BrightMed at Brighton and Sussex Medical School: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
BrightMed is Brighton and Sussex Medical School's four-year programme for Sussex students from widening participation backgrounds, recruiting mainly in Year 8 to start in Year 9, with a few places for Years 9 to 11. It runs regular Saturday sessions at the University of Sussex from Year 9 to Year 12, ending with a summer school, and builds an e-portfolio of presentations, lectures and virtual work experience. Students who complete it get a guaranteed interview and an ABB offer at BSMS, and the same at the other UKWPMED schools.
- Closes
- Closed
- For
- Year 8 to 11 students, medicine
- Where
- South East
- Gives you
- Guaranteed interview, then ABB instead of AAA
What you get
Completing BrightMed gives you a guaranteed interview and an offer of ABB instead of AAA for medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
- Guaranteed interview at BSMS, with no UCAT cut-off
- ABB offer including Biology or Chemistry plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics, with GCSE English and Maths at 5
- Through UKWPMED, also a guaranteed interview and ABB offer at Birmingham, Hull York, Keele, Manchester and Plymouth, each with its own GCSE and UCAT conditions
- Care leavers are offered a place automatically; students meeting only one or two criteria may join but are not eligible for the guaranteed interview
To get it, you must
- Meet the full BrightMed widening participation criteria
- Keep 75% attendance in Years 11 and 12, and submit the completed portfolio by 15 October
- Score SJT band 3 or better
Who can apply
You need to
- Live or study in Sussex and attend a state school, or be home-educated
- Be in Year 8 to 11 at a state school, or home-educated, when you apply
- Have an interest in Biology and Chemistry and in medicine or an allied health profession
Plus at least three of
Care-experienced qualifies on its own.
- Care-experienced
- Deprived postcode
- Low-progression school or first in family to university
- Low household income or free school meals
- Disabled or long-term health condition or young carer
What it involves
- Attend Saturday sessions from Year 9 to Year 12 and the Year 12 summer school, and build the e-portfolio
Dates
- Applications open
- May 2027 for the 2027/28 intake
- Applications close
- Not published, last cycle 19 July 2026
- Programme runs
- Saturday sessions from Year 9 to Year 12, with a summer school at the end of Year 12
How to apply
Apply through the BrightMed on the BSMS widening participation page page. It is run by BSMS widening participation and outreach team. Questions go to outreach@bsms.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Does BrightMed guarantee an interview?
Yes, if you complete the programme and meet its academic conditions. Guaranteed interview at BSMS, with no UCAT cut-off.
Who is eligible for BrightMed?
Live or study in Sussex and attend a state school, or be home-educated. You need to be in Year 8 to 11 at a state school, or home-educated, when you apply, have an interest in Biology and Chemistry and in medicine or an allied health profession, and meet at least three of its widening participation criteria, such as care-experienced, deprived postcode, low-progression school.
When is the BrightMed deadline?
This cycle's closing date has not been published. Not published, last cycle 19 July 2026. Applications may 2027 for the 2027/28 intake.
What offer do BrightMed students get?
Students who complete the programme are made an offer of ABB instead of AAA. ABB offer including Biology or Chemistry plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics, with GCSE English and Maths at 5
Not sure this one fits?
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