University of Sheffield: UCAT and Medical Course Entry Requirements (2021 Update)

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

• Overview of The University of Sheffield
• University rankings
• University of Sheffield courses requiring UCAT
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (Graduate Entry)
  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• Clinical placement information
• NHS Trust Partners
• Associate teaching hospitals

Overview of the University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is the result of the merging 3 institutions in 1897: Sheffield School of Medicine (1828), Firth College (1879)  and the Sheffield Technical School (1884). In 1904, the University asked for penny donations from the public and managed to raise over £50,000 (£15 million today) to become the University it is known today. They were granted their Royal Charter in 1905.

A range of accommodation is offered at the University of Sheffield, including en-suites, standard rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens, deluxe rooms with larger beds and en-suite bathrooms, studios with a private kitchen and living area and even houses and apartments. Students also have a choice between living in the University courts and apartments in the city or in the Randmoor and Endcliffe resident housings.

The University of Sheffield also offers over 370 societies and clubs, ranging from creative activities to sports, to politics and even cultural and national interests. They also have a state-of-the-art fitness centre with a gym, fitness classes and swimming pool.

Rankings

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University of Sheffield Medical Courses offered that require UCAT

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery

Academic requirements:

ATAR:

• N/A

A-Levels:

• AAA; or
• AAB & minimum A Grade in Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ)

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• 36 points overall

Scottish Qualifications:

• Scottish Highers AAAAB; and
• Advanced Highers grade AA

Cambridge Pre-U Certificate:

• D3, D3, D3

Graduates:

• 2:1 (Upper Second Class) Bachelors degree in any subject
• AND BBB grades at A-Level

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

• N/A

A-Levels:

• A-Level (AAA):
  • Chemistry or Biology; and
  • One science from:
    • Maths;
    • Physics;
    • Biology/Human Biology; or
    • Physics

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• Higher Level (666)
  • Chemistry or Biology; and
  • Another Science subject
• And, no less than 4 in each standard subject

Scottish Highers:

• Advanced Highers (AA):
  • Chemistry or Biology; and
  • Another Science subject

Cambridge Pre-U Certificate:

• Grades D3 in:
  • Chemistry or Biology; and
  • Another Science subject

Graduates:

•  A-Level:
  • Chemistry or Biology (B grade)

Entry Requirements:

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

GCSE:

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 7(A) subjects
• Passes at Grade 6 (B) or above in:
  • Mathematics;
  • English Language; and
  • At least 1 science subject (dual awards accepted)
• Grade 7/A in:
  • Mathematics; and/or
  • English; and/or
  • Science subject
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Environmental Science
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Sciences (dual awards)

UCAT:

Students who achieve lower than 2420/3600 are automatically rejected from attending an interview.

These were the UCAT cut-off marks for UK residents from the previous years:

• 2020: 2660/3600
• 2021: 2740/3600

The following are the overseas UCAT cut-off points:

• 2020: 2700/3600
• 2021: 2760/3600

Students who scored higher than 2420/3600 AND achieved the minimum academic requirements are then ranked based on their overall UCAT score (excluding Situational Judgement).

1300 students from this category are invited to the Multiple Mini Interview.

Note: Student’s Situational Judgement scores are used in the Multiple Mini Interview section.

Personal Statements and Work Experience:

Personal Statements are not scored. However, it is still important to demonstrate your understanding of a medical professional’s role and your skills. Students should obtain work experience in a health-care setting, whether it is through volunteering, work, or work experience. Here, students must have a hands-on role as opposed to simply observing what is happening. Student’s understanding of medical duties and skills gained through this work experience is examined during the Multiple Mini Interview section.

Application Process:

• Students are required to meet the minimum academic standards covered above
• Students also need to sit the UCAT exam and score a High mark
• A high mark is to be achieved in the interview section
• Students also need to write a Personal Statement

Interview Criteria and Structure:

The University of Sheffield invited approximately 1100-1300 Home and International students to attend their Multiple Mini Interviews.

• Criteria: Students must be able to demonstrate their:
  • Communication skills;
  • Interests and achievements in specific medical fields;
  • Knowledge and motivation to study Medicine at Sheffield;
  • Knowledge gained during their work experience;
  • Values
• Structure:
  • The Multiple Mini Interview section is divided into 8 rotary stations that last for approximately 8 minutes each.
  • Students can achieve a total of 45 scores; each station is given a score out of 5 and students’ Situational Judgement score is also given a score out of 5 based on their quartile.

Note: If COVID-19 restrictions are in place, then the Medical School may revert to online interviews.

