Applying to Oxford and Cambridge University Medical Schools

Getting a medical school place at any UK medical school is difficult but Oxford and Cambridge medical schools are even harder to get into. The competition for both medical schools is intense and remember you need to be sure you will get high A-level grades, get good marks in the BMAT exam, write an outstanding and relevant UCAS personal statement and interview well.

Academic admission requirements for Oxford and Cambridge medical schools.

Standard entry requirements have been A*A*A for Cambridge and A*AA for Oxford respectively. Both require A-level chemistry and at least one other out of maths, biology and physics. Also please check each specific college in case they have any further requirements. Cambridge for example have indicated on their website they do not fit psychology into their ‘science’ bracket.

Oxford (at the time of writing) do say they have no formal GCSE requirements, but you should expect most candidates to have many GCSEs at grade 9.

Please check the medical school websites for updated entry requirements as this information may have changed.

Cambridge university also have the following statistics on their website. “Please note that in the past three admissions rounds, 95% of applicants for Medicine (A100) offered three or more science/mathematics A Levels and, of these, 25% were successful in obtaining a place. Of the 4% of applicants who offered only two science/mathematics A Levels, just 5% were successful in gaining a place”. So, from this you can see it is a significant advantage to offer three science A-levels.

You may have heard on the news that some colleges for 2020 entry admitted everyone irrespective of A-level results due to the problems with assessment grades that were predicted as a result of exams being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This may not be repeated.

Should I apply to Oxford or Cambridge university to study medicine?

This is a complex question to answer. Many students apply to Oxbridge due to the traditional methods of teaching and the tutor system that gives personal teaching and pastoral care in small groups.

There is still the prestige of gaining a degree from Oxbridge but this less likely than in the past to help you advance in your medical career where UK NHS placements are increasing allocated on an academic points basis which does not give any extra credit for the medical school you did your undergraduate degree from. In fact, for me personally pursuing a career in general practice, my undergraduate medical school was discussed more at social events rather than in interviews.

You are only allowed to apply to Oxford or Cambridge in a UCAS cycle and not both. I would speak to your teachers and careers advisors about whether they feel you should apply to Oxbridge. If they do not recommend this for you, I would exercise caution against not following their advice. You do not wish to lose a valuable UCAS choice on your application.

What about the college system?

When you apply to Oxbridge you also have the option of choosing specific colleges to apply to in the university. Each college is an independent self-governing community of academics, students and staff. Some may only allow women or mature students, and some may offer you accommodation for the whole of your course.

You can submit an open application and the university will then allocate colleges for you. However, you do run the risk of ending up in a college that is further away from campus or perhaps less endowed than the others. If you do choose a college expect to be asked in your interview why you did so.

What will Oxbridge be looking for in my medical school application?

As with other medical schools, Oxbridge will be looking whether you have the qualities of becoming an outstanding doctor. However, they will also expect engagement with medicine beyond school and extracurricular activity. They will expect reading beyond A-level, that you are able to critically evaluate information and given your own thoughts and ideas. This needs to be reflected on your personal statement and the answers you give in your medical school interview.

What if I have an illness or disability that can affect my performance in examinations and interviews?

As a general rule, if your disease or illness still allows you to satisfy the fitness to practice requirements, there should be no bar to you becoming a doctor.

You will have to satisfy the academic requirements of medicine but if you feel your illness or disability has affected this, you must contact the university admissions department for advice on how to proceed. In addition, your referee must indicate this information in the UCAS reference section of your application.

In summary both Oxford and Cambridge have excellent medical schools. If you can meet the strict academic requirements and jump through all the hoops go for it. It is essential to ask the advice of your teachers and careers advisors at school early about the suitability of applying to Oxbridge and following their advice.

Blue Peanut have a Medical School Interview Course, UCAS Personal Statement Check and Private Tutoring that can all help in your Oxbridge application.