Steps2Medicine at Keele University: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
Steps2Medicine is a free year-long programme run by Keele University's School of Medicine for Year 12 students at state schools in the Keele Region with indicators of disadvantage. Six interactions run from November 2026 to October 2027: a day on the role of the doctor, a lab session, a clinical placement, a poster assessment, UCAT guidance and MMI preparation, with transport paid. Completers get an automatic interview and a three-grade lower offer at Keele, plus the same UKWPMED benefits at partner medical schools.
- Closes
- Open now
- For
- Year 12 students, medicine
- Where
- North West, West Midlands, East Midlands
- Gives you
- Guaranteed interview, then ABB instead of A*AA
What you get
Completing Steps2Medicine gives you a guaranteed interview and an offer of ABB instead of A*AA for medicine at Keele University.
- Automatic interview for Keele Medicine (A100)
- ABB offer, three grades below A*AA; predicted grades are not used
- As a UKWPMED programme it also gives an automatic interview and ABB offer at Birmingham, Brighton and Sussex, Hull York, Manchester and Plymouth, each with its own GCSE and UCAT minima
- Free transport to every session
To get it, you must
- Meet the GCSE requirements
- Score 1700 or more in the UCAT with SJT band 3 or better
- Pass the interview to receive the ABB offer
Who can apply
You need to
- Attend a state school in the Keele Region, from Cheshire and Derbyshire to Shropshire, Staffordshire, Wolverhampton and Wrexham
- Be in Year 12 at a state school, having taken your GCSEs at a non-selective state school
- Have 5 GCSEs at grade 6 or above including Science, with Maths and English Language at 5 or above
Plus at least one of
- Deprived postcode
- Care-experienced
- Refugee or asylum seeker
- Young carer
- Free school meals
What it involves
- Write a 250-word statement on why Steps2Medicine would help you, used for shortlisting
Dates
- Applications open
- 23 Sep 2026
- Applications close
- Not published, a past round closed 18 October
- Programme runs
- Nov 2026 to Oct 2027, with clinical placements Feb to May 2027
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the Steps2Medicine page. It is run by Keele School of Medicine. Questions go to steps2@keele.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Does Steps2Medicine guarantee an interview?
Yes, if you complete the programme and meet its academic conditions. Automatic interview for Keele Medicine (A100).
Who is eligible for Steps2Medicine?
Attend a state school in the Keele Region, from Cheshire and Derbyshire to Shropshire, Staffordshire, Wolverhampton and Wrexham. You need to be in Year 12 at a state school, having taken your GCSEs at a non-selective state school, have 5 GCSEs at grade 6 or above including Science, with Maths and English Language at 5 or above, and meet at least one of its widening participation criteria, such as deprived postcode, care-experienced, refugee or asylum seeker.
When is the Steps2Medicine deadline?
This cycle's closing date has not been published. Not published, a past round closed 18 October. Applications 23 September 2026.
What offer do Steps2Medicine students get?
Students who complete the programme are made an offer of ABB instead of A*AA. ABB offer, three grades below A*AA; predicted grades are not used
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