Newcastle University, UK: UCAT and Medical Course Entry Requirements (2021 Update)

Thinking about studying Medicine or Dentistry at Newcastle University but unsure of their entry requirements? Don't worry. We got your back!

This article explains the requirements, clinical placement opportunities and rankings of Newcastle 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 Newcastle University,

 

Overview of Newcastle University

Newcastle University was created as a result of the merging of multiple colleges. In 1937, the merging of the School of Medicine and Surgery (1834) and Armstrong College (1971) formed the King’s College of the federal University of Durham.

However, in 1963, the federal University dissolved. So, King’s College became the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, also known as Newcastle University. Today, these campuses are internationally known, with campuses in Newcastle upon Tyne, London, Malaysia and even Singapore.

Newcastle University offers a wide range of accommodation, ranging from Victorian halls like Windsor Terrace to modern buildings like The View! Students have a choice between self-catering or catered options, en-suites or washbasins, or standard rooms.

There are also over 160 societies to join at Newcastle University, ranging from 20 Minute Society to Religious and Cultural societies to Zumba. They also have a world-class gym, brand new studios including a spin cycle studio, an 8 court sports hall and lots of other sporting facilities.

Note: Durham University’s School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health which was previously based at Queen’s Campus, has successfully transferred to Newcastle University to complete their studies.

 

Rankings

Times Higher Education RankQS RankAcademic Ranking of World Universities
178152201-300

 

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.

 

Newcastle University Medical Courses offered that require UCAT

 

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery

Course CodeLengthCampus
A1005 Years Full TimeNewcastle University Medical School and Royal Victoria Infirmary

 

Academic requirements:

ATAR:

  • 92

A-Level:

  • AAA

International Baccalaureate:

  • Overall, 38 points, with min Grade 5 in all subjects

Scottish Highers:

  • AAAAA at Higher Grade; and
  • AA at Advanced Higher Grade

Irish Leaving Certificate:

  • H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2

Cambridge Pre-U:

  • D3, D3, D3 in Principal Subjects

 

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

  • Recommend:
    • Biology;
    • Chemistry; and
    • Physics

A-Level:

  • Recommend:
    • Biology;
    • Chemistry; and
    • Physics
    • Note: A Pass in practical element is needed for all Science subjects
  • Note: The following subjects are excluded:
    • General Studies;
    • Use of Mathematics;
    • World Development;
    • Communication and Culture; and
    • Critical Thinking

International Baccalaureate:

  • Minimum grade 5 in all subjects
  • Recommend:
    • Biology;
    • Chemistry; and
    • Physics

Scottish Highers:

  • Recommend:
    • Biology;
    • Chemistry;
    • Physics

Irish Leaving Certificate:

  • Recommend:
    • Biology;
    • Chemistry; and
    • Physics

Cambridge Pre-U:

  • Recommend:
    • Biology;
    • Chemistry; and
    • Physics

 

Entry Requirements: 

Acceptance is based on students’ academic results and UCAT results.

Note: Minimum GCSE requirements are not considered at Newcastle University.

 

UCAT:

  • Students who score a Band 4 in the Situational Judgement Test are automatically rejected from an interview.
  • Students are ranked according to their total UCAT scores and the top division of students are invited to an interview.
  • As such, the threshold for UCAT scores changes every year. In the past, these were the cut-off marks for UCAT results:
    • Year = UCAT cut-off score
    • 2018 = 2580
    • 2019 = 2720
    • 2020 = 2730

 

Work Experience/Personal Statements:

Although personal statements aren’t assessed, students should undertake work experience to demonstrate their commitment to caring and their skills in the interview section.

Newcastle University recommends volunteering or undertaking work experience at an elderly care home, hospice, nursery or simply helping someone less fortunate.

 

Application process:

  • Students are required to achieve the minimum academic standards covered above
  • Students also need to sit the UCAT exam and score a high mark to be invited to an interview
  • Then, students must pass the interview section

 

Interview criteria and structure:

In 2020, there was approximately 1130 applicants interviewed and in 2019, 1180 applicants to their interview rounds. However, only 342 students are accepted into their Medical Courses each year.

  • Criteria: The interview will assess students’:
    • Integrity;
    • Communication skills;
    • Empathy and self-awareness;
    • Motivation and commitment to be a doctor;
    • Teamwork and leadership skills;
    • Personal organisation; and
    • Persistence and resilience.
  • Structure:
    • Newcastle University structures their interview into Multiple Mini Interviews.
    • There are 7 stations in total
    • Each station will run for 7 minutes and assess different capabilities mentioned above, with one station involving a role-play.

 

Other options to entry:

  • Graduate entry:
    • Honours degree in any Upper Second Class discipline
    • OR first-class Honours or integrated master’s degree.

 

Degree facts: 

  • Only 342 students are accepted into Newcastle University’s Medical course every year
  • Newcastle University also has a campus in Malaysia. Students who are interested in studying medicine in Malaysia can apply for NUMed. This programme is equivalent to the UK programme.

