Medicine 2026 part 2

[mumsneedwine]

Thought I'd start another one.

Do we think Southampton will see the same trend? I hope it won't skyrocket!

Both Manchester and Sheffield increased by a bit but not shockingly so, given all the factors-new deciles, increase on UCAT test takers and so on.

thanks for sharing @Itsallstressstressstress.

I wonder whether it's a case of conversion-itis. You know how when you travel overseas and there's a different currency...and suddenly everything is 'so cheap' or 'so expensive'!! and we can't believe a pizza can be 12 euros when at Pizza Express here it's £15.

I did wonder also about the international v home difference @inae. No answers yet!

Although Sheffield only just published this so not terribly helpful for this year's candidates. Not their fault obviously - hard to post cut offs for new system without any actual UCAT data

what do you think the cut off might be for Southampton? Or what does social media say?

We were @catty29
Also disappointed to have narrowly missed Sheffield, already rejected Manchester but c’est la vie, many (many) moons ago I was rejected by my dream Uni & ended up in another, which led to me meeting my DH and having my DC, I remind DS of this, as I honestly believe things happen for a reason.
We had Leicester interview today, DS liked it, interview seemed to go ok, time will tell! Just waiting for Liverpool now 🤞

No idea abt Southampton.

But I'm thinking all these unis with UCAT-only ranking will have increased cut-offs, some more than others.

I think Sheffield is a very popular back up choice for those going for Oxbridge/Bristol/UCL so a number of the offers won't be taken up. Sheffield do run a reserve list - no idea if DD will get on that but possibly given only 10 points off. Did a fair amunt of research before applying and Sheffield cutoff was predicted to be between 2000 and 2100 this year but never an exact science. Only so much you can control though - DD absolutely did her bit and we're going with the you only need one (or perhaps a year off and try again) theory

@CarpetDiem ah sorry you've missed out as well - bit tough when you're close to the boundary. Leicester's supposed to be great (DD slightly regretting not going for it)and Liverpool too. And you're absolutely right - I didn't get Cambridge - ended up at Glasgow, had the BEST 4 years of my life, met the friends who are still my nearest and dearest to this day so I'm very much in the 'it all works out the way it's meant to somehow' camp.

Didn't know that was the case, that Sheffield was a 'back up choice'... we chose based on visiting, and other familial reasons like his father and I are graduates from there! and of course important considerations like UCAT requirements, etc.

I prefer Sheffield to all those Unis ! Think it might only be a back up for anyone who believes there is some weird hierarchy of Med schools. Which seems to be predominantly a private school thing (sorry if this offends anyone). All Unis produce doctors of exactly the same standing. No one cares !

Well it's an excellent Uni - under-rated I think - and was DD's top choice (also close family went there and some still live in Sheffield) but definitely been some snobby responses to it being #1 choice from a few...um...not so lovely people (mainly parents rather than YPs actually). Not alot of strategic applications at DD's school and quite alot of perceived prestige chasing so some v disappointed YPs sadly

DD at private school and I would say, quietly, that you are spot on in many cases given some of the reactions to DD's uni choices🙄

@catty29 snobbery in medicine is utterly ridiculous. Smile and enjoy your DDs success (only applying to 'that' handful of Unis is really v silly).

Areed - and thankyou! Think all the YPs are incredibly resilient and brilliant really - hats off to them!

Lancaster interview just received. First one. 🤞

congrats @wooly1962 !!

I find the prestige thing rather annoying because as we all know, staff move around all the time, for a whole load of different reasons. BSMS's dean used to run a medical lab in Oxford. And not related to med per se, but Cambridge's vet school is in danger of closing. so, things can change for better or worse at all places!

Sheffield was always my DD’s number 1 choice - she just loved it (and still does!) She didn’t want to apply for Oxbridge as the courses there don’t have much patient contact in the first few years. We said no to London due to cost (min maintenance loan) but she was happy with her choices and was lucky enough to get 4/4 offers
I’m sorry @catty29 about Sheffield 😔

@MyGreyBiscuit thankyou. We haven't heard from Sheffield but UCAT 1990 so no chance. Hoping Liverpool invite as well. Good luck to everyone.

good to hear that. I'm excited to return to Sheffield with DS - already booked in catch ups with old friends (who stayed on to work there)!

Ah thankyou @Randomactofkindness - she's a bit gutted as she really loved it but is v pleased about Birmingham s focussing on that (and will reapply for Sheffield if she has to go again!)

Fab news @wooly1962 !

Home from Newcastle interview and DD said it went well. We enjoyed nosing around the uni whilst waiting and on the way home DD got an interview at Lancaster so a very positive day! Long wait now for offers but at least she has one down and is happy with how she answered the questions.

I agree with the posters on snobbery around unis. DD's top choice is Newcastle with Liverpool and Leeds a close follow up. She has had many comments on why she isn't aiming for better unis (usually meaning oxbridge or London unis). She has her good reasons for applying where she has and after receiving 3/4 interviews so far it feels like she has made the right choices.

Congrats on Lancaster @wooly1962 when is the interview? DDs is 27th Jan.

great to hear it's been a positive day @bluefineliner ! yes, the better university thing is quite strange in my opinion. It's already so difficult to get into medicine. Everywhere requires AAA as a minimum - some with AAB but with all sorts of things tagged on (like A star in EPQ or whatevers).

Good luck to your DS 🍀
Sheffield has changed a lot since my sister was there starting 1990 - the accommodation village is lovely and the city seems
safe and clean.
DD lives in Broomhill in a gorgeous flat and the area is lovely.