Access to Medicine at Lancaster University: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
Access to Medicine is Lancaster Medical School's programme for Year 12 students from widening participation backgrounds who want to apply for medicine. It runs from January to September 2027 with on-campus case-based learning days in January, February and April, online application and mock MMI sessions in March and July, limited NHS work experience and a reflective writing task, and participants also join the Lancaster Access Programme. Completing all compulsory elements gives a guaranteed interview for Lancaster Medicine (A100) or the Gateway Year (A104).
- Closes
- 20 Nov 2026 at 11:45pm
- For
- Year 12 students, medicine
- Where
- Anywhere in the UK
- Gives you
- Guaranteed interview
What you get
Completing Access to Medicine gives you a guaranteed interview for medicine at Lancaster University.
- Guaranteed interview for A100 or A104 on completion; completers are exempt from the UCAT interview cut-off (1920 for A100 for 2026 entry)
- No extra offer reduction: WP applicants who succeed at interview may get Lancaster's standard contextual offer of ABB instead of AAA
- Travel costs to on-campus events are covered
To get it, you must
- Meet the entry requirements and sit the UCAT, scoring SJT band 1 to 3
- Attend the in-person MMI; there is no offer without it
Who can apply
You need to
- Live anywhere in the UK or attend a UK school
- Be in Year 12; no other year group can apply
- Have 8 GCSEs at grade 6 or above with at least one at 7, including Maths, English Language and the sciences
- Be on track for BBB with Chemistry and Biology, or ABB in two of Biology, Chemistry and Psychology with an A in one
Plus at least two of
- Free school meals or low household income
- Deprived postcode
- Low-progression school
- First in family to university
- Care-experienced
- Young carer
- Refugee or asylum seeker
What it involves
- Attend every compulsory event
Dates
- Applications open
- Open now, date not published
- Applications close
- 20 Nov 2026 at 11:45pm
- Programme runs
- Jan to Sep 2027, with on-campus days in Jan, Feb and Apr; outcomes by 11 Dec 2026
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the Access to Medicine page. It is run by Lancaster Medical School with the widening participation team. Questions go to accesstomedicine@lancaster.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Does Access to Medicine guarantee an interview?
Yes, if you complete the programme and meet its academic conditions. Guaranteed interview for A100 or A104 on completion; completers are exempt from the UCAT interview cut-off (1920 for A100 for 2026 entry).
Who is eligible for Access to Medicine?
Live anywhere in the UK or attend a UK school. You need to be in Year 12; no other year group can apply, have 8 GCSEs at grade 6 or above with at least one at 7, including Maths, English Language and the sciences, be on track for BBB with Chemistry and Biology, or ABB in two of Biology, Chemistry and Psychology with an A in one, and meet at least two of its widening participation criteria, such as low household income, free school meals, deprived postcode.
When is the Access to Medicine deadline?
Applications close on 20 Nov 2026 at 11:45pm. They opened open now, date not published. The programme then runs jan to Sep 2027, with on-campus days in Jan, Feb and Apr; outcomes by 11 Dec 2026.
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