St Andrews vs Queen Belfast

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Beautiful place - coastal sea side, excellent beaches

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It can feel a bit like a bubble - which can feel quite intense

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Course has less early clinical exposure than QUB. My impression is it has more a pre-clinical vibe to it, before going to a more clinical school for 4'th year onwards

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You will get a intercalated degree - this will be an extra year, and actually postgraduate training (i.e. applying for what type of doctor you want to be) currently doesn't give you any benefit from having an intercalated degree. Obviously, if research is something you would like to consider, intercalation is useful. And, this may all change by the time you are applying!

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St Andrews restricted by limiting teaching hospitals. There is Kirkcaldy (Royal Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy - which is not a tertiary referral centre), and a community hospital. As wells as lots of GP practices

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You will transfer for your 4'th year to another medical school

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St Andrews is super expensive - and renting is a challenge. A lot of students are now living in Dundee and commute into St Andrews

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There's a lot of beautiful bonnie Scotland to explore ( and it's great!)

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Early clinical exposure

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Large teaching hospitals - tertiary referral centres

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Very cheap city - but does have its issues (and is improving!!)

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Northern Ireland is easier to explore with a car

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Much larger year group than St Andrews ( pros and cons to that - and can limit some clinical placements)

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5 year course - optional intercalation which could bring it up to 6 years

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The Northern Irish health care system is really not in a good place, comparatively to Scotland (which also does have similar issues, but not nearly as bad)

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Northern Ireland is a lovely country, with lots to explore!