Medicine 2026 entry - part 1

[rockstuckhardplace]

Starting a new thread for parents of prospective medical students looking to start in 2026.

Ok let’s hope they are all dentists then!! 😅

Yes they did say the interim scores were up till 14/9. Thanks very much. I guess we just need to hold tight.

Hi, well the interim deciles were higher than I expected. DD would have been 9th last yr (2180 B2), but even with any downward adjustment for the final ones I doubt she'll be 9th now. It doesn't really matter for most of the ones she wants to apply for. Her aspirational, Newcastle, will always be a bit of an unknown risk but the deciles aren't helping her decide if she wants to risk it because we have no idea what their score cut off will be this year. Last year was 76/100, DD has 78/100 but it could be higher this year if a lot apply there. I've just advised her to apply anyway and see it as her risky option.

I was also surprised at 21K still to sit it!

@bluefineliner I hope we are also still fine with the 2240 B2!

I think she’d prefer to go down a graduate route than move to Scotland, but nothing is being discounted.

Just a reminder to everyone who is worried about their DC after seeing the interim UCAT results. I am a scientist and work in the pharmaceutical industry. So many of my colleagues are 'failed medics' who went on to do biomedical degrees and PhDs and now have intellectually challenging, well paid jobs with a good work life balance. None of them regret not becoming medics. Alternatively I also have several friends who did medicine as post graduates (including two who did it after completing their DPhils!).

thanks for that reassurance! I know things can change. It's just when they've put in so much effort and giving up summer time and other free time to try and jump through these hoops, it just seems a tad unfair. It does seem like when it comes down to it, where the vast majority of medic wannabes have all achieved A/Astars, work experience, and brilliant UCAT results, it feels a bit of a 'lucky draw' as to which 4 you put down, and how you perform on that day. At aged 17.

I agree with this, when my DD was applying last year it seemed like all the example personal statements showed 16/17 year olds who were superhuman. She found it really daunting as she just had normal stuff to talk about. Then at the interviews it seems cruel to see them all suited up to jump more hoops. It is a rough year for them all. My DD said last year that she wouldn't have it in her to do it again.

I hope your DD got to go to where she wanted or needed to go. It's so tough at this age. I'm not saying let the floodgates open and everyone should be able to do it - I agree with the need to have some sort of testing but to restrict it to the point where it really is quite unpredictable, it's rather mad. Our younger child is adamant she's not doing it (and she's more than capable of doing well).

And of course, even 10-15 years ago, we know of doctors and dentists who've got through via clearing and are thriving and 'god forbid' actually working as medics or scientists in labs!

where the vast majority of medic wannabes have all achieved A/Astars, work experience, and brilliant UCAT results

It can feel like all the other applicants got UCATs in the 9th decile; it is easy to forget that by definition the vast majority do not. Half of candidates get less than average results.

It's so important to remember that people reach their potential at different times and in different ways. The achievements of some of the young people on this thread are absolutely amazing, and you, as their parents, should be justifiably proud. But no one should think that doors are permanently closed to them based on exams and tests taken between the ages of 16-18.

I do think the US has it right having medicine and law as postgraduate options only.

She did thanks, busy with freshers and all excited about getting a stethoscope! Best of luck to your DC too

Do not panic ! I've got students into medicine with 6s at GCSE and UCAT in 6th decile. They are amazing doctors. It's all about being strategic.
They have to short list somehow as everyone who applies is amazing, there just aren't enough seats.

OK if you're rich. Not so good if you're not. And we do have the option of medicine as a post grad 🧑‍🎓

One thing the UK could do to improve the process would be to somehow create a universal scoring system where all med schools would look at all aspects: A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, wex, interview, etc. - and use the same scoring formula.

The amount of work spent (and the associated stress) trying to understand where to send your application is insane. Some schools are quite opaque about interview selection.

Also, interview performance is weighted too heavily, IMHO. I know that they need communication skills and generally all the skills that they test in interviews, and that the interview is important, but perhaps the interview score should be one of the factors weighing in the decision. It looks like so many schools use only interview performance to make offers once you get an interview invitation.

