Looking for the perfect uni can be overwhelming. To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of the best medicine schools in the UK in categories from best in each UK nation overall to best in student satisfaction so you can make decisions based on what’s most important to you.
Best university for medicine in student satisfaction
University of Leicester
The uni has over 10,000 alumni, so studying here will leave you with a huge community of graduates with a shared alma mater. It offers a wide range of courses to suit different interests, from the likes of computer science, criminology and medicine – the unis medicine students are particularly fond of the University of Leicester, as it came top for student satisfaction.
Read what students think of medicine at University of Leicester.
Best university for medicine in research quality
University of Cambridge
Just an hour’s train ride from London, you’ll find the University of Cambridge in the picturesque city of Cambridge, situated on the River Cam. You won’t be short of green space if you study here, and the uni boasts beautiful buildings right across the city centre. In the summer, many students make the most of the boat trips on offer, and throughout the year there’s plenty of cultural things to do. You’ll find a range of galleries, museums, cinemas and theatres to occupy you in the city, and you also won’t be short of places to eat, drink or party.
Read what students think of medicine at the University of Cambridge.
Best university for medicine in graduate outcomes
It’s a tie!
As medicine has very strong graduate outcomes, this is a 17-way tie. The universities who came joint first in graduate outcomes for medicine are:
- Queen's University Belfast
- University of Plymouth
- University of Sheffield
- Imperial College London
- University of Exeter
- University of Cambridge
- Lancaster University
- University of Buckingham
- University of Leicester
- University of East Anglia (UEA)
- University of Leeds
- The University of Edinburgh
- University of Liverpool
- University of Nottingham
- King's College London
- University of Southampton
- University of Bristol
- University of Dundee
- University of Birmingham
Best university for medicine in England
University of Cambridge
Not only coming top in research quality, but also top overall in England. The University of Cambridge takes the #1 spot again.
Read what students think of medicine at the University of Cambridge.
Best university for medicine in Scotland
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is well-known for its vibrant culture and student life, located a short distance from Edinburghs city centre (though it is pretty hill, so bring some solid walking shoes!). The city itself, is an exciting cultural hub and there’s plenty to keep students occupied during their studies, from theatres to galleries to concert halls. You’ll also find a huge selection of independent restaurants, bars and cafes to socialise in. The local transport network allows for easy travel between the city centre and university.
Read what students think of medicine at the University of Edinburgh.
Best university for medicine in Wales
Swansea University
Swansea University is definitely a good choice if you’re looking for an exciting place to study in Wales. The city is relatively compact, so you won’t have trouble finding what you need within walking distance.
Read what students think of medicine at Swansea University.
Best university for medicine in Northern Ireland
Queen's University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast was recently ranked as one of the top 30 universities by Complete University Guide’s 2024 League Table and is a well-respected and renowned institution. Located in Northern Ireland’s capital city of Belfast, students can explore the compact town centre on foot or by bike. For those who prefer public transport, there’s also a strong local transport network across the city, which is perfect for students. In Belfast, you’ll find plenty of nightlife, entertainment and culture to keep you busy when you’re not studying. Belfast also has easy links to the UK mainland via airport and ferry.
Best university for medicine overall
University of Cambridge
Having been featured in this article, it’s probably no surprise that the University of Cambridge sits in the #1 spot for medicine in the UK.
Read what students think of medicine at the University of Cambridge.