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.
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
How Background and Access to Finance Shape a Medical Student’s Journey in the UK
Discover how socio-economic background and access to finance impact medical students in the UK—from application and medical school to life as a junior doctor. Explore barriers, widening participation, and how poverty shapes a doctor's journey.
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.
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
What Qualities Do Medical Schools Look for in a UCAS Personal Statement?
It’s not only what you’ve done that matters, but also the personal qualities you have developed. The Medical Schools Council (which represents all UK medical schools) has outlined a set of core qualities and abilities it expects in applicants.
UCAS Medicine Personal Statement Guide 2026: Tips & Advice
The writing style and structure significantly impact the effectiveness and engagement of your UCAS personal statement. Here are some top tips to ensure your medicine personal statement reads well and captures the reader’s attention – these tips come from experienced medical school tutors and official advice
How Medical Schools Use Your Personal Statement in Selection
You might be wondering, after all this effort writing the personal statement, how exactly do medical schools use it? The answer is that it varies by university – each medical school has its own admissions process. However, there are some general patterns.
Where to Apply to Dentistry with a Low UCAT Score (UK 2026 Entry)
Struggling with a low UCAT score? Discover which UK dental schools (2026 entry) accept lower UCAT results – from holistic undergraduate programs to graduate-entry courses – and get tips to boost your application.
Best UK Medical Schools to Apply with a Low UCAT Score – 2026 Entry Guide
Applying to medical school with a low UCAT score (around the 5th decile, ~2440) for 2026 entry? This comprehensive guide outlines which UK medical schools are more lenient on UCAT, how they use your score in selection, and strategies for home (UK) applicants – with notes on international and graduate entry. Learn about universities that emphasize academics, personal statements, or other criteria over UCAT, and get tips to optimize your application for a successful outcome.
UK Dentistry Interviews 2026 – Complete Guide to MMI Questions, Formats & Tips
Entering the 2026 dentistry application cycle, competition remains intense, and the interview process continues to evolve. This fully updated guide outlines what to expect, from recent applicant statistics and interview formats at each dental school.
UCAT Cut-Off Scores for UK Dental Schools: What You Need to Know for 2026 Entry
Explore how UK dental schools use UCAT scores for 2026 entry. Learn about UCAT cut-off scores, ranking systems, and how to strategically choose the best dental schools for your application to maximise your chances of an interview and offer.
UCAT Cut-Off Scores for UK Medical Schools: A Guide for 2026 Entry
Discover how UK medical schools use your UCAT score in 2025. Learn about UCAT cut-off scores, ranking systems, and how to choose the right universities to maximise your chances of getting a medicine interview and offer.
Your Complete Guide to Medical and Dental School Work Experience
Wondering how to get work experience for medicine or dentistry? Whether you're shadowing a GP, volunteering in a care home, or trying virtual placements, this guide explains exactly what sixth form students need to know – and how to stand out on your application.
UK Dental School Work Experience Requirements: A Guide for Future Dentists
Curious about what kind of work experience you need for UK dental school? This comprehensive guide breaks down the requirements and recommendations for every UK university offering dentistry, helping you plan your application with clarity and confidence.
Work Experience Requirements for UK Medical Schools (2025 Entry)
Wondering how much work experience you need for medical school? Our 2025 guide breaks down the expectations of every UK medical school — from shadowing to volunteering, and how to reflect on your experiences in interviews and personal statements.
UCAT Quantitative Reasoning: A Complete Introduction for Aspiring Medical and Dental Students
Quantitative Reasoning is one of the most high-pressure sections of the UCAT—and it’s all about speed, strategy, and smart maths. In this complete guide, we’ll break down the data formats, question styles, and mental maths skills you need to master. Whether you're aiming for medicine or dentistry, this student-friendly breakdown will help you maximise your score and approach QR with confidence.
UCAT Quantitative Reasoning: Essential Maths Concepts and How to Limit Calculations and Errors
Mastering the UCAT Quantitative Reasoning section isn’t about advanced maths—it’s about speed, accuracy, and strategy. This guide breaks down the core maths concepts you’ll need, from percentages and ratios to unit conversions and averages. You’ll also learn how to estimate the ‘amount of maths’ in each question, manage your time efficiently, and avoid common calculation traps—all essential skills for boosting your QR score on Test Day.
Top 10 UCAT Quantitative Reasoning Tips | Boost Your QR Score Fast
Struggling with UCAT Quantitative Reasoning? This guide breaks down the Top 10 expert strategies every sixth-form student should know to boost their QR score. From spotting question goals quickly to mastering time-saving techniques, learn how to approach QR smartly — and leave the challenging maths behind.
UCAT Quantitative Reasoning – Improve Your Speed, Accuracy & Calculator Use
Struggling with speed in UCAT Quantitative Reasoning? Learn the top strategies to avoid mistakes, work faster, and use the calculator like a pro. This expert guide will help sixth form students sharpen their mental maths and boost their UCAT scores.
Building a Support Network as a Muslim Medical Student 🩺📚🌙
Building a support network is vital for Muslim medical students. Learn how Islamic societies, mentors, supportive friendships, university services, and community connections help you succeed academically, socially, and spiritually. 🩺🌙