And, when scoring past academic performance, I believe the grades in sciences and maths should weigh more than the grades in other subjects (so instead of counting the number of 9s across the best 8 GCSEs, perhaps score higher those students who have those 9s particularly in triple/double science and maths, not just in any subject).

@inae most of that does happen anyway. Some do use UCAT/Academics after interviews, but most have to short list somehow as they've all got similar academics ! It's a job interview really, so they'll choose the ones they think will make the best colleagues. Science and maths (& eng lang) are the ones they must score well in.

They look for different things as teach in different ways. Yes, it's work having to research, but doing this helps them short list. As if you've not done your homework about their Uni then it's a big No.

Unfortunately for all over subscribed courses there will always be many disappointed students, who would be good enough to do it but not enough seats.

No university just uses interview - they all assess other criteria, the difference is whether they include those after interview or only in order to get an interview. The latter will have assessed your UCAT and academics and have decided they are good enough to do their degree. WEx tends to be assessed at interview.

Frustrating though the current system is, it does increase diversity of selection across medical schools. If there was just one method of scoring you would either be ‘good’ for all schools or not and then it would become a straightforward hierarchy of medical schools where people apply based on score.

@mumsneedwine Not sure I agree with "most of that happens anyway". There are so many oddities and differences... You know, as you have an entire spreadsheet that you update all the time (thanks for that! Honestly, it was a lifesaver for us). Birmingham includes Eng Lit in core subjects scored (why?), as an example. UCL doesn't look at GCSEs at all, once you're past the threshold. Manchester wants 7 GCSEs at 7+. Edinburgh specifically wants 7 in Eng Lang, and so on. Leeds doesn't even disclose what they want...

I find it hilarious that my DD would likely secure an interview at UCL or Cambridge as she has a high-ish UCAT, but she would have 0 chance of an interview at Birmingham or Liverpool, for example.

It took us months to figure out where she can apply, and we're still not sure of all the choices, even after she sat the UCAT. And I'm able to support her with her research and save her some time, but I'm sure there are plenty of parents who are unable to, as they are too busy or simply unable to understand this maze. And yes, students should do their own research, but really... at 16-17, they should be expected to strategize on an application? Not to mention those who didn't know in year 11 that they wanted medicine, and missed the chance to ensure the best 8th grade are all 9s, and didn't know wex was important... etc.

Sorry for the long rant. I feel like this is eating our lives at the moment. I can't wait for DD to submit her UCAS application; at least she will be able to focus on A levels and interview prep.

Birmingham includes Eng Lit in core subjects scored (why?), as an example.

Just read that bit to DH (P/T consultant Psychiatrist, having retired 2013, returned to work 2014). Whose first thought was the same as mine - because you require skills in reading, analysing and communicating to be a good doctor. He actually suggests that Drama would be a good choice as a GCSE option.

Sorry for the long rant. I feel like this is eating our lives at the moment. I can't wait for DD to submit her UCAS application; at least she will be able to focus on A levels and interview prep.

Applying for medicine is a marathon. As you complete each stage another one sits on the horizon. It is important to spend time enjoying life as well as it can become a bit consuming. My DC didn’t even think about their ‘fifth’ choice until after half term - that doesn’t need to be added until near the end of January.

They all include English Language, though, which already focuses on the practical application of English skills in real life, form and function, and how we use language to communicate effectively in real life. Lit is about understanding and interpreting artistic/literary works of writing, themes, context, and characters.

By the way, Birmingham is the only school that mandates that both English Lang and English Lit are scored, not just one of them.

I'm now truly ranting :-)

@inae no medical is better than another, so getting an interview at Oxford has no more merit than getting one at Liverpool. They are looking for different skills and personalities.

But it is a tough process. Hate to say it gets worse as you wait to hear about interviews and then offers, while all your friends will have all 5 of there's. But it will be worth it when they get an offer!

Of course. At this rate, we'll all have a full head of gray hair by August 2026. I'll also add the wine part to my username. 😀

@inae my DD is an ST1. Hence my username - I was you all in 2016 😂

And I’m already grey!! 😅