MBBS Medicine

Course Overview

Being a doctor is a privileged position which has at its heart a real and deep-seated vocation to help people. It’s a demanding and challenging profession, but very rewarding. Our course focuses on relating your learning to real life, using scenarios and clinical problems from patients, with an emphasis on developing your clinical experience and theoretical knowledge from the start.

Studying Medicine at Norwich Medical School means that you’ll join an exceptional group of medical students studying in a thriving student-centred learning environment, where students and staff share a passion for making a positive difference to people’s lives.

At Norwich Medical School, we believe in learning in context. From the very first weeks of our course, you’ll spend time every week in clinical practice, ensuring that you're able to apply your learning to patients in the same week. You’ll explore anatomy linked to clinical practice in our anatomy facility, including dissection. You’ll have access to a varied range of clinical placements in acute hospital wards, specialist units and general practice. And, we’ll focus on linking theory with practice across the course, including during small-group teaching sessions and within primary care placements.

At Norwich Medical School, we put patients at the heart of everything we do. With a curriculum approved by the General Medical Council (GMC) and developed in accordance with their standards, our MB BS degree in Medicine will see you embarking on placements almost immediately, so you’ll gain early exposure to the clinical skills essential to addressing the complex needs of patients in the 21st century. You’ll develop your clinical skills with access to the architecture-award winning Bob Champion Research and Education Building, with its state-of-the-art facilities and purpose-built clinical resource centre.

You’ll graduate as a professional, ready to use your skills and knowledge in your chosen field to improve the health of patients in your care. Our combination of research-based classroom teaching and experiential learning will ensure that you have all of the skills you need to start your career in medicine.

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

We have 13 international places and 195 UK places for 2025 entry subject to confirmation by the Office for Students.

We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.

You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements, GCSE requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

GCSE Requirements International

Applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in a minimum of six subjects at grade 7 or A including Mathematics and either two science subjects or Double Science. Triple Science, Science, Additional Science and Further Science GCSEs are accepted.

Graduate applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in a minimum of six subjects at grade 5 or B including Mathematics and either two science subjects or Double Science. Triple Science, Science, Additional Science and Further Science GCSE's are accepted.

Applicants must hold or be working towards GCSE English Language grade 7 or A or achieve IELTS 7.5 with minimum 7.0 in all components (IELTS tests must be within two years of start of course). IELTS will be required where the following GCSEs have been taken: Cambridge IGCSE as a Second Language, Pearson (Edexcel) IGCSE English Language A or B awarded pre 2018, Pearson (Edexcel) IGCSE English as a Second Language.

If GCSE Double Science or Triple Science is presented at the required grade or above, we will not consider any additional single science subjects to meet the minimum GCSE requirements.

If Methods of Mathematics & Application of Mathematics are taken, we require both. They will be considered as a single grade for screening purposes as together they are equivalent to the full Mathematics GCSE.

We will only accept one of the following GCSEs: Learning for Life & Work, Expressive Arts, Catering, Child Development, Business & Communication Systems (ICAA), Health & Social Care and Leisure & Tourism.

GCSE short courses, BTEC Level 2, OCR Level 2, AQA Level 2 and Functional Skills are not accepted.

Applicants who do not meet the GCSE requirement must be resitting GCSEs and predicted to achieve the required grade. This should be evident from their UCAS application.

Typical International Entry Requirements

A levels

AAA including Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry – Refer to A level Requirements

International Baccalaureate

34 points overall with Higher Level 666 including Biology or Chemistry - Refer to International Baccalaureate Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, please refer to Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements Country Equivalents. You may also view our information for International Students.

Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements International

Foundation Years

Not accepted

Bachelor’s Degree

2.1 – Refer to Graduate Entry Requirements

Country Qualifications

The information below is intended to be a guide only and relates to standard entry requirements for school leavers.

