This article explains the requirements, clinical placement opportunities and rankings of the University of Aberdeen’s Medicine degree — 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 the University of Aberdeen
Overview of The University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen was established in 1495, making them Scotland’s 3rd oldest university and UK’s 5th oldest. Today, they have 12 schools and 5 campuses.
Specific schools are based on different campuses. However, most of the teaching occurs at King’s College and Foresterhill campuses.
Their School of Medicine, Medicinal Sciences and Nutrition are based on Foresterhill campus, with practical studies taken at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The University of Aberdeen also offers a range of student accommodations. Different Houses will have different features. For example, Wavell House offers 37 single study rooms with single beds and shared kitchens and shower facilities whereas, the Kings Hall offers 5-person flats with en-suite facilities.
They also have over 100 clubs and societies (including a sewing society, dance society and UNICEF society), sports facilities (like the Aquatic Centre and the Olympic standard Aberdeen Sports Village) and special collections and museums (including rare books from pre-1840s).
Rankings
Times Higher Ed Rank | QS rankings | Academic Ranking of World Universities |
178 | 207 | 201-300 |
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University of Aberdeen Medical Courses offered that require UCAT
Course Code | Length | Campus |
A100 | 5 Years Full Time | Foresterhill Campus |
Entry Requirements
Academic requirements:
ATAR (for Australia):
SQA (for Scotland):
- Five Highers: five full academic courses at AAAAB
- Note: When S5 minimum requirements are achieved, a Conditional offer is given where the student must achieve the set conditions for S6 subjects.
If S5 requirements are not met, then the student must achieve minimum grades for 3 appropriate subjects in S6.
GCE A Levels (for UK)
- AAA in 3 A-Levels taken together at first sitting over maximum of 2 years study
IB (International Baccalaureate for International students):
- At least 36 points overall (including core)
EB (European Baccalaureate for European students):
Prerequisites:
For SQA, National 5:
- English (Min Grade B)
- Maths (Min Grade B)
- Recommend Biology and Physics (Min grade B)
For SQA, Higher:
- Chemistry (Min Grade B)
- 2 subjects from Biology/Human Biology, Maths, Physics
- 2 further Highers in other subjects
For GCE A Levels:
- Chemistry
- 1 subject from Biology/Human Biology, Maths and Physics
- 1 further A-Level in another subject (Most are suitable. However, check the Medical Admissions Office if in doubt)
- Combination of Chemistry, Biology, and Non-Science is acceptable as an all-science combination
- General Studies and Global Perspectives and Research are not acceptable
For IB:
- 3 appropriate subjects at Higher Level (to achieve grade 6)
- Chemistry
- Maths, Biology or Physics
- Other subject
- AND 3 appropriate subjects at Standard Level (average of 6)
- Chemistry, plus a further science at HL and further science at SL
- ‘Analysis and approaches’ and ‘Applications and Interpretation’ pathways (SL or HL)
- Note: Maths Studies is not a Science
For EB:
- Chemistry (min 84%)
- 2 subjects from:
- Mathematics (4p)
- Advanced Maths (3p)
- Biology (4p)
Other Entry Requirements:
Acceptance is based on student’s academic results, UCAT results, and their Personal Statement.
UCAT:
Student’s UCAT scores are ranked for an offer. Although there is no minimum UCAT cut-off, candidates who scored a minimum of 2300-2500+ in the past few years were invited for an interview. In 2020, the lowest UCAT scores invited for an interview were:
- Home (Scotland): 2460
- Rest of UK: 2490
- International: 2420
In circumstances where two students scored similar results, the University will examine their Situational Judgement scores to decide.
Personal Statement:
A personal statement is usually completed with the UCAS form. It demonstrates your commitment to dentistry and hopes for your career. It informs the school about your work experience including your involvement in charity groups or volunteer work and how it shaped your decision to study dentistry. It is also a good chance to discuss any difficulties in undertaking research. The personal statement aims to show that you are an all rounder: you are able to manage time, work hard, and enjoy your free time.
Interview Criteria and structure:
800 students are usually invited for an interview. However, only 150-200 students are offered a place to study Medicine at the University of Aberdeen.
- Criteria: The interview assesses your application of existing knowledge, ability to reason and formulate an opinion, ability to discuss a situation and their motivation to study Medicine. They will examine your experience, including volunteer or work experience.
- Structure:
- General and personal statements (eg. Strengths and weaknesses)
- Motivation and insight into Medicine
- Role-play a doctor-patient scenario to achieve a solution
- General Science or Medicine questions
Application Process:
Students are required to
- Achieve the minimum academic standards covered above
- Sit the UCAT exam and score a high mark
- Achieve a high mark in their Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
- Write a Personal Statement to demonstrate their wide range of skills and attributes, and their commitment to the Medical field.
