Where to Apply with a Low UCAT Score

Applying to medical school or university with a low UCAT score can feel daunting, but many UK universities adopt a holistic approach. They consider factors like academic performance, personal statements, and interviews alongside your UCAT score. At these universities, you may still be accepted even with a disappointing UCAT result.

This guide will help you identify the best universities to apply for with a low UCAT score.

Medical Schools That Consider Applicants with Low UCAT Scores

Please note that universities change their entrance procedures regularly. We recommend checking the latest entry requirements before applying.

Nonetheless, the list below should be a good place to start if you’re looking for medical schools which consider low UCAT scores.

Keele University

Selection Process

Keele uses a minimum UCAT cut-off (recently around 2280) and places significant emphasis on the Roles and Responsibilities (R&R) form. This form evaluates your healthcare-related experiences and personal suitability for medicine.

Key Tip

Focus on meaningful experiences in healthcare or volunteering. Ensure your R&R form demonstrates a deep commitment to helping others.

University of Sunderland

Selection Process

Sunderland is a university which considers low UCAT scores. It requires applicants to be within the top 8 UCAT deciles and have an SJT band between 1 and 3. Additional factors include a detailed personal statement and strong references.

Key Tip

Tailor your personal statement to reflect your commitment to medicine and highlight relevant experiences. Prepare for potential numeracy or online aptitude tests during selection.

Cardiff University

Selection Process

Cardiff places a strong emphasis on academic results, particularly GCSE performance. Historically, a UCAT cut-off has been applied due to competition, but academic achievements remain paramount.

Key Tip

Focus on achieving top GCSE and A-Level grades to ensure your application is competitive.

University of Exeter

Selection Process

Another medical school which may accept applicants with low UCAT scores is Exeter. It  allocates 75% of its weighting to academic results and 25% to UCAT scores. This allows strong academic performance to offset a lower UCAT result.

Key Tip

Emphasise your academic achievements and ensure your A-Level grades meet or exceed the required thresholds.

Queen’s University Belfast

Selection Process

Queen’s combines UCAT scores with GCSE results. It uses a points-based system to decide who to invite to interview. Queen’s has recently allocated a maximum of 6 points for UCAT performance. In 2023, the interview threshold was 37 points, meaning academic results played a substantial role.

Key Tip

Strengthen your GCSE grades and prepare thoroughly for interviews to enhance your chances.

University of Birmingham

Selection Process

Birmingham’s selection process weighs UCAT scores (40%), academic achievements (45%), and contextual factors (15%). There is no strict UCAT cut-off, so applicants with lower UCAT scores may get into this university.

Key Tip

Highlight your academic performance. If relevant, consider how contextual factors, such as socio-economic background, may have impacted your application, and ensure you make this explicit to the admissions team.

Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS)

Selection Process

KMMS considers a mix of academic achievements and UCAT scores but has historically applied a relatively low UCAT threshold. SJT banding is also important, and Band 4 applicants are usually rejected.

Key Tip

Avoid a Band 4 in the SJT and focus on academic excellence.

Brunel Medical School

Selection Process

Brunel, as a newer institution, has not yet published clear UCAT thresholds. However, it is expected to be more lenient, with academic results and personal commitment being crucial. It may therefore be a university which accepts students with low UCAT scores.

Key Tip

Use your personal statement and academic achievements to stand out.

Bangor Medical School

Selection Process

Bangor is another new medical school with limited data on UCAT thresholds but is anticipated to have less rigid requirements.

Key Tip

Focus on presenting a compelling application through academic results and personal motivation.

How to Get Into Medical School with a Low UCAT Score

Securing an offer from a university to study medicine is possible even with a low UCAT score. Keep the following in mind to improve your chances:

Excel in Your Exam Results

Universities like Cardiff, Exeter, and Birmingham heavily weight academic achievements. Ensure your GCSEs and A-Levels are as strong as possible.

Craft an Outstanding Personal Statement

For schools like Keele and Sunderland, a compelling personal statement can offset a lower UCAT score. Highlight relevant experiences, motivations, and your commitment to medicine.

Prepare for Interviews

Many universities place significant weight on interview performance. Practise common questions, articulate your passion for medicine, and refine your ability to think critically.

Leverage Contextual Factors

If you qualify for contextual offers, ensure the relevant information is included in your application to increase your chances.

Consider Other Routes Into Medicine

Some universities offer foundation or gateway programmes for students with lower UCAT scores or those from underrepresented backgrounds. You can also apply for Biomedical Science or a similar course, and then take a graduate route into medicine.

Finally, you may wish to consider applying to the University of Buckingham. It does not require the UCAT at all – instead it uses its own assessment. However, Buckingham is a private university so you would have to fund your own studies without access to a student loan.

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FAQs

What is considered a low UCAT score?

Scores below 2,500 are generally considered low, but competitiveness varies by university. If you would like to know how your raw score in each section of the UCAT is scaled to give your final marks, try our UCAT score calculator.

Can I still get into medical school with a low UCAT score?

Yes, some universities accept candidate with low UCAT scores. This is because they consider other factors like academic performance, personal statements, and interviews.

Which universities accept low UCAT scores?

If you achieved a low UCAT score, you may wish to apply to universities like Keele, Exeter, Sunderland, and Brunel. Their admissions processes mean that applicants with lower UCAT scores can still be considered if they perform well in other aspects of the application.

How important are work experience and references?

This varies from one university to another. But for schools like Keele and Sunderland, these are critical components of the selection process.

Are there medical schools that don’t require the UCAT?

The University of Buckingham does not require the UCAT. Instead, it uses its own assessment to test candidates who meet its other academic requirements.

Should I retake the UCAT?

If you have the time and believe you can improve significantly, retaking the UCAT might be beneficial. However, you would need to wait another year to re-apply to medical schools.

What else can strengthen my application?

Volunteering, shadowing healthcare professionals, and gaining insights into the medical field can enhance your personal statement and interview responses.