School of Medicine and Dentistry
MB BS entry requirements for the 2015 intake
The academic qualifications required for entry to the programme are set out in Section 1. All
applicants must also fulfil the General Requirements set out in Section 2. The qualifications below
are the minimum required for consideration for the MBBS programme, and as such do not
guarantee your entry to the programme. Please note that the guidelines below assume that grades
will be achieved at first sitting. Resit results will not be taken into consideration
1. Academic qualifications
1.1 A level:
A-levels: Minimum grades AAB (Chemistry at Grade A, an additional science subject
(preferably Biology) and a third academic subject).
GCSEs: A minimum of 4 GCSE subjects or international equivalent at Grade A which must
include English Language and Mathematics.
If English is not your first language: English language IELTS with a minimum of 7.0 (or
equivalent), in each of the component scores (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
1.2 Foundation Programme (from the School of Medicine and Dentistry recognised foundation
programmes such as those offered by CEG and Dublin International Foundation College)
A minimum of 70% in four subject areas, two of which must be English Language and
Chemistry
1.3 Graduate
A degree in a science or health related subject at 2.1 or equivalent or above (a masters
qualification or higher degree does not compensate for a degree below 2:1 classification).
A Levels: Minimum grades BCC (Chemistry at Grade B, preferably Biology and a third
academic subject).
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If English is not your first language: English language IELTS with a minimum of 7.0 (or
equivalent) in each of the component scores (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
1.4 International qualifications
If your country is not currently listed below please contact the International Admissions Team at
ia@uclan.ac.uk for advice.
For those applicants with international qualifications, we would expect these to include the core
subjects of English, Maths and Sciences (to include Chemistry and at least one other science subject
(preferably Biology)).
English Language Requirements
International applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English through one of the
following:
 IELTS with a minimum of 7 in all components
 International Baccalaureate Standard level Grade 6
 Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) score of 67
 A level English language Grade B
English as medium of instruction will NOT be accepted for any student.
Academic Requirements:
International baccalaureate (IB)
Higher level: 36 points overall (to include at least a 6 in Chemistry, an additional science subject
(preferably Biology) and one other subject at Higher Level [HL]) and 3 at Standard level, at a
minimum of 5 points each.
Canada:
High school diploma (minimum 85%, with specified grades in Chemistry, one other science (Biology,
Mathematics, Physics) and a third subject). Graduates offering a degree would usually require a GPA
in the region of 3.5.
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Hong Kong: HKDSE to include Chemistry, Biology and Maths at 5, 5, 5* plus attained in one other
category B subject or B grade in a category C subject.
India: Usually at least 85% in CBSE/CISCE. Percentage based on best of 4 core subjects to include
English, Maths (or Physics), Chemistry and Biology with a minimum of 85% in Chemistry and Biology.
Malaysia: SPMs may be considered in lieu of GCSEs on a subject basis (1A, 2A grades required).
STPM grade AAAB including Biology A and Chemistry A, taken in a single sitting. UEC grades of
AAAAAA at Senior Middle Level (to include Chemistry and Biology and excluding Chinese, Bahasa
Malay and Book Keeping and Commerce).
Singapore: A levels and IB accepted. Applications from students following the Integrated Programme
will be considered.
Sri Lanka: GCSEs or equivalent, A levels and IB qualifications usually offered.
USA: Excellence demonstrated in high school transcript, GPA minimum of 3.5 required. SATR of at
least 700 in each component and Advanced Placement Tests in three group A subjects at grade 5 (to
include Chemistry and Biology ) or 3 SATIIs of minimum score 700 (including Chemistry and Biology).
Alternatively ACT scores of a minimum of 34 in each of five components (including Chemistry and
Biology) may be considered with the high school transcript.
South Africa: Senior certificate at Higher Grade considered if offering English Language, Maths,
Chemistry, Biology and Physics at A grade. Standard grade considered in lieu of GCSEs on a subject
for subject basis.
Potential applicants who hold Senior High School Certificates/Diplomas from the following countries
are not eligible for direct entry to the MB BS programme – Bahrain, China, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan,
Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan,
Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zambia. Such students would need to complete a
recognised foundation programme before applying to the MB BS programme http://www.foundationcampus.com/uk/university-of-central-lancashire.htm
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2. General Requirements:
All applicants are required to have the following:
 A personal reflective statement is required and further guidance on preparing this
can be found on our website.
http://www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/assets/UCL999_MBBS_Brochure_V10.pdf
 All applications must be accompanied by at least one reference, which must include
an academic reference.
 UKCAT: We require all entrants to the programme to have a UKCAT test score prior
to entry. This will be used to map student progression through the programme.
There is no minimum threshold requirement for the UKCAT score. Whilst sitting
the UKCAT is a normal requirement for our MB BS course, we are aware that as this
is a new course there may be potential students who have been unable to prepare,
book a slot and write the UKCAT exam prior to submitting an application. If you do
not yet have a UKCAT score and wish to apply for entry to the UCLAN MB BS course
commencing in September 2015, please contact Dr Rosie Kakkar
(rnkakkar@uclan.ac.uk) who will be able to offer further advice.
 Work experience/Job Shadowing: We require all applicants to the programme to
have either:
- a minimum of 2 weeks working or job shadowing in a medical, health care
or caring setting, or
- a minimum of 6 months volunteering in a community setting.
3. The admissions process
There are several stages to the admissions process
-
Assessment of initial application on both academic and general requirements. Applicants
should therefore ensure that their application is as comprehensive as possible. The Selection
Panel cannot consider applications until academic grades (or predicted grades); evidence of
English language; a personal statement and a minimum of one academic reference are
included. The panel meets fortnightly.
-
Interviews to take place between 15 to 18 December 2014 and 2 and 4 March 2015
-
The Selection Panel decides who will be invited for interview. No candidate will be made an
offer without interview.
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-
We are encouraging early applications to the programme to an initial deadline date of 15
October 2014. Later applications may be considered. The final deadline date for all
applications, including those from Foundation Programme applicants is 15th January 2015.
All applicants invited to interview must provide a satisfactory enhanced DBS check or international
equivalent.
All applicants successful at interview will need to undergo occupational health screening (including
tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C and HIV) prior to enrolment. Any student who fails the health
screening will not be prevented from studying the MB BS but will limit the manner in which they can
study and their ability to practise as a doctor. Further details are available on the Medical Schools
Council website.
If an applicant fails to achieve a place on the MBBS programme they may only make one further
consecutive application to the programme.
4. Further Information
Students who do not meet the standard entry criteria for the MB BS programme have a number of
options (if they meet the entry criteria for the alternative options)
-
Enter Year 1 of the BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences programme (BBB at A level and IELTS 6
entry) and if graduating with an upper second class degree, being guaranteed an interview
for entry to the MB BS Year 1
-
Enter a foundation programme recognised by the School of Medicine and Dentistry such as:
CEG Medicine Foundation Programme
Dublin International Foundation College – International Foundation Year in Health
and Science (Medical Programme)
Other Foundation Programmes may be considered for entry to the MB BS please contact
international@uclan.ac.uk or Dr Rosie Kakkar (rnkakkar@uclan.ac.uk).
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