Applying to medical school in Scotland

What grades do you need?

For standard entry medicine, you'll normally need:

• National 5s in S4: A mix of A and B grades. Specific subjects might be required, but there's usually no set number.
• Highers in S5: 5 Highers achieved in one sitting. These must include Chemistry, plus 1 or 2 from Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics, or Physics.
• Advanced Highers in S6: Usually at grade B or above. Some schools accept a mix of Advanced Highers and additional Highers.

If you meet widening access criteria, medical schools will make adjusted offers at lower grades. This is usually 1 or 2 grades below the standard requirement.

Entry requirements for 2027 by medical school

Requirements change between admissions years. Always check with the medical school before you apply.

There are other entry pathways if you don't meet these requirements. These include gateway years, SWAP access courses, and graduate entry routes.

Check if you qualify.

How a Foundation Apprenticeship could help

While a Foundation Apprenticeship won't replace core requirements like Higher Chemistry or Biology, it can be an advantage. Programmes like Social Services and Healthcare give you exactly what admissions teams look for. Here's how it strengthens your application.

Take it in S6, not S5

You should always take a Foundation Apprenticeship in S6, not S5. Standard entry for medicine requires 5 Highers achieved in a single S5 sitting, so taking an FA in S5 displaces a necessary Higher from your timetable. Doing it in S6 keeps your S5 free for your core Highers while giving you hands-on experience in your final year.

A standout personal statement

Medical schools want proof that you understand what a caring profession actually involves. A Foundation Apprenticeship gives you months of sustained experience in a care setting, rather than a quick shadowing placement. You'll get deep, meaningful reflections on patient care to write about.

Real-world examples for your interview

Most Scottish medical schools use multiple mini interviews to test how you react to different scenarios. When selectors ask how you handle teamwork or challenging situations, you won't have to guess. You'll have real examples from your workplace placement to discuss.

Understanding the reality of care

Being a doctor means working closely with a much wider team. Working alongside care assistants and nurses helps you understand how a multi-disciplinary team functions. This shows medical schools that you've got a grounded, realistic view of patient care.

Adding weight to your UCAS application

It's an SCQF Level 6 qualification, meaning it carries the exact same UCAS points as a Scottish Higher. Some universities might accept it as an extra Higher alongside your core sciences. It can also strengthen your backup 5th UCAS choice for a related healthcare degree.

Explore Foundation Apprenticeship types.

Find out how to apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship at your school.

Key dates in the application year

The application process runs the same way every year:

• Late spring: UCAT registration opens.
• Summer: Sit the UCAT and work on your personal statement.
• 15 October at 18:00: UCAS deadline. This is 3 months earlier than most other courses.
• November to April: Interviews take place.
• January to May: Offers are made, usually conditional on your results.
• August: Qualifications Scotland exam results get released and offers are confirmed.

Dates for 2027 entry

Gateway to Medicine programmes have a different, later UCAS deadline in January. Check the specific programme page for exact dates.

What your application involves

There are 4 main parts to your application, and medical schools weight them differently:

• The UCAT: An admissions test you'll sit in the summer before you apply. All 5 Scottish medical schools use it, but ScotGEM uses the GAMSAT instead. UCAT and GAMSAT explained.
• Work experience: You'll need some experience in a care setting. It doesn't have to be in a hospital, and it doesn't need to be paid. Learn more about  work experience for medicine.
• Your personal statement: This is where you show what you learned from your experience, rather than just listing what you did. Discover more about preparing your medical school personal statement.
• Interviews: Most Scottish medical schools will interview shortlisted applicants. This is usually done as a series of short stations. Learn more about medical school interviews.

Before you write anything

The strongest applications connect what you've done to the qualities medical schools are looking for. These qualities are set out by the GMC and the Medical Schools Council. They're worth reading before you start drafting.

Read: what makes a good doctor?

What it costs

You'll need to budget for both the application process and your time at university, but there's lots of financial support available.

Application costs

Applying through UCAS costs £34.50, which covers your 5 university choices. However, if you receive free school meals or you're care experienced, UCAS might waive this fee. You might even qualify for a UCAT bursary to cover your aptitude test fee. 

Tuition fees and living costs

Tuition fees for eligible Scottish students on standard entry degrees are paid by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). There are different funding arrangements for the ScotGEM and HCP-Med graduate programmes. You can also get support for living costs.

Medical student funding.

Free support near you

There's lots of free help out there. You just need to know where to find it.

If you're at school

Reach programmes run at all 5 medical schools. Each one covers a different part of Scotland, offering support with applications, UCAT preparation, and interviews.

The 4 SHEP regional hubs also work with schools across the country. These hubs are ASPIREnorth, FOCUS West, LEAPS, and LIFT OFF.

Check if you qualify.

Student-led and charity outreach

Medical students and doctors run free workshops to help you prepare. These cover personal statements, UCAT and GAMSAT preparation, and mock multiple mini-interviews.

• Aberdeen Medic Outreach Society (AMOS)
• University of Glasgow Widening Access to Medicine Society (WAMS)
• Medic Insight Dundee
• Medic Insight Edinburgh
• Medic Insight Glasgow
• In2MedSchool
• You Can Be A Doctor

NHS Scotland Health Boards: medicine outreach programmes

Some health boards run their own information sessions and outreach programmes. You can contact your local NHS Scotland health board to ask what support they offer.

Preparing each part of your medical school application

Getting ready to apply takes time and planning. Use these detailed guides to help you tackle each step, from booking your UCAT to preparing for medical school interviews.