Please note that revised UK and international student GCSE and A-level entry requirements for 2024 entry will come into effect from 1 January 2024.
Applicants who applied prior to 1 January 2024 should meet the minimum entry requirements previously specified.
Applicants are advised that meeting the general criteria for admission, including the minimum academic criteria is not a guarantee of invitation to interview. All applications will be ranked according to merit, and interview invitations will be sent out to top-ranking applicants until all interview slots are filled for each series of interviews.
General requirements
- English language – IELTS at least 7.0 in each component (or equivalent). English language requirement is one of the conditions of offer, and will be assessed once an offer has been made
- Age - We require applicants to be 18 years old by time of registration
- Work experience - Brunel Medical School takes reference from the Medical School Council’s guidance on work experience. This guidance can be found here Work experience | Medical Schools Council (medschools.ac.uk).
- Relevant for International students only - must have international fee-paying status.
References and personal statements are not considered in the interview selection process.
Minimum academic requirements
UK and international school leavers
GCSE:
- Five GCSEs at Grade B (6) (or equivalent) including two science subjects, such as Double Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics
- At least Grade C (4) in English Language GCSE (or equivalent e.g. IELTS).
- At least Grade B (5) in Maths
A-level:
Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a minimum of grades AAB at A-level, to include:
- Chemistry or Biology at grade A
- a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) or Mathematics at grade A and
- a third subject (except General Studies) at grade B.
Or
International Baccalaureate:
Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a total score of 36 points with
- Higher Level 6 in Chemistry or Biology and
- Higher Level 5 in a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) or Mathematics.
Or
International qualifications:
We accept a wide range of international qualifications from countries around the world, some of which are listed on our International Qualifications Entry Requirements document
Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a pattern of grades equivalent to AAB at ‘A’ level, to include
- Chemistry or Biology at the highest level studied and
- a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) or Mathematics.
If your country is not listed, or you are unsure if you meet the requirements, please contact BMS-Admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Graduates
GCSE:
- Five GCSEs at Grade B (6) (or equivalent) including two science subjects, such as Double Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
- At least Grade C (4) in English Language GCSE (or equivalent e.g. IELTS).
- At least Grade B (5) in Maths
Bachelor’s degree:
Upper second-class degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to Medicine.
Or
Master’s degree:
Awarded with Merit or equivalent, in a subject relevant to Medicine.
Applicants presenting university degree qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are unsure if you meet the requirements please email your qualifications, a transcript of your degree and evidence of High School qualifications to BMS-Admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Brunel Biomedical Science students
Brunel Biomedical Science students may wish to apply for Medicine MBBS at Brunel Medical School if they:
- Are final year students
- Meet the GCSE requirements
- Have completed the UCAT in the summer prior to applying
- Are amongst the highest performing students according to their GPA at the end of Year 2. Up to 10 students will be offered an automatic Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), bypassing the UCAT ranking exercise. Other students will go through the normal selection process i.e. ranked according to UCAT performance.
How to apply as a Brunel Biomedical Science student
International students can apply directly to the University.
Home/UK students need to apply through UCAS.
Students from India & Bangladesh (home of domicile)
If you are currently living in India or Bangladesh, you must apply for Medicine MBBS using one of our approved University agents. The agent will guide you through the application process.
Please note there is no fee for this service.
If you would like to be put in touch with one of our agents in India, please email bms-admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Medicine entrance tests
You must sit either UCAT or GAMSAT before applying and submit you score on your application.
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
UCAT should be taken in the year prior to planned entry.
The UCAT is a 2-hour test that must be taken at a Pearson Vue test centre. It is made up of 5 separate sub-tests, each varying in length. Before each sub-test applicants are given 1-minute reading time.
Australian and New Zealand students can either sit the UCAT ANZ or the UK UCAT exam at a Pearson test centre. Please note that the UCAT ANZ test dates are not the same as UK test dates.
We do not have a UCAT cut-off score however, those scoring SJT band 4 are rejected
To find your closest test centre and costs please visit the UCAT website.
Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
GAMSAT should be taken the year prior to entry and is for graduates only, i.e. those with an undergraduate degree.
GAMSAT is a 4-hour and 45-minute test that includes 19 minutes of reading time. It has 3 sections varying in length.
Depending on your location GAMSAT can be taken online.
To find your closest test centre and costs please visit the GAMSAT website.
Applicants who have not taken UCAT or GAMSAT
You may still apply if you have not taken UCAT/GAMSAT, but your invitation to interview may be delayed, or you may not receive an invitation, depending on the availability of interview slots. If places are still available, applicants who have not taken UCAT/GAMSAT are reviewed by the Selection Panel and are ranked according to their predicted or achieved academic scores.
