Introduction to Medicine studies in the UK

Medicine is the most competitive course in the UK.  Thousands of international students apply to UK universities every year and are accepted into medical school. If your grades are good enough and you have set your heart on working in this field, then applying to Medicine courses in the UK is the right for you.

A relevant undergraduate degree and a strong career record are required for pursuing postgraduate medical courses. Work experience in a hospital, care home or other environment is the kind of evidence the medical schools will be looking for. Understanding how the National Health Service (NHS) works is very crucial for international applicants.

The entry requirements at any medical college in the UK are strict. In case the college conducts interviews for admission, be aware that they can be tough and you should expect interview questions on motivation, previous work experience, interests etc. you should be able to produce evidence of previous achievements, relevant work experience at request.

Most medical colleges will expect successful completion of the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT)

Careers in Medicine

For medical graduates, there is no shortage of opportunities depending on which area you wish to specialize in. Areas of proficiency fall into the following categories -

1. Anaesthetics
2. Medicine
3. General Practice
4. Psychiatry
5. Pathology
6. Surgery
7. Radiology

Eligibility Criteria for Post Graduate courses

Undergraduate courses:  You will need to get admitted to a medical school in the UK which has strong links to local hospitals and health centres. IELTS score of at least 6.5 bands in all four categories of the exam - reading, speaking, writing and listening – with an overall 7 band is usually required at most medical universities. A good IELTS score is mandatory for admission to all medical courses.

Foundation courses: After the first two years during your undergraduate course, medical students move on to the foundation training, which lasts for another two years. Once this training is completed, you will move onto your specialist training.

Speciality Training: Once you have completed four years of undergraduate study, you will be required to attend speciality training. You have to decide on which specialized field you want to get into, and remember that a lot of hard work is needed to make sure you secure a place in the area of specialization. The entry process is particularly competitive, so training can last for even up to seven years. Upon completion, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion Training (CCT).

UK Clinical Aptitude Test: The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is the qualifying exam at most medical and dental schools at the UK. It is an online test meant to test reasoning ability, attitude, logical reasoning and critical thinking.

• Verbal Reasoning – This section assesses the ability to think logically about written information and to arrive at a reasoned conclusion.
• Quantitative reasoning – This section assesses the ability to solve numerical problems in form of tables, graphs, charts etc.
• Abstract reasoning – This section assesses the ability to deduce relationships from information by divergent and convergent thinking.
• Decision Analysis – This section assesses the ability to deal with various forms of information to deduce relationship, make an informed judgement and then decide on an appropriate response.
• Situational Judgement – This section measures responses in situations and your understanding of medical ethics.