Medicine (A100) and Graduate Medicine (A101) entrance requirements and expectations
| Medicine (A100) Course |
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| Graduate Medicine (A101) Course |
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Please note that in the following ‘science/ mathematics subjects’ refers to Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. It doesn’t include Psychology.
GCSE requirements
Students wishing to study Medicine must obtain grade C or above in GCSE (or equivalent) Double Award Science and Mathematics (two single awards in GCSE Biology and Physics may be substituted for Double Award Science).
AS/A Level requirements
Applicants must have passes at AS/A Level in three of Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics. One of the subjects must be Chemistry and at least one pass must be at A Level.
Most applicants for Medicine at Cambridge have at least three science/mathematics A Levels and some Colleges require this or ask for particular A Level subject(s). See individual College websites for details.
Although many Colleges consider applicants offering only two science/mathematics subjects at A Level, the success rate of such applicants is much lower. In the past three admissions rounds, 97 per cent of applicants for Medicine offered three or more science/mathematics A Levels and, of these, 22 per cent were successful in obtaining a place. Three per cent of applicants offered only two science/mathematics A Levels and of this small number only five per cent were successful in gaining a place.
International Baccalaureate requirements
The typical IB offer is 40–42 points, with 776 or 777 at Higher Level. Please note that the subject requirements at GCSE and AS/A Level also apply to the IB. For these purposes, Standard Level subjects are broadly comparable to AS Levels, and Higher Level subjects to A Levels. Individual Middle Years Programme subject results validated by the IB at grade 4 or above will also satisfy the GCSE requirements.
Other examination systems
We expect applicants taking other recognised examinations to demonstrate a level of understanding in science and mathematics roughly equivalent to those applying with A Levels. For details of Entrance Requirements for other qualifications, please consult any College Admissions Tutor for further advice.
Mature Student requirements
Certain Access and Open University courses may meet the GCSE and/or A Level requirements, in whole or part. You should discuss any courses you've taken or are considering taking with a Cambridge Admissions Tutor.
Criminal record check
All offers of a place on these courses for UK students will be subject to Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) registration and a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau. You’ll be sent the relevant forms to complete if you’re offered a place.
From 2011 entry, where courses may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults, students will be legally required to register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS), which is administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority. The University will send further instructions on registering with the VBS as part of the admissions process.
Overseas students will be asked to provide similar evidence.
More details can be found on the University's Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosures webpage at: www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/students/crb/ and on the Faculty of Biology's website.
The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
All applicants for Medicine are required to sit the BMAT and must enter for the test by 30 September
Applicants are responsible for ensuring they enter for the BMAT by 30 September. This means you must enter for the BMAT test before submitting your UCAS application by 15 October. Information about how to register for BMAT is available from the BMAT website.
Your health
Doctors, even as students and trainees, have a responsibility to be honest and open about their own health and all successful applicants are required to complete a confidential occupational health assessment. A questionnaire will be included with your offer letter and, once completed, should be returned tothe University's Occupational Health Service.
Your answers to the health questionnaire will help to ensure that your medical training will not place your own or others' health at risk and determine, in terms of fitness to fulfil the requirements of the General Medical Council (GMC), your suitability to work as a doctor. The requirements can be found in their booklet Tomorrow's Doctors available at: www.gmc-uk.org. The assessment is also to inform the University of any health conditions or disabilities that you have which require specific support, so that this can be in place before you start the course.
Vaccinations for medical school
The University requires all prospective medical students be immunised against certain infections to meet health and safety standards required to work with patients. You will be sent details of the vaccination programme with your offer
Blood-borne infections
In accordance with Department of Health guidelines and NHS requirements, you will be offered blood tests to check that you are not infected with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV before you can be cleared to participate in certain surgical procedures. If you are infected, you will be allowed to continue with the course but will not be allowed to partake in surgical practices on patients known as 'exposure prone' procedures. It will not prevent you from qualifying or practising as a doctor, except for a restriction on exposure-prone procedures.
Disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs)
A disability, SpLD or health condition needn't prevent you from becoming a doctor if you can satisfy the professional fitness for practise requirements. However, in these circumstances you should contact a College Admissions Tutor as early as possible so that we can discuss your needs and the requirements of the course. Any such disclosure will be considered independently of your academic qualifications and the interview process.
The University’s Disability Resource Centre may also be able to provide additional advice and guidance.