Medicine Degree Course Guide

It trains you to become a doctor, combining scientific learning with practical clinical experience. You’ll study the human body, diagnose illnesses, learn to treat patients and develop the communication skills and empathy needed for medical practice. If you're driven to help people, interested in science and ready for a demanding yet meaningful path, Medicine might be right for you.

What Is Medicine Like at University?

Studying Medicine is very different from most undergraduate courses. It’s longer, highly structured, and includes both academic and hands-on learning. Most medical degrees in the UK last five or six years and include a mix of classroom teaching, lab work, and clinical placements in hospitals and GP surgeries. Early years usually focus on basic sciences like anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and pathology. Later years involve rotations in different medical specialties where you’ll work with real patients under supervision.

Some universities follow a traditional model with science in the first years and clinical work later, while others take an integrated approach where you learn science and clinical skills side by side. Most courses also include training in communication, teamwork, ethics and medical law.

How Long Does It Take and What Are the Options?

In the UK, standard undergraduate Medicine degrees last five years. Some universities offer a six-year course with a foundation year for students who didn’t take the right A-levels. Graduate entry programmes are usually four years for students who already have a degree in a related subject. If you choose to intercalate — taking a year out to study a related subject in depth — your degree will take six years. After your degree, you’ll enter a two-year Foundation Programme as a junior doctor before progressing to specialty training.

How Will You Be Taught and Assessed?

Teaching methods vary but include lectures, lab work, tutorials, problem-based learning and clinical placements. You’ll learn through a mix of written exams, practical assessments (OSCEs), presentations, case reports and logbooks. You'll also reflect on your experiences and receive feedback from tutors and clinical supervisors.

What A Levels or Subjects Do You Need?

Most UK medical schools require:

Biology — essential at nearly all universities
Chemistry — also required or strongly preferred
Maths or Physics — helpful but not usually essential

Some schools accept students without both Biology and Chemistry, but most require at least one. Strong GCSEs are also important, particularly in English, Maths and Science. You’ll also need to sit an admissions test — usually the UCAT or BMAT, depending on the university. A strong personal statement, relevant work experience and interview performance are also part of the selection process.

What Skills Will You Develop?

Medicine gives you a wide range of academic, professional and personal skills. These include:

Scientific knowledge of the human body and disease
Clinical reasoning and decision-making
Practical medical procedures and patient care
Communication and teamwork
Professionalism and ethical judgement
Resilience, empathy and time management

You’ll learn how to work under pressure, handle uncertainty and take responsibility — all essential for life as a doctor.

What Can You Do With a Medicine Degree?

After graduation, you’ll become a Foundation Doctor and work through a two-year clinical training programme. After that, you choose a specialty. Career paths include:

General practice
Hospital medicine (e.g. cardiology, gastroenterology, respiratory medicine)
Surgery (e.g. orthopaedics, neurosurgery, plastic surgery)
Psychiatry
Paediatrics
Emergency medicine
Obstetrics and gynaecology
Pathology, radiology or anaesthetics
Public health or academic research

Some doctors also work in global health, medical education, health policy, or humanitarian medicine with organisations like Médecins Sans Frontières. Others branch into fields like medical journalism, biotech, health tech or medical law.

Studying Medicine Abroad

Many students also consider studying Medicine outside the UK. Entry requirements, course structure and recognition vary by country, so it's important to research thoroughly.

USA
In the US, Medicine is a graduate programme. You’ll need to complete a four-year pre-med undergraduate degree first, followed by four years of medical school. Entry is very competitive and requires the MCAT admissions test. After medical school, US graduates complete a residency (similar to UK specialty training). UK students must be prepared for a longer, more expensive route, but training and facilities are world class.

Canada
Like the US, Canada offers Medicine as a postgraduate degree. You’ll need a relevant undergraduate degree and to take the MCAT. Medical schools like the University of Toronto and McGill are highly regarded. Training is rigorous and research-focused. Admission for international students is very limited, and pathways back to the UK can be complex.

European Union
Several EU countries offer Medicine in English, particularly in Eastern Europe (e.g. Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania). These programmes often accept students directly from A levels and last six years. Tuition fees are typically lower than in the UK and EU qualifications can be recognised in the UK after passing registration exams. Make sure the course is listed by the General Medical Council (GMC) if you plan to practise in the UK later.

Australia
Australia offers both undergraduate and graduate-entry medical degrees. Schools like the University of Melbourne, Monash and UNSW have excellent reputations. Graduate programmes require a degree and GAMSAT scores. Clinical placements are strong and many graduates go into international practice. UK students may need to complete additional training to return to the NHS.

New Zealand
The University of Auckland and the University of Otago offer Medicine as a competitive six-year programme. International students often begin with a Health Sciences year and apply for Medicine based on performance. Courses are academically rigorous and lead to recognised qualifications, though returning to practise in the UK may require additional steps.

Is Medicine the Right Course for You?

Medicine is a demanding degree that requires academic strength, emotional resilience and long-term commitment. But for the right person, it’s one of the most meaningful and fulfilling careers. You’ll make a real difference to people’s lives, face constant learning opportunities and work in a field that’s always evolving. If you’re passionate about science and people, ready to work hard and eager to make an impact, studying Medicine could be the beginning of an incredible journey.