 

Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Course CodeLengthCampus
A2065 Years Full TimeNewcastle University School of Dental Sciences

 

Academic requirements:

ATAR:

  • 92

A-Level:

  • AAA

International Baccalaureate:

  • Overall, 37 points

Scottish Highers:

  • AAAAA at Higher Grade; and
  • Minimum A/B in 2 Advanced Highers

Irish Leaving Certificate:

  • Higher Level: H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H3

Cambridge Pre-U:

  • Principal Subjects: D3, D3, D3
  •  AND GCSE: AAAAA or 77777

 

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

  • Recommended:
    • Biology; and
    • Chemistry

A-Level:

  • Students must achieve Grade A in:
    • Chemistry; and
    • Biology
  • A Pass in the practical element must be achieved for all Science subjects (Chemistry, Biology, and Physics)
  • Note: General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted

International Baccalaureate:

  • Higher Level (Grade 6)
    • Chemistry; and
    • Biology

Scottish Highers:

  • Higher Grade (AAAAA):
    • Chemistry; and
    • Biology
  • Advanced Highers (A/B):
    • Biology; and/or
    • Chemistry
    • Note: If only one science is offered, then the Science subject must be at Grade A
  • Standard Grade (Grade 2 or intermediate 2 equivalents):
    • English; and
    • Mathematics
  • Note: If only one of Biology or Chemistry is taken at Higher, then the student must take the other science at Advanced Higher and achieve Grade A in both.
  • Note: If only one of Biology or Chemistry is taken at Advanced Highers, then Grade A is required in that science.

Irish Leaving Certificate:

  • Biology;
  • Chemistry;
  • English; and
  • Maths
  • Note: Irish is excluded

Cambridge Pre-U:

  • Principle subjects:
    • Chemistry (D3); and
    • Biology (D3)
  • GCSE (AAAAA/77777):
    • Biology and Chemistry; or
    • Dual Award Science (AA/77)

 

Entry Requirements: 

Acceptance is based on students’ academic results, UCAT results, Personal Statements and Work Experience.

UCAT:

  • Students are ranked according to their total UCAT scores and the top division of students are invited to an interview.
  • As such, the threshold for UCAT scores changes every year. Year are some examples of the previous year’s cut-off scores:
    • Year: Score
    • 2018: 642
    • 2019: 637

 

Personal Statements and Work Experience:

Note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, dental work experience may be difficult to find. So, they are loosening their criteria for work experience.

  • Previously, students must undertake a minimum of 10 days of relevant work experience to demonstrate their commitment to dentistry and their skills.
  • Newcastle University recommends volunteering or undertaking dental work experience.
  • They must demonstrate their:
    • Motivation to study and work in the dentistry profession;
    • Teamwork and leadership skills;
    • Personal achievements; and
    • Voluntary and mentoring activities.
  • Students’ Personal Statements are used to determine whether or not a student is successful for an interview. 

 

Application process:

  • Students are required to achieve the minimum academic standards covered above
  • Students also need to sit the UCAT exam, score a high mark and evidence their work experience in their Personal Statements
  • Students must pass the interview

 

Interview criteria and structure:

Note: Due to COVID-19, interviews will be held online, as opposed to face-to-face. It will be held between December and March, and the structure and criteria will remain the same.

Only students who achieve a high UCAT score and have a strong Personal Statement will be invited for an interview.

  • Criteria: The interview section assesses candidates’ aptitude, motivation and personal qualities that are necessary for the dentistry profession. Student’s are assessed on these 6 categories and graded:
    • Preparation and motivation for dentistry
    • Effective learning skills
    • Teamwork skills
    • Personal qualities and resilience
    • Interpersonal and communication skills
    • Empathy, integrity and professionalism
  • Structure:
    • The interview runs for 20 minutes and is assessed by 2 selectors.

 

Other options to entry:

  • Graduate: 2:1 degree with a significant amount of Biology and Chemistry studied in the course

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Clinical Placement Information

Newcastle University

 

Year 1 to 2

Students will focus on learning about clinical cases in theory, but they will frequently visit hospitals and general practices to complement this learning.

 

Years 3 to 5

Students will undergo clinical placements in the university’s clinical base units listed below. Students will be able to choose 2 four-week components and an eight-week elective at the end of Year 4.

 

NHS Trust partner hospitals

Northumbria base unit consists of:

  • North Tyneside General Hospital (Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Wansbeck General Hospital (Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Hexham General Hospital (Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Cumberland Infirmary (North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust)
    West Cumberland Hospital (North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust)

 

Tees base unit consists of:

  • James Cook University Hospital (South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
  • University Hospital of North Tees (North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Darlington Memorial Hospital (County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Friarage Hospital, Northallerton (South Tees NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Bishop Auckland Hospital (County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust)

 

Tyne base unit consists of:

  • Royal Victoria Infirmary (Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Freeman Hospital (Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust)

 

Wear base unit consists of:

  • Sunderland Royal Hospitals (Sunderland Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust)
  • University Hospital of North Durham
  • South Tyneside General Hospital (South Tyneside NHS Foundations Trust)

 

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