Austria - 1 overall in the Austrian Reifeprufung or Matura with 1 in 6 subjects including Maths and Science.
Bulgaria - The Diploma za Srendno Obrazovanie is not acceptable on its own.  Applicants will need to have undertaken further examinations, normally at GCE A level or International Baccalaureate. The Diploma za Srendno Obrazovanie can be accepted in lieu of GCSEs.  Grade 6 required in Mathematics and two science subjects.
Canada - Successful completion of Canada Diploma with 85% in at least 5 subjects from Grade 12 including Biology or Chemistry, with 85% in 6 subjects in grade 10 to include Maths, English, and one science. Ontario: Grade 12 subjects must be U, U/C or M courses.
Caribbean - Pass the CAPE with 111 in units 2 including Biology or Chemistry plus 6 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects at 1 including Maths and two science subjects.
Finland - Ylioppilastutkinto (Matriculation Examination) – 4 subjects at 6 (E - Eximia cum laude approbatur) to include Biology or Chemistry and Certificate of Secondary Education - 9/8 in six subjects to include Mathematics and two science subjects.
France - French Baccalaureat - 15, to include 15 in Biology (Life Science) or Chemistry (Physics and Chemistry) and 15 in two other subjects. Brevet des Colleges – 14-15 (bien) in five subjects to include Mathematics.
Germany - Abitur (Zeugnis Der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife) 1.6 overall, to include 13 in Biology or Chemistry and 13 in two other subjects plus Realschulabschluss or the Hauptschulabschluss grade 1/Very Good (13) in 6 subjects including Maths and two Sciences.
Greece - Apolytirion - 19.5 overall, to include 6 subjects at 18.5 including two sciences and mathematics, plus A-Level Biology or Chemistry at grade A .
Hong Kong - Minimum of 3 Electives at level 5 including Biology or Chemistry, level 4 in Core Maths and level 5** in English with minimum level 5 in each component OR IELTS 7.5 overall and no less than 7.0 in each component. Notes: Integrated or combined science not accepted. Core Mathematics combined with Extended Mathematics counts as one Elective.
Hungary - Erettsegi Bizonyitvany/ Matura - 5,5 in Advanced subjects including Biology or Chemistry and 5,5,5, in Intermediate subjects. This must include Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry or Physics.
India - Successful completion of Grade 12 Higher Secondary Certificate with 85% overall and 85% in four subjects including Biology or Chemistry. Grade 10 five subjects with 85% overall with 85% in Maths, and a science.
Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato (Liceo Scientifico) - 95% overall including 14 in Natural Sciences and Mathematics plus 9 out of 10 overall from Year 2 of Liceo Scientifico OR Diploma de Licenza della Scuola Media to include 9 out of 10 in Mathematics and science.
Latvia - Atestats par Visparejo Videjo Izglitibu (Certificate of Secondary Education) 9 overall from at least 12 subjects with 90% each in three national centralised examinations plus A Level grade A in Chemistry or Biology.
Lithuania - 9 overall plus three state exams at 80% including Biology or Chemistry in the Brandos Atestatas. To meet the GCSE requirement applicants must achieve a minimum of 6 subjects at grade 8 including Mathematics and two Sciences.
Norway - Successful completion of Norwegian Vitnemal Opplaering with 4.75 overall, to include no less than 6 in English, 5 in Common Core Mathematics, 5 in Biology (1&2) or Chemistry (1&2) and 5 in one of the following: Chemistry (1&2) or Physics (1&2) or Biology (1&2).
Poland - Certificate of Maturity - 80% overall with 80% in three Extended Level subjects including Biology or Chemistry plus Certificate of Completion from a General Lyceum with 5 points in six subjects to include Mathematics and two science subjects.
Portugal - Diploma Nivel Secundario de Educacao or The Certificado de Fim de Estudos Secundários - 18 overall, to include 18 in Biology or Chemistry and 18 in two other subjects. Diploma de Ensino Basico/3rd Ciclo – 5 points in six subjects to include Mathematics and two science subjects.
Romania - Diploma de Bacalaureat - 9 points overall, with 9 points in Biology or Chemistry.  If Biology or Chemistry is not included as an individual subject, we require an A-Level in Biology or Chemistry at a grade A. Junior High School Graduation Certificate/High School Graduate Certificate – require Very Good (9 points) in six subjects to include Mathematics and two science subjects.
South Africa - Successful completion of the South African National Senior Certificate at 77777 (not including Life Orientation) with a minimum of 7 in Life Sciences and Physical Science and Mathematics.
Spain - Titulo de Bachiller or Curso de Orientacio (COU) - 8.5 average with 8 in Biology or Chemistry. Graduado en Educacion Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) – six subjects at 8.5 including Mathematics and two sciences.
Sweden - Avgangsbetyg/ Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskola – 10 subjects at A including Biology or Chemistry, no less than a B in any other subject. Slutbetyg fran Grundskola - six subjects at 5 or A including Mathematics and two sciences.
USA - USA High School Diploma - Grade 12 completed with 3.75 GPA with 3 AP Exams at 544 to include a 5 in Biology or Chemistry and two further subjects (4,4). Grade 10 completed with 6 academic subjects at A, to include Mathematics, English and one science. A minimum 2 years of Mathematics, English and one science at grade A will be required across grade 9-11.

A level Requirements

Graduates should refer to the Graduate Entry Requirements.

Applicants are expected to be taking a minimum of 3 A Levels in Year 13 and be predicted AAA or above, including Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry and two further A level subjects.

Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Leisure Studies, Applied Science, General Studies, BTEC qualifications are not accepted. A level Mathematics or Further Mathematics will be accepted, not both.

Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element.

Grades must be achieved over 2 consecutive years.

Where an applicant is also taking additional qualifications such as a fourth AS/A level or EPQ these must be listed in their application but will not be subject to grade requirements. Applicants without a fourth subject will be considered.

A level Resits

A level resits can only be considered if A level ABB/AAC achieved at the first sitting. Resit applicants will be expected to achieve at least one A* in the subject or subjects they are resitting, to compensate for the additional time spent studying.
Applicants studying A levels over more than two years will fall under our resit policy and will be expected to achieve at least one A* in the subject or subjects they are resitting, to compensate for the additional time spent studying.

Graduate Entry Requirements

Graduate applicants are expected to be predicted or achieved 2:1 or above in any subject.

Applicants who have achieved a 2:2 or below during their academic history will not be considered, regardless of post-degree study.

Graduates must be in their final year or have completed their undergraduate degree to be considered. We do not accept applications or transfers from applicants, part way through a degree. Applicants who have started a degree but not completed it successfully, will not be considered.

Graduates must have achieved A level BBB or ABC in the first sitting. Please refer to A level Requirements for subjects and exclusions.

Graduates must also demonstrate recent competence in Biology or Chemistry. This can be demonstrated by:

• Achieving grade B in A level Biology or Chemistry OR
• Undergraduate level study of Biology, Physiology or Chemistry (60% or above) OR
• Approved Access course. Refer to Approved Access Requirements.

Applications from those currently studying in higher education will only be considered if the qualification will be completed by 31 August 2025. This includes Master degrees and PhD degrees.

UEA Graduates who meet the minimum academic requirements are guaranteed an interview.

If you do not meet our minimum requirements for Graduate entry, you may consider the Postgraduate MSc Physician Associate Studies course which can lead to working alongside doctors in a healthcare setting.
Applicants who have previously studied or are currently studying at a Medical School (UK or International) will not be considered for entry.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

Applicants are expected to be predicted or achieved 34 overall with Higher Level 666 including Biology or Chemistry.

International Baccalaureate Middle Years considered if GCSEs not sat. A minimum of 6 passes at 6 including Mathematics and Science and 6 in English Language is required.

International Baccalaureate Resits

International Baccalaureate resits are considered if 32 points overall with Higher Level 655/664 including Biology or Chemistry is achieved in the first sitting. Applicants who are resitting should be predicted 35 points overall with Higher Level 666 including Biology or Chemistry.

