Medicine MBBS BSc

Medicine is one of the most challenging and rewarding degrees you can study.

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 Makes a Strong Application

Medical schools look for more than just high grades. A strong application demonstrates:

• Academic excellence: Typically A*AA at A level (or equivalent).

• Admissions tests: Most universities require UCAT or BMAT results.

• Work experience: Volunteering or shadowing in healthcare settings is important for showing commitment and understanding of the profession.

• Personal statement: Evidence of empathy, communication skills, teamwork and resilience.

• Interview performance: Medical schools often use MMIs (Multiple Mini Interviews) or panel interviews to assess your motivation and suitability.

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.

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.

Wider Reading: Recommended Books for Aspiring Medical Students

Reading widely can demonstrate curiosity about medicine and strengthen your application. Four excellent starting points are:

“This is Going to Hurt” by Adam Kay

A funny yet honest account of life as a junior doctor in the NHS, highlighting both the challenges and rewards of the profession.

“Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande

A thoughtful exploration of ageing, end-of-life care and how medicine can balance extending life with maintaining quality of life.

“The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” by Oliver Sacks

Fascinating neurological case studies that showcase the human side of medical science.

“Do No Harm” by Henry Marsh

A memoir by a neurosurgeon that combines personal insight with stories of the ethical and emotional challenges of surgery.