Are these good options for medicine?

Hello!

I was wondering that if I apply to these unis : Cambridge , UCL, Imperial, Cardiff,KCL
I am wasting my choices? Since through UCAS you only get so few options, would it be wiser to apply to less competitive unis just in case?
For context this is medicine undergrad.
My GCSE are good, A levels yet to do ( I am in yr 12)
Should I be safe and pick at least one less competitive option?
Is there a chance I’ll be rejected from all 5 of my choices or is there guarantee placement in 1/5.

Thanks

Reply 1

McGinger

Remember that is does not matter where you train as a doctor - its an accredited degree with a set syllabus and all courses lead to exactly the same qualification and professional status. The NHS is not going toi care where you trained, and your future patients won't ask.

Cambridge, UCL, Imperial and KCL are all ludicrously competitive - not because they are 'better' (they aren't) but because they seem glamourous and get deluged with applications. Every year they reject thousands (yes, thousands) of applications from those who meet or even exceed the entry requirements. Applying to all four could easily mean four rejections without even an interview.

You only have FOUR choices for Med. If you get A* predictions, have stellar GCSEs and are very confident about UKCAT, then applying for Cambridge plus one of the London Unis would be worth the risk. Your other two choices should then be out-of-London Unis - Cardiff plus a non-RG as an example - that would mean you might get at least one interview.

However, without your A level predicted grades or any idea about a likely UKCAT score making any sort of 'choices' in Year 12 is essentially pointless. You have no idea where your strengths are and therefore where to apply at the most strategic choices. I would suggest that you find out as much as you can about the Med application process in Year 12, and go to some Uni Open Days in May/June. Then decide exactly where you will apply - and why.

Useful Mooc - free online course - Applying for Medical School - Online Course - FutureLearn
There are also some relevant online webinar events coming up at the Uni of Leicester :
University of Leicester Event | Virtual Applying to Medicine Talk (26 Nov)
University of Leicester Event | Medicine Study Skills for A-Levels & Beyond (4 March)
And - Brunel Medical Summer School & Online webinars, 2026 (BL27667) | University of London - August 2026 - but you need to contact them asap.