Overseas students
Applying to a UK university?
To apply to medical schools in the UK, you must use the online application site UCAS.
Which universities are more likely to accept international students?
There is no straightforward answer to this question, unfortunately. It is, however, useful to visit the UCAS site and the medical school websites as they may provide useful information on entry requirements for international students. The medical school websites may also state the number of international students they accept per year. Be aware that some medical schools have more experience with different educational system than others. Additionally, some medical schools express particular interest in international students who apply from countries without medical schools or insufficient training facilities. It would be helpful to ask anyone you know who has been accepted into a British medical school which universities they applied to, as this may indicate those that have more experience with and are more open to international students.
Interviews
After you submit your application to UCAS, the medical schools which are interested may ask you to come for an interview. Not all medical schools require international applicants to fly over to be interviewed, but some will expect you to do this (although rearranging the date is usually possible). Again, it is worth checking out the various medical school websites to find out whether this will be required of you in case this presents a problem (such as timing and money issues).
English Language Requirements
Most medical schools will want some form of English Qualification. This includes the Cambridge Proficiency of English, IELTS and TOEFL. University websites will state which English Qualification they regard as acceptable and what grade you must obtain.
International Fees
Be aware that the fees for medical school are very high for international students - several times that for British students. Furthermore, the rate increases once you enter your clinical years (~£24 000 to 25 000). You may, however, be able to apply for various scholarships or grants (visit the medical schools' websites for more information).
Support
It is completely normal and very common for international students to feel overwhelmed when they first arrive in the UK. Most universities have some type of support organization for international students, which can provide practical advice on things such as immigration and finance, as well as more personal issues such as homesickness and healthcare. It is strongly recommended that international students take advantage of the support organizations available as it really helps you settle in, orientate yourself and meet other international students.
Please note that we cannot provide individual guidance to international students on application to Medical School. We advise you to contact the University (you are interested in) directly.
