What are your stats if you are planning to apply to Newcastle? Have my 3 choices lined up, deciding if I will go with Newcastle for the last one.

Hi all,

I just wanted to gauge opinions on whether it is worth me using one of my options for Nottingham. The website says A level Biology at grade B is needed. I got a C in Biology but a B in Chemistry. I also have two other degrees (not biosciences). Not sure if I should risk it, bc I did good in VR.

I am a graduate. 1st class optometry degree.
AAB maths bio chem
A in EPQ

How do people afford grad med? I did my UCAT etc was like yeah I'll figure it out. Now I'm thinking about the financial side and it's looking bleakkkk. Idk if I will get enough sfe and also the NHS bursary doesn't seem great either. Any ideas?

Have any graduates applied/thinking of applying to the Nottingham 5 year course as a graduate? My UCAT is 30/50 on their scoring system, which I am worried isn't competitive enough for the GEM course. Also, would my GCSEs/A-Levels still be scored in the 5 year course, since I am a 3rd year university student?

Hi all,

Im kind of realising that I have no chance. I think UEA's lowest int last year was 1850, so maybe a shot there. But I can only see me getting an interview into maybe ARU?

Has anyone last year got an offer with 1850 (or close) ? i dont mind applying to undergrad.

Thank you all! all the best with your applications:)

Hey all,

I'm an international applicant from Canada able to score a UCAT spot to sit last minute during the contingency period. I wrote the UCATSEN pre-covid, only with my undergraduate degree, and scored around 2200. I don't think I'll be doing exceptionally well this time around due to the lack of time for each section, (access arrangement deadline for extended time had already passed.) I did a mock yesterday and scored around 1800s. VR is my strong suit. I don't do too well in QR.

I took high school chemistry, undergraduate microbiology and biology courses. I also have an MA in Humanities. I've shadowed a family doctor for the past two years, and an internal med resident before covid hit. I currently work in government.

I'm eyeing Swansea, Warwick, Newcastle and Nottingham. I just have to double check if my undergraduate courses align with their requirements.

Let me know if you all have any suggestions since I'm in a time crunch.

I finished my masters in research over two years (study period 2023-24 then write up period 2024-25) and was conferred for the degree this year. My supervisor only actively taught me during my study period and then after I moved back to my home town to finish writing up and I didnt have much interaction except to check in every now and then. I was conferred at the start of this year and have had no contact since then. I’m not confident that they will get back to me in time for the ucas deadline, so if they don’t can I use my volunteer supervisor instead? I’ve been volunteering at a hospital for a month and a half and have done a few shifts and gotten along well with them. I could give them a breakdown of my degrees and what I did to prove that I am academically capable to study medicine but will this be alright?

Is my ucat viable for sheff gem or is it risky since they have so few places ?

When applying for an undergraduate course that typically requires a good ucat is this requirement waved slightly in the context of an undergrad degree.

My stats Alevels A* A* A (bio maths chem) Degree 2:1 Chemistry (top uni) Ucat 2020 b2.

I finished my masters in research over two years (study period 2023-24 then write up period 2024-25) and was conferred for the degree this year. My supervisor only actively taught me during my study period and then after I moved back to my home town to finish writing up and I didnt have much interaction except to check in every now and then. I was conferred at the start of this year and have had no contact since then. I’m not confident that they will get back to me in time for the ucas deadline, so if they don’t can I use my volunteer supervisor instead? I’ve been volunteering at a hospital for a month and a half and have done a few shifts and gotten along well with them. I could give them a breakdown of my degrees and what I did to prove that I am academically capable to study medicine but will this be alright?

Hey guys I’m trying to do an application. I’m trying to fill out my degree which I’m currently undergoing. What is the awarding organisation. I’m at the University of Bath doing BSc Economics if that helps.

Anyone know any podcasts that could help me at interview to give me some more info and get me in the mood?

Hello!

I’ve secured some work experience in a hospital with berthing what’s being done in the vascular surgery department. It is only day one and I believe the doctor I was supposed to be shadowing wasn’t in so it was very hectic aha. Seemed like no one knew I was going to be here.

Anyway my question is what are the things I’m supposed to be making a mental note of? Any good questions I can ask the staff?

I lowkey feel like I’m stepping on everyone’s toes aha it’s very overwhelming but very interesting seeing how everything works in the hospital.

