Overview
Medicine provides an exciting range of career opportunities. As a Brunel MBBS student, you'll be equipped with the educational, clinical, and professional skills needed as a new doctor. You'll also be well prepared for further specialist training, in the UK or overseas.
How to apply - September 2026 entry
Home fee status: The application deadline for students with Home fee status was 15 October 2025. Due to high demand and limited places, we're no longer accepting applications for September 2026 entry from Home fee status applicants.
International fee status: Please apply either through UCAS or directly to Brunel by 30 June 2026. Please note, the direct application deadline may close earlier, subject to course vacancies, so we recommend you apply early.
How to contact us
If you've not yet applied, please complete our enquiry form or telephone +44(0)1895 265599.
If you've already applied, please email bms-admissions@brunel.ac.uk. Remember to include your Brunel ID number within your email. Alternatively, you can call us on +44(0)1895 265265.
Interviews
We use an online Multiple Mini Interview (vMMI) format - designed so that applicants engage in six short interviews, using a range of different interviewers.
More information can be found here.
Graduates can apply
If you already have an undergraduate or master’s degree in a subject related to Medicine and your degree qualification meets our minimum entry criteria, then you can apply for our MBBS programme. Depending on your ranking, you'll also be invited to interview.
More information
The National Health Service (NHS) and UK Foundation Programme
As a Brunel medical student, you’ll be learning medicine in our famous National Health Service (NHS). The experience gained will help prepare you for entry into the two-year UK Foundation Programme, to which all our MBBS graduates are eligible to apply.
Innovative curriculum
We take an evidence-based approach to learning and teaching. The Medicine MBBS curriculum has been designed by leading academics and clinicians working in partnership to provide the latest insights into medical advances and clinical practice.
Our curriculum incorporates digital technologies to enhance the way you learn and the environment that you learn in and provides patient contact right from Year 1.
You'll be well prepared, for the changes in medical practice are accelerating, driven by molecular sciences, a greater understanding of the demographic variations in health and illness, and of the specific needs of individual patients.
Learn more here.
Team-based learning (TBL)
Brunel Medical School uses TBL as the main method of classroom teaching. Working in teams of six in our purpose-designed TBL classroom, you exchange ideas and refine your understanding of the topics through discussions.
With this active-learning approach, you'll solve problems whilst developing life-long, transferable skills, highly relevant to medicine, under the guidance of clinicians and scientists.
Our programmatic approach to assessment with academic coaching means that you're kept informed of your progress throughout your studies, and you receive regular feedback to help you improve your learning.
Watch our TBL video!
Learn more about TBL.
Clinical and communication skills
Emphasis on the development of communications skills and clinical skills from Year 1 is demonstrated by dedicated spaces, in particular a suite of 18 video-equipped consultation rooms and the use of trained simulated patients as well as skills laboratories and simulated wards.
Simulation technology, manikins, virtual reality and augmented reality will also feature in your educational journey, and your learning will be enhanced by frequent feedback from your peers and from our educators.
Early patient contact
In parallel with the clinical and communication skills learned on campus, you'll also learn patient care via supervised interactions with real patients from Year 1, through regular placements in general practice (family medicine) clinics.
You'll learn to appreciate healthcare and illness from the patient perspective and understand how teams of professionals work together and make a difference to people’s lives.
Student support service
Studying medicine can at times be challenging and being far from home in an unfamiliar environment can make things more difficult. At Brunel, we provide a comprehensive support system to build your resilience and help you flourish. All students are supported by our dedicated Student Support and Wellbeing team to make sure that any issue is addressed rapidly and sympathetically.
Our School House system creates a home away from home where students are supported by their peers and expert tutors provide academic coaching to students.
Learn more here.
State-of-the-art facilities
You'll benefit from learning in our Quad North building, that includes our Anatomy Suite, Simulated Hospital Wards, Clinical Skills Laboratories, and much more.
Learn more and discover our virtual tour.
Medical Licensing Assessment
Our curriculum will prepare you for the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA).
All UK medical students will be required to pass the MLA to practise as FY1 doctors. International medical graduates will also need to pass the MLA to practise in the UK.
USMLE and MCCQE support and guidance
Some of you may wish to pursue your medical careers in the USA or Canada. The Brunel MBBS course trains you for UK practice, but we also provide advice about USMLE and MCCQE assessments, including approved preparatory resources (such as review texts, practice question banks, online courses).
