UK qualifications

• SQA Highers and Advanced Highers

  To be considered for interview applicants must have achieved the following grades:

  • Standard entry grades: AAAAB in S5. Predicted to achieve at least BBB in Highers or Advanced Highers or a mix of Highers and Advanced Highers in S6.
  • Minimum entry grades: AAABB in S5. Predicted to achieve at least BB in Highers or Advanced Highers or a mix of Highers and Advanced Highers in S6.
  • Gateway to Medicine: BBBB in Highers in S5

  Highers must include Chemistry and one of Biology (or Human Biology), Mathematics or Physics, to be taken at the same sitting. If not passed at Higher, applicants must also have National 5 grade B in Biology (or Human Biology), Mathematics, and English. 

  Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

  For applicants to Medicine to be considered with the Minimum entry requirements, they would need to be assessed as:

  • residing in the lowest 40% most deprived areas of the UK 
    or
  • being looked after as a result of a local authority order. See information on care experienced applicants. 
    or
  • being registered as a young carer. See information on young carers. 

  Guidance

  Applicants should also note the following entry exceptions:

  • Higher qualifications should normally be obtained at the same sitting in S5. Exceptions may be made for candidates who attend schools which are unable to present pupils for five Highers at one sitting.
  • If Biology, Mathematics and English have not been passed at Higher grade, each must normally have been passed at National 5 grade B.
  • Human Biology may replace Biology.
  • A Higher in Intensive English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is not acceptable as one of 5 Highers required at one sitting or as one of the subjects to be counted for S6 performance.
  • Students not taking the required sciences or mathematics in S5 may take the missing subjects in S6. Two science subjects must be sat in the same year (to include Chemistry) – either S5 or S6.
  • A mix of Highers and Advanced Highers in S5 would be considered. 
  • Offers made will be conditional and based on S6 programmes of study.
  • Advanced Highers, new Highers, or a mix of Advanced Highers and new Highers would be acceptable for S6 study. 
  • An applicant’s referee should include predicted grades for S6 in the application.
  • An A grade at Higher or Advanced Higher would not balance out a C grade in another subject.
  • Applicants sitting a single Higher earlier than S5 gain no advantage in the School's admissions assessment.
  • Applicants sitting six Highers in S5, as opposed to five Highers, gain no advantage in the School's admissions assessment.
  • Applicants sitting the Scottish Baccalaureate gain no advantage in the School's admissions assessment, other than for the Advanced Highers associated with it. However, the development of research skills will be useful for entrants to the course. 
  • Over and above the subjects required for entry, the School does not have a preference for other subjects in S5 or S6; applicants should choose subjects they are interested in or will do well in.

• GCE A-Levels

  To be considered for interview, applicants must have achieved, or be predicted to achieve, the following grades:

  • Standard entry grades: AAA
  • Minimum entry grades: AAB

  These grades must include Chemistry and one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics. If not passed at AS or A-Level, applicants must have GCSE 5 in Biology, Mathematics, and English. 

  In addition, a minimum of five A grades (grade 7 in numerical grading) at GCSE to be taken at one sitting, will be required. Applicants with achieved A-Levels, may be considered with less than five A grades (grade 7 in numerical grading) at GCSE.

  Find out more about Standard and Minimum entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

  For applicants to Medicine to be considered with the Minimum entry requirements, they would need to be assessed as:

  • residing in the lowest 40% most deprived areas of the UK 
    or
  • being looked after as a result of a local authority order. See information on care experienced applicants. 
    or
  • being registered as a young carer. See information on young carers. 

  Guidance 

  Applicants should also note the following entry exceptions:

  • Dual award Science or Combined Science at GCSE are not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Biology.
  • Human Biology may replace Biology.
  • General Studies, Critical Thinking and Global Perspectives & Research are not accepted A-Levels.
  • A-Levels must be studied over a two-year period and completed in Year 13.
  • Only one of Mathematics or Further Mathematics will be considered for the three subjects required at A-Level.
  • Four A-Levels or a fourth subject at AS are not required and sitting a fourth A-Level is of no advantage for admissions assessment.
  • Over and above the subjects required for entry, the School does not have a preference for the third A-Level subject.
  • Obtaining A*AB at A-Level, for example, would not meet the School's requirement.
  • An early sitting of an A-Level would not be counted towards the three A-Levels required for entry; all three A-Levels must be taken at the same examination sitting.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  To be considered for interview, applicants must have achieved (or be predicted to achieve) the following grades:

  • D3 in three subjects including Chemistry and one other from Biology, Mathematics or Physics.
  • A mixture of Pre-U and A-Levels will be considered.
  • If not passed at AS or A-Level or Pre-U, applicants must have GCSE 5 in Biology, Mathematics, and English.
  • In addition, a minimum of five A grades (grade 7 in numerical grading) at GCSE to be taken at one sitting will be required. Applicants with achieved Pre-U or A-Levels, may be considered with less than five A grades (grade 7 in numerical grading) at GCSE.

