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

• Overview of the University of Plymouth
• University rankings
• University of Plymouth courses requiring UCAT
  • Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery
  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• Clinical placement information
• NHS Trust Partners

Overview of the University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth was founded in 1862 as the School of Navigation. Today, they are UK’s 15th largest university with 80 partnerships in over 30 countries.

They offer a range of accommodation, including university-managed halls, houses, flats, private studios, and private halls.

The halls on offer include:

• Francis Drake
• Gilwell
• Mary Newman
• Pilgrim
• Radnor
• Robbins

University of Plymouth ‘lifestyle match’ roommates to ensure that like-minded live together. Their accommodation is also within walking distance from the city shops, cafes, and bars.

Plymouth offers over 100 societies ranging from Disney to knitting to a gospel choir to cultural, religious and academic societies.

Rankings

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The University of Plymouth Medical Course offered that require UCAT

Bachelor Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery

Academic requirements:

ATAR:

• Students who are planning to apply with an ATAR must email Plymouth University directly

UCAS Tariff:

• A*AA – AAB

A-Level:

• A*AA – AAB (AAB is part of the Widening Access program)

IB:

• Overall, 36-38 points

Cambridge Pre-U Diploma:

• D3, D3, D3 – D3, D3, M2

Scottish Advanced Highers:

• AAA-AAB

Prerequisite:

ATAR:

• Biology
• Second Science from:
  • Chemistry
  • OR Physics
  • OR Maths

A-Level (A*AA-AAA):

• Biology (Grade A);
• Second Science from (Grade A):
  • Chemistry
  • OR Physics
  • OR Maths
  • OR Psychology
• And third A-Level subject from any area

IB:

• Higher Level 6 in:
  • Biology; and
  • Second science from:
    • Chemistry
    • OR Physics
    • OR Maths
    • OR Psychology

Cambridge Pre-U Diploma:

• Biology (D3); and
• Second science from (D3):
  • Chemistry
  • OR Physics
  • OR Maths
  • OR Psychology

Scottish Advanced Highers:

• Biology (Grade A); and
• Second Science from (Grade A):
  • Chemistry
  • OR Physics
  • OR Maths
  • OR Psychology
• Note: Scottish Highers are not accepted

Entry Requirements:

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

GCSE or equivalent: 

All applicants must complete their GCSE or equivalent:

• 7 GCSE passes at grades A-C/9-4, including:
  • English Language;
  • Mathematics; and
  • GCSE Double Award Science OR 2 single award science (Chemistry, Biology, and/or Physics)

UCAT:

Students’ academic and UCAT results are used alongside each other and ranked to determine possible interview candidates. However, students still need to meet the minimum overall UCAT score requirement that is set annually by the Admissions Advisory Panel. Here is the cut-off UCAT mark from the previous years:

• 2018: 2400
• 2019: 2330
• 2020: 2390
• 2021: 1400

Note: The University of Plymouth does not use students’ Situational Judgement scores in this process.

Personal Statements:

Personal statements aim to demonstrate students’ motivation and commitment to the medical profession. It should also demonstrate your understanding of the realities of the course and profession and your enthusiasm.

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
• Students also need to pass the interview

Interview Criteria and Structure:

Students who achieved a high UCAT score and academic results will be invited for an interview.

Note: Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, interviews are now held online on Zoom.

Although the structure has changed, the criteria for the interview remains the same:

• Criteria:
  • Students are assessed on their personal attributes that allow them to become doctors. This includes
    • Integrity;
    • Honesty;
    • Motivation;
    • Commitment to the medical profession;
    • Empathy;
    • Team-work;
    • Communication skills;
    • Problem-solving skills;
    • Reflectiveness;
    • Self-awareness; and
    • Leadership skills.

The new online interview structure will be as followed:

• The interview is structured into a Multiple Mini Interview
• There are 5 interview stations where candidate will rotate through
• The stations vary from role play, traditional interviews or a practical task.
• You will receive 5 minutes to answer each question (station), and 2 minutes to rotate
• The interview will take a total of 55 minutes, with 15 minutes at the start for registration.

The previous face-to-face interviews were structured in this way:

• Structure:
  • The interview is structured into Multiple Mini Interviews.
  • The interview will take approximately 50 minutes.
  • There will be 7 stations, each assessing different capabilities.
  • These stations are not testing students’ medical or scientific knowledge, but instead, aims to explore students’ attributes, way of thinking and perspectives.