- Fill out a UCAS application form
Other options to entry:
- If a student is unsuccessful in their 1st try, they can always reapply in the next year. ABDN will consider information and outcomes from an earlier application. However, if a student is unsuccessful on 3 occasions, they will no longer accept further applications.
- Note: They do not accept transfers from other undergraduate courses into their Medicine Course
Course Code | Length | Campus |
A201 | 4 Years Full Time | Foresterhill Campus |
Entry Requirements
Academic Requirements:
Aberdeen only offers a graduate only program for Dentistry:
- Good Honours degree (First or Upper Second-Class, 2:1) in medicinal or health-related science degree (eg. anatomy, pharmacy, biomedical science) from a UK university
- OR first degree in Medicine
Other Entry Requirements:
Acceptance is based on student’s academic results (above), UCAT results, their Personal Statement, and their interview.
UCAT:
Student’s UCAT scores are used to ranked students for an invitation to an interview (60% academic, 40% UCAT results).
There is no minimum UCAT cut-off. Only the first 4 subtests are used to rank students. In 2016, the following are the lowest and highest UCAT score admitted to:
- Interview stage: 2240 – 3140
- Offers made: 2320 – 2850
In circumstances where two students scored similar results, the University will examine their Situational Judgement scores to decide.
Personal Statement:
A personal statement is usually completed with the UCAS form. It demonstrates your commitment to dentistry and hopes for your career. It informs the school about your work experience including your involvement in charity groups or volunteer work and how it shaped your decision to study dentistry. It is also a good chance to discuss any difficulties in undertaking research. The personal statement aims to show that you are an all rounder: you are able to manage time, work hard, and enjoy your free time.
Interview Criteria and structure:
- Criteria: The interview assesses your application of existing knowledge, ability to reason and formulate an opinion, ability to discuss a situation and their motivation to study Dentistry. They will examine your experience, including volunteer or work experience.
- Structure:
- General and personal statements (eg. Strengths and weaknesses)
- Motivation and insight into Dentistry
- Role-play
- General Science or Dentistry questions
Application Process:
Students are required to
- Achieve the minimum academic standards covered above
- Sit the UCAT exam and score a high mark
- Achieve a high mark in their Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
- Write a Personal Statement to demonstrate their wide range of skills and attributes, and their commitment to the Dentistry.
- Fill out a UCAS application form
Degree facts:
- Dental Surgery is only offered as a graduate course at the University of Aberdeen
- University of Aberdeen only accepts 20 dentistry students per year.
Clinical placement information
Year 1
In the first term, students will learn about the foundations of medicine, anatomy and clinical skills to prepare them for their clinical placement at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in term 2. Students will be introduced to a range of clinical case studies in the classroom, which will supplement their practical experience. The main purpose of these clinical placements is to ease students into the clinical environment with the support of senior charge nurses and their peers.
Year 2
Second year students will continue to learn about the major systems in the human body and enhance their clinical skills during their weekly placements in various medical wards over 9 weeks. Students will visit Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Department of Medicine for the Elderly, emergency department, theatre suite, laboratory services and attend several sessions with clinical nurse specialists, radiographers and physiotherapists.
Year 3
At this point, students will begin learning about various specialities including Medicine of Old Age, Anaesthetics, Clinical Genetics and Clinical Pharmacology. With practice and the guidance of clinicians, students should feel more confident in their ability to communicate and examine patients. Their clinical placements will consist of over 26 sessions in medical and surgical wards at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Department of Medicine for the Elderly, theatres, infection prevention and control, laboratories and surgical per-assessment clinics.
Year 4
Fourth year students will spend most of their time in clinical settings applying and delving deeper into the speciality knowledge they’ve accumulated over the duration of their medical degree. Students will undertake seven clinical placements in 6-week blocks, at least one of which will be undertaken in the rural city of Inverness.
Year 5
In this final year, students will experience what it’s like to professionally work in a clinical team. They will essentially undertake the role of an apprentice to a Foundation Doctor, so that they will be able to confidently assume that role after they graduate. Students will undertake three 8-week clinical blocks where they will be able to pick the specialities they’d like to explore (when possible). They will also have the chance to organise a project based of an elective medical topic and undertake a ‘Professional Practice Block’ which offers advice and strategies to deal with death and dying, ethics and the law, careers, stress in the workplace, time management and more.
NHS Trust Partners
Associate teaching hospitals
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
- Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital
- Royal Cornhill Hospital
- Department of Medicine for the Elderly
- Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin
- Raigmore Hospital, Inverness