Medicine 2026 entry - part 1

[rockstuckhardplace]

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

for any aspiring medics applying in this round that also play rugby - check out the instagram page for ubwrfc (women) or unibristolrfc (men’s) and see post today about help for interviews. Might be useful for some.

No knowledge of deferring but dd has just started at Glasgow so can help either any questions about there

Deciles are now on ucat www

Deciles are out!

High this year.

Thanks @MyGreyBiscuit DD ended up in the 8th decile (87th percentile). She was hoping for 9th decile based on mock results but.. c'est la vie. Exam conditions are always tougher than mock conditions. I'm very proud of her. It's a fabulous result which shows she's worked hard.

I'm wondering how will this affect Imperial, Oxbridge, UCL and ofc Bristol applications, does it make those with scores <2220 less likely to apply there?

No one knows unfortunately. Remember, lots of dentists too this year. 1 aspirational, 2 safeish and 1 as safe as can be.

thanks @mumsneedwine - have dentists previously not taken UCAT?

DS has miraculously come out at 91st percentile - I'm really chuffed for him. We are sticking to the 4 already chosen...!(I think!?!)

@inae - I wonder whether people will get put off and then not apply to those places! it's abit of a demand/supply situation we've got here now...I mean, it's always been a demand/supply but now with more and more information out there, people are having to game strategically (or not!??!)... it's just too much!

I don't really know. I mean, for DD, it is hard to change her selection now. Sheffield and Southampton will likely invite her to interview.

She absolutely wants to try UCL; it's her dream to go there. Last year, the cut-off was 2,800, and DD is well over that. If the increase in applicants means she has fewer interview chances, so be it.

The 8th decile lowered her Exeter points from 90 to 86 in her category (non-contextual, applying with predicted grades). It is riskier than before to get an interview, but with 3A*s, she should be fine.

I think the 3A stars for Exeter is key for interview. We know someone who got a firm offer on 2700 and lower A levels.

Thanks. Yes, we hope the 3A* + 8th decile will secure it. Exeter's weighting is 3:1 academic (A-levels):UCAT. I think I read somewhere that last year the points cut-off was 74, but don't quote me on it...

@MyGreyBiscuit dentists always done UCAT, just seem to be many more applying this year.

Am I right in thinking that candidates can learn their personal cenitle by logging in to their UCAT account?

You can type you result in on this page and it will tell you:

https://www.ucat.ac.uk/results/test-statistics/

I think the my ucat 2026 guide to strategic applications is out but I can't see it (yet)

@wobblyweewoman Follow them on Instagram and request it via private messaging.

So with 6 A stars 4 a at GCSE and a UCAT of 2250 band 2, we have decided on manchester, Newcastle, birmingham, Liverpool.
We are drawn to the high post interview stats of the first three and then Liverpool just because it's a great city!!
Any thoughts or suggestions at all?
Does any stand out for problems with accomodation or campus issues?

Please need some help- where do you find interview:offer ratio, likely cut offs, and how to apply strategically ?
My YP wants to get as many interviews as possible not sure how they’ll do there. Not fully decided yet, but prefers city uni.

Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Cambridge/UCL?

GCSE 12 9s, one 8 English Language
UCAT 2260, band 1
Astar, Astat, Astar -chemistry, biology, maths

UCAT is now in 9th decile, but may not be enough for Bristol/Cambridge/UCL.
Will it be best to look at others, preferable bigger cities? Please suggest

Very useful info here!

drive.google.com/file/d/1dC9jZ620gwivMPkmF9CV2Nl4kbm9aA6F/view

This is all super confusing! DD is in 6th decile (UCAT 1990 Band 2). Very strong GCSEs (all 8s and 9s) and predicted A star, A star, A
She hits at least 3 contextuals.
She seems to think that Sheffield (her first choice) is now out of reach. Other choices are Leeds, Newcastle and HYMS.
Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!

I think it may be best to test your selection against the scorings that purry posted and YP’s strengths and weaknesses.

Since there are so many variables and the selection process for each med school seem unique.

Maybe consider one stretch, two she will comfortably be in line for, and a safety in case exams go pear-shaped.

Interviews seem like the next hurdle to jump.

So I was looking at the myucat.co.uk strategic guide, and it seems that Newcastle's points cutoff was 50/100 last year, so DD would have chances? She dropped Newcastle from her list, fearing straight rejection with her 67 points. How does scoring post-interview work? 50% interview and the rest would be academic, but how is it calculated?

DD's stats are 3A*, the best 8 GCSEs are 99988866 (=67 points Newcastle), and UCAT 2180 band 1.

Thanks.

getting a bit stressed. 2 weeks before the deadline, someone drops a 'I'm a consultant and I don't think any of you would-be medics should apply to medical school because it's very hard/difficult - compared to all your all equally smart friends who'd do almost anything else and will come out happier, richer etc' (I'm paraphrasing but there's a post on the super big FB group that I think many of us are also on... about universities).

I have little doubt that most of us parents here know that it's not going to be easy, not just the 5 years, but the aftermath of training, and the lifelong training that is needed... a friend's brother has had to do another exam which he had to pay for and he's nearly a consultant)... and I'm sure most of our children are aware (although one would wonder how much awareness is there amongst 17 year olds these days)...

What do you guys think?

I think most of us in our jobs might say 'don't go into it' - eg teaching, restaurant owners etc..!

@MyGreyBiscuit they are an idiot. Yes you can earn more and have an easier life as an accountant or lawyer (I await the hate 😂), but your DC want to be a doctor.

Exams are costly. It's v hard work. And you're treated pretty badly. But other countries love our doctors so if it gets too bad you leave.