University of Manchester: UCAT and Medical Course Entry Information (2021 Update)

Are you thinking about doing a Medicine or Dentistry degree at The University of Manchester? Are you still confused about your entry requirements? Well, this article explains everything you need to know about The University of Manchester's UCAT and course requirements!

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

Overview of the University of Manchester

The University of Manchester, in its present form, was created in 2004 as an amalgamation of Victoria University of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. However, it has historic origins dating back to 1824, making it England’s first civic university. The University has three campuses:

  • City campus
  • Fallowfield campus
  • Victoria Park campus

The faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health was formed in 2016 after the amalgamation. However, Medicine and Dentistry were taught before but under different schools.

The university has a range of 20 halls across the three campuses with varying facilities students can choose from. These include:

  • Meal options:
    • Catered Halls
    • Self-catered Halls
  • Accommodation facilities:
    • Ensuite rooms
    • Shared bathrooms

These facilities are shared across the various halls. Options of halls at the city campus include:

  • Denmark road: Ensuite, self-catered rooms whose price starts at £144 per week.
  • Whitworth Park: Shared bathroom facilities and self-catered rooms whose price starts at £108 per week.

Manchester offers students a vibrant student with over 400 societies (including knitting, scuba diving, and medical society), a University newspaper, Fuse FM radio station, and TV channel, Stellify (a university volunteering program), and The Academy (a music venue which has seen artists like Rita Ora perform).

The university also has a number of cultural venues on campus (including the Manchester Museum, The John Rylands Library, and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre).

Students interested in sport can join one of the 40 athletic clubs or utilise one of the facilities (swimming pools and a squash centre).

Rankings

Times Higher Ed RankQS rankingsAcademic Ranking of World Universities
512736

 

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The University of Manchester Medical Courses offered that require UCAT

 

Bachelor of Medicine

Course CodeLengthCampus
A1065 Years Full TimeMain campus

 

Academic Requirements: 

ATAR for Australia:

  • At least 98; and
  • Year 10 certificate

IB (International Baccalaureate for International students):

  • A minimum of 37 points overall including core points; and
  • Minimum GCSE grades

A-Levels:

  • Students must receive A-Level grades of AAA; and
  • Minimum GCSE grades

Scottish Qualifications:

  • 4 Highers at grades AAAA AND one of the following combinations:
    • Three Advanced Highers at AAA and one other rigorous academic subject or;
    • Two Advanced Highers at grade AA by the end of Secondary 6 and One A2-Level subject at Grade A; or
    • Two Advanced Highers at grade AA, and a new Higher at grade A.
  • And SCQF
  • Note: See below for pre-requisites.

 

Pre-requisites:

ATAR:

  • Minimum of 90% in:
    • Biology or Chemistry; and
    • Second science from:
      • Chemistry;
      • Biology;
      • Physics;
      • Mathematics; or
      • Psychology

IB:

  • At least 766 at Higher Level, including:
    • Chemistry or Biology;
    • One of:
      • Chemistry;
      • Biology;
      • Physics;
      • Psychology; or
      • Mathematics; and
    • One subject of choice
  • Note: If Maths and English Language is not offered in your IB, it must be offered at GCSE or IGCSE at a minimum of Grade B/6.

A-Levels:

  • Achieve Grade A in:
    • Chemistry or Biology/Human Biology; and
    • One of the following:
      • Biology/Human Biology;
      • Physics;
      • Psychology; or
      • Mathematics/Further Mathematics
  • The practical element of the science subjects must be passed
  • NOTE: Critical Thinking, Citizenship, EPQ, Key Skills, and General Studies will not be part of the AAA requirement.

Scottish Qualifications:

  • Must attain one of the following combinations:
    • Three Advanced Highers at AAA, including:
      • Chemistry or Biology;
      • One of:
        • Chemistry;
        • Mathematics;
        • Biology;
        • Psychology; or
        • Physics;
      • One other rigorous academic subject
    • Two Advanced Highers, plus one A2-Level subject at grade A (subjects as above); or
    • Two Advanced Highers, plus one new Higher at grade A, to include:
      • Chemistry or Biology at Advanced Higher;
      • One other science at Advanced Higher;
      • One subject at Higher Level.
  • Note: If English Language and any Science subjects (Maths, Chemistry, or Biology) that is not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must be achieved at SCQF Level 5.

 

Other entry Requirements: 

Students are also required to complete the following to be considered a spot in the University of Manchester:

GCSE or equivalent:

  • Students must achieve at least 7 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade A(7) or A*(8+)
  • Minimum grade B/6 must be attained in:
    • English Language;
    • Mathematics; and
    • At least two science subjects
  • Note: The Scottish equivalent is the SCQF, and the Australian equivalent is your Year 10 Certificate (Australia only requires a B grade for English and Maths – excludes two Science subjects).

