Your Essential Guide to UK Medical School Applications: UCAT, UCAS, Interviews & Beyond

Welcome to the Blue Peanut Medical School Blog—your trusted resource for navigating the challenging and competitive journey into medicine. Whether you're in sixth form preparing your UCAS personal statement, studying for the UCAT, or gearing up for interviews such as MMIs or panel formats, our blog provides expert guidance at every stage.

Created by practising NHS General Practitioners and experienced medical educators, each article distils practical strategies, up-to-date insights, and insider knowledge to help you achieve your dream of securing a place at a UK medical school.

The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

UCAS Application Stats for 2026 Entry Medicine

The number of students applying to study Medicine in the UK for 2026 entry has jumped significantly. In this comprehensive overview, we examine UCAS data on 2026 Medicine applications – including the rise in applicant numbers (both from the UK and internationally), the competition for medical school places, and why Medicine remains as competitive as ever. We also explain key terms in simple language and offer insights for sixth-formers preparing for their own medical school journey.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

The Bawa-Garba Case – A Comprehensive Guide for Medical School Interviews & Ethics

The Bawa-Garba case is a pivotal UK medical ethics case that every aspiring doctor should be familiar with. It involves the tragic death of a child under a junior doctor’s care and raises critical issues about medical errors, responsibility, and systemic failings in the NHS. In this blog, we explain what happened in simple terms, discuss  broader ethical themes (such as accountability versus system failures and the need for a “just culture” in healthcare), and demonstrate why the case matters for medical school interviews. We also include example interview questions to help you prepare to discuss this case with confidence.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

When Are Medical School Interview Invites Being Sent Out?

Waiting for your medical school interview invite can feel like one of the hardest parts of the application process. In this blog we’ll show you exactly when UK medical schools typically send interview invites, outline the interview schedule for 2026-entry, and give you friendly, practical advice on what to do while you wait — so you stay calm, prepared and proactive.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

Medical Law and Ethics for Medical School Interviews

A comprehensive guide on medical law and ethics for medical school interviews. Covers the four pillars of medical ethics, key UK legal cases, international examples, and 15 sample interview questions to help sixth form students prepare effectively.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

UK Junior Doctor Strikes and NHS Pay Dispute (2022–2025)

The UK has witnessed a series of junior doctor strikes from 2022 through 2025 due to an ongoing NHS pay dispute. This blog post provides a neutral, in-depth look at why junior doctors (qualified doctors in training roles) have been striking, the impact on patients and the National Health Service, how the government has responded, and what solutions might resolve the conflict. Key terms, such as the British Medical Association (BMA), consultant, pay restoration, and strike mandate, are explained. We also include example medical ethics interview questions to help sixth-form students prepare for medical school interviews on this timely topic.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

Oxford vs Cambridge for Medicine – How to Choose the Right Medical School

Choosing between Oxford and Cambridge for Medicine is a big decision for any sixth form student. This comprehensive guide breaks down the key differences – from course structure and entry requirements to acceptance rates and student life – to help you decide which university is the better fit for your medical studies. We also discuss considerations for international students, and answer common questions in an FAQ section.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

Oxford Medical School Admissions Statistics and How to Succeed in Your Application

How hard is it to get into Oxford Medicine? We break down Oxford’s latest admission stats – from acceptance rates to average UCAT scores – and share advice to help sixth formers maximize their chances of securing a place at Oxford’s prestigious Medical School. (Includes a comparison with Cambridge and tips on acing your interviews.)

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

UCAT 2025 Results – How Do They Compare to 2024?

The UCAT 2025 results have just been released, revealing how this year’s candidates performed in the admissions test. In this comprehensive breakdown, we compare the 2025 average scores and percentile ranks to 2024’s statistics, highlighting key differences and trends. Read on to find out if UCAT scores are on the rise and what this means for your 2026 medical or dental school applications – including advice for applicants with high or low UCAT scores and how universities might use these results.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

UCAT 2025 Scoring Explained – What’s a Good UCAT Score for 2026 Entry?

The UCAT exam is evolving for 2025, and if you’re applying to medical school in 2026, it’s crucial to understand how the new scoring works. In this comprehensive guide, we explain how UCAT 2025 is scored under the latest format (with one less subtest), when UCAT results come out, and how to interpret your score. We’ll break down what is considered a low, average, or high UCAT score in 2025, discuss the final UCAT results from 2024, and explore what score you might need for a medicine offer. Along the way, we’ll share strategies for choosing medical schools based on your UCAT and how to prepare for the next stage – your interviews.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

A Guide to Medicine Through UCAS Clearing 2025

Entering medical school is highly competitive, and many qualified students find themselves without an offer after the main UCAS application cycle. UCAS Clearing provides a final opportunity to find a university place for the upcoming academic year. This guide will walk you through how UCAS Clearing works for medicine, why medical school places via Clearing are so rare, and what you can do to maximise your chances of success on results day 2025.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

Applying to Medicine : How to choose a fifth UCAS choice

When applying to medical school in the UK, you’re allowed four Medicine choices on UCAS – but what about the fifth option? This comprehensive guide helps you decide how to use your fifth UCAS choice strategically as a backup plan without jeopardising your medical ambitions. We cover why you should always fill your fifth choice, popular alternative courses (and why Dentistry might not be ideal), 2026 application updates, and tips to keep your dream of becoming a doctor on track. Read on to make an informed decision that maximises your chances of success in Medicine.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

How to Prepare for Medical School: A Timeline for Aspiring Doctors

Aspiring to become a doctor in the UK is an exciting journey that starts as early as your GCSEs. This guide provides a step-by-step timeline – from selecting the right subjects and gaining work experience to excelling in entrance exams and mastering the interview – to help you prepare for medical school. It’s an engaging yet formal roadmap tailored for sixth-form students who dream of a career in medicine.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Medical School

Applying to medical school in the UK is highly competitive – only a small number of applicants secure a place. Even strong students can make simple errors, such as missing the early UCAS deadline or submitting a generic personal statement. In this guide, we highlight common mistakes aspiring medics make – and how you can avoid them – so that your application stands out for the right reasons.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

Best UK Medical Schools to Apply with a High UCAT Score – 2026 Entry Guide

Scoring highly on the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) can open opportunities at many UK medical schools. A high UCAT score—defined here as 2800 or above on the 2024 scale—places you roughly in the top decile of applicants. This indicates you performed exceptionally well across the UCAT’s cognitive subtests, which can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview at most medical schools

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

UCAS Medicine Personal Statement: 2026 Entry Guide and Top Tips

Applying to medical school in the UK is exciting but also challenging – especially when it comes to writing your UCAS personal statement. As a sixth-form student aiming to study medicine, you’ll need to craft a personal statement that highlights your passion, experience, and suitability for a career in medicine.

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The Blue Peanut Team The Blue Peanut Team

What to Include in Your UCAS Medicine Personal Statement

So, what exactly do you think you should write about in your UCAS personal statement? Over the years, medical schools have developed a more unified understanding of what they want applicants to demonstrate in their personal statements. Here is a list of key points that almost all UK medical schools expect you to cover in a medicine personal statement

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