Other options to entry:

• Non-direct school leavers (more than 5 years since achieving school-leavers qualifications):
  • The University of Plymouth uses the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) to offer Medical positions at the school. This is a 5.5 hour written test that assesses student’s reasonings in Humanities, Social Science, Biological Science, Physical Science, and Written Communication.
    The overall cut-off marks for each year changes, depending on the students’ marks.
    Note: Students who are invited to the interview rounds generally do well in across all sections.
    • 2016: 65
    • 2017: 63
    • 2018: 63
    • 2019: 63
    • 2020:63
    • 2021: 66
  • Successful applicants will also need to sit the interviews. Information about the interviews is covered above.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Academic requirements

ATAR:

• Students who are planning to apply with an ATAR must email University of Plymouth directly

A-Level:

• A*AA – AAB (Note: AAB is for Widening Access students)

IB:

• Overall, 36-38

Cambridge Pre-U Diploma:

• D3, D3, M1

Scottish Advanced Highers:

• AAA-AAB

Prerequisite:

ATAR:

• Biology; and
• Second Science from:
  • Chemistry
  • OR Physics
  • OR Maths

A-Level:

• Biology (Grade A); and
• Second Science from (Grade A):
  • Chemistry; or
  • Physics; or
  • Maths; or
  • Psychology

IB:

• Higher Level:
  • Biology (6); and
  • Second Science from:
    • Chemistry; or
    • Physics; or
    • Maths; or
    • Psychology

Cambridge Pre-U Diploma:

• Biology (D3); and
• Second Science from (D3):
  • Chemistry; or
  • Physics; or
  • Maths; or
  • Psychology

Scottish Advanced Highers:

• Biology (Grade A); and
• Second Science from (Grade A):
  • Chemistry; or
  • Physics; or
  • Maths; or
  • Psychology

Entry Requirements:

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

GCSE:

• 7 GCSE passes at grades A-C/9-4 including:
  • English language;
  • Mathematics; and
  • GCSE double award science OR 2 from single award (Chemistry, Biology, or Physics)

UCAT:

Students’ academic and UCAT results are used alongside each other and ranked to determine possible interview candidates. However, students still need to meet the minimum overall UCAT score requirement that is set annually by the Admissions Advisory Panel. Here is the cut-off UCAT mark from the previous years:

• 2018: 2230
• 2019: 2190
• 2020: 2280
• 2021: 2290

Note: The University of Plymouth does not use students’ Situational Judgement scores in this process.

Personal Statements:

Personal statements aim to demonstrate students’ motivation and commitment to the dentistry profession. It should also demonstrate your understanding of the realities of the course and profession and your enthusiasm.

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
• Students also need to pass the interview

Interview Criteria and Structure:

Students who achieved a high UCAT score and academic results will be invited for an interview.

Note: Due to COVID-19, interviews will be held online through Zoom, as opposed to face-to-face. The criteria for interview remain the same, however, the structure is changing.

• Criteria:
  • Students are assessed on their personal attributes that allow them to become dentists. This includes
    • Integrity;
    • Honesty;
    • Motivation and commitment to the dentistry profession;
    • Empathy;
    • Team-work;
    • Communication skills;
    • Problem-solving skills;
    • Reflectiveness;
    • Self-awareness; and
    • Leadership skills.

The new online interview structure will be as followed:

• Structure:
  • The interview is structured into a Multiple Mini Interview
  • There are 5 interview stations where candidate will rotate through
  • The stations vary from role play, traditional interviews or a practical task.
  • You will receive 5 minutes to answer each question (station), and 2 minutes to rotate
  • The interview will take a total of 55 minutes, with 15 minutes at the start for registration.
  • Note: Dentistry applicants will be sent information on one of the questions 48 hours before your interview. Check your email used on your UCAS application.

The previous face-to-face interviews were structured in this way:

• Structure:
  • The interview is structured into Multiple Mini Interviews.
  • There will be 7 stations, each assessing different capabilities.
  • These stations are not testing students’ medical or scientific knowledge, but instead, aims to explore students’ attributes, way of thinking and perspectives.
  • The interview will take approximately 50 minutes.

Other options to entry:

• Non-direct school leavers (more than 5 years since achieving school-leavers qualifications):
  • The University of Plymouth uses the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) to offer Medical positions at the school. This is a 5.5 hour written test that assesses student’s reasonings in Humanities, Social Science, Biological Science, Physical Science, and Written Communication.
    The overall cut-off marks for each year changes, depending on the students’ marks.
    Note: Students who are invited to the interview rounds generally do well across all sections.
    • 2016: 48
    • 2017: 54
    • 2018: 49
    • 2019: 56
    • 2020: 49
    • 2021: 56
  • Successful applicants will also need to sit the interviews. Information about the interviews is covered above.
• Graduates from University of Plymouth BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene (DTH):
  • Distinctions: Join Year 2 of BDS
  • Not distinction: Sit GAMSAT and join Year 1 of BDS

Clinical placement information

Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery

Year 1

While there is no clinical placement in the first year, student will examine many clinical case studies to prepare them for the coming years.

Year 2

After their first year of study, students will be allowed to go on a series of placements at a general practice where they learn to be part of a health team and see what long-term conditions look like in real life.

Years 3 to 4

Students will be placed in hospitals and general practices throughout these two years. The course places an emphasis on delivering patient-centred care.

Year 5

You will be placed at Derriford or Torbay hospital where you will be prepared and trained for your foundation year as a doctor.

NHS Trust Partners

• University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
• Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
• Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust