Cardiff Medicine UCAT Cut Off & Entry Requirements (2027 Entry)
Full requirements, with sources
Entry requirements
A-Levels
- You must be taking Biology or Chemistry plus a second science (Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology), with practical passes. Predicted grades aren't considered - only achieved grades count.1
- Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies and similar subjects are not accepted.1
- A fourth A-Level won't enhance your application.2
GCSE
UCAT
- There's no pre-set UCAT minimum - your score earns decile points in the shortlisting score, and a UCAT cut-off is only applied in exceptional or tie-breaking situations. It changes each year and can't be predicted.
- Your SJT band isn't used at any stage.
How Cardiff selects for interview
Selection & shortlisting
- Cardiff ranks you for interview on a single score out of 28, built from three parts:2
- GCSEs - up to 24 points. Your best eight achieved grades - including Biology, Chemistry (or Double Science), English Language and Maths - at 3 points for a 9/8/A*, 2 for a 7/A, 1 for a 6/B.2
- UCAT - up to 3 points. By total-score decile: 3 for decile 7 or above, 2 for deciles 4-6, 1 for deciles 1-3.2
- Your total UCAT score breaks ties: when more applicants share the top points scores than Cardiff can interview (around 1,000), a UCAT cut-off decides between them.2
- One of the 28 points is for post-16 qualifications you've already achieved, or acceptance onto Cardiff's High Performance Programme (HPP) - if you're still studying and not on HPP, 27 is the effective maximum.
- The cut moves each year - our estimate is you'd need the full 27 GCSE and UCAT points (of the 28 total) for a good chance, or 26 points with a UCAT above about 1900 (on the 2700 scale) to stay in contention - the cut is decided by the year's applicant pool, so no score makes an interview a certainty.2
- An additional point is awarded for further- or higher-education academic achievement, including acceptance onto Cardiff's High Performance Programme.2
- The personal statement is screened but not scored - Cardiff's admissions FAQ explains what to include.2
- The UCAS academic reference is used at some stage of selection.
- Clinical work experience is not required - reflective experience in any caring environment is acceptable.3
Contextual eligibilityView policy
You count as contextual here if any one of these applies:
What it changes: Contextual applicants are scored on the same 28-point scale and given additional consideration in shortlisting; Cardiff doesn't state how far it moves the bar, so we rate you against the main-pool threshold.
Interview & offer
Interview & decision
- Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) - several individual stations with themed questions. Interviews are in person for Home applicants and online for Overseas applicants.2
- After interview, offers are made on your interview score.
- Your personal statement is screened but not scored - Cardiff asks for insight into a medical career, reflected caring experience, personal responsibility, a balanced approach to life and self-directed learning, under the UCAS headings.2
Conditional offer
- Conditional offer: AAA - including Biology or Chemistry plus a second science.1
Cardiff admissions email: medadmissions@cardiff.ac.uk
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Frequently asked questions
What UCAT score do you need for Medicine at Cardiff?
In the 2025 cycle, the lowest UCAT score invited to interview (home applicants) was 1530 (converted from the old 4-section scale). There's no pre-set UCAT minimum - your score earns decile points in the shortlisting score, and a UCAT cut-off is only applied in exceptional or tie-breaking situations. It changes each year and can't be predicted. Your SJT band isn't used at any stage. Thresholds move with each year's applicant pool - use our free university selector to see where your score is competitive.
What A-Levels do you need for Cardiff Medicine?
You must be taking Biology or Chemistry plus a second science (Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology), with practical passes. Predicted grades aren't considered - only achieved grades count. Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies and similar subjects are not accepted.
What are the GCSE requirements for Cardiff Medicine?
Grade A/7 in Biology and Chemistry (or Double Science AA/77), plus grade B/6 in English language and Maths. Eight GCSEs at grade B/6 or above in total.
How does Cardiff decide who gets a Medicine interview?
Cardiff ranks you for interview on a single score out of 28, built from three parts: One of the 28 points is for post-16 qualifications you've already achieved, or acceptance onto Cardiff's High Performance Programme (HPP) - if you're still studying and not on HPP, 27 is the effective maximum.
What is the Medicine interview like at Cardiff?
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) - several individual stations with themed questions. Interviews are in person for Home applicants and online for Overseas applicants. After interview, offers are made on your interview score.
Sources
Admissions policies change - always confirm with Cardiff before finalising your UCAS choices.
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