QUB Medicine: Entry Requirements & UCAT Cutoff (2027 Entry)

Three routes: AAA + A in a 4th AS-Level including Chemistry plus one of Biology/Human Biology, Maths or Physics (an A in the EPQ or Advanced Welsh Bacc, or a B in a 4th A-Level, counts in lieu of the 4th AS-Level); A*AA including Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology; or A*AA including Chemistry and Maths or Physics plus AS Biology grade B. If Biology isn't taken at A-Level it is needed at AS-Level (grade A as a 4th AS, or grade B as a 5th). ^[6]

General Studies (AS or A-Level) and A-Level Critical Thinking are not accepted — Critical Thinking counts only at AS-Level. ^[7]

A-Level resits are restricted: normally only applicants who applied to QUB Medicine at first attempt and held QUB as their Conditional Firm (CF) choice are considered, and they must have achieved A*AB/AAA at A-Level, or AAB + A in a 4th AS-Level, at first sit. Only two attempts at A-Levels are allowed. ^[8]

All three A-Levels must normally be completed within two years of GCSEs — only AS/A-Levels sat in Years 13–14 (Years 12–13 in England/Wales) count towards the requirement. ^[9]

Only one Mathematics subject counts at A-Level (the other is acceptable as the 4th AS-Level), and a maximum of one Applied A-Level or Applied AS-Level is counted. ^[10]

A third A-Level in a language other than English/Irish of which the applicant is a home/native speaker will not satisfy the entrance requirements. ^[11]

Maximum four UCAS application cycles overall (including applications to other Medical Schools), with no more than two at A-Level (or equivalent) or at graduate level. ^[12]

GCSE English Language grade C/4 is required of all applicants. ^[24]

GCSE Maths grade C/4 and GCSE Physics grade C/4 (or CC/44 in Double Award Science) are required if those subjects aren't taken at AS/A-Level. ^[25]

No minimum number of GCSEs is specified — instead the best 9 GCSEs are scored (the academic half of the pre-interview score) for A-Level applicants. ^[26]

Only GCSEs taken in Years 11–12 (Years 10–11 in England/Wales) count, at first attempt unless taken a year early and repeated. GCSE Short Courses score at half rate (A*/9 = 2, A = 1.5, B = 1, C/C* = 0.5). ^[27]

No SJT band auto-rejection. The UCAT SJT is used only as a tiebreaker on borderline applicants — at Stage 1 (similar combined academic+UCAT score) and again at the interview/offer stage (similar interview score). ^[28]

UCAT is compulsory (exemptions only in very exceptional circumstances). From 2026 entry the overall UCAT score covers only the three sections — Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning (Abstract Reasoning removed). ^[29]

Offer: 36 points with 6,6,6 at Higher Level including Chemistry and Biology. ^[13]

Scottish applicants are accepted — a minimum of ABBBB in Highers (at first attempt) gets serious consideration. ^[14]

The Advanced Higher offer depends on your Highers: AAA (for ABBBB–AAABB in Highers), AAB (for AAAAB) or AA (for AAAAA) — always with Advanced Higher Chemistry grade A plus a grade A in one of Biology, Maths or Physics. Three Advanced Highers are needed unless you achieved five As at Higher; if Biology isn't an Advanced Higher, Higher Biology grade B is required, plus National 5 English, Maths and Physics if not held at a higher level. ^[15]

No BTEC route to the degree is published — at most one BTEC/OCR Level 2 counts as the equivalent of one or two GCSEs in the academic score. ^[18]

Access Course qualifications are not accepted. ^[19]

Grade A in the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted in lieu of the 4th AS-Level on the AAA A-Level route — no standalone Welsh Bacc route is published. ^[20]

Graduates (and final-year undergraduates) are considered for the 5-year course — the full academic background is taken into account. ^[21]

Graduate thresholds: 2:1 honours + ABB/AAC at A-Level at first attempt, or BBB/ABC for holders of a First (or a PhD plus a 2:1). A-Levels must include Chemistry (lowest acceptable grade B) and one of Biology/Human Biology, Maths or Physics; qualifying graduates get a flat 36 academic points and are then ranked on UCAT. ^[22]

A 2:2 is not considered, even with a postgraduate qualification. Non-science graduates who met the grade thresholds at first attempt can qualify by taking the science subjects after their degree. ^[23]

Offer: H1H1H1H1H2H2 at Higher Level including H1 in Biology and Chemistry; O3 Maths at Ordinary Level if not taken at Higher, and a grade A/Higher Merit in Junior Cert Science if Physics isn't part of the Leaving Cert. ^[16]

Junior Certificate performance is scored at shortlisting — the best 9 subjects count (Distinction/A = 4, Higher Merit/B = 3, Merit/C = 1). ^[17]

Driven by the Medical Act (minimum age 21 on the GMC register at graduation), it is not possible to admit students under 16 to the five-year programme. ^[30]

Repeat applicants are accepted but restricted — normally only those who applied to QUB Medicine at first attempt and held QUB as their CF choice are considered. Subject to a maximum of four UCAS cycles overall (no more than two at A-Level/graduate level). ^[31]

Applicants who previously commenced a medical degree at any university and chose to withdraw, failed exams, or were asked to withdraw for any reason will not be considered. ^[32]

Transfers from another medical school are not considered, given the integrated course structure and competition for places. ^[33]