Medicine MBBS

Application for 2023/24 entry is now open

Medicine provides an exciting range of career opportunities. You will be equipped with the educational, clinical and professional skills you will need as a new doctor, and you will be well prepared for further training, such as specialist training, in the UK or overseas.

After completing the medical degree, you will be given provisional registration with a licence to practise by the General Medical Council. You will be eligible to apply for the UK 2-year Foundation Training programme and the General Medical Council will grant you full registration with licence to practise after successfully completing the first year of the programme.

The Medicine MBBS is open to International students only

It is our aim to open our admission to home (UK) students at the earliest opportunity.

How to apply (2023/24 entry)

1. Apply directly to the University

Application is open and closes when all Medicine MBBS places have been filled.

Successful applicants will receive a provisional offer to study Medicine MBBS, and these applicants - both those who applied through UCAS and those who applied directly will then have their applications processed by UCAS.

2. Apply through UCAS

Application is open.

Information can be found here.

You can find information on how to apply, what to include in your application and the selection process in the FAQ.

Interview dates 

Our first set of interviews are taking place in December 2022. There will be further sets of interviews in February 2023, and also in March 2023. If required, a final set of interviews will take place in summer 2023. Interviews will be granted to the highest ranked students until all interview slots are filled.

Graduates can apply

If you already have an undergraduate degree in a subject related to Medicine and your degree qualification meets our minimum entry criteria, then you can apply for Medicine MBBS. Depending on your ranking, you will also be invited to interview.

More information: 

Contact 

Email: BMS-Admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Telephone: +44(0)1895 268083

Brunel University London 

Brunel University London, a university for a changing world, is a highly regarded multidisciplinary and research-intensive technology university, with a vibrant, diverse  and dynamic population of staff and students from all over the world. Brunel Medical School is part of the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (CHMLS), which is a leading provider of undergraduate and postgraduate health professions education, including Physician Associate, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Social Work programmes. Thus the College provides opportunities for interprofessional learning. 

View our London campus here.

University Ranking- 23rd in the world for International Outlook: Times Higher Education, World University Rankings (2022).

Scholarships 

Brunel Medical School will award a number of scholarships specifically for Medicine MBBS 2023/24 entry. For information please visit the scholarships web page.

Team-based Learning (TBL)

Our MBBS has a strong emphasis on developing teamwork skills. Teamwork takes place in all clinical settings where you will be working alongside colleagues and other healthcare professions to care for patients.

We are among the few medical schools in the world to use Team-based Learning (TBL) as our main method of classroom instruction, replacing traditional lectures with structured team-centred activities that help you learn, discuss and remember the necessary knowledge.

Learn more here.

Clinical and communication skills

We have developed a curriculum that puts people and patients first. You will learn to deliver compassionate care, and this will start in the first weeks of year 1 with communication skills sessions involving simulated patients – actors trained to role play as patients in our Communication Suite, a set of 18 on-site consultation rooms equipped with video recording and playback facilities.

You will gain confidence in learning how best to listen to patients, ask the right questions at the right time, show empathy and overcome language and cultural barriers. You will also learn clinical skills in our dedicated laboratory and simulated ward. 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.

High number of MBBS places available for international students

At Brunel Medical School we have many more places available for international students than most other UK medical schools. 

Early patient contact

In parallel with the clinical and communication skills learned on campus, from term 1 you will also learn about patient care from supervised interactions with real patients, through regular placements in General Practice clinics.

You will learn to look at healthcare and illness from the patient’s perspective and understand how teams of professionals work together and make a difference to people’s lives.

Digital technology to support students' learning

You will be well prepared to practise medicine in the modern world. 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. 

You will understand the impact of healthcare costs and developments in remote care, artificial intelligence and robotics. Our modern and innovative curriculum incorporates digital technologies to enhance the way you learn and the environment that you learn in.  

Student support service

Studying medicine can at times be challenging and being far from home in an unfamiliar environment can certainly make things more difficult. We provide a support system for the duration of your time in Brunel to build your resilience and help you cope with the pressures.

The School will support your progress in a holistic manner, to foster a sense of belonging and identity in our community. Support includes 1:1 sessions with a tutor, peer support sessions and teaching on healthy living and lifestyle medicine.

Learn more here.

Clinical placements

You will undertake a range of clinical placements in locations across Greater London and the South East of England. You will have access to a diverse patient population providing you with the experience needed to become a well-rounded doctor and to help you make an informed choice about the direction you wish your medical career to follow.

A focus on the UK health system

As a Brunel medical student, you will be learning medicine in one of the most famous healthcare organisations in the world – The National Health Service (NHS). The experience gained here will help prepare you for entry to the two-year UK Foundation Programme, of which the first year (FY1) is the starting point for pursuing a medical career in the UK and an excellent preparation for careers overseas. 

