Queen's University Belfast: UCAT and Medical Course Entry Requirement

This article explains the requirements, clinical placement opportunities and rankings of Queen’s 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 Queen’s University, Belfast,

• Overview of Queen’s University, Belfast
• University rankings
• Queen’s University, Belfast courses requiring UCAT
  • Bachelor of Medicine
  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• Clinical placement information
• HSC Trust Partners

Overview of Queen’s University, Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast was opened in 1849 in Belfast, Ireland. Today, the have 2 subsidiary universities, St Mary’s and Stranmills and even a postgraduate school!

A range of accommodation is offered at Elms BT1, Elms BT9, Willow Walk, Guthrie House and many more! They offer 3/4 bedroom apartments, 2-bed Premiums, Studios, and 1 Bed Apartments and ensuite or shared bathrooms. Their accommodation are all a 5-15 minute walk from their campus.

Sport is a big part of the Queen’s schooling experience. They have state-of-the-art fitness facilities, including a spin studio, functional room, weights area, and cardio room. They also have swimming pools, halls racquets, and indoor climbing facilities for recreational, competitive and elite athletes.

Queen’s also has a boutique cinema on campus, an award-winning library, and is close to lively pubs and art venues that Queen’s students regularly hosts and performs. They also have over 200 societies and clubs, ranging from sports to arts and media to academic and political societies.

Rankings

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Queen’s University Belfast Medical Courses offered that require UCAT

Bachelor of Medicine

Academic requirements:

ATAR (NSW):

•  98.8

A-Level:

• AAA at A-Level and an A in 4th AS-Level subject; or
• A*AA at A-Level
• OR A*AA at A-Level and AS-Level Biology (Grade B)
• Note: Refer to the prerequisites below to see each requirement in detail

Irish Leaving Certificate:

• H1, H1, H1, H1, H2, H2

IB:

• Overall, 36 points (equivalent to AAA)

Scottish Highers:

• Advanced Highers:
  • AA and AAAAA at Highers
• Other candidates:
  • AAB at Advanced Highers, and AAAAB at Highers
  • AAA at Advanced Highers, and ABBBB – AAABB at Highers
• Note: Refer to prerequisites below to see full requirement details

Prerequisite: 

ATAR (NSW):

• Biology (grade A); and
• Chemistry (grade A); and
• GCSE or equivalent:
  • Mathematics,
  • English,
  • Physics (or equivalent)
• Note: Australian students are not scored in the same way as European students (outlined below)

OP (QLD):

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Note: Australian students are not scored in the same way as European students (outlined below)

A-Level:

• AAA at A-Level and 4th AS-Level subject:
  • A-Level Chemistry
  • A-Level Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics
  • Note: If Biology/Human Biology is not offered at A-Level, then both of the following options are acceptable:
    • Biology/Human Biology grade A as 4th AS-Level; or
    • Grade B as 5th AS Level
• A*AA at A-Level
  • Chemistry; and
  • Biology/Human Biology
• A*AA at A-Level and AS-Level Biology (Grade B)
  • A-Level:
    • Chemistry; and
    • Mathematics or Physics
  • AS-Level (Grade B):
    • Biology

Irish Leaving Certificate:

• Higher Level:
  • Biology (H1)
  • Chemistry + (H1)
  • Mathematics (Ordinary Level, grade O3 is also acceptable)
  • English (Ordinary Level, grade O3 is also acceptable)
  • Physics
• Note: If Physics is not offered as part of the Leaving Certificate, the student must have an A grade in Junior Certificate Science

IB:

• Higher Level (6,6,6):
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
• Higher Level or Standard Level
  • English Language (Level 4)

Scottish Highers:

• Scottish Advanced Higher:
  • Chemistry (Grade A); and
  • Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics (Grade A)
• If not taken as an Advanced Higher, the following is required:
  • Higher:
    • Biology/Human Biology (Grade B)
  • and Standard Grade, Intermediate 2 or National 5:
    • English;
    • Mathematics; and
    • Physics
• Note: Points are awarded for Scottish Highers to rank applicants in this manner:
  • AAABB (32 points awarded)
  • AAAAB (34 points awarded)
  • AAAAA (36 points awarded)

Entry Requirement:

Acceptance is based on students’ academic results and UCAT results. Work experience is also highly regarded and should be demonstrated in students’ Personal Statements and References.

