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Strategic University options for low UCAT

My daughter is an international student interested in applying for medicine in the UK. She has a low UCAT score of 2480, SJT Band 1, GCSE grades 3 9s, 4 8s, and 1 7, and predicted A-level grades of A* English literature, A Biology, A Chemistry plus an A* in EPQ. would like to know what her university options are. Pls help.
(edited 2 months ago)
Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.

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
Medicine 2024 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2024 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2024 Entry
2024 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2024 Entry

2025 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2025 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
GAMSAT 2025 / 2026 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2025 Entry Discussions Megathread


Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 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
Funding medicine as a second degree

If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
Reply 2
Original post by TSR Hippocrates
Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:
The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
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
Medicine 2024 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2024 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2024 Entry
2024 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2024 Entry
2025 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2025 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
GAMSAT 2025 / 2026 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2025 Entry Discussions Megathread
Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 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
Funding medicine as a second degree
If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.

No not exactly
Reply 3
Original post by susanbvt
My daughter is an international student interested in applying for medicine in the UK. She has a low UCAT score of 2480, SJT Band 1, GCSE grades 3 9s, 4 8s, and 1 7, and predicted A-level grades of A* English literature, A Biology, A Chemistry plus an A* in EPQ. would like to know what her university options are. Pls help.

What are her chances for receiving interview calls with low UCAT score? please share your thoughts on this matter?
Original post by susanbvt
My daughter is an international student interested in applying for medicine in the UK. She has a low UCAT score of 2480, SJT Band 1, GCSE grades 3 9s, 4 8s, and 1 7, and predicted A-level grades of A* English literature, A Biology, A Chemistry plus an A* in EPQ. would like to know what her university options are. Pls help.

Hi, your daughter seems to be very successful academically, congratulations! however, as she is an international student, her low UCAT will make her a less competitive applicant unfortunately. Here's a link to a website that has some strategic application advice. https://www.guessandflag.co.uk/strategic-applications
Reply 5
Original post by lianarainforest
Hi, your daughter seems to be very successful academically, congratulations! however, as she is an international student, her low UCAT will make her a less competitive applicant unfortunately. Here's a link to a website that has some strategic application advice. https://www.guessandflag.co.uk/strategic-applications

Thank you for sharing the link. We've already submitted the university choices on UCAS. I wish I had seen this earlier.
Unfortunately, we were unaware of the importance of the UCAT for UK medical school admissions, and she had only a few days to prepare in between her other exams.
Her university choices are Nottingham (since she had SJT band 1), Cardiff, Kent and Medway, and East Anglia. Any hope for an interview call from these universities?
Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Reply 6
Original post by susanbvt
Thank you for sharing the link. We've already submitted the university choices on UCAS. I wish I had seen this earlier.
Unfortunately, we were unaware of the importance of the UCAT for UK medical school admissions, and she had only a few days to prepare in between her other exams.
Her university choices are Nottingham (since she had SJT band 1), Cardiff, Kent and Medway, and East Anglia. Any hope for an interview call from these universities?
Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

UCAT cut off for international student are much higher than UK student, with only 7.5% spaces available, I don't want to be rude but the chances are very slim. Have you consider applying to other European country where they don't need UCAT admission test?
Reply 7
Original post by Sallylin
UCAT cut off for international student are much higher than UK student, with only 7.5% spaces available, I don't want to be rude but the chances are very slim. Have you consider applying to other European country where they don't need UCAT admission test?

Thank you so much for your response. I must admit, it is quite discouraging.
As it stands, we're applying to a few universities in Ireland, preference is studying medicine in countries where the native language is English.
Reply 8
Original post by susanbvt
Thank you so much for your response. I must admit, it is quite discouraging.
As it stands, we're applying to a few universities in Ireland, preference is studying medicine in countries where the native language is English.

I'm so sorry.... Good luck with her application, my daughter is applying this year too!
Reply 9
Original post by Sallylin
I'm so sorry.... Good luck with her application, my daughter is applying this year too!

Good Luck to you daughter
Original post by susanbvt
Good Luck to you daughter

Thanks! My daughter also applied to Nottingham and Cardiff (and Queen Mary, Sheffield), so we can share information if you wish ☺️
Reply 11
Original post by Sallylin
Thanks! My daughter also applied to Nottingham and Cardiff (and Queen Mary, Sheffield), so we can share information if you wish ☺️

so far we have only received an acknowledgement from both unis
Original post by susanbvt
so far we have only received an acknowledgement from both unis

Same! Also email with password to log onto their hub that's all! Don't think interviews are giving out until end of Nov 🤞

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