 

UCAT:

The University of Manchester reviews applicant’s UCAT scores in 2 ways:

  • 1. UCAT threshold
    • Applicants who meet the UCAT threshold will be invited for an interview (Note: The threshold changes every year, depending on applicant’s marks)
    • These are normally the top third of national results.
    • Approximately 900-100 applicants will be invited through this route.

or;

  • 2. Holistic assessment:
    • UCAT scores that do not meet the threshold will be assessed through a holistic assessment which includes:
      • Academic grades
      • Additional qualifications; and
      • Non-academic information form
    • 500-600 applicants will be invited through this route for an interview.

Note: Applicants who achieve Band 4 in the Situational Judgement Test will be automatically rejected. The University will prioritise applicants with a Band 1 or 2 in the SJT for both the UCAT and holistic methods.

 

Personal Statement:

  • At Manchester, the personal statement is not read in many cases, rather a Non-Academic Information Form is used.
  • Regardless, students should complete the personal statement in case it is needed.
  • The personal statement should address:
    • Reason for choosing medicine;
    • Work experience in a caring role;
    • Knowledge of the health care system in the UK;
    • Interests and hobbies;
    • Teamwork skills;
    • Communication skills;
    • Determination;
    • Conscientiousness;
    • Intellectual potential.

 

Non-Academic Information Form:

Note: Due to COVID-19, the University recognises that some face-to-face work experience have been cancelled. This won’t affect your application as the University has changed their requirements for 2022 entry. You should state and work experience or extra-curricular activities that was intended to be completed after the UCAS deadline. The university is also giving you a chance to complete work experience outside of a 2-year framework (however, this is not required)

  • Students are required to complete this form as part of their application and submit it directly to the University.
  • The form is an expanded version of a personal statement.
  • It should include information about:
    • Experience in a caring role: what you did, length of time spent in the role, how you got involved, and what you learned from it.
    • Hobbies and interests: what they are, what they entail, length of time spent on them, and any outside recognition for the holidays.
    • Teamwork skills
    • The motivation for studying medicine

 

Interview Criteria and structure:

Note: Due to COVID-19, the interview will be held online, as opposed to face-to-face. Interviews will be held between December – February.

The criteria still remains the same for the interviews:

  • Criteria: The interview assesses:
    • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively;
    • Motivation to be a doctor;
    • Previous caring experience;
    • Matters of a medical interest;
    • Ethical and other issues.

However, the new online interview procedure is different:

  • Structure:
    • There will be approximately 4-5 stations for the Multiple Mini Interviews
    • Each station is approximately 7 minutes long, with a 2 minute gap in between each station

Previously, the face-to-face interviews were structured as:

  • Structure:
    • The interview was structured as Multiple Mini Interviews.
    • There were 7 stations with each station being 7 minutes long.
    • There was a 2-minute break between each station.

 

Application Process:

  • All applications must be submitted through UCAS before the deadline date.
  • Students will need to do the following:
    • Meet minimum academic requirements (including GCSEs and A-Levels/alternatives)
    • Complete a Non-Academic Information Form
    • Submit a Personal Statement to UCAS
    • Sit the UCAT in the year of applying
    • Attend and interview if selected.

 

More Information about the program:

  • There are 397 places available. Approximately, 3200 students apply for this program.
  • Students who do not have the appropriate science qualifications can apply through the Medicine including Foundation Year program which is 6 years in length.
  • There are 28 places for international students.

 

Bachelor of Dentistry

Course CodeLengthCampus
A2065 Years Full TimeMain campus

 

Academic Requirements: 

ATAR:

  • An ATAR of at least 98; and
  • Year 10 certificate

IB (International Baccalaureate for International students):

  • A minimum of 37 points overall, including core points;
  • At least 766 at Higher Level; and
  • GCSE minimum.

A-Levels:

  • AAA grades; and
  • GCSE minimum
  • NOTE: A-levels must be completed over a period of two years.

Scottish Qualifications:

  • Highers:
    • 4 Highers at grades AAAA by the end of Secondary 5, achieved in the first sitting.
  • Advanced Highers: Any of the following combinations:
    • 3 Advanced Highers at AAA; or
    • 2 Advanced Highers at grades AA, and one A-2 Level subject at Grade A; or
    • 2 Advanced Highers at Grades AA, and one new Higher at Grade A.
  • NOTE: Both Highers and Advanced Highers qualifications must be met.

 

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

  • Minimum 90% in:
    • Biology; and
    • Chemistry

IB:

  • 766 Higher Level to include
    • Chemistry;
    • Biology; and
    • One further subject
  • Note: If Maths and English Language is not offered, then it must be offered at GCSE or IGCSE at Grade B/6.