Student electives
In Year 5, you have the opportunity to choose and experience medical practice in a completely different environment.
Learn more here.
World Directory of Medical Schools
Brunel Medical School is listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDoMS).
The World Directory defines a 'medical school' as an educational institution that provides a complete or full programme of instruction leading to a basic medical qualification; that is, a qualification that permits the holder to obtain a license to practice as a medical doctor or physician.
Please note that the listing of a medical school in the World Directory of Medical Schools does not denote recognition, accreditation, or endorsement by the World Directory of Medical Schools.
General Medical Council (GMC)
All medical schools are reviewed regularly by the UK General Medical Council (GMC), the body responsible for ensuring that medical education and training is maintained at a high standard, and that medical schools meet their requirements.
As a new Medical School, we're subject to scrutiny of the GMC’s rigorous quality assurance process. We'll continue to be closely reviewed by the GMC until our first cohort has graduated.
During this period of close review, all new medical schools have a partner contingency school to offer regular support. The University of Buckingham Medical School is Brunel Medical School’s contingency school.
The list of new medical schools under GMC review can be found here.
The GMC's Medical Students web page will help new and returning students to understand:
- the role of the GMC and what it means to join a regulated profession
- the guidance on offer
- how to keep up-to-date via newsletters and social media.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
Phase 1 is characterised by the acquisition of essential foundational knowledge, the development of skills and professional attitudes and the early introduction to patient contact, to prepare for the more clinically focused years.
Year 1
In Year 1, you'll develop an understanding of basic scientific concepts that underpin health and disease in your patients. You'll study the main body systems in turn, examining the anatomy and the workings of the body, starting with the cardiovascular system, and then the respiratory system, integrating knowledge from molecules to organs.
You'll study hormones and their regulation next, followed by the renal system and excretion, and lastly the limbs, joints, and movement. Throughout the year, learning about body systems will be complemented by relevant clinical and communication skills, and teaching of medical ethics and professionalism. You will investigate the use of technologies in healthcare and important principles of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology will be brought to life through practical experiences in the anatomy laboratory, and clinically focused application exercises in Team Based Learning (TBL).
Throughout Years 1 and 2, having gained confidence through your training in clinical communications, you will experience the first point of contact in the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS) known as primary care (General Practice/Family Medicine). You will interact with patients, under the supervision of experienced clinicians to hone your skills. You will also learn from, and with, other healthcare team members, such as physiotherapists, physician associates, and nurses.
Year 2
In Year 2, you'll continue to study body systems, starting with digestion and absorption, continuing with the nervous system and mental health, and finally learning about reproduction and ageing. There will be greater focus on diseases, infections, drugs, and diagnosis. You will continue to sharpen your clinical and communication skills and you will grow your understanding of digital health, ethics, and professionalism. You will have clinical placements in primary care which will allow you to continue to hone the skills that you started to develop in year 1, as well as learn more about Population Health and other areas of clinical pratice. The end of Year two is dedicated to student-selected course components (SSC) where you will get involved in a scholarly project. Examples include scientific laboratory projects, projects to explore improvements in healthcare delivery or those which give you the opportunity to engage with the local community.
Years 3 and 4 make up Phase 2 of the programme, which is characterised by an intensive clinical experience in a range of high-quality hospitals and primary care clinics across Greater London and South-East England. You will also have teaching on the Brunel Medical School campus every 6 weeks.
Year 3
In Year 3, you will rotate through a range of placements in hospitals, community mental health and primary care where you will apply your knowledge and clinical and communication skills. In these patient-facing placements, you will learn to integrate clinical knowledge and patient care. Your placements in primary care settings will continue. You will receive feedback to improve your knowledge, professionalism, and skills from the clinical and academic teams.
Year 4
In Year 4, you will continue clinical rotations to include some more specialist areas such as paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, dermatology, ENT, ophthalmology, as well as in primary care and others. You will learn about holistic patient management and further extend your knowledge and expertise. You will continue to receive feedback from the professionals with whom you will be interacting on a daily basis. This will prepare for your final year of the programme.
Phase 3 is the final, 5th year of the programme.