  Find out more about Standard and Minimum entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

  For applicants to Medicine to be considered with the Minimum entry requirements, they would need to be assessed as:

  • residing in the lowest 40% most deprived areas of the UK 
    or
  • being looked after as a result of a local authority order. See information on care experienced applicants. 
    or
  • being registered as a young carer. See information on young carers. 

  Guidance 

  Applicants should also note the following:

  • Dual award Science or triple award Science at GCSE are not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Biology.
  • Human Biology may replace Biology.
  • General Studies, Critical Thinking and Global Perspectives & Research are not accepted Pre-U or A-Levels.
  • Pre-U or A-Levels must be studied over a two-year period and completed in Year 13.
  • Only one of Mathematics or Further Mathematics will be considered for the three subjects required at Pre-U or A-Level.
  • Four Pre-U or A-Levels or a fourth subject at AS are not required and sitting a fourth Pre U/A-Level is of no advantage for admissions assessment.
  • Over and above the subjects required for entry, the School does not have a preference for the third Pre U/A-Level subject.
  • Obtaining D1, D2, M1 for example, would not meet the School's requirement.
  • An early sitting of a Pre U/-Level would not be counted towards the three Pre U/A-Levels required for entry; all three subjects (Pre U/A-levels) must be taken at the same examination sitting.

• International Baccalaureate

  To be considered for interview, applicants must have achieved (or be predicted to achieve) the following grades:

  • Standard entry grades: 38 points (HL 6,6,6 plus SL 6,6,6)
  • Minimum entry grades: 36 points (HL 6,6,5 plus SL 6,6,5)

  These grades must include HL in Chemistry and HL in one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics. If not passed at HL, applicants must have SL in Biology, Mathematics and English. Either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' are accepted as meeting the Mathematics requirement. Standard Level Mathematics Studies is not acceptable. Mathematics at GCSE 5 or better might be considered in lieu of Standard Level.

  Find out more about Standard and Minimum entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator. 

  For applicants to Medicine to be considered with the Minimum entry requirements, they would need to be assessed as:

  • residing in the lowest 40% most deprived areas of the UK 
    or
  • being looked after as a result of a local authority order. See information on care experienced applicants. 
    or
  • being registered as a young carer. See information on young carers. 

  In addition, applicants must have a strong academic record. Applicants are expected to offer a minimum of five A grades at GCSE (or equivalent) to be taken at one sitting and to be predicted to achieve at least the minimum grades required in the relevant school leaving qualification. In addition, the hours of science studied in the final two years of a school leaving qualification will be assessed. Those applying having already achieved their school leaving qualification with appropriate subjects and grades, may be considered with less than five A grades at GCSE (or equivalent).

  For more information, email medical.admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  To be considered for interview, applicants must have achieved (or be predicted to achieve) the following grades:

  • Applicants with Welsh Baccalaureate awards until 2017 are expected to obtain a Pass at Core Certificate (level 3) plus AA at A-level in Chemistry and one other of Biology, Mathematics or Physics.
  • Applicants from 2018 onwards are expected to obtain a grade A in the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus AA at A-Level in Chemistry and one other of Biology, Mathematics or Physics.
  • If not passed at AS or A-Level, applicants must have GCSE 5 in Biology, Mathematics, and English.
  • In addition, a minimum of five A grades (grade 7 in numerical grading) at GCSE to be taken at one sitting, will be required. Applicants with achieved A-Levels, may be considered with less than five A grades (grade 7 in numerical grading) at GCSE.

  Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

  For applicants to Medicine to be considered with the Minimum entry requirements, they would need to be assessed as:

  • residing in the lowest 40% most deprived areas of the UK 
    or
  • being looked after as a result of a local authority order. See information on care experienced applicants. 
    or
  • being registered as a young carer. See information on young carers. 