Medical Licensing Assessment

Our curriculum will prepare you for the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA).

Please note. From 2024, all UK medical school students will be required to pass the MLA in order to practise as FY1 doctors. International medical graduates will also need to pass the MLA in order to practise in the UK.

USMLE and MCCQE support and guidance

Some of you may wish to pursue your medical careers in Canada or the USA. A dedicated assessment advisor in the School will offer guidance on the USMLE and MCCQE assessments. The assessment advisor will discuss individual needs, and provide advice on approved preparatory resources, including review texts, practice question banks and online courses. 

Student electives

You will have the opportunity to choose and experience medical practice in a completely different environment. Learn more here.

Interviews 

Please visit our Multi Mini Interview web page for details.

Guaranteed student accommodation on campus

You will have the opportunity to apply for student accommodation on campus for the duration of the MBBS course.

General Medical Council (GMC)

All medical schools are periodically reviewed by the UK General Medical Council (GMC), the body responsible for ensuring that medical education and training is of a high standard and that all medical schools meet the requirements set out in Promoting excellence: standards for medical education and training.

In addition, as a new Medical School, Brunel Medical School is subject to scrutiny through stages of the GMC’s rigorous quality assurance process. We have completed key stages of this process to date, and we will continue to be closely reviewed by the GMC until the programme has been successfully delivered and the final-stage approval for the award of the MBBS degrees is granted.

During the period of close review, the GMC requires all new medical schools to have a contingency school to partner with the new school and provide 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.

Medicine Virtual Open Days

Book on to our next virtual open day to find out more about Brunel Medical School.

Book your place here.

The MBBS programme specification is subject to amendments.

Years 1 and 2 form Phase 1 of the MBBS course. Phase 1 is characterised by the student experience of acquiring the essential knowledge, skills and professional attitudes for preparation to the more clinically-focused years.

Year 1

In year 1 you will develop an understanding of basic scientific concepts that underpin health and disease in your patients. You will study the main body systems in turn, examining the anatomy and the workings of body, starting with the heart, circulation and the respiratory system, integrating knowledge from molecules to organs.

Hormones and their regulation will be studied next, followed by the renal system and excretion, and then 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. The use of technologies in healthcare will be investigated and important principles of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology will be brought to life.

Having gained confidence through your training in clinical communications you will experience primary care settings throughout Years 1 and 2 where you will interact with patients, under the supervision of experienced clinicians to hone your skills. You will also have the opportunity to learn from, and with, other healthcare team members, such as physiotherapists, physicians associates and nurses.

Year 2

In year 2, you will continue to study body systems, starting with digestion and absorption, the nervous system and mental health, 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. The end of year two is largely dedicated to student-selected course components where you may decide to get involved in a research project, explore improvements in healthcare delivery or learn about the needs of minority groups in the community. 

Years 3 and 4 make up Phase 2 of the course, which is characterised by an intensive clinical experience in a range of high quality hospitals and general practice clinics across Greater London and South East England.

Year 3

In year 3 you will rotate through a range of medical and surgical placements across key specialties where you will apply your knowledge, clinical and communication skills and work in teams in the clinical settings. In these patient-facing placements you will learn to integrate clinical knowledge and patient care. Your placements in primary care settings will continue. Your knowledge, professionalism and skills will be continuously assessed by the clinical and academic teams. Regular practical exams will evaluate your progress in skill development.

Year 4

In year 4, you will continue rotations in primary and secondary clinical care settings. You will learn about holistic patient management and further extend your knowledge and expertise. Your performance will continue to be assessed by the professionals with whom you will be interacting on a daily basis.

Phase 3 is the final, 5th year of the programme.

Year 5

Year 5 is designed to help you in the transition from student to doctor. This includes a series of apprenticeship placements in clinical settings. You will also be able to apply for an elective placement. You will be formally taught about safe prescribing and expectations of professional behaviour. 

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This course can be studied 5 years full-time, starting in September.

After the MBBS 

Achieving an MBBS degree from Brunel Medical School will provide students with a primary medical qualification (PMQ). Holding a PMQ allows students 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 school, all Brunel Medical School graduates will be eligible to apply to the UK Foundation Programme for Foundation Year (FY) Clinical Training. Please note that Foundation training is remunerated by the NHS Trusts to which you will be allocated. International students will not be paying fees, but will receive remuneration.

The Foundation School to which students will be allocated will be dependent on the chosen FY1 post.*

*This information is correct as of July 2020 but please be aware that regulations in this area are subject to change.

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2023/24 entry

Medicine MBBS is open to International students only

It is our aim to open our admission to home (UK) students at the earliest opportunity.

