Top Independent Medical Schools in the UK

Students who wish to study medicine in the UK can now choose between new and exciting options such as Buckingham and UCLAN. They award degrees accredited by the General Medical Council, allowing their graduates to register as doctors in the UK. These independent universities are especially promising for several reasons:

1. Unlike public medical schools, they do not have quotas on international student places.
2. They do not require UCAT or BMAT scores.
3. They have their own application portals. Given the increasingly competitive nature of medical admissions, having only four medical schools to choose from on the UCAS may be insufficient. You can apply directly to these schools, allowing you to apply to a broader range of schools.

UCLAN, ranked as the top medical school in North West England offers a 5-year MBBS degree. It is reputed for its innovative approach to medical education with state of the art clinical facilities such as virtual dissection labs. A unique feature of the course is early patient contact with clinical placements in the NHS from the first year. With three campuses, students have the opportunity to undertake clinical placements at a wide variety of urban and rural locations. Its highly diverse student population is also a huge draw for international students.

Admissions Requirements:

• A-Levels: AAB including Chemistry and one other science subject
• IB: 36 points including Chemistry and one other science subject
• Personal Statement
• Interview
• UCAT/BMAT: Not required

As the first private medical school in the UK, Buckingham has drawn considerable interest from domestic and international students alike. They offer a condensed 4.5-year MB ChB programme that starts in January as opposed to September. The first two years involve a combination of theoretical study and clinical work, and the remaining involving full time clinical work. Ranked 2nd in student/staff ratios in the UK, Buckingham offers a tight knit community where students have easy access to support.

Admissions Requirements:

• A-Levels: ABB including Chemistry and/or Biology
• IB: 34+ (excluding TOK and EE) with Higher level 6 in Chemistry & Biology
• Personal Statement
• Interview
• UCAT/BMAT: Not required