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (Graduate Entry)

Graduates:

• 2:1 (Upper Second Class) Bachelors degree in an appropriate life sciences subject
  • Including, but not limited to:
    • BMedSci
    • BSc Anatomy and Physiology
    • BSC Biomedical Science
    • BSc Clinical Science
    • BSc Healthcare Science
    • BSc Human Physiology
    • BSc Medical Science
    • BSc Pharmacology
    • BDS (Dentistry)
    • MPharm
  • Note: The following courses are NOT considered life-sciences degrees:
    • BSc Biology
    • BSc Botany
    • BSc Chemistry
    • BSc Marine Biology
    • BSc Orthoptics
• AND one of the academic requirements below

Academic requirements:

ATAR:

• N/A

A-Levels:

• BBB

GCSE:

• N/A

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• 32 Overall points

Scottish Highers:

• Advanced Highers: BB

Cambridge Pre-U Certificate:

• M2, M2, M2

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

• N/A

A-Levels:

• Chemistry or Biology (B Grade); and
• Mathematics

GCSE:

• N/A

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• Higher Level subjects (5s):
  • Chemistry or Biology
• Note: No less than 4 in each Standard Level subject

Scottish Highers (BB):

• Chemistry or Biology

Cambridge Pre-U Certificate (M2, M2, M2):

• Chemistry or Biology (M2)

Entry Requirements:

Acceptance is based on students’ academic results, UCAT results and the widening participation criteria.

UCAT:

• Students must meet the academic requirements, the widening participation criteria AND achieve a minimum of 2420/3600 to be considered for an interview.
• The University of Sheffield aims to invite approximately 50-100 students for an interview.
• However, if there are more possible candidates than interview spots, then students will be ranked based on their UCAT score to determine who will attend an interview.

Widening Participation Criteria:

Widening Participation Criteria determine students who are/were disadvantaged at the point where they completed their A-Levels (or equivalent qualifications).

These students must meet at least 2 of the requirements listed by the University of Sheffield. Some include:

• Lived in a deprived area
• Received free meals in Years 10-13
• Have parents who do not hold higher education qualifications

The University of Sheffield has an extensive list for the Widening Participation Criteria on their website.

Application Process:

• Students are required to achieve the minimum academic standards covered above
• Students also need to sit the UCAT exam and interviews and score a high mark
• Students who are disadvantaged also need to fill in their Widening Participation Criteria form
• And, students must pass the interview to be accepted

Interview Criteria and Structure:

The University of Sheffield invited approximately 50-100 students to attend their Multiple Mini Interviews.

• Criteria: Students must be able to demonstrate their:
  • Communication skills
  • Interests and achievements in specific medical fields;
  • Knowledge and motivation to study Medicine at Sheffield;
  • Knowledge gained during their work experience and their values.
• Structure:
  • The Multiple Mini Interview section is divided into 8 rotary stations that last for approximately 8 minutes each.
  • Students can achieve a total of 45 scores; each station is given a score out of 5 and students’ Situational Judgement score is also given a score out of 5 based on their quartile.

Degree facts: 

• This degree is only offered for Home students from Widening Participation backgrounds.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Academic Requirements:

ATAR:

• N/A

A-Levels:

• AAA; or
• AAB and B in relevant dentistry or health EPQ

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• Overall, 36

Scottish Qualification:

• Highers AAAAB and 1 Advanced Higher

Cambridge Pre-U Certificate:

• D3, D3, D3

BTEC:

• D*DD in Science

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

• N/A

A-Levels:

• Chemistry (Grade A); and
• Biology or Human Biology (Grade A)

International Baccalaureate (IB):

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

Scottish Qualifications:

•  AAAAB, including Biology + A in Chemistry (Advanced); or
• AAAAB, including Chemistry + A in Biology (Advanced)

Cambridge Pre-U Certificate:

• Chemistry
• Biology

BTEC:

• Science:
  • Chemistry (Distinction); and
  • Biology (Distinction)

Entry Requirements:

Acceptance is based on students’ academic results, UCAT results and Personal Statements

GCSE:

• 6 GCSE Grades at 7/A including:
  • Maths;
  • English Language; and
  • Science subjects

UCAT:

• Students must achieve a total score that is average or above to be considered for an interview.
• The University of Sheffield examines students’ cognitive components of the UCAT exam and their Situational Judgement Scores (students must fall into Band 1, 2 or 3).

Personal Statement:

Students must demonstrate that they are confident and motivated to study dentistry. Students need to have a strong understanding and knowledge about the dental profession and explain why they are interested in dentistry. Students should also be able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills gained through their work experience done in a health-care setting.

Application Process:

• Students are required to achieve the minimum academic standards covered above
• Students also need to sit the UCAT exam and interviews and score a high mark

Interview Criteria and Structure:

The University of Sheffield invites approximately 300-350 applications each year.

• Criteria: The interview section examines students’ career exploration, values, empathy, compassion personal qualities, communication skills and commitment to studying dental surgery at Sheffield.
• Structure: The interview section is divided into 2 stations that last for approximately 15 minutes each. Students are assessed in the areas covered in the criteria section above, and also the information you provide in your personal statements.

Degree facts: 

• Only 71 students are accepted into this BDS programme every year

Clinical placement information

Students will begin general practice placement in the first year and will begin hospital-based placement in the second year of the programme.

NHS Trust Partners

• Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
• Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
• Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Associate teaching hospitals

• Rotherham General Hospital
• Rotherham Community Health Centre
• Doncaster Royal Infirmary
• Bassetlaw Hospital
• Montagu Hospital
• Barnsley Hospital