University of Nottingham: UCAT and Medical Course Entry Requirement (2021 Update)

Want to study Medicine at Nottingham but unsure of the entry requirements? Well, you came to the right place. This article will explain everything you need to know.

This article explains the requirements, clinical placement opportunities and rankings of the University of Nottingham’s Medicine 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 Nottingham,

 

Overview of the University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham‘s first civic college was opened in 1881. However, it wasn’t until 1948 that the University of Nottingham was given their Royal Charter. Today they have expanded their campus from the UK to China and Malaysia, with approximately 35 000 students.

The University of Nottingham’s Medical School is based in Queen’s Medical Centre, with some sites at the Royal Derby Hospital and Nottingham City Hospital.

A wide range of accommodation is also available. They have catered or self-catered halls of residence, ensuite or shared bathrooms, single or shared study areas, studios or flats, 2 bedrooms or 1 bedroom. The halls of residence include:

  • Albion house
  • Broadgate Park
  • Cloister House
  • Melton hall
  • Nottingham Two
  • Radford Mill
  • Raleigh Park
  • Riverside Point
  • Study Inn
  • St Peters Court

Nottingham also offers a large number of student-run societies, sports clubs, and volunteering activities. There are also frequent events held on and off-campus, like live music, pub quizzes, speed dating, comedy nights and club nights, and a student-run theatre!

 

Rankings

Times Higher Ed RankingQS RankingAcademic Ranking of World University
15899101-150

 

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 Nottingham Medical Courses offered that require UCAT

 

Bachelor of Medical Science, Bachelor of Medicine/ Surgery

Course CodeLengthCampus
A1005 Years Full TimeMultiple Locations

 

Academic requirements:

ATAR:

  • N/A

A-Levels:

  • AAA; and
  • GCSE

IB:

  • Overall, 36 (6,6,6 at Higher Level); and
  • GCSE

 

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

  • N/A

A-Levels (AAA):

  • Students must achieve an A Grade in:
    • Biology or Human Biology;
    • Chemistry; and
    • Third subject of your choice
    • Note: A Pass must be achieved in all practical tests for Science subjects
  • Note: General studies, Global Perspective, Citizenship Studies, and Critical Thinking are excluded.

IB:

  • Higher Level (6, 6, 6):
    • Biology
    • Chemistry

 

Entry Requirements:

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

GCSE (or equivalent):

  • Students must complete 6 GCSEs at Grade 7.
  • They can choose either:
    • Triple Science:
      • Biology (7/A);
      • Chemistry (7/A);
      • Physics or Maths (7/A); and
      • English Language (6/B);
    • OR Double Science/Combined Science:
      • Double Science – Biology and Chemistry (7,7);
      • Maths (B/6); and
      • English Language (B/6)
    • Note: A Pass in the practical elements of Science subjects is necessary
  • Scoring: The maximum achievable score is 32. GCSE results are scored in this manner:
    • A*/9 = 4 points
    • A/8 = 3 points
    • B/7 = 2 points
    • C/6 = 1 points
  • You will need to achieve 11 points or higher to enter the A100 (5 year) course. For applicants who achieve 6 points or higher, you can apply for A108 (6 year course) instead. We go the entry requirements A108 down below.

 

UCAT:

Students who meet the minimum academic requirement and GCSE requirement will then have their UCAT scores examined.

This stage is the final stage before you are invited to an interview. The points you earn based on your GCSE marks and your UCAT marks will be used to rank you against other candidates. The top candidates will then be selected for an interview.

Each UCAT cognitive components (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Decision Making) are scored in this way:

  • UCAT Score = Points
  • 801 – 900 = 12 points
  • 701 – 800 = 10 points
  • 601 – 700 = 8 points
  • 501 – 600 = 6 points
  • 401 – 500 = 2 points

Note: Verbal Reasoning is worth double the points. For example, if you achieve 605 in Abstract Reasoning, you will be awarded 8 points. However, if you achieve a 605 in Verbal Reasoning, you will be awarded 8 points x 2 = 16 points.

