Routes to the Professions at Birmingham: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
Routes to the Professions is the University of Birmingham's outreach programme for Year 12 students at partner schools across the West Midlands who want to study Medicine or Dentistry. It has three compulsory events across the year, from an introduction to the professions to preparing your application. Students who complete it get a guaranteed interview and a lower offer at Birmingham.
- Closes
- 6 Nov 2026
- For
- Year 12 students, medicine and dentistry
- Where
- West Midlands
- Gives you
- Guaranteed interview, then ABB instead of AAA
What you get
Completing Routes to the Professions gives you a guaranteed interview and an offer of ABB instead of AAA for medicine and dentistry at Birmingham.
- Guaranteed interview for Medicine or Dentistry on completion
- No UCAT cut-off for Medicine
- ABB offer through Pathways to Birmingham
- Also unlocks UKWPMED benefits at Brighton and Sussex, Hull York, Keele, Manchester and Plymouth
To get it, you must
- Meet the GCSE, predicted grade and personal statement requirements
- Sit the UCAT in the year you apply
Who can apply
You need to
- Attend a Pathways to Birmingham partner school in the wider West Midlands
- Be in Year 12 and under 18, having taken your GCSEs at a non-selective state school, with Home fee status
- Have 7 GCSEs including English Language, Maths, Chemistry and Biology (or Double Science) at grades 7755 in any order
- Be studying three A-levels including Chemistry and a second science from Biology, Physics or Maths
Plus at least three of
Care-experienced qualifies on its own.
- Care-experienced
- Free school meals
- Low-progression school
- Deprived postcode
- First in family to university
- Low household income
- Disabled or long-term health condition
- Estranged from parents
- Young carer
Dates
- Applications open
- Open now, date not published
- Applications close
- 6 Nov 2026
- Programme runs
- Three events across 2027, dates sent with your place
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the Routes to the Professions page. It is run by Birmingham Outreach with the Medical and Dental Schools.
Frequently asked questions
Does Routes to the Professions guarantee an interview?
Yes, if you complete the programme and meet its academic conditions. Guaranteed interview for Medicine or Dentistry on completion.
Who is eligible for Routes to the Professions?
Attend a Pathways to Birmingham partner school in the wider West Midlands. You need to be in Year 12 and under 18, having taken your GCSEs at a non-selective state school, with Home fee status, have 7 GCSEs including English Language, Maths, Chemistry and Biology (or Double Science) at grades 7755 in any order, be studying three A-levels including Chemistry and a second science from Biology, Physics or Maths, and meet at least three of its widening participation criteria, such as care-experienced, free school meals, low-progression school.
When is the Routes to the Professions deadline?
Applications close on 6 Nov 2026. They opened open now, date not published. The programme then runs three events across 2027, dates sent with your place.
What offer do Routes to the Professions students get?
Students who complete the programme are made an offer of ABB instead of AAA. ABB offer through Pathways to Birmingham
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