Check upcoming open days and book your place arrow
Subject Guides

Studying medicine degree guide

Studying medicine at uni is essential if you want to become a medical doctor working at a hospital or in a local GP. Medicine is a really interesting degree and can lead to extremely important and rewarding work.

Eleanor Foulds
by Eleanor Foulds
Last Updated:
03 Nov 2022

On a medicine degree, you’ll study all sorts from the human body and preventing disease to treating illnesses. The application of medicine not only plays a massive role in stopping and curing illness and disease, but it also helps with scientific discovery and the advancement of medicine and treatments – basically, it’s an incredibly important subject. A career in medicine means you’ll never stop learning and you’ll be able to help people every day. Keep reading to see if you think you’re suited to a degree in this highly respected subject.  

Find medicine courses

What do you need to get on a medicine degree?


The ranges of entry requirements for medicine are as follows:

  • UCAS points: 128 – 160
  • A-levels: A*A*A – ABB (AAA is common)
  • Scottish Highers: AAAABB – AAAAB (Advanced Highers: AAA–BBB)
  • BTEC Nationals: Not accepted
  • International Baccalaureate: 42 – 32

Most medicine courses will ask for an A-level (or equivalent) in biology and chemistry. Other good subjects to have studied are maths and physics.

Read more about medicine entry requirements.

Find out how to apply to uni through UCAS.

Learn how to write a winning personal statement.

What medicine degrees can you study?


Degrees in medicine include:

  • MB Medicine
  • MB BS Medicine
  • BSc Medical Sciences
  • BSc Cardiac Physiology
  • BSc Infectious Diseases

What topics does a medicine degree cover?


Common modules for medicine include:

  • Medical cell biology and genetics
  • Functional architecture of the body
  • Pathological processes
  • Biology of disease
  • Evidence-based medicine and research methods
  • Neurobiology and human behaviour
  • Clinical procedural skills
  • Ethics and law in clinical practice
  • Human reproduction
  • Preparing for patients
  • Homeostasis

What do you learn studying a medicine degree?


Studying a medicine degree will help you gain industry-specific skills like:

  • Medical knowledge and terminology
  • Understanding of medication and treatments
  • Understanding of the human body
  • Scientific competencies
  • Medical ethics
  • Patient interaction

More general, transferable skills you’ll pick up include:

  • Problem-solving 
  • Decision making 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Innovation 
  • Team working
  • Communication
  • Research
  • Attention-to-detail
  • Confidence
  • Data management and analysis 
  • Report-writing 
  • Independent working
  • Presentation
  • Data handling
  • Observation and analysis 

What professional accreditations can you get with a medicine degree?


Most medical schools, and their degrees, are approved by the General Medical Council (GMC), meaning you can register as a doctor on completion of your studies.

What can you do with a medicine degree?


Jobs that medicine graduates can apply for include:

Where to study medicine?


Check the latest ranking of unis offering medicine courses by the Complete University Guide

How long is a medicine degree?


A medicine degree usually takes five years to study and often involves clinical placements where you’ll get experience in a medical environment, such as a hospital.

How will you be assessed?


Medicine courses usually involve assessment through:

  • Exams
  • Coursework
  • Presentations
  • Anatomy practice
  • Practical assignments

What are the postgraduate opportunities?


Your options for further study include:

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

What alternatives are there to a medicine degree?


Not sure if a medicine degree is right for you? Check out these related subjects:

Biology