Gateway to Medicine programmes

Where you can study

Gateway programmes are offered by 4 of Scotland’s 5 medical schools. These are:

• Aberdeen
• Dundee
• Glasgow
• St Andrews

The University of Edinburgh Medical School doesn't offer one.

University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen runs its Gateway 2 Medicine (G2M) programme with North East Scotland College (NESCol). You'll spend the year building biomedical science knowledge and study skills, alongside early exposure to clinical settings. After that, you’ll progress to Aberdeen’s 5-year MBChB, meaning the whole degree takes 6 years.

University of Aberdeen — Gateway 2 Medicine (G2M).

University of Dundee

You'll be based at Dundee’s City Campus and the School of Medicine at Ninewells Hospital. You'll study life sciences alongside a module on how medicine is practised in NHS Scotland. During the year, you can train and work in a paid healthcare support worker role with the NHS Tayside staff bank, or volunteer with a charity.

You'll finish with a Certificate of Higher Education in Life Sciences for Medicine. Progression to year 1 of the MBChB depends on passing all gateway modules with an average B3 grade. There's no UCAT or interview needed during the gateway year.

University of Dundee: Gateway to Medicine.

University of Glasgow

This is a one-year Certificate in Higher Education funded by the Scottish Government. You'll study within a licensed anatomy teaching facility and get clinical experience alongside the science.

Progression to year 1 of the MBChB is automatic if you complete the year and get the required grades. There's no UCAT needed. If you don't progress or change your mind, you can usually transfer into year 2 of a life sciences degree.

University of Glasgow: Gateway to Medical Studies.

University of St Andrews

You'll enrol on a BSc General degree and take first-year Biology and Chemistry modules alongside one other subject. You'll also take extra modules covering medical tutoring, content, and skills.

St Andrews is the only gateway programme with 2 destinations. When you finish, you can progress to either the BSc route or the 5-year ScotCOM MBChB.

University of St Andrews: Gateway to Medicine.

Are you eligible for Gateway to Medicine?

Gateway programmes are for applicants from widening access backgrounds. Criteria vary between medical schools, but you might be eligible if you're:

• Living in a Scottish postcode area within the lowest 20% of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD20).
• Care experienced, a care leaver, or estranged from your family.
• Registered with or eligible for a Reach programme.
• At a school with low progression to higher education, or a rural target school.
• An adult learner doing or holding a SWAP Access to Medicine course.
• A refugee with the right to remain and study in Scotland.
• An asylum seeker with the right to study in Scotland.

Gateway programmes require you to live in Scotland and be assessed as a home student for fee purposes. Admissions teams won't consider applicants who don't meet any of the essential criteria.

Progressing to year 1 of the MBChB

If you complete the gateway year and meet the progression conditions, you’ll move straight into year 1 of the MBChB. There's no need for a second UCAS application.

Gateway programmes at a glance

Requirements and deadlines change between admissions years. Always check the official programme pages before you apply.

Other routes you should know about

A gateway year is just one of several widening access routes into medicine. Adjusted entry requirements, SWAP courses, and Reach programmes could also apply to you. You may even be eligible for more than one of these options.

Check if you qualify.