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 

• Fee status - International fee status
• 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
• Personal statement - Satisfactory personal statement. Please visit our FAQ for more information on personal statements
• Reference - One satisfactory academic reference. Please visit our FAQ  for more information on academic references
• Age - We normally 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, including options which may be more feasible during the Covid-19 pandemic. This guidance can be found here Work experience | Medical Schools Council (medschools.ac.uk). In addition, please refer to the Brunel Medical School guidance on personal statements in our FAQ as this includes advice about work experience.

Minimum academic requirements

School leavers

• Mathematics proficiency: At least Grade B (5) in Mathematics GCSE (or equivalent)

• English language proficiency:  At least Grade C (4) in English Language GCSE (or equivalent e.g. IELTS).

And

A-levels: 

Applicants should normally have, or be expected to achieve, a minimum of grades AAB at A-level, to include:

• Chemistry or Biology and
• a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) or Mathematics and
• a third subject (except General Studies).

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 Secondary School Qualifications: 

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.

For a list of all our international high school qualifications please click here.

Graduates

• 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

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

UCAT is a requirement and should be taken in the year prior to planned entry.

Important dates:

• UCAT account registration opens on the 23 May 2022
• UCAT booking starts 20 June 2022
• UCAT booking deadline is 22 September 2022
• UCAT testing is between 11 July – 29 September 2022.

The UCAT is a 2-hour test that must be sat 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 students can either sit the Australian UCAT or the UK UCAT exam at a Pearson test centre. Please note that the Australian UCAT test dates are not the same as the UK's test dates.

To find your closest test centre and costs please visit the UCAT website.

UCAT ranking process

• 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 score
• The highest ranked applicants are invited to register for a vMMI, and invitations are sent by email normally no later than 2 weeks before the date of the next vMMI cycle.

Applicants who have not taken UCAT in the year prior to planned entry

If places are available after the third round of MMIs, applicants who have not taken UCAT, or not taken UCAT in the year preceding that of intended entry, are reviewed by the Selection Panel and are ranked according to their predicted or achieved academic scores.

The School may run a fourth series of interviews in July to which these applicants may be invited, in rank order.

More general information about UCAT can be found on the UCAT website.

Selection process

Please click here to view the MBBS admissions process pdf.

Stage 1 – Initial assessment

An initial assessment of all the applications is made by the Brunel Admissions Team. Applicants who meet, or are predicted to meet, the general requirements and minimum academic requirements advance to Stage 2.

Stage 2 – Application review

1. Applications are reviewed by the Brunel Medical School Selection Panel. Personal statements and references are checked to make sure they meet the requirements. Information on what we expect from the personal statement and reference(s) can be viewed in our FAQ
2. 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

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 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.

Stage 5 – Making an offer

Offers are made to applicants ranked the highest in their vMMI performance, and, in the case of applicants with equal scores, UCAT scores are considered in determining offers.

For further details on offers please view the Admissions Policy 2023/24

Foundation qualifications

For 2023/24 entry we will 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. 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.

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

As a condition of acceptance for a place to study on the MBBS programme, all applicants must comply with occupational health requirements. Confirmation of occupational health clearance, evidenced by a fitness certificate issued by the Brunel Occupational Health service, must be obtained before the start of clinical placements in November 2023.

The purpose of occupational health clearance is to confirm that applicants are fit to study on the programme, identify the need for any adjustments to support learning and clinical training, determine whether there is clearance for exposure-prone procedures (see paragraph 7.9) and whether, with necessary adjustments, applicants are expected to be able to meet the competencies required for graduation, as described in Outcomes for Graduates. This information will be recorded in the fitness certificate, in accordance with guidelines by the Higher Educational Occupational Practitioners (HEOPS) for medical students. The fitness certificate will be held securely, accessible only to nominated senior medical school staff and will not include any clinical information.

Immunisations 

For immunisation requirements please visit the Immunisation Information web page.  

MBBS recognition

We encourage all students to check with their home country Medical Council that the MBBS 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. Medicine.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. Medicine.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.

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 2023/24.

You can find more information on how to apply, what to include in your application and the selection process in the FAQ.

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) 

Medicine MBBS is open to International students only.  

Annual tuition is £44,908 for 2023/24 entry for International students.

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.

It is important that your financing is organised before accepting an offer at Brunel University London. If you are seeking a loan or sponsorship funds from your home country we advise that this is organised in good time prior to starting the course.

As a new school, we are committed to applying holistic approaches to assessment. We use a programmatic approach to assessment, namely observing your behaviour and knowledge many times throughout the year so that we can build a reliable picture of your progress through the programme and your preparation to becoming a doctor.

You will receive detailed feedback about your performance and progress to help you improve and excel. You will sit exams, but your responses will be looked at in conjunction with the information we have collected throughout the programme. This approach closely monitors your learning journey and your progress and alleviates exam pressure to give a fairer assessment of your preparation to becoming a doctor.