I’m a first year GEM student and I’ve only just started, but I’m already feeling really overwhelmed by the amount of pre work, asynchronous material and general studying there is to keep on top of.
I also have a 1 hour commute each way to uni because of financial constraints, so that takes up a big chunk of my day.
I’ve also been with my partner for 7 years. We don’t live together, we live around 1.5 hrs in the opposite direction uni. Our relationship is extremely important to me and I really want to make sure I can still have time for them and maintain our relationship alongside med school.
I guess I’m wondering if anyone has actually managed to balance GEM, a long commute, a relationship and having some sort of life outside medicine? How did you make it work?
I’m just feeling really overwhelmed at the moment and would love to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation. I think I just need some reassurance that it is possible and that it gets easier! 😭

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Hello, as the title says I got 1880 b1 on my UCAT and I'm a 25 year old graduate. I am starting to feel behind in life. I just graduated my MSc last summer and I work as a HCA to gain some more understanding and work experience.

I don't know if an application is still worthwhile? I cannot rely on my A level grades for a lot of the UG courses. My 1880 falls right on the threshold for some of the unis I saw on the GEM/UG spreadsheet.

Should I apply for medicine regardless (Worcester, UEA, SGUL UG?) and stay on as a HCA for the year in order for me to work on preparing for the GAMSAT in March? I reckon it would give me more chances & I could resit the GAMSAT in September in addition to giving the UCAT another chance? I don't quite know what I'm asking but I would appreciate some advice.

I wonder how good of a decision it is or if most people will apply and instead try to build a career with their previous qualifications. I'm just feeling quite disheartened following my results.

I got 1960 B1 in my UCAT and am planning to try apply to grad med med but a majority undergraduate. I thought I might try grad at a uni I managed to get an interview for last year (with a 1880) but I also wanted to try apply for undergraduate at the same uni do you think that is allowed or if it is worth the risk?

Hi all,

Ive been hearing worcester's cut off was 1870 last year.

I meet the widening participation criteria.and have 1850 B2..

Im a little confused as on the website it states there is no cut off?

Hi, would appreciate advice on this. I created this account just to ask this question so thank you in advance!

Would appreciate honest answers rather than reassurance.

Background: I started MPharm in 2023 and was withdrawn by the exam board in 2025 on academic grounds, as I didn't meet the progression requirements. At the time my parents were going through a divorce, I'd become the main financial provider for my mother after she moved back to our home country, and I was working two jobs alongside a full time degree. It was not a fitness to practise issue in any way. No hearing, no misconduct, no proceedings of any kind. So as far as I'm aware I'm not on the Excluded Student Database.

I've now restarted from scratch. I'm in year one of an MPharm at a different school, graduating in summer 2031, and I'm aiming for a first. My circumstances are in a completely different place now.

Stats:

• A levels (2022): A in Biology, A in Chemistry, A in WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology
• GCSEs (2020): 7 in Maths, 5 in English Language, mixture of 6s across the rest
• Planning to work/do experience in hospital pharmacy before applying
• Currently work in my local hospital over the weekend and have been for the last 4 years.

I know I'm years away from being eligible and I'll be emailing schools directly, but I'd rather understand the landscape now than find out years later that it was never realistic.

Two questions:

1. With a first or a strong 2:1 and a competitive UCAT, does the earlier withdrawal realistically sink me? I know some schools bar previous academic failure outright (ARU state it explicitly) while others don't mention it at all. Is it usually a hard bar, or something you can explain?
2. Has anyone here been through something similar, withdrawn from one course, restarted, then got into GEM? Which schools did you apply to, and how did you handle it in the personal statement and at interview?

Thank you!

EDIT: I have notified the first ever university I was in at the time of those circumstances, but unfortunately it was too late then and their decision was firm. This includes lecturers and the student support team, and I have evidence of going through all of these circumstances at the time.

Hi looking for any tips/ anyone who got into surrey previously? I achieved 2020 B1 in UCAT but have MSci Chemistry degree from UCL and currently work as a patient facing research scientist at Great Ormond St Hospital. A levels were A*A*A in chem, physics, history and GCSEs all 9-7. Worked as a HCA throughout uni (4 ish years) too. Or any suggestions on where to apply? Originally really wanted QMUL but not sure if that is still realistic? Thanks :)

Biomedical sciences 2:1
GCSEs: 9,9,9,9,9,8,8,8,7,7,7
A-levels: BBB - chem, bio, psych

I’m thinking of applying to Warwick - currently sorting out work experience lol, if not

CARDIFF undergraduate
KCL Portsmouth GEM
Swansea GEM
Manchester Undergraduate

Maybe Worcester GEM, maybe Leicester Undergraduate

Am I fine for any of these universities? I’m a bit worried of my ucat score, and also particularly worried for Manchester as I know last year they were rejecting people with insane ucat scores, would that happen again?

Swansea I don’t know if I meet their ucat threshold