The Easiest UK Medical Schools for International Students and Canadians to Get Into (2025-2026)

Acceptance Rates for International Students and Canadians

The majority of acceptance rates for international students to top UK medical schools fall under 10%. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t any options. There are several UK medical schools with higher acceptance rates, which means there’s less competition when you apply. To help you out, we’ve selected competitive medical schools in the UK with higher acceptance rates. 

Academic Entry Requirements (Grades + UCAT/BMAT)

• Minimum High School Requirements

  Some medical schools have lower grade requirements for international and Canadian students, which in some cases can fall as low as 73-75% in core subjects. These grade thresholds can vary depending on your country of origin, so refer to your program admissions page for more information.

• Typical A-Level or IB Offers

  Universities in the UK with easier medical entry for international students will commonly require A-levels as low as ABB in core subjects and an IB score of 36-38. This typically translates to a minimum Grade 12 average of 80%, depending on your country (again, always confirm with your program page for accurate details).

• UCAT and BMAT Thresholds

  While this can vary from year to year, some schools offer lower thresholds for the University Clinical Aptitude Test (as low as 1650). Some accept BMAT scores as low as 3.5 in Sections 1 and 2, 2.5C in Section 3, while others don’t give a minimum Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool (BMAT) requirement and evaluate your personal statement and other aspects of your application. However, note that this is a minimum requirement. You will need a strong personal statement or other prioritized selection criteria to be admitted to the program.

Foundation or Gateway Programs

If you don’t meet the grade and skill requirements for your program but still have a successful application, there are several universities that offer foundation or gateway programs. This is designed for Canadians and international students to improve their current skillset and grades so they can be at the academic level required to then enter the program. UK medical schools that offer foundation or gateway programs include Keele University, University of Dundee, and University of Lincoln. 

Healthcare-Related Experience and Extracurriculars

As already mentioned, your experience outside of school can be a core part of a strong application. This can include volunteer work in a hospital, healthcare, or extended care environment. It can also include extracurriculars that show an interest in health and medicine or soft skills such as empathy, your ability to work in a team, critical thinking, and leadership skills. By including these experiences in your application, you strengthen it by exhibiting qualities that selection committees look for in successful applicants, beyond just grades and test scores.

Interview Performance (MMI / Panel Style)

• Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)

  Multiple mini interviews are a common way to objectively evaluate the soft skills of a strong applicant before they’re admitted to the program. You’ll be asked to complete different tasks at 6-10 stations, varying from role-playing to problem-solving scenarios. These will usually last 5-10 minutes.
  
  To stand out, and to make your admission to your dream medical school easier, you should place an emphasis on staying calm, communicating clearly, exhibiting critical thinking and attention to ethics. Most importantly, showcase your authentic care and interest in medicine, and how your individual qualities and strengths would factor into your approach to patient care as a medical professional.

• Traditional Panel Interviews

  Composed of 2-4 professors, medical students, or doctors, a traditional panel interview will require you to expand on anything covered in your personal statement. It is designed to gain a more in-depth understanding of you as an applicant and potential medical professional. You’ll engage in discussions and ethical conversations covering your knowledge and interest in medicine, medical ethics, and questions about your goals and aspirations.

  To stand out from other applicants, it is recommended that you prepare in advance. Do your research and practice with friends or family. Be sure to show professionalism, passion, knowledge of research, genuine care, and interest in medicine, while maintaining humility and a good rapport with the panellists.

The average UCAT score for medical schools in the UK is 2500-2525 out of 3600. In 2024, only 1,600 of test-takers received a score within the first percentile, which is any score above 2140. Here are the best UK medical schools with lower UCAT scores.

1. Brunel University

The University of Brunel is a great London university for international students and Canadians based on UCAT score requirements. London is a great city for medical students because of its volume of clinical contact, its diverse patient population, as well as the medical advancements at its hospitals. This provides students with a valuable breadth of experience to take to their future careers. 

Best Known For: 

• Diverse clinical experience. Students get access to placements across a range of facilities, including hospitals, community health centres, and general practices. You will also learn from senior medical professionals and interact with experts across fields. 

• Small, team-based learning. Students work in groups of 5-6 and depart from traditional lecture style teaching to support different learning styles and pace, allowing for more customized and engaging support, and higher information retention. 

• Worldwide and international student reputation. Brunel University boasts impressive stats for what is considered a newer university. It’s ranked 4th in the world for international outlook (QS University Rankings 2024), and in the top 10 for the number of international students in the UK. Brunel is also ranked 38th in the UK and 342nd in the world according to QS University Rankings 2025.  

2. University of Edinburgh 

The University of Edinburgh’s medical school requires a low minimum UCAT score for international students and places a high importance on applicants’ personal statements, focusing on a well-rounded student profile that includes personality traits as well as achievements. The school also has higher-than-average acceptance rates (24%) in comparison to more competitive UK medical schools (acceptance rates of less than 10%). 

Best Known For: 

• UK and Scotland’s oldest medical school. The University of Edinburgh was established in 1721 and is also known for being the English-speaking world’s oldest medical school.  

• Top-ranked. The University of Edinburgh medical school is ranked 20th according to QS World University Rankings for Medicine 2025. 

• Nobel Prize Laureates. This school is associated with seven Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine. 

• Strengths in research. They have an established reputation in research, ranked 4th in the UK for research and top in Scotland according to Times Higher Education’s Research Excellence Framework 2021.   

