Medical practice is generally defined as the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. Today, it's carried out by doctors, nurses, surgeons and physicians. Medicine is a broad term of a variety of practices evolved to maintain and restore health by preventing and treating illness, including pharmaceuticals, psychotherapy, and surgery.

What qualifications do you need?

Specific requirements depend on the university, and you'll likely need top grades. A Levels (or equivalent) in Biology and Chemistry are usually essential. You may also need to sit the UCAT or BMAT tests and have extra activity to support your application, for example, work experience or volunteering. Always confirm the entry requirements for the particular university and course you're interested in.

What degrees can you study?

BSc Microbiology with Immunology MSc Dermatology MSc Surgical Practice BSc Cancer Studies

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Study Medicine, why & how to study

Q: Why study Medicine?

It may be a challenging area to work in, but job satisfaction from a career in medicine is high. Most doctors agree there is no greater joy than curing a patient, or for a medical researcher than when discovering a new treatment for a particular disease.

Q: What jobs can you get as a Medicine graduate?

Particular job areas, aside from GP or hospital doctor, include genetic scientist, health service management, international aid, scientific research, teaching and lecturing, consultancy, journalism and solicitor.

Q: How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed via a wide range of means across the many years of study. Formative assessments – such as online tests and anatomy practicals – are accompanied by written assignments like reflective essays and verbal presentations, as well as a practical portfolio and simulation exercises where emergencies are played out.

Q: What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of taught MAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include Advanced Audiology, Clinical Practice and Cardiac Care, Neonatal Nursing, Orthopaedics, Applied Epidemiology, Aquatic Pathobiology, Blood Science and Cancer Studies.

If you want a job where you never stop learning and new discoveries are constantly being made, then Medicine could be for you.

CHOOSING A COURSE NHS CAREERS POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Tamsin Mosse 20 Sep 2023

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What’s Medicine?
What Medicine degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto a Medicine degree?
What topics does a Medicine degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study Medicine?
Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Medicine degree?
What do Medicine graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as a Medicine graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to Medicine
Have any questions?

What’s Medicine?

Medicine is a broad term for a variety of practices that have evolved to maintain and restore health by preventing and treating illness, including pharmaceuticals, psychotherapy, and surgery.

This guide focuses on pre-clinical medicine which includes things like anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry or molecular biology and also clinical medicine - the diagnosis and treatment of conditions in patients. Both are studied as part of a Medicine MB degree.

What Medicine degrees can you study?

Medicine as a subject area includes a wider range of degrees than simply medicine and surgery. Undergraduate degrees could include:

Medical Sciences BSc

For those wanting to practice as a doctor, options for a Medicine MB degree include a preliminary or gateway year (which may be integrated) and January start dates. October application required.

What do you need to get onto a Medicine degree?

Must have

You’ll need top grades for entry to a Medicine MB degree. Typical requirements are from 128–160 UCAS points, although contextual admissions will be lower. This could include:

A Levels: A*A*A–ABB (AAA is common and Maths and Physics are useful)
BTECs: not accepted

Scottish Highers: AAAABB–AAAAB (Advanced Highers: AAA–BBB)
International Baccalaureate: 42–32
Universities will usually ask that you have studied: biology and chemistry at A Level (or equivalent)
You will need to pass an admission tests (BMAT, UCAT, or for graduate entry, GAMSAT)and a university interview.
Due to the nature of this work, you’ll need to complete Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks (PVG scheme in Scotland)

Good to have

Observe, shadow or talk to doctors at a GP practice or hospital – if this hasn’t been possible, check for online virtual work experience or videos
Volunteer or work experience in a care setting like a care home, hospice, school or service provider, particularly supporting people who have health conditions
Be aware of topical issues via the Medical Schools Council or British Medical Journal websites, news sites like the Guardian, TED talks, or podcasts
Summer schools, if available – check the Medical Schools Council and Sutton Trust websites

What topics does a Medicine degree cover?

Typical modules in a Medicine MB degree may include:

Medical cell biology and genetics
Pathological processes
Health behaviours, musculoskeletal, respiratory and digestive systems
Evidence based medicine and research methods
Clinical procedural skills
Ethics and law in clinical practice
Mechanisms of drug action
Biology of disease
Preparing for patients

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed using a wide range of methods across the many years of study, including:

Anatomy practice
Online tests
Reflective essays
Simulation exercises
Verbal presentations
Written assignments

Why study Medicine?

Medicine may be a challenging area to work in, but job satisfaction from a career in medicine is high. Most doctors agree there is no greater joy than curing a patient.

Career-specific skills:

Medical knowledge and the practical skills to treat illnesses, diseases or long-term health conditions affecting patients
Understanding of medications, their interactions with the body, and contraindications
Skills and attributes developed while working in a high-pressure environment

Transferable skills:

Communication and team working
Decision making and leadership
Integrity
Managing high-pressure situations
Organisation
Presentation
Problem solving
Research and reflective practice

Professional accreditation:

Medical schools and their degrees must be approved by the General Medical Council (GMC) for you to provisionally register as a doctor on completion of your studies

Read more in our seven reasons to study medicine here

I knew I wanted a career in a field that is dynamic: constantly changing and evolving in terms of its knowledge and capabilities, seeking to question more, discover more, and deliver more, one which requires you to think, be active and on your feet, and to solve problems.
Nick, University of Birmingham

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Medicine degree?

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants to encourage access so it’s worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers e.g., materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

The National Health Service (NHS) also offers student bursaries in some instances, more information about this can be found in our guide here.

What do Medicine graduates earn?

Medicine graduates have one of the highest starting salaries at around £29,000 - £34,000 (in the first year of Foundation training). Specialise, and you’ll earn up to £78,500. Consultants in the NHS are paid £88,000–£119,000, depending on how many years they’ve completed as a consultant.

On the other hand, you might prefer to work outside hospital in general practice. GPs who are salaried are paid £65,000–£98,000. A GP who is partner in a practice is self-employed – which means their working contract differs, but they can also share in the profits of the practice depending on how it performs. An average income might be around £105,000.

Read more on what graduates do and earn here.

GO TO
See what students do and earn after graduation

What jobs can you get as a Medicine graduate?

Study Medicine, and aside from work as a GP or hospital doctor, options include specialisms, a move sideways into management, education or research. Or you could do something completely different. Roles could include:

Civil servant (fast stream)
Clinical research
Consultant anaesthetist
Expedition medical officer
Forensic medical examiner
Genetic scientist
Health service manager
International aid medic
Lecturer
Medical charity clinical director
Medical journalist
Public health consultant
Solicitor

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

If you have a first degree, you may be able to take a graduate-entry medical course to qualify as a doctor. Most medical schools require a 2:1 and some require an undergraduate degree in a related subject.

Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

Cancer Science MPhil/DPhil
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare PGCert/PGDip/MSc
Doctor of Medicine MD
Genomic Medicine MSt
Surgery PhD

Similar subjects to Medicine

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

Have any questions?

If you’ve got any questions about studying Medicine, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!

CHOOSING A COURSE NHS CAREERS POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

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