So, you can achieve a maximum of 60 points in the cognitive skills test.

The Situational Judgement Test is scored in this manner:

  • Band 1= 60 points
  • Band 2 = 45 points
  • Band 3 = 20 point
  • Band 4 = 0
  • Note: Students who achieve a Band 4 will be automatically rejected

The total amount of points you can achieve from your UCAT exam is 120.

 

Personal Statement and Work Experience:

Note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Nottingham is not expecting any work experience taken after March 2020. Your applications will not be negatively affected.

  • Your Personal Statements should demonstrate:
    • A strong understanding of the realities of working in a medical profession;
    • Your skills;
    • Attitude, motivation and commitment to the medical profession; and
    • Your strengths and weaknesses.
  • The University of Nottingham highly suggests that students undertake work experience in a health-care setting or volunteering to help the disadvantages to act as evidence of the above requirements.
  • They also suggest that students talk to doctors to ensure that they are making an informed decision.

 

Interview Criteria and structure:

In 2019, the University of Nottingham received approximately 2500 applicants who met the entry requirements. However, only 1000 students were interviewed and only 206 Home/EU and 25 International students were accepted into the course.

 

Note: Due to COVID-19, interviews will be held online using Microsoft Teams, as opposed to face-to-face.

The criteria for the interviews remained the same.

  • Criteria: Students will be assessed on personal qualities that are essential to practice medicine like:
    • Communication;
    • Empathy;
    • Teamwork skills;
    • Respect; and
    • Listening skills

However, the online interviews are structured differently.

  • Structure:
    • 2 interviewers on the panel
    • Each interview was approximately 30-40 minutes long
    • The interviews will include:
      • Questions on 4 scenarios, including 1 role play

Previously, face-to-face interviews were structured in this way:

  • Structure:
    • The interviews are divided into Multiple Mini Interviews, with 8 stations.
    • There will be 2 role-playing stations and 6 question-based stations involving scenarios.
    • The interview will run for approximately 1 hour.

 

Application Process:

  • Students are required to achieve the minimum academic standards covered above (including GCSE or equivalent)
  • Students also need to sit the UCAT exam and score a high mark
  • Students will need to write a Personal Statement to demonstrate their wide range of skills and attributes
  • Then, students must pass the interview stage

 

Other options to entry:

  • Mature non-graduates:
    • 2:1 degree* in any subject
    • AND AAA at A level (including biology and chemistry)

 

Degree Facts:

 

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (with a Foundation Year

Course CodeLengthCampus
A1086 Years Full TimeMultiple Locations

Academic requirements:

ATAR:

  • N/A

A-Levels:

  • BBC

IB:

  • 28 (5,5,5 at Higher Level); and
  • GCSE (or equivalent)

 

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

  • N/A

A-Levels:

  • Students must achieve a BBC in:
    • Biology/Human Biology (B);
    • Chemistry (B); and
    • Third subject (C)
  • Note: A pass must be achieved in the Practical component of the Science subjects.
  • Note: For 2021 students, due to the uncertainty of the pandemic restrictions, practical tests are not required.

IB:

  • 5, 5, 5 at Higher Lever:
    • Biology; and
    • Chemistry
  • And, Maths can be accepted at Standard Level or Higher Level

 

Entry Requirements:

Acceptance is based on students’ academic results (including GCSE) and UCAT scores.

Student’s GCSE and UCAT scores are given individual points, which are then added together to rank students for the interview.

GCSE:

  • Students must complete a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Level 6 (B) including:
    • Double Science, or Chemistry and Biology;
    • Maths;
    • English Language;
    • And best 2 other subjects
  • GCSE results are combined with UCAT results to determine possible interview candidates. GCSE results are scored in this manner:
    • Grade = Points
    • 9 = 4
    • 8 = 3
    • 7 = 2
    • 6 = 1
  • A maximum of 32 points can be awarded for GCSEs.
  • You will need to achieve a minimum of 6 points for the A108 (6 year course).