UCAT

All applicants must sit the UCAT in the year of application, prior to applying. UEA does not have a cut off score. A high score is advantageous; a low score does not disqualify an applicant from consideration.

How do we use the UCAT?

- The overall UCAT score is used to rank applicants for selection for interview.
- The overall UCAT score is used alongside the interview score to rank and select applicants to whom an offer is made.
- The SJT component score is included within the interview score.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

• IELTS:  7.5  overall (minimum  7.0  in all components) 

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

  If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Non-Academic Entry Requirements

Gap Years - If applying with achieved qualifications, applicants must include in their personal statement what they have been doing or what they plan to do, during any gaps in education.

Previous Degree Study - Applications from those currently studying in higher education will only be considered if the qualification will be completed by 31 August 2025. This includes Master degrees and PhD degrees.

Applicants in the first or second year of a degree will not be considered. Applicants who have started a degree but not completed it successfully, will not be considered.

We are unable to accept transfer students onto our Medicine degree due to the integrated nature of the course. Applicants currently studying in higher education, irrespective of prior experience/qualifications, are required to have completed their current course of study prior to commencing their medical studies at UEA. We are unable to consider applicants who are part way through a degree.

Applicants who have previously studied or are currently studying at a Medical School (UK or International) will not be considered for entry.

Fee Status - As this course has different application pools for UK and International fee-paying students, if your fee status changes from International to UK or UK to International, during the application process, your application will be re-assessed within the relevant application pool. For example, if your fee status changes from International to UK during the application process, your application will be re-assessed alongside other UK applications for a place allocated to UK fee paying students.

Programme Conditions - Offers to successful applicants will be subject to a successful interview, a satisfactory occupational health check, including evidence of appropriate immunisations. As this course includes patient facing placements in a health or social care setting and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - Applicants will also be required to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In the interests of patient and public safety, we may share some of the information provided in your application form with the Medical Schools Council in order to verify your fitness to practise. Where applicable an Overseas Police Check may be required.If a fitness to practise finding is made against you in the future, this information and a copy of the decision against you will also be stored on the Excluded Students Database maintained by the Medical Schools Council. The database is accessible only to other medical schools in the UK and the General Medical Council. It is used only for proper fitness to practise purposes to protect patients and the public.

Medical Students Fitness Standards - Further information regarding requirements for medical students in relation to blood born infectious diseases, and information on Medical Students Fitness Standards is available. Any offer holder with a current or past history of health conditions (physical or mental health) should tell occupational health about any health conditions they have, and may be subject to an early occupational health check, for the following reasons:

• Medical schools have a duty to support their students, but students must help the school to do this by being open and honest about their health.
• Being open and trustworthy is an important part of being a doctor – patients and the GMC expect this of practising doctors. Failure by a doctor on the medical register to disclose a health matter that could potentially impact on patient safety is a breach of this duty.
• A student should understand that their ill health could put their ability to study at risk. Where a student has this understanding – and shows this by getting help and support – their health condition rarely prevents them from completing the course. One way to demonstrate understanding from the start is for a student to declare whether they will need additional support when they begin their course.

Norwich Medical School will consider all requests for adjustments in line with the UK Equality Act 2010. Any student can graduate providing they are well enough to complete the course; they have no student fitness to practice concerns (having a health condition or disability alone is not a fitness to practice concern); they have met all the Outcomes for graduates, with adjustments to the mode of assessment as needed.
Further guidance and advice specific to undergraduate medicine courses, including clinical exams, can be obtained via med.senioradviser@uea.ac.uk. Student support and information regarding accessibility, written exam concessions and confidential advice and guidance on health and disability is also available.

Progression and Continuation - Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.

After the Course - Postgraduate Foundation training and beyond.

Interviews

Interviews are Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format and will be held on campus. All applicants will be required to attend an interview on campus.