Year 5
Year 5 is designed to help you to prepare for the transition from student to junior doctor. This includes further placements in medicine, surgery, primary care, and emergency medicine, followed by the final MBBS Exams to include the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA). You will then undertake at least two Assistantship placements to prepare you for clinical practice as a Foundation Year 1 (FY1) doctor in the NHS, followed by an elective placement which may be overseas. You will be formally taught about safe prescribing and expectations of professional behaviour.
Compulsory
- Introduction to Medical Sciences 1
- Psychology, Sociology and Lifestyle Medicine
- Health Systems, Technologies and Population Health
- Professionalism, Ethics and Law
- Clinical Practice and Community CareIncludes the following components: Clinical Skills Clinical Communication Clinical Placements Medical Humanities
Compulsory
- Professionalism, Ethics & and Law
- Psychology, Sociology and Lifestyle Medicine
- Health Systems, Technologies and Population Health
- Pharmacology
- Introduction to Medical Sciences 2
- Nutrition, Digestion and Absorption
- Neuroscience, Special Senses & Behaviour
- Reproduction, Growth & Ageing
- Student Selected Component
- Clinical Practice and Community Care
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Careers and your future
After the MBBS
Achieving an MBBS degree from Brunel Medical School will provide you with a primary medical qualification (PMQ). Holding a PMQ allows you to apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) and license to practise in approved Foundation Year 1 posts in the UK.
As a UK medical graduate, following successful award of the MBBS degree, you will be eligible to apply to the UK Foundation Programme for Foundation Year (FY) Clinical Training (subject to Visa Regulations at the time).
Please note that Foundation training is remunerated by the NHS Trusts to which you are allocated. International students will not be paying fees but will receive remuneration.
The Foundation School to which you are allocated will be dependent on your allocated FY1 post. *
Entry onto the Foundation Programme requires an applicant to have the right to work in the UK and places on the programme are not guaranteed for every UK graduate. If successful and able to join the UK Foundation Programme, you will be a salaried junior doctor, of which the first year (FY1) is the starting point for pursuing a medical career in the UK and is also an excellent preparation for careers overseas.
*This information is correct as of January 2023 but please be aware that regulations in this area are subject to change.
Entry requirements
2026/7 entry
Here's an overview of the applicant journey
1. Complete the Medicine Entrance Test (UCAT or GAMSAT)
These are admissions tests used by most UK medical schools to help select applicants. You must sit UCAT in the year that you apply, then submit your score with your application.
GAMSAT scores are valid for two years prior to entry.
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
The UCAT is a two-hour test taken at a Pearson Vue test centre. It's made up of four separate sub-tests, each varying in length. Before each sub-test, applicants are given one-minute reading time.
Applicants who have taken the UCAT test will be given priority when allocating interview slots. While there's no set UCAT cut-off score, selection for interview is competitive and based on overall performance in the test relative to other applicants in the same year of entry. Please note, applicants with SJT Band 4 are normally rejected.
Australian and New Zealand applicants can take their country's equivalent UCAT ANZ or the UK's UCAT exam at a Pearson test centre. Please note that the UCAT ANZ test dates are not the same as UK test dates.
To find your closest test centre and costs, please visit the UCAT website.
UCAT Bursary (UK students)
For information about the UCAT Bursary, please visit the UCAT Bursary webpage.
Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
GAMSAT is a four-hour and 45-minute test that includes 19 minutes of reading time. It has three sections varying in length.
Depending on your location, GAMSAT can be taken online.
GAMSAT is for graduates only.
To find your closest test centre and costs, please visit the GAMSAT website.
2. Applying to Brunel Medical School
Applications for September 2026 entry for UK students applying via UCAS are now closed.
If you're an international fee-paying student, you can also apply directly to Brunel.
3. Initial assessment of applications
Brunel's admissions team review applications by checking (a) your references, and (b) whether you meet, or are predicted to meet, the general and minimum academic requirements to progress to the next stage.
General requirements
- Age: applicants must be aged 18 or above by Friday, 31 October 2026
- Work experience: Brunel Medical School takes reference from the Medical School Council’s guidance on work experience.
Minimum academic requirements
- GCSEs or equivalent: five GCSEs at grade 6/B or above, including two Science subjects, grade 4/C English Language or equivalent, and grade 5/B in Maths.
School leavers
- A-levels: AAA including Chemistry or Biology, a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths) and any third subject (General Studies not accepted)
- International Baccalaureate (IB): 36 points, including Higher Level 6 in Chemistry or Biology and Higher Level 6 in a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths
- International equivalencies: see EU and International entry requirements dropdown below.