  Guidance

  • Dual award Science or triple award Science at GCSE are not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Biology.
  • Human Biology may replace Biology.
  • General Studies, Critical Thinking, and Global Perspectives and Research are not accepted A-Levels.
  • A-Levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate must be studied over a two-year period and completed in Year 13.
  • Over and above the A in the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and AA at A-Level, further A-Levels or an extra subject at AS are not required and would provide no advantage for admissions assessment 
  • Four A-Levels or a fourth subject at AS are not required and sitting a fourth A-Level is of no advantage for admissions assessment.
  • Obtaining A in the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and A*B at A-Level, for example, would not meet the School's requirement.
  • An early sitting of an Advanced level qualification would not be counted towards the Advanced Level qualifications required for entry; all Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate/A-Levels must be taken at the same examination sitting.

• Graduate entry

  Applicants who already hold an undergraduate degree that is no more than five years old may apply to study Medicine at undergraduate level.

  To be considered for interview, applicants must have achieved (or be predicted to achieve) the following grades:

  • Upper second or first class Honours degree in Science (or equivalent) to have been obtained within the last five years.
  • B grade in Chemistry at Higher or A-Level, or at Advanced Higher.
  • B grade in Biology, English and Mathematics at GCSE or equivalent.

  Guidance

  • Applicants whose undergraduate degree is more than five years old will not be considered, unless an applicant has continued directly into PhD level study. Applicants who have continued directly into PhD study will be considered if their PhD degree is under five years old.
  • A lower second class Honours degree followed by a second degree (first or upper second class Honours, Masters or PhD) will not be accepted.
  • Those who have previously studied on undergraduate Medicine degree programmes will not be considered.
  • Applicants can re-sit Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and English qualifications to achieve the required grade(s) if not achieved at the time of leaving school.
  • Examples of qualifications/study that might be accepted in lieu of Higher/Advanced Higher/A level Chemistry:
    • 20 credits of undergraduate level Chemistry at high grades.
    • Modules of mixed science (e.g. Biochemistry) are not accepted – modules must be pure Chemistry.
    • Open University – Chemistry: essential concepts module S215 – 60% or above.
    • SAT Chemistry – 700+
    • University of Glasgow – Access to Science, Engineering and Nursing: Chemistry ADED11406E – grade B.
    • Other access courses and HNC qualifications are not accepted as they do not offer enough Chemistry.
  • Entry requirements would be the same for both Scottish/EU/RUK and those who are ‘Overseas’ for fee purposes.
  • A GPA of 3.5 is considered to be the equivalent of an upper second class Honours degree. For advice with regard to degree classifications from other countries, please email admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.
  • A reference from your university tutor commenting on your academic performance and suitability for medicine should be part of your UCAS application. If you have not yet achieved your degree, the reference should include a predicted degree classification.
  • A university transcript of academic performance should be forwarded to the Admissions Office as supplementary information. Graduates need to supply an academic transcript of their performance at university at the time of application. Those who will be graduating should, at the time of application, supply details of undergraduate courses taken and grades obtained so far.

  Please also see the four-year ScotGEM graduate entry programme.

• Undergraduate entry

  Undergraduates on courses other than Medicine who are in first year of an undergraduate programme will be considered if they have fulfilled the School's academic entry requirements before they began their undergraduate course. They must apply by the deadline of 15 October (first semester of first undergraduate year) and have sat the UCAT that year.

  The School will not consider applicants who have progressed to second year. Meeting minimum entry requirements will not guarantee an offer – grades will have to be competitive with grades of all those applying at the same time. No credit for the undergraduate year is given as all entrants must complete the full six years of the medical degree. Graduates (or those soon to graduate) should see the graduate entry section above.

  Undergraduates on Medicine courses

  Those who are already on, or have been on, an undergraduate Medicine degree programme elsewhere will not be considered.

• Other UK qualifications

  HNC, HND, BTEC and SQA National Certificate qualifications are not taken into consideration for places in Medicine.

  Open University qualifications are taken into account only in the cases of those who will have graduated with a BSc Honours degree in science from the Open University in the five years prior to the time of entry to the Medicine course.

• Advanced Diplomas

  Advanced Diplomas currently available do not provide a progression route to Medicine at St Andrews. The School will continue to review each Advanced Diploma as it becomes available.

• AQA Baccalaureate

  A pass in the Baccalaureate will be required, along with AAA (Advanced Levels) including Chemistry and one other of Biology, Mathematics or Physics.

• Access courses

  Access to Medicine and Access to Science courses are not taken into consideration for places in Medicine.

• Foundation courses

  Other than the International Foundation programme for Medicine at the University of St Andrews, Foundation programmes are not usually taken into consideration for places in Medicine; applicants are expected to have met the required entry requirements in their school leaving qualifications. 

  Foundation Apprenticeships

  Scottish Foundation Apprenticeships are not accepted for entry to Medicine.