Please note that we do not disclose interview questions. We look for applicants to demonstrate at interview:

• An acceptable approach to decision making when given incomplete or conflicting information
• The ability to learn and work effectively in partnership
• A caring and supportive attitude
• An empathetic and caring approach
• Insight into Medicine as a career and personal suitability for the profession
• Honesty, integrity and personal effectiveness

We will email invitations to applicants who are selected for interview. Interviews will take place between November and February.

Work Experience - If you are invited to interview you are required to provide two examples of relevant work experience which have informed your decision to study Medicine.
The Medical Schools Council has published some very useful information on Work Experience.

Placements

Approximately 50% of this course will be spent on practice placement in a variety of settings that include hospitals, community services, general practice, social services and voluntary or private organisations. Placements are typically allocated throughout the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Please refer to the Teaching and Learning section under Study and Modules for further information.

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Recent Study

Applicants must show that they have achieved successful academic study within the past five years.  Qualifications to meet the subject specific requirement must also have been taken within this period.

If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.

Age on Entry

Applicants must be aged 18 or over by the start date of this course. This is owing to the integrated nature of placements within the first year of study and safeguarding implications. In view of this, applicants who will not be 18 years old or over by this date, should consider applying for deferred entry.

How will you process my application?

Briefly, all on-time applications proceed to primary screening, where checks are made to see that applicants meet, or are predicted to meet, our minimum academic entry criteria, have a satisfactory personal statement and reference and have taken the UCAT test in the summer prior to submitting the application. Applicants are then invited to interview (from late November/December onwards). 

If the number of applications received, exceed the number of interview places available, those meeting primary screening requirements may also undergo secondary screening, where the overall UCAT score may be ranked against the applicant cohort, with the strongest applicants invited to interview. 

Following the completion of interviews, interviewed applicants are ranked (by interview scores – which includes the UCAT SJT subsection score - and UCAT overall scores) within the applicant cohort. The interview score and UCAT score is weighted equally and the top ranking applicants will receive offers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What if there is a mistake on my application?

Following the closing date, any errors or omissions should be notified to the Admissions Service immediately for consideration and verified by an official letter from your school. However, if notification is made after 15 October, we reserve the right not to consider the application further. 

What if my predicted grades change? 

Your application will be processed using the information provided on your UCAS form. Any changes in predicted grades will not be considered once processing has commenced following the UCAS deadline. 
Can I send in additional supporting documents? 

Only information submitted on the UCAS form will be considered unless supplementary information is requested by the Admissions Team. Factual errors on the form should be notified to the Admissions Service as soon as possible but additional information provided, or errors highlighted after submission of the UCAS form cannot be considered. Please note that we are unable to accept any unsolicited additional references or CVs.

How do I report extenuating circumstances? 

These should be indicated on the UCAS application. Supporting evidence may be requested. Please note that adverse events potentially impacting on performance at A level (or equivalent) or degree classification, should be notified to the relevant examination board.  

What if I will still be 17 at the start of the course?

Applications will not be considered unless you will be aged 18 by the start of the course. This is due to the very integrated nature of placements and primary care within the first month of the course and safeguarding implications. In view of this, students who will not be 18 years old at the time that they are due to start the course may wish to consider applying for deferred entry. 

If I am unsuccessful, can I reapply? 

Applicants to Medicine at UEA will only be considered for two consecutive years. All applicants must have achieved successful academic study within the past 5 years. Please note that entry requirements may change each year and we would advise you to check our website before submitting an application. You will be required to retake the UCAT test as this is only valid in the year of application. 

Employability

Once you’ve successfully completed your MB BS, including the MLA, as long as there are no concerns regarding your fitness to practice, you’ll be entitled to provisional registration with the General Medical Council. You'll then be able to practise as a doctor in approved Foundation Year One posts.

Once you have completed a satisfactory year as a Foundation Programme doctor you'll gain full registration with the GMC.

Examples of careers that you could enter include:

• Hospital-based specialties including medicine, surgery, anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, radiology and pathology
• General Practice
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Discover more on our Careers webpages.