University of St Andrews: UCAT and Course Entry Information (2021 Update)

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

• Overview of the University of St Andrews
• University rankings
• University of St Andrews courses requiring UCAT
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) and Bachelor of Medicine or Surgery
  • Bachelor of Science (Hons) and Bachelor of Medicine or Surgery: Canadian Medical Programme
• Clinical placement information
• NHS Trust Partners

Overview of the University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews was founded in 1413, becoming Scotland’s 1st university and the 3rd oldest in the UK. Today, they have 9226 students and is Scotland’s most international university, receiving applications from 183 different countries.

The University holds many old traditions, one of them being the Curse of Patrick Hamilton. It is believed that any student who steps on the cobblestones with the PH initial engraved in it will fail their course, and the only way to cure the curse is to participate in the Annual May Dip. At sunrise on May Day, students run into the North Sea for a good dip in the water.

Accommodation is available for students here too. They have a range of living choices that students can choose from including catered or self-catered meals, shared or en-suite bathrooms and single or shared bedrooms.

St Andrews is home to over 180 student societies, ranging from artistic to musical to religious and cultural activities and over 50 sports clubs and 100 competitive sport teams.

Rankings

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University of St Andrews Medical Courses offered that require UCAT

Bachelor of Science (Hons) and Bachelor of Medicine or Surgery

Academic Requirements

ATAR (for NSW, NT, SA, Tas, Vic, WA):

• 96

Overall Position (OP for Qld):

• Position of 3 or lower

SQA (for Scotland):

• AAAAB in S5
  • Predicted to achieve at least BBB in Highers/Advanced Highers; or
  • Mix Highers and Advanced Highers in S6

A-Levels:

• AAA; and
• 5 Grade A (7) at GCSE (or equivalent)

Cambridge Pre-U:

• D3 in 3 subjects
• AND 5 Grade A (7) at GCSE (or equivalent)

IB (International Baccalaureate):

• 38 points
  • Higher Level: 6, 6, 6
  • AND Standard Level: 6, 6, 6
• AND 5 Grade A (7) at GCSE (or equivalent)

European Baccalaureate:

• Overall 85%; and
• Minimum 5 GCSE grades at A.

Prerequisites: 

ATAR:

• Year 12:
  • Chemistry; and
  • Biology, Physics or Mathematics
• If the above subjects are not offered in Year 12, then students must achieve High Achievement Grade in Year 10 for:
  • Biology
  • Maths
  • English
• Necessary to have a strong academic transcript for Year 10 and Year 11

OP:

• Year 12:
  • Chemistry; and
  • Biology Physics or Maths
• If above is not offered, then students must achieve Grade B in Year 10 for:
  • Biology (Grade B)
  • Maths (Grade B)
  • English (Grade B)

SQA:

• Highers:
  • Chemistry; and
  • Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics
• If the above subjects are not achieved in Highers (pass), then students must have a National 5 Grade B in:
  • Biology/Human Biology;
  • Mathematics; or
  • English

A-Levels:

• Minimum of 5 Grade As (7) at GCSE including:
  • Chemistry (A);
  • Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics
• NOTE: If the above subjects are not passed at AS or A-Level, students need:
  • Biology (GCSE B or 5)
  • Maths (GCSE B or 5)
  • English (GCSE B or 5)

Cambridge Pre-U

• Chemistry; and
• Biology, Mathematics or Physics
• Note: If not passed at Pre-U or A-Levels, the following musr be achieved in GCSE:
  • Biology (5);
  • Mathematics (5); and
  • English (5)

IB:

• Higher Level:
  • Chemistry; and
  • Biology, Mathematics or Physics
• If not passed at HL, Standard Level:
  • Biology;
  • Mathematics; and
  • English

EB:

• 8.5 in Chemistry; and
• 8.5 in Biology, Mathematics or Physics

Entry Requirements: 

Acceptance is based on student’s academic results, their UCAT results, Personal Statements, and references.

