This article explains the requirements, clinical placement opportunities and rankings of Cardiff University’s Medicine and Dentistry degrees — find out what they have to offer and what you need in terms of academic achievements, UCAT results and work experience!
In this article on Cardiff University,
Overview of Cardiff University
Cardiff University was established in 1883 and now has 31,935 students enrolled.
The University has two campuses: Cathays Park and Heath Park.
The School of Medicine is located on the Heath Park campus which shares the site with University Hospital Wales. The School of Dentistry is also located on the Heath Park campus.
Accomodation
Cardiff University offers a range of accommodation to suit individual preferences and budgets. There are 17 halls of residence on campus. The halls within walking distance to the Heath Park campus include:
Cardiff has over 200 sports clubs and societies (including a baking society, Disney and musical theatre society, and Jazz society), 16 libraries, and a range of sporting facilities (including Sports Fields, Studio 49, and Fitness and Conditioning Centre).
University Rankings
Times Higher Ed Rank | QS rankings | Academic Ranking of World Universities |
191 | 159 | 151-200 |
Need a UCAT Cheatsheet?
Before you get into uni, you need to crush the UCAT. Downloading our FREE UCAT Cheatsheet is your first step to campus.
Cardiff University Medical Courses offered that require UCAT
Cardiff University has two Medical courses requiring UCAT:
Let’s take a look at their requirements:
Course Code | Length | Campus |
A100 | 5 Years Full Time | Heath Park Campus |
Academic requirements
ATAR (for NSW):
- AAA grades convert to an ATAR of a minimum of 90.
- A*A*A* equivalent is an ATAR of 97
A-level Standard offer:
IB (International Baccalaureate for International students):
- At least 36 points overall (19 at HL).
Prerequisites:
For A-level standard offer:
- Biology (A)
- Chemistry (A)
- Another subject (A)
For IB:
- Minimum of 19 at Higher Level, including:
- Grade 6 in Biology
- Grade 6 in Chemistry
- Note: Grade 7 SL Biology or Chemistry can be taken in place of Grade 6 HL Biology or Chemistry, IF you have grade 6 in HL Maths, Physics, or Statistics
- Note: Excluding Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay
Acceptance is based on student’s meeting the minimum academic results, UCAT results, Personal Statement, and their interview.
UCAT:
There is no minimum threshold mark required for the UCAT.
GCSE:
Applicants must achieve the minimum requirements at GCSE (or equivalent qualifications)
9 GCSEs at Grade B/6, including:
- English/Welsh
- Biology;
- Chemistry; and
- Maths
Note: For Australian applicants, a Year 10 certificate is comparable to the GCSE. (A* – C = 9 – 4). A subject studied in Year 12 is also equivalent to a GCSE grade
Personal Statement:
Students need to write a personal statement which will be addressed based on the following criteria:
- Insight into a career in Medicine
- Evidence of experience relating to the field of Medicine through work experience or volunteering
- Evidence and reflection of personal responsibility
- Evidence of a balanced approach
- Evidence of self-directed learning.
Application Process:
- Students are required to apply through UCAS.
- Students are required to achieve the minimum academic standards covered above
- Students also need to sit the UCAT exam and score a high mark
- Students need to write a Personal Statement.
- If selected, students will need to attend an interview between December and January.
Interview Criteria and structure:
To select students for the interview, the University follows this scoring process:
GCSEs | A Level |
- 9, 8, A* = 3 points
- 7, A = 2 points
- 6, B = 1 point
| - A* = 3 points
- A = 2 points
|
Note: For Australian applicants, a subject studied in year 12 is also equivalent to GCSE grade (A = A, B = B, C = C)
The university invites 1500 students for an interview out of which 300 are offered a place. The cut-off marks for the interviews change every year.
The interview focuses on personal qualities and attributes which are important in becoming a good doctor, including:
- Ability to think fast and on your feet
- Reflection on issues in the medical profession
- Critically appraise information
- Communicate ideas effectively
The interview is structured as Multiple Mini Interviews.
- There are 9 stations with each station assessing a specific criterion.
- Each station is 8 minutes long.
Extra information:
- The University doesn’t accept undergraduate transfers into its medicine program.
- The school receives approximately 3000 applications for this course, so expect it to be very competitive
Course Code | Length | Campus |
A200 | 5 Years Full Time | Heath Park Campus |
Entry Requirement:
ATAR (for NSW):
- AAA grades convert to an ATAR of a minimum of 90.
- A*A*A* equivalent is an ATAR of 97
A-level Standard offer:
IB (International Baccalaureate for International students):
- At least 36 points overall
Prerequisites:
A-level standard offer:
- Chemistry; and
- Biology
- Note: Applicants must pass in the practical element of both Sciences
- Note: General Studies and Critical Thinking are not acceptable at the A2 level.
IB:
- 6 in Higher Level in Biology and Chemistry, or
- 666 in 3 Higher Level subjects including Biology and Chemistry
Non-Academic Requirements:
UCAT:
- There is no cut-off score for the UCAT.
Personal Statement
Students must write a Personal Statement to demonstrate their wide range of skills and attributes. The Personal Statement will be judged based on the same criteria as the statement required for the medicine program.
GCSE
Applicants must achieve the minimum requirements at GCSE (or equivalent qualifications):
- English or Welsh (B/6)
- Note: Preferences will be given to applicants with a grade A/7.
- 6 other GCSE:
- Grade A/7 in single Sciences; OR
- Min grade AA or Grade 7 in Double Award (or equivalent)
- Note: Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects are not accepted.
Note: For Australian applicants, a subject studied in year 12 is also equivalent to GCSE grade (A = A, B = B, C = C)
Interview Criteria and structure:
The cut-off marks for the interviews change every year. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements at Level 2 (GCSE) and Level 3 (A-Level). Interviews are structured as Multiple Mini Interviews.
The interview focuses on personal qualities and attributes which are important in becoming a good dentist, including:
- Ability to think fast and on your feet
- Reflection on issues in the health profession
- Critically appraise information
- Communicate ideas effectively
- Applicants will be required to show evidence of volunteering or work experience in the interview
Clinical placement information
Years 1 to 2
In the first two years, students will learn clinical skills in theory and practice them in regular placements that will allow them to encounter patients with the conditions they are studying first-hand.
Year 3
Students will undergo 3 eight-week placements in hospitals, GP practices and community clinics. Students may also have the opportunity to embark on a year-long placement in rural Wales based on primary care.
Year 4
Again, students will undergo 3 eight-week placements in hospitals, GP practices and community clinics.
Year 5
Students will undertake two placements a ‘Junior Student Assistantship and Primary Care Attachment’ placement in Wales and a ‘Senior Student Assistantship’ placement that can be at a location of your choice — typically, a hospital where you will end up starting your medical career.
Associate teaching hospitals
- University Hospital of Wales
- Cefn Coed Hospital
- Morriston Hospital
- Singleton Hospital
- Neath Port Talbot Hospital
- Swansea Hospitals
- Princess of Wales Hospital
- Bronglais Hospital
- Prince Philip Hospital
- GlanGwili Hospital
- Withybush Hospital
- Hafen Derwen Hospital
- Wrexham Maelor Hospital
- Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital
- Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital
- University Hospital Llandough
- Nevill Hall Hospital
- Royal Gwent Hospital
- Prince Charles Hospital
- Royal Glamorgan Hospital
- Bronllys Hospital
- Welshpool Hospital
Need help acing your UCAT Exam?
Try UCAT Masterclass for free and sit a full UCAT exam. Learn more.