SWAP Access to Medical Studies at Scottish Wider Access Programme: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
SWAP Access to Medical Studies is a one-year, full-time college course for adult returners in Scotland, run by SWAP East at Edinburgh College and Dundee and Angus College and by SWAPWest at Glasgow Kelvin, Glasgow Clyde and West College Scotland. It runs from August to June, is free for most students, and the UCAT is sat early in the year alongside the UCAS application. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen accept it for Medicine, with Edinburgh's Plus Flag giving UCAT flexibility and a minimum entry offer.
- Closes
- Opens soon
- For
- Adults students, medicine and dentistry
- Where
- Scotland
- Gives you
- Contextual flag
What you get
Completing SWAP Access to Medical Studies gives you a contextual flag for medicine and dentistry at Scottish Wider Access Programme.
- Edinburgh A100: taking SWAP gives the Plus Flag, so you are considered with any UCAT total score plus a 10% uplift, and an offer at the minimum entry requirement (AAA in Maths, Biology and Chemistry at 80% or more)
- Glasgow A100: Distinction with AAA graded units, with a UCAT uplift and the option to sit the UCAT twice; Gateway A900 needs Merit plus AAA
- Dundee A100 and Dentistry A200: AAA with 80% or more in key subjects, with SWAP participation a case-by-case contextual factor
- Aberdeen A100 accepts SWAP Access to Medicine from Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with the UCAT still required
Who can apply
You need to
- Live in Scotland and have been out of full-time education for at least 3 years
- Have no degree and be out of full-time education for at least 3 years (5 years with Highers for SWAPWest)
- Have National 5 Biology, Chemistry and Maths or equivalent
There are no contextual criteria: anyone who meets the requirements above can apply.
What it involves
- Have recent healthcare experience and pass a college interview, an English or numeracy test and a second SWAP interview
Dates
- Applications open
- Late January 2027, exact date not published
- Applications close
- Not published, colleges close when full
- Programme runs
- Aug 2027 to Jun 2028, full time at college
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the SWAP East Access to Medical Studies page. It is run by SWAP East and SWAPWest with five Scottish colleges. Questions go to swap.east@ed.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Does SWAP Access to Medical Studies guarantee an interview?
No. SWAP Access to Medical Studies gives a contextual flag rather than a guaranteed interview. Edinburgh A100: taking SWAP gives the Plus Flag, so you are considered with any UCAT total score plus a 10% uplift, and an offer at the minimum entry requirement (AAA in Maths, Biology and Chemistry at 80% or more).
Who is eligible for SWAP Access to Medical Studies?
Live in Scotland and have been out of full-time education for at least 3 years. You need to have no degree and be out of full-time education for at least 3 years (5 years with Highers for SWAPWest), have National 5 Biology, Chemistry and Maths or equivalent.
When is the SWAP Access to Medical Studies deadline?
This cycle's closing date has not been published. Not published, colleges close when full. Applications late January 2027, exact date not published.
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