Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine (ScotGEM)

You'll sit the GAMSAT, not the UCAT

This is the thing most people get wrong. Every other route into medicine in Scotland uses the UCAT, but ScotGEM uses the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT).

You must sit the GAMSAT in the year you apply. Registration closes well before the UCAS deadline, so you must check the dates early. Shortlisting for an interview is based on your GAMSAT score.

UCAT and GAMSAT explained.

What makes ScotGEM different

The programme is designed around general practice and rural healthcare rather than large teaching hospitals. It is delivered in partnership with:

• NHS Fife
• NHS Tayside
• NHS Highland
• NHS Dumfries and Galloway
• University of the Highlands and Islands

You'll also work on healthcare improvement. This means looking at how services are delivered and how they could work better, not just how to treat individual patients.

You need to be prepared for the rural element. From year 2 onwards, you'll live and study away from a city for periods of the programme. For some people, this is the main reason to apply, but if it doesn't suit your circumstances, it's worth knowing beforehand.

ScotGEM meets all the core MBChB requirements set by the GMC, so it doesn't narrow your options. Graduates go on to foundation training and can choose any specialty, just like other medical students.

The return of service bursary

ScotGEM students can apply for a bursary of £4,000 a year for up to 4 years. This gives you up to £16,000 in total. In return, you commit to working in NHS Scotland for an equivalent number of years.

The scheme is managed by Public Services Delivery Scotland on behalf of Scottish Government. The return of service commitment starts at the beginning of year 1 of your foundation training. There's an option to buy yourself out if your circumstances change.

This is separate from tuition fees. The Scottish Government pays these directly for eligible students.

Medical student funding.

ScotGEM entry requirements

• A 2:1 honours degree in an arts or science subject.
• Higher Biology, Human Biology, or Chemistry at grade B, plus National 5 English and Mathematics at grade B.
• Recent academic study, meaning you must have studied within the 3 years before entry.
• The GAMSAT, completed in your year of application.
• Experience in a caring or health environment.
• A multiple mini interview, held at the University of Dundee.

You'll also need to meet non-academic conditions. These include fitness to practise criteria, criminal record screening, and immunisation screening.

Requirements change between admissions years. Always check the University of St Andrews website before you apply.

ScotGEM at the University of St Andrews.

Is ScotGEM the right graduate route for you?

ScotGEM isn't the only option if you already have a degree. You can also apply for standard entry medicine at any of the 5 Scottish medical schools. This also includes ScotCOM at the University of St Andrews.

If you’re a registered healthcare professional working in Scotland, you may also be eligible for HCP-Med at Edinburgh Medical School.