GCSE or equivalent:

•  9 GCSE subjects required:
  • Mathematics (Grade C); and
  • Physics (Grade C) or Double Award Science (Grade CC) if not offered at AS-Level or A-Level; and
  • 1 Applied A-Level or Applied AS-Level is also counted
• Note: The best 9 GCSE Subjects are scored based on this scoring method
• GCSE points are combined with UCAT scores to determine an overall total point.
  • 2018 = 30
  • 2019 = 32
  • 2020 = 30
• Scoring system:
  • A*/9 = 4 points
  • A/7/8 = 3 points
  • B/6 = 2 points
  • C*/C = 1 point

UCAT:

Students’ are ranked based on the addition of their UCAT and academic results (Note: Situational Judgement Test is not considered in this process).

Points for UCAT scores are awarded in this manner:

Based on previous years, the total scores ranged from 38 (2014) to 30 (2018). In 2019, the threshold was 32, and in 2020, the threshold was 30.

Refer to GCSE above to see how points are awarded for academic results.

Work Experience, Personal Statements, and References:

Queen’s University Belfast looks for students who are motivated, interested and committed to the medical profession. This is often demonstrated through work experience in a health-care or medical setting, through volunteering, medical careers conferences, and work experience. Queen’s University also examines students’ participation in school life and the community and their interpersonal skills like communication, teamwork, empathy and leadership abilities.

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
• Students need to attend an interview and pass it

Interview Criteria and Structure:

Students who achieve a high total score of their academic and UCAT results will be invited for an interview at Queen’s University Belfast.

• Criteria: The interviews examine students’:
  • Empathy
  • Problem-solving
  • Moral reasoning
  • Communication skills.
• Structure:
  • The interview is divided into Multiple Mini Interviews.
  • Each station will examine a different key non-cognitive competency established above.

Other options to entry:

• Mature Non-Graduate Entry:
  • These are candidates who did not complete their higher education at the normal time. Queen’s University Belfast will consider each student’s academic background, work experience and UCAT scores individually to determine who will be invited for an interview
  • Note: If an offer is made, students must achieve normal A and AS-level requirements. Students also need to have background knowledge of the relevant GCSE, AS-Level and A-Level subjects.
• Graduates:
  • Upper Second Class Honours (2:1 or equivalent) in any degree
    • AND ABB at A-Level
    • OR A2, B2, B2, B2, B2, B2 at Higher Lever
    • OR ABBBB in Scottish Highers
  • First Class Honours or PhD:
    • Minimum BBB at A-Level or equivalent
  • Note: All applicants must have an appropriate Science background at GCSE and AS-level/A-level or equivalent.
    • A-Level:
      • Chemistry; and
      • Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics
      • Note: If not offered at A-Level, Biology/Human Biology must be completed at AS-level or equivalent
    • GCSE: If not offered at A-Level, or AS-Level then, the following must be offered at GCSE:
      • Mathematics (Grade C/4)
      • Either Physics (C/4) or Double Science Award (CC/44)

Degree:

• • Only 26 students outside of the European Union are accepted every year.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Academic requirements:

ATAR (NSW):

• 97.5

OP (QLD):

• 2

A-Level:

• AAA (Awarded 36 points)

Irish Leaving Certificate:

• H1, H1, H1, H1, H2, H2

IB:

• Overall, 36 points

Scottish Highers:

• AAABB – AAAAA
• Note: Advanced Higher is dependent on Higher:
  • AAB in Advanced and AAAAB in Highers
  • AAA in Advanced and AAABB in Highers

Prerequisite:

ATAR (NSW):

• Biology; and
• Chemistry
• Note: Australian students are not scored in the same way as European students (outlined below)

OP (QLD):

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Note: Australian students are not scored in the same way as European students (outlined below)

A-Level:

• A-Level:
  • Biology/Human Biology; and
  • Chemistry
• GCSE Mathematics (Min Grade C if not offered at AS or A-Level)