UCAT:

Students UCAT scores are ranked and the top 400 students will be selected. Based on the previous years, the lowest UCAT score that was accepted into the interview rounds was approximately 2400.

In circumstances where students achieved the same interview scores, their Global UCAT score is used to determine who gets an offer into St Andrew’s Medical School.

Note: The Situational Judgement Test will be incorporated with your interview score.

Personal Statement:

Student’s Personal Statements should:

• explain why they want to study Medicine
• Display skills and qualities that will make them a good doctor
• Demonstrate an understanding of working in a health-care setting that is gained either from general research or by talking to experienced medical professionals or students.

Work experience:

To be considered as a candidate for the interviews, students must provide proof of their work experience. St Andrews looks for students who gained work experience in a health-care setting, whether it is work experience volunteering. This can be done at a nursing home, GP, hospital or helping people who are ill or have disabilities. Students must demonstrate communication, listening and leadership skills, empathy, and a commitment to medicine and study.

Application Process: 

• Students are required to achieve the minimum academic standards covered above
• Students need to sit the UCAT exam, achieve a high mark and pass the interviews
• Students also need to write a Personal Statement to demonstrate their commitment, skills, abilities and work experience.

Interview Criteria and Structure: 

Approximately 400 students are invited to an interview each year. The Situational Judgement component of the UCAT exam is incorporated into the total score for the interview section.

• Criteria: Students are assessed on:
  • Their understanding of the Medicine profession and the reality of working in the health department;
  • Their communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Critical thinking;
  • Reflection; and
  • Ethics.
• Structure:
  • The interview component is divided into 6 mini-interview stations, each lasting approximately 6 minutes.
  • Each station will assess different skills, knowledge, and abilities.
  • Students may be asked to role-play, discuss ethical issues, and answer questions.

Other options to entry:

• For students living in the lowest 40% of the UK’s deprived areas, is a care experienced student or registered as a young carer, then they can be considered with the minimum entry of AAABB in S5
  • Predicted to achieve at least BB in Highers/Advanced Highers
  • OR mix Highers and Advanced Highers in S6

Degree facts:

• Students studying Medicine at the University of St Andrews will graduate after 3 years with a Bachelor of Science (Medicine) Honours degree. They will then move on to St Andrew’s partner medical schools to finish their final 3 years of training and graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine (or Surgery).
• The schools include:
  • Scotland route:
    • University of Aberdeen
    • University of Dundee
    • University of Edinburgh
    • University of Glasgow
  • England Route
    • University of Manchester
    • King’s College London

Bachelor of Science (Hons) and Bachelor of Medicine or Surgery: Canadian Medical Programme

Entry Requirements: 

Academic:

• Academic entry requirements and pre-requisites are the same as above

UCAT:

• UCAT entry requirements are the same as above

Non-Academic:

• Non-academic entry requirements are the same as above

Degree facts: 

• This course is only offered for Canadians or students with Canadian residency
• Students will study their first 3 years at St Andrews Medical School (Bachelor of Science Hons), before moving on to the University of Edinburgh to finish their last 3 years of training (Bachelor of Medicine or Surgery)
• Graduates of this course will then apply for residency placements in Canada for postgraduate training, not the UK’s NHS Foundation Training Programme.

Clinical placement information

Year 1

Students will have the opportunity to attend a community-based clinical placements to strengthen their practical understanding of the foundations of medicine.

Year 2

Students will continue to engage in a series of community attachments in primary health care settings.

Year 3

Students will attend hospital attachments to learn about secondary care in practice.

Years 4 to 6

The final three years of the medical programme is spent at one of St. Andrews University’s partner medical schools (i.e., University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, University of London). So, the clinical experience will depend on the latter medical school that the student attends.

NHS Trust Partners

• NHS Fife
• NHS Tayside
• NHS Highland
• NHS Dumfries and Galloway