How to Choose Your Firm and Insurance UCAS Choices for Medicine 🎓🩺

If you’re fortunate enough to receive multiple medicine offers – congratulations! 🙌 That’s no small accomplishment. But now comes the next significant decision: selecting your firm and insurance choices on UCAS. It’s a crucial step that will shape your medical journey, so here’s how to make an informed and confident choice.

1. Teaching Style and Course Structure 📚

Different medical schools teach in varying ways, and your learning style is important. Do you prefer traditional lectures, or do you excel in more interactive formats like Problem-Based Learning (PBL) or case-based learning?

Some medical schools provide early clinical exposure from year one, while others adhere to a “pre-clinical” model that emphasizes theory at the beginning. Additionally, consider how they teach anatomy – do they utilize full-body dissection, prosection, or digital tools?

Ask yourself:

• Do I learn best by doing or by listening?

• Would I enjoy patient contact from the start?

• Do I want a more structured or flexible learning approach?

Selecting a course that aligns with your learning preferences will make those five or six years significantly more enjoyable (and survivable!).

2. Course Content and Opportunities 🧠🌍

All UK medical schools will lead you to the same destination: becoming a doctor. However, the route can vary. Consider exploring:

• Intercalated degree options (and whether they’re optional or compulsory)

• Research opportunities or electives abroad 🌐

• Special interests like global health, surgery, or mental health

• Access to modern facilities (simulation centres, anatomy labs, etc.)

If a school offers something you’re passionate about, it could be a game-changer.

3. Location, Lifestyle and Cost of Living 📍🏙️

Where you’ll live is just as important as where you’ll study. Consider the following:

• Big city vs smaller town 🌆🏡

• Campus-style university vs city-based layout

• Distance from home – would a 5-hour train ride be too much?

• Living costs – London and other major cities can be expensive 💸

Keep in mind that you will be there for several years. Select a place where you will feel safe, supported, and happy.

4. Student Support and Community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑💬

Medical school is demanding, so support is essential. Consider:

• Mental health and wellbeing services

• Academic support systems (tutors, peer mentoring)

• Size of the med school – do you want a close-knit feel or a large cohort?

Your experience during the offer holder day is crucial. Did the environment seem friendly and inclusive? Could you visualize yourself fitting in? Trust that instinct – it’s usually accurate.

5. Your Personal Priorities and Preferences ✅

Only you know what truly matters. Consider:

• How the course is assessed (exams vs continuous assessment)

• Reputation and rankings (although all UK med schools are excellent)

• Societies, clubs, or sports you want to join 🏸🎭

• Even the weather – yes, it’s valid! ☔🌞

Create a pros and cons list. Often, writing everything down helps clarify what is truly important.

6. Picking the Right Firm and Insurance 🛎️

After you have completed your research:

• Firm choice = your top choice, where you’d be happiest if you meet the offer.

• Insurance choice = your backup. Ideally, it should have lower grade requirements in case the results day doesn’t go to plan. (e.g. Firm: A*AA, Insurance: AAA or AAB)

If all your offers are of the same grade, your insurance is more symbolic – yet still choose a place where you would genuinely be happy to go.

💡 Top tip: Some students use their fifth UCAS choice (often a non-medicine course) as their insurance. Just ensure you’d be comfortable with that path as well.

7. Know Your UCAS Deadline ⏰

You must respond to your offers on UCAS Hub by the deadline indicated there – or you risk losing all your offers 😱.

For 2025 entry:

• If you receive your last decision by 14 May 2025, your reply deadline is 5 June 2025

• If you receive it by 17 July, your deadline is 23 July 2025

Double-check your UCAS Hub to confirm, and note the date in your calendar!

✅ Final Advice

Your firm and insurance choices should reflect where you feel most supported, inspired, and comfortable. Don’t choose based solely on prestige – select what aligns with your personality and future goals.

Once you’ve decided and accepted your choices, give yourself a well-earned pat on the back. You’ve taken a big step towards becoming a doctor 👩‍⚕️🎉👨‍⚕️

Need more advice? Connect with current med students and attend open days. Real experiences can help solidify your decision.