Irish Leaving Certificate:

• Higher Level:
  • Biology (H1)
  • Chemistry (H1)
• Ordinary Level (if not offered at Higher Level):
  • Mathematics (O3)
  • English (O3)

IB:

• Higher Level (6, 6, 6)
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
• And GCSE:
  • Mathematics (Grade C/4)

Scottish Highers:

• Scottish Higher:
  • Chemistry (A)
  • Biology (A)
• 3 Advanced Highers (If students did not achieve AAAAA in Highers)
• If not offered at Higher/Advanced, Standard Grade, Intermediate 2 or National 5:
  • English
  • Mathematics
• Note: Points are awarded for Scottish Highers in this manner:
  • AAABB (32 points awarded)
  • AAAAB (34 points awarded)
  • AAAAA (36 points awarded)

Entry Requirement:

Acceptance is based on students’ academic and UCAT results.

GCSE:

• If not offered at AS or A-Level:
  • Mathematics
  • English
• GCSE points are added with UCAT scores to determine an overall total point.
  • Note: Refer to prerequisites above to read about the scoring system
• The best 9 GCSE Subjects are scored based on this scoring method:
  • A*/9 = 4 points
  • A/7-8 = 3 points
• Here are the past points (sum of UCAT and GCSE ) threshold for students invited to an interview:
  • 2017 = 32+ point
  • 2018 = 30+ points
  • 2019 = 32+ points
  • 2020 = 32+ points

UCAT:

Students’ are ranked based on the addition of their UCAT and academic results (Note: Situational Judgement Test is not considered in this process).

Points for UCAT scores are awarded in this manner:

• Here are the past points (sum of UCAT and GCSE ) threshold for students invited to an interview:
  • 2017 = 32+ points
  • 2018 = 30+ points
  • 2019 = 32+ points
  • 2020 = 32+ points

Personal Statements, and References:

Queen’s University Belfast looks for students who are motivated, interested and committed to the dentistry profession. Work experience is not necessary. However, students must demonstrate their strong understanding of the requirements and role of a dentistry profession and how they found out about this.

Queen’s University also examines students’ interpersonal skills like communication, teamwork, empathy and leadership abilities through referees. 

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
• Students need to attend an interview and pass it

Interview Criteria and Structure:

Students who achieve a high total score of their academic and UCAT results will be invited for an interview at Queen’s University Belfast.

• Criteria: The interviews examine students’:
  • Resilience
  • Maturity and Responsibility
  • Empathy
  • Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ethical and moral values
  • Confidence
  • Self-awareness
  • Awareness of the reality of the dental profession
• Structure:
  • The interview is divided into Multiple Mini Interviews.
  • Each station will examine a different key non-cognitive competency established above.

Other options to entry:

• Mature Non-Graduate:
  • These are candidates who did not complete their higher education at the normal time. Queen’s University Belfast will consider each student’s academic background, work experience and UCAT scores individually to determine who will be invited for an interview
  • Note: If an offer is made, students must achieve normal A-level requirements. Students also need to have background knowledge of the relevant GCSE, AS-Level and A-Level subjects.
•   Graduates:
  • Upper Second Class Honours (2:1 or equivalent) in any degree; and
    • BBB at A-Level; or
    • B2, B2, B2, B2, B2, B2 at Higher Lever; or
    • BBBBB in Scottish Highers
    • A relevant science background is also necessary:
      • Chemistry and Biology at A-Level (Min grade C or equivalent)
  • First Class Honours or PhD:
    • Minimum BBC at A-Level or equivalent

Degree:

• There are only 15 places for Non-EU students every year
• According to the Dentists Act 1984, students must be over 21 when they graduate from Dental school

Clinical placement information

Bachelor of Medicine

Students will have various clinical placements in all the years of their medical degree. In Year 1, the clinical programme is known as the Family Attachment Scheme in which students observe a family with a health condition based on their proceedings with the family general practitioners. In Years 3 to 5, students will undergo clinical placements at hospitals and have the chance to explore specialities of their choosing.

HSC Trust Partners

• Southern Health and Social Care Trust
• Western Health and Social Care Trust
• Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
• Northern Health and Social Care Trust