your UKCAT to be 'safe' at 38 points (this is a score in the region of 575-625).

38 points is considered safe because that's the highest the cut off has ever been and is unlikely to rise above that, in my opinion.

Hey guys, any locals actually get an acknowledgement email?

i just realised the academics are out of 36. And I score full marks for the academics plus 3 points for ukcat meaning 39 in total not 36 like i previously said.

I am also applying to QUB as well and haven't heard anything either. However, I need help with the calculations for the points as I don't seem to understand how it is calculated. If someone can kindly help, that will be very much appreciated.

My stats are:
A-levels A*AAB
GCSE's 5B's 3C's
UKCAT is 2/6 (Very bad).
Do I stand a chance at all?

Thank you

Are you A levels achieved? And if so, is it your first time applying for medicine?

Yes please, thank you

Hi guys, are there any international applicants who haven't received any acknowledgement yet? I haven't got any mail so far and I'm a tad bit worried now :/

We need to know if you already have your A level grades and have finished all the exams, and whether this is the first time you have ever applied for medicine