3. Keele University 

On top of having lower UCAT and grade admission requirements, Keele University is known for allotting a portion of interview slots for students in situations that have caused social, economic, or educational disadvantages. They’re also known for an admissions process that focuses on selecting applicants who demonstrate personal qualities and academic aptitudes that show promise as future medical professionals. This school also offers a foundational year for their medical program. 

Best Known For: 

• Embedded sustainability in medical curriculum. Keele University has a top, multi-year reputation as the best in the UK for its engagement in planetary health and sustainability in its medical school program, according to the Planetary Health Report Card.  

• Student-centred learning. Known for its "spiral" curriculum, where students can revisit topics of interest, small student tutor support groups, and learning that focuses on student feedback and engagement. Students also enjoy early clinical exposure with over 100 weeks of varied experience in different clinical circumstances.  

While medical schools that are easy to get into for international students have lower UCAT and grade scores, this is not usually a reflection of the prestige or value of the program, especially if you take personal statements and contextual information into consideration. 

For example, Keele University shows an awareness of how different circumstances can impact a student’s academic standing and considers this during the application process. As medical schools develop a more nuanced understanding of what qualities determine a strong, future medical professional, we are seeing changes in admission criteria to support students who show aptitude in other areas beyond academics.  

If you have lower grades but a strong desire to study medicine, don’t be discouraged. There are several top-ranking schools that are still available to you (especially those with a foundation year)! 

A-Level & IB Requirements for Medical School Entry

As an international student, your grades may differ from the A-Level requirements for your medical program of choice, especially if you’re part of the International Baccalaureate program.  

Otherwise, your UK medical school will share minimum grades based on your country. Note that if you meet the minimum level, your academic performance may not be enough for a competitive application. This is an opportunity to put emphasis on your personal statement. You may seek professional help, such as from study abroad agencies like IDP Education, to create a strong personal statement. Learn more here. 

Graduate Entry vs Undergraduate Entry

There are benefits and downsides to an undergraduate vs a graduate entry. Direct entry from high school typically means lower costs and less time spent on your studies, which can result in faster career entry into the medical field. However, since you’re at a younger age, the stress of the profession may be more than you are able to tolerate at your level of maturity. This, of course, varies from person to person.  

In comparison, graduate entry comes with higher costs and a larger time commitment when you take into consideration your previous undergraduate degree. However, students entering this stream are commonly more mature and have a proven level of academic aptitude that suits a demanding medical program. 

If you’re not sure, consider a joint graduate and undergraduate program. This is offered by several universities, but please note that this may not be the case for schools with lower requirements and higher admission rates. These programs can take 5-6 years.

English Language Proof (IELTS/TOEFL)

To apply, you’ll need to meet the minimum English language requirements. This can vary depending on the school, but typically you will need: 

IELTS: Overall score of at least 7.0, with no category that falls below 7.0 

TOEFL: Score of 93 or above 

Check your program’s admission requirements for this academic year for the most accurate information. 

Foundation Medicine Courses for International Applicants  

If you find you don’t meet the educational requirements to study medicine, don’t be discouraged! There are several universities, like Keele University and the University of Manchester, with easy admission for international students that offer a foundation course for this reason.  

A foundation year allows students to gain the qualifications, knowledge, and skills to enter the medical program of their choice, provided they have a successful application and interview. 

Once you’re admitted, it’s time to review scholarship and funding opportunities. Don’t forget that with some medical programs, you’ll be automatically eligible for international scholarships. Reach out to the student financial aid centre at your school for more information on funding available to you, or access the scholarship, awards, and bursary page on your school’s website.  Other sources for academic funding include these international scholarships cited by The British Council. 

• Chevening Scholarships 

• British Council UK Scholarships 

• Scottish Government Scholarships 

• UK and Wales Scholarships 

• Student Action for Refugees Scholarships 

• Displaced Student Opportunities UK 

• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission 

We also recommend IDP Education’s Find a Scholarship tool, which makes finding funding for your field of study easy. Access it here. 

• Which UK medical schools have the highest acceptance rates for international students? 

There are some UK universities that are more accessible to international students than others. Among the schools with the highest international acceptance rates for medicine are: 

• University of Manchester – 43.8% 

• University of Lincoln – 32.6% 

• Newcastle University – 31.1% 

• Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry – 24.7% 

• University of Edinburgh – 24.2% 

• Are medical schools with lower entry criteria less respected? 

No. All UK medical schools are regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC), ensuring consistent academic and clinical training standards. Even universities which have comparatively lower UCAT cut-offs, or those offering foundation courses, are still in line with the GMC standards for producing competent medical professionals, not only in the UK but globally as well. What matters most is choosing a school that matches your academic background and long-term goals.  

• Can I study medicine in the UK without A-Levels? 

Yes, some UK universities offer foundation or gateway programs for applicants who don’t meet standard A-Level requirements. These include schools like Keele University, University of Dundee, and University of Lincoln, which provide one-year preparatory courses designed to fill in academic gaps. However, completing these programs does not guarantee admission into a full medical degree; you must still meet the required standards of performance.  

• Is London a good city for international med students? 

Yes. London is home to top medical schools such as King’s College London, UCL, and Imperial College London. Students benefit from access to leading teaching hospitals and global networking opportunities. However, living costs in London are typically higher than in other cities, which is something to consider if your budget is a concern.  

• Do foundation or gateway programs guarantee entry into medicine? 

No. These programs aim to prepare students for eligibility but do not provide automatic entry into a medical degree. Students must still meet the academic and performance standards set by the university.