A-Levels:

  • A-levels in:
    • Chemistry; and
    • Biology/Human Biology
  • Note: Similar subjects cannot be offered together, eg. Biology and Human Biology, and Maths and Further Maths

Scottish Qualifications:

  • Any of the following combinations are acceptable:
    • Three Advanced Highers at AAA, including:
      • Chemistry;
      • Biology; and
      • One other subject
    • Two Advanced Highers at AA plus one A2-level subject at grade A (same subjects as above)
    • Two Advanced Highers, plus one new Higher at grade A:
      • Chemistry and Biology must be completed at Advanced Higher

 

Other entry requirements:

GCSE or international equivalent:

  • At least 7 GCSEs at grade A*/8+ or A/7
  • A minimum Grade B(6) is required in:
    • English Language;
    • Mathematics; and
    • At least two science subjects
  • Note: For Australian applicants, your Year 10 Certificate is the GCSE equivalent. However, you only need to achieve a minimum B Grade for English and Mathematics. The 2 Science subjects is unnecessary.
  • Note: The GCSE equivalent for Scottish Qualifications is the SCQF

 

UCAT:

  • Dentistry applications are assessed holistically – The University will use all available information to make a decision. This includes:
    • Academic Results
    • UCAT results
    • Non-academic forms
  • However, applicants with a Band 4 in the Situational Judgement Test component will be automatically rejected.
  • Applicants are also expected to achieve a Band 1 or 2 in the Situational Judgement Test component. However, the University will still consider Band 3 applicants.
  • No overall threshold score is outlined by the University.

 

Personal Statement:

  • The University will usually not read the Personal Statement unless there is a unique circumstance.
  • Thus, it is suggested that everyone completes the statement in case it is required.
  • The personal statement should address:
    • Reason for choosing Dentistry;
    • Amount of work in a general dental practice;
    • Interests and hobbies;
    • Teamwork and team leadership skills;
    • Your manual dexterity;
    • Communication skills;
    • Determination and commitment;
    • Conscientiousness;
    • Intellectual potential.

 

Non-Academic Information Form:

Note: Due to COVID-19, the University recognises that some face-to-face work experience have been cancelled. This won’t affect your application as the University has changed their requirements for 2022 entry. You should state and work experience or extra-curricular activities that was intended to be completed after the UCAS deadline. The university is also giving you a chance to complete work experience in late 2021/early 2022 (however, this is not required)

  • The form is an extension and expansion of the things you have spoken about in your personal statement.
  • It should include information about:
    • Work experience: How you got involved, time spent on it, what qualities you had to demonstrate, and what you gained.
    • Hobbies and interests: Why you pursue these hobbies, how much time is devoted to them, and any outside recognition.
    • Teamwork skills: How you worked in a team both as a leader and a team-player.
    • The motivation for studying dentistry: Personal experience which influenced you to pursue this career.

 

Interview Criteria and structure:

Note: Due to COVID-19, the interview will be held online, as opposed to face-to-face. Interviews will be held between January – February.

The criteria still remains the same for the interviews:

  • Criteria: The interview assesses:
    • Communication skills;
    • Why you want to be a dentist;
    • Work experience;
    • Ethical and other issues.

However, the new online interview procedure is different:

  • Structure:
    • There will be approximately 4-5 stations for the Multiple Mini Interviews
    • Each station is approximately 7 minutes long, with a 2 minute gap in between each station

The previous face-to-face interview structure is as follows:

  • Structure:
    • The interview will be structured as a Multiple Mini Interview.
    • There will be seven stations and each will be 7 minutes long.
    • There will be a 2-minute gap between each station.

 

Application Process:

  • All applications must be submitted through UCAS before the deadline date.
  • Students will need to do the following:
    • Meet minimum academic requirements (including GCSEs and A-Levels/alternatives);
    • Complete a Non-Academic Information Form;
    • Submit a Personal Statement to UCAS;
    • Sit the UCAT in the year of applying; and
    • Attend and interview if selected.

 

More Information about the program:

  • There are 68 places available for home and EU students, with over 1000 applicants per year.
  • There are 3 places for international students.
  • Students who do not come from a science background can apply through the pre-dental entry program which is 6 years in length.

 

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Clinical placement information

University of Manchester

 

Years 1 and 2

Clinical practice starts from Year 1 with GP and hospital placements.

 

Year 3

About 60% of the third-year course is spent in clinical practice with a focus on general medicine and surgery.

Year 4

Fourth-year medical students will have the opportunity to learn about various specialities in-depth, as they attend 8 clinical rotations in 4-week blocks.

 

Year 5

The fifth-year of this medical degree aims to prepare you for your work as a doctor, particularly the duties you will undertake in as a Foundation Year doctor. The clinical experience is structured like a “clinical apprenticeship” where students will be supported and supervised throughout.

 

NHS Trust partner hospitals

In Years 3-5, students will attend clinical placement at one of these four base teaching units.

 

Manchester University (Oxford Road campus)

  • Consists of Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, and Saint Mary’s Hospital for Women and Neonates

 

Manchester University (Wythenshawe)

  • Acute teaching hospital that provides district general hospital services and specialist tertiary services

 

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals

  • Provide neurology placements for 3rd year students
  • 5th year students

 

Salford Royal Hospital

  • Major trauma centre and high-risk emergency general surgery services
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