UCAT/GAMSAT ranking process
- UCAT only - Applicants scoring in band 4 in the SJT (Situational Judgement Test) are rejected
- The remaining applications are assessed by the BMS Selection Panel who review applicants’ personal statements and references against pre-determined criteria
- Applicants with satisfactory personal statements and references are ranked according to their total UCAT/GAMSAT score
- The highest ranked applicants are invited to register for a MMI, and invitations are sent by email normally no later than 2 weeks before the date of the next MMI cycle.
Selection process
Stage 1 – Initial assessment
An initial assessment of all the applications is made by the Brunel Admissions Team. Personal statements and references are checked to make sure they meet the requirements. Applicants who meet, or are predicted to meet, the general requirements and minimum academic requirements advance to Stage 2.
Stage 2 – Application review
- Applications are reviewed by the Brunel Medical School Selection Panel.
- Applications are then ranked according to students’ UCAT scores. Those who so far meet the entry requirements, and, who have the highest UCAT scores will be invited to interview.
Applications without UCAT/GAMSAT
Applicants will have their personal statements and references reviewed and will be ranked based on achieved or predicted academic grades.
The highest ranked applicants will be invited to interview once all passing UCAT/GAMSAT applicants have been interviewed, and if there are Medicine places still available.
Stage 3 - Virtual Multiple Mini Interview (vMMI)
Information on the vMMI can he found on the Interviews web page
Our first set of interviews are taking place in December 2022. There will be further sets of interviews in February 2023, and March 2023. If required, a final set of interviews will take place in summer 2023. Interviews will be granted to the highest ranked students.
Stage 4 - Interview ranking
Candidates are ranked according to the total score obtained at vMMI (with no pre-determined requirement to pass a minimum number of stations). Candidates’ vMMI scores are presented to the Admissions Committee and a cut score is agreed, based on past and current cohort performance.
Applicants with a total score lower than the cut score are rejected.
Applicants reaching the cut score are offered a place or added to the Offer Waiting List, according to the number of available places.
Foundation qualifications
We currently do not accept Foundation qualifications. We will accept applications from candidates enrolled in Foundation Colleges who are taking, or have taken, A-levels or International Baccalaureate. These applications will be considered alongside other applicants with A-level or International Baccalaureate qualifications.
Retakes
Applicants who have had to retake the matriculation qualifications required for entry onto the MBBS programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis where there have been extenuating circumstances.
Deferred entry
Applications for deferred entry will not normally be considered, and requests for deferrals after an offer is made are also not normally considered.
Exclusion criteria for admission
Applications in the following circumstances will not be normally considered:
- Previous enrolment on a medicine course, whether completed or not
- Transfer from another undergraduate science or medicine programme
- Previously undertaken Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) at Brunel Medical School.
Casper Pilot
All applicants are invited to take part in a pilot admissions test. More details can be found here.
Other entry requirements
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
MBBS students will be in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults as part of their programme of study on a regular and sustained basis. All students must therefore undergo an extended criminal record check as a condition of acceptance of an offer. This will include an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) record and (for applicants residing overseas) a Criminal Clearance Certificate which should be completed prior to arrival in the UK. Further information about the process can be found here. The School will assist the students to undertake the DBS checks.
Occupational Health Clearance & Immunisations
For occupational health clearance & immunisation requirements please visit the Immunisation Information web page.
MBBS recognition
We encourage all students to check with their home country’s Medical Council that the MBBS degree awarded by Brunel University will be recognised in their country before applying if they intend to return to their home country to practise medicine.
For any advice and guidance please contact BMS-Admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Information for US students
If you are planning to return to the US after graduating from Brunel Medical School, please email our Support & Well-Being team for specialist advice and guidance. BMS-Support@brunel.ac.uk
Information for Singaporean students
The Medicine MBBS from Brunel Medical School is not currently recognised in Singapore. please email our Support & Well-Being team for further information. BMS-Support@brunel.ac.uk
Course related expenses
Students will be expected to incur some course-related expenses, these include the cost of a stethoscope and the cost of travel to clinical placements.
- Students will need to fund their own placement travel, which will range from £500 - £2,500 per year. Travel costs will be towards the lower end in Years 1 and 2. Shared private transport may be required on occasion
- Students will need to purchase a stethoscope as part of their medical training. Costs of stethoscopes are approximately £100
- The University will supply lab coats. Students may be required to pay £15 for replacements if lost or damaged
- MDU / MPS membership: This is free and compulsory
- Students will be expected to have a laptop computer to be used for coursework, digital examinations, independent work and in class teaching sessions.
Please see here information for UK students - Financial support for healthcare students.
Student visa application information, including financial requirements
Please visit the Making a student visa application web page
Further information
Information on Excluded Students Database check, student visas, appeals and complaints, misconduct during the admissions process and feedback to unsuccessful applicants can be found in the Admissions Policy
Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
MBBS FAQ document
More information can be found on our MBBS FAQ document