This article explains the requirements, clinical placement opportunities and rankings of the University of Bristol’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 the University of Bristol,
Overview of The University of Bristol
The University of Bristol was initially established in 1876 as University College, Bristol until 1909 when it formally changed to a University.
The different schools are located in various buildings around the University Precinct, with each building in close proximity of one another.
The School of Medicine is located on Tyndall Street, close to the hospital and infirmary where students undergo clinical experience.
The University of Bristol also offers a range of accommodation options, spread out across the precinct. Each accommodation option has different features and pricing. There are 25 residences all within 3 miles / 4.8 km of the campus. For example, Churchill Hall offers 355 places and provides catered meals, with a range of room options starting at £185 per week.
The university has over 300 societies and clubs for students to choose from (including a DJ society and a hot-air balloon society), large study spaces and an extensive sports, exercise and health facilities.
Rankings
Times Higher Ed Rank | QS rankings | Academic Ranking of World Universities |
91 | 58 | 64 |
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.
University of Bristol Medical Courses offered that require UCAT
Course Code | Length | Campus |
A100 | 5 Years Full Time | Clifton Campus |
Entry requirements
Academic requirements:
ATAR (for NSW):
A-level Standard offer:
SQA (for UK):
- Advanced Higher: five full academic courses at AAAAB
IB (International Baccalaureate for International students):
- At least 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level
EB (European Baccalaureate for European students):
Prerequisites:
For A-level standard offer (AAA):
- Chemistry; AND
- Biology, Physics, or Mathematics; and
- Any other subject
For SQA, Advanced Higher:
- Chemistry (A); and
- Biology, Physics, or Mathematics (A)
For IB:
- Subjects at Higher Level
- Chemistry (6); AND
- Maths (either Analysis and Approaches, or Applications and Interpretation), Biology, or Physics (5)
For EB:
- Chemistry (min 8.5); AND
- 1 subjects (min 8.5) from:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Biology
Entry Requirement:
Acceptance is based on student’s academic results, UCAT results (excluding Situational Judgement) and their interview.
UCAT:
- Student’s UCAT scores are ranked for an interview offer. The UCAT threshold changes year-by-year. However, the cut-off marks for students invited to an interview for the 2020 entry is 2690, and the 2019 entry is 2730.
- In circumstances where two students scored similar results, the University will examine their Situational Judgement scores to decide.
Work Experience:
- Work experience is not required. However, the university encourages students to do a minimum of 2 weeks of work experience in a health-related environment, which they may be asked to reflect on in their interview.
- This can be done by volunteering at nursing homes, or hospices etc.
- Note: Due to COVID-19, the University will not penalise applicants who struggle to find work experience.
Personal Statement:
- Personal statements are not weighed in the selection process. However, it is used to determine between applicants with the same UCAT scores.
GCSE (or equivalent):
- All applicants must reach these profile requirements
- Advanced numeracy requirement (7 or A in Maths)
- Standard literacy requirement (4 or C in English)
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
- If selected, students will need to attend an interview between December and April.
- The university encourages students to do a minimum of 2 weeks of work experience in a health-related environment, which they may be asked to reflect on in their interview.
Interview Criteria and structure:
Applicants who achieve the academic requirement standards are ranked according to their UCAT scores. The top students are invited to an interview.
- Criteria: The interview assesses your insights into a range of topics related to a career in medicine, skills and attributes required for the field.
- Structure:
- The interview is structured as Multiple Mini Interviews.
- There are 7 stations with each station assessing a specific criterion.
- Each station is 6 minutes long and has two interviewers.
Other options to entry:
- If a student is unsuccessful or doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, they can apply through the Gateway to Medicine program. The program is open to select schools and colleges in the UK only.
Course Code | Length | Campus |
A206 | 5 Years Full Time | Clifton Campus |
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements:
ATAR (for NSW):
A-level Standard offer:
SQA (for UK):
- Advanced Higher: AA
- Standard Higher: AAAAB
IB (International Baccalaureate for International students):
EB (European Baccalaureate for European students):
Prerequisite:
A-level Standard offer:
- Chemistry; and
- Biology, or Physics, or Mathematics
SQA:
- Advanced Higher (AA)
- Chemistry; and
- Biology or Physics or Mathematics
- Standard Higher: AAAAB
IB (International Baccalaureate for International students):
- Higher Level:
- Chemistry; and
- Biology, or Physics, or Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches, or Applications and Interpretation)
EB (European Baccalaureate):
- Chemistry (8.5); and
- Biology or Physics or Mathematics (8.5)
Other entry 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:
- Evidence of work experience and motivation to study dentistry
- Evidence of teamwork or non-academic achievements
- Evidence of contribution to society.
Work Experience:
- While work experience isn’t required, the University encourages applicants to have at least 2 weeks of work experience. This can include volunteering in a health environment or nurse hospices.
- Note: Due to COVID-19, the University will not penalise applicants who struggle to find work experience.
GCSE (or equivalent):
- All applicants must reach these profile requirements
- Advanced numeracy requirement (7 or A in Maths)
- Standard literacy requirement (4 or C in English)
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
- If selected, students will need to attend an interview between December and April.
- The university encourages students to do a minimum of 2 weeks of work experience in a health-related environment, which they may be asked to reflect on in their interview.
Interview criteria and structure:
Students are invited to an interview based upon the following requirements:
- Academic requirement: 30% (15% GCSE, 15% other academic requirements)
- Personal statement: 35%
- UCAT: 35%
- Structure: Interviews are structured as Multiple Mini Interviews.
- Criteria:
- Applicants will be required to show evidence of volunteering or work experience in the interview,
- The interview will focus on the skills and knowledge of the student in becoming a successful dentist.
Clinical placement information
Years 1 to 2
No clinical training is undertaken during the first two years, as these are spent preparing for the placements in the 3rd to 5th years of the degree.
Years 3 to 5
In the last three years of this degree, students will be rotated between the clinical academies mentioned below to prepare them for their career as a doctor.
NHS Trust partner hospitals
The Royal United Hospital Bath
- Provides acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services
Gloucestershire
- The largest Academy outside of Bristol with an Education Centre, library, and modern teaching and seminar rooms across its two sites in Gloucester and Cheltenham
North Bristol
- Based at Southmead Hospital
- The 800-bed hospital provides various services including Accident and Emergency
South Bristol
- This clinical academy consists of many hospitals including Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, Bristol Eye Hospital and St Michael’s Hospital
North Somerset
Somerset
Swindon