Graduates
- Bachelor’s degree: 2.1 or equivalent in a subject relevant to Medicine.
- Master’s degree: Awarded with Merit or equivalent in a subject relevant to Medicine.
All degrees (or A Levels/equivalents if no degree has been taken) need to have been awarded within the 5 years prior to application. If the qualification has been taken more than 5 years ago, this may be acceptable if the applicant has been working in a relevant field since.
4. Application review
Brunel Medical School Selection Panel review applications and rank them according to total UCAT or GAMSAT scores. Applicants are invited to interviews based on their test ranking. Please note that meeting the general and academic criteria does not guarantee an interview invitation, due to the competitive nature of the course.
5. Virtual Multiple Mini Interview (vMMI)
Brunel uses the virtual multiple mini-interviews process for a place at our medical school. It's a series of six mini-interviews where, instead of moving physically from station to station, you remain seated and move 'virtually' to different online rooms to answer your questions.
Information on the asynchronous vMMI can be found on our interviews webpage.
Multiple Mini Interview ranking
- Candidates are ranked according to the total score obtained at vMMI (with no pre-determined requirement to pass a minimum number of vMMI stations).
- Candidates' vMMI scores are presented to the Brunel Medical School Admissions Committee, and a cut-off score is agreed, based on the current cohort performance.
- Applicants with a total score lower than the cut-off score may be rejected.
- Applicants reaching the cut-off score may be offered a place or, with your permission, added to the waiting list, according to the number of available places.
6. Offer made to successful applicants
Applicants who meet the Widening Access Criteria detailed within the Medicine Admissions Policy and who are successful post vMMI, may be given a lower contextualised offer.
7. Additional steps
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
MBBS students will be in contact with children, patients and/or vulnerable adults as part of their programme of study. Therefore, all students must undergo an extended criminal record check as a condition of the offer. This will include an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) record and (for applicants residing overseas) a Criminal Clearance Certificate, which should be completed prior to arrival in the UK. Read further information about the DBS process.
Occupational Health and Immunisations
For occupational health clearance and immunisation requirements, please visit our immunisation information webpage.
CAS Application and Visa Applications (International Students)
Student visa application information, including financial requirements, can be found on our making a student visa application webpage.
Want to know more about applying for Medicine MBBS and the entry requirements
Explore our Medicine FAQs and admissions pages for detailed guidance and support.
If your qualification isn't listed above, please contact the Admissions Office by emailing admissions@brunel.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1895 265265 to check whether it's accepted and to find out what a typical offer might be.
Brunel's committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We'll 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.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants, as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
IELTS :7.0 overall (min 7.0 in all areas)
Pearson : 64 overall ( min 64 in all subscores)
BrunELT : 68% overall ( 68 in all subscores)
TOEFL : 98 overall (min 23 in all areas)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/7 entry
International
£49,395 full-time
UK
£9,790 full-time
Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.
Graduate funding for the MBBS (home students only)
Graduates applying for our MBBS are unable to apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England for the first four years of the programme, but you can apply for a Maintenance Loan.
From year five onwards, tuition fees will be paid by the NHS Student Bursary Scheme, and you'll be eligible to apply for a means-tested NHS bursary to cover maintenance costs and a reduced maintenance loan from Student Finance England.
Brunel graduates are eligible for the Brunel Alumni Discount.
You'll also have access to a non-means-tested grant of £1,000 as part of their NHS Bursary award.
Course-related expenses
Students will incur some course-related expenses, these include the cost of a stethoscope and the cost of travel to clinical placements.
It's important that your financing is organised before accepting an offer at Brunel Medical School. If you're seeking a loan or sponsorship funds from your home country, we advise that this is organised in good time, prior to starting the course.
For all information regarding funding for home/UK students, please visit the following websites.
- NHS Financial Support for Medical Students
- NHS Student Bursary Scheme
- Student Finance
- External funding
This information is correct at the time of publishing - September 2025.
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Assessment will take place throughout the year (programmatic assessment) and will be a mix of coursework submitted online, individual Single Best Answer (SBA) tests done on campus during the TBL sessions and during invigilated in-person exams, as well as Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE) and Anatomy Spot Tests.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