 

UCAT:

Students’ academic results and UCAT results are considered together based on Nottingham’s scoring system. This will determine candidates for the interview stage.

Each UCAT cognitive components (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Decision Making) are scored in this way:

  • UCAT Score = Points
  • 801 – 900 = 12 points
  • 701 – 800 = 10 points
  • 601 – 700 = 8 points
  • 501 – 600 = 6 points
  • 401 – 500 = 2 points

Note: Verbal Reasoning is worth double the points. For example, if you achieve 605 in Abstract Reasoning, you will be awarded 8 points. However, if you achieve a 605 in Verbal Reasoning, you will be awarded 8 points x 2 = 16 points.

So, you can achieve a maximum of 60 points in the cognitive skills test.

The Situational Judgement Test is scored in this manner:

  • Band 1= 60 points
  • Band 2 = 45 points
  • Band 3 = 20 point
  • Band 4 = 0
  • Note: Students who achieve a Band 4 will be automatically rejected

The total amount of points you can achieve from your UCAT exam is 120.

 

Personal Statement and Work Experience:

  • Your Personal Statements should demonstrate:
    • A strong understanding of the realities of working in a medial profession;
    • Your skills, attitude, motivation and commitment to the medical profession and your strengths and weaknesses.
  • The University of Nottingham highly suggests that students undertake work experience in a health-care setting or volunteering to help the disadvantages to act as evidence of the above requirements. They also suggest that students talk to doctors to ensure that they are making an informed decision.

 

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 will need to write a Personal Statement to demonstrate their wide range of skills and attributes

 

Interview Criteria and structure:

In 2019, the University of Nottingham received approximately 250 applicants who met the entry requirements. However, only 125 students were interviewed and only 27 students were accepted into the course.

Note: Due to COVID-19, interviews will be held online using Microsoft Teams, as opposed to face-to-face.

The criteria for the interviews remained the same.

  • Criteria: Students will be assessed on personal qualities that are essential to practice medicine like:
    • Communication;
    • Empathy;
    • Teamwork skills;
    • Respect; and
    • Listening skills

However, the online interviews are structured differently.

  • Structure:
    • 2 interviewers on the panel
    • Each interview was approximately 30-40 minutes long
    • The interviews will include:
      • Questions on 4 scenarios, including 1 role play

Previously, face-to-face interviews were structured in this way:

  • Structure:
    • The interviews are divided into Multiple Mini Interviews, with 8 stations.
    • There will be 2 role-playing stations and 6 question-based stations involving scenarios.
    • The interview will run for approximately 1 hour.

 

Degree Facts:

  • This degree is only offered to UK students or students who have an indefinite leave to remain in the UK
  • Students whose academic and UCAT results meet the A100 requirements will not be accepted into this (A108) course
  • Graduate students (or students studying at a Higher Education) will not be considered for this course

 

Clinical placement information

Bachelor of Medicine/ Surgery

Years 1 to 2

Students begin their clinical placements at hospitals and general practices from the very first year. They will learn about integrated medicine, clinical medicine, biomedical skills and systems of the body including the respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, reproductive and central nervous system. Usually students will have the choice to study optional modules that delve into specific topics in more detail, however, these modules did not run during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 academic years due to Covid-19. You can find updates for future academic years here.

 

Year 3

Students complete a supervised research project on a topic of their choice, and will also have the opportunities to assess patients in a general practice environment. They will also learn how to prescribe medicine in a classroom environment, before they actually have the chance to practise clinically in the next two years.

 

Years 4 to 5

These final years are referred to as the ‘Clinical Phase’ because students spend most of their time rotating through a series of 6-week placements at teaching hospitals and nearby primary care facilities. There’s also an opportunity to study overseas in Years 4 and 5, as students can also choose to do their student selected modules abroad.

 

Associate teaching hospitals

 

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