how do you choose where to go for university?

I'm in Year 12 right now and I'm planning on studying Medicine. I'm an international student hoping to study in the UK. My question is how do you choose where to go for university? I know looking at course details, what the university offers plays a big role but I'm quite overwhelmed by options, grades and requirements. It would really help if someone could help me out.

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

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Megathreads
(Please read the first post, before then posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work

2023 Applicants:
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2023 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2023 Entry
Medicine 2023 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2023 Entry
Medicine Interview discussion 2023 Entry
2023 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Index of Individual Medical School Applicants' threads 2023 Entry

2024 Applicants :
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2024 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2024 Entry
GAMSAT 2024 / 2025 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2024 Entry Discussions Megathread

Other application years:
Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
Official Undergraduate Medicine 2025 Entry

Useful Articles:
GCSE Requirements for Medicine
Everything you need to know about the BMAT
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application

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Reply 2

damnitsnyge

There are a lot of factors to consider. Firstly, the course e.g. when they first start placements, how much pbl is involved, how they teach anatomy.

You also want to look at the university, for example if you want to study at a campus, city or collegiate University or if you want to study in a larger city or a smaller town.

There are many other factors such as whether you have to take the ucat or take the bmat for universities and how many international students they take in your case.

From my very little experience with the application, it is about applying tactically. Look at what strengths does your application have, for example, if you have a really high UCAT you may want to apply to UEA as ucat makes up 50% of post interview selection or if you have good gcse grades, you may want to consider universities that look at your gcse grades for interview selection. You want to maximise your chances of getting interviews and offers.

Personally, at this point last year, I looked at some of the courses online to get an understanding of the differences between them, but you still have a lot of time to decide and there are many factors that will affect your application e.g. predicted grades and ucat score.