Widening Access to Medicine at Southampton: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
Widening Access to Medicine is a free three-day taster run by the University of Southampton's Faculty of Medicine for Year 12 students planning to apply through a widening participation or contextual route. It runs 7 to 9 April 2027: an online day on ethics and admissions, a day of live virtual work experience with University Hospital Southampton, and a campus day of clinical skills and interview practice. Completing it counts as one of the two contextual flags needed for Southampton's AAB offer for Medicine (BM5).
- Closes
- 7 Dec 2026
- For
- Year 12 students, medicine
- Where
- Anywhere in the UK
- Gives you
- Contextual flag, then AAB instead of AAA
What you get
Completing Widening Access to Medicine gives you a contextual flag and an offer of AAB instead of AAA for medicine at Southampton.
- Counts as an outreach activity for Southampton contextual admissions, with a certificate on completion
- No guaranteed interview: BM5 interviews go by UCAT rank
- Free, with food provided and support for travel costs
To get it, you must
- Hold a second contextual flag (such as FSM, care or a low-progression postcode) for the AAB offer
Who can apply
You need to
- Live anywhere in the UK, with travel to Southampton supported for the campus day
- Be in Year 12 at a UK school or college
- Be studying A-level Biology and at least one other science
Plus at least one of
- Low household income
- Care-experienced
- Deprived postcode
- Free school meals
- Young carer
What it involves
- Have a teacher who will confirm your eligibility and give a reference
- Be available for all three days, 7 to 9 April 2027
Dates
- Applications open
- 1 Sep 2026
- Applications close
- 7 Dec 2026
- Programme runs
- 7 to 9 April 2027: an online day, virtual work experience and a campus day
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the Widening Access to Medicine page. It is run by Southampton Faculty of Medicine with University Hospital Southampton. Questions go to talk2us@soton.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Does Widening Access to Medicine guarantee an interview?
No. Widening Access to Medicine gives a contextual flag rather than a guaranteed interview. Counts as an outreach activity for Southampton contextual admissions, with a certificate on completion.
Who is eligible for Widening Access to Medicine?
Live anywhere in the UK, with travel to Southampton supported for the campus day. You need to be in Year 12 at a UK school or college, be studying A-level Biology and at least one other science, and meet at least one of its widening participation criteria, such as low household income, care-experienced, deprived postcode.
When is the Widening Access to Medicine deadline?
Applications close on 7 Dec 2026. They opened on 1 Sep 2026. The programme then runs 7 to 9 April 2027: an online day, virtual work experience and a campus day.
What offer do Widening Access to Medicine students get?
Students who complete the programme are made an offer of AAB instead of AAA. No guaranteed interview: BM5 interviews go by UCAT rank
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