Medicine

Single Honours 

• Medicine 

• Medicine with Foundation Year 

• Medicine with a Year Abroad 

Joint Honours 

• Medicine with Biomedical Sciences 

• Medicine and Global Health 

 SOURCE: COMMON DEGREE TITLES FROM WHATUNI

Alternative options 

• Foundation years Medicine is a difficult course to get into, so it can really help to apply for a course with a foundation year, if you’re not sure whether you’ll have the grades to get in where you want to go. This will give you a year of science-based learning that will ensure you’re up to speed with the fundamentals before starting your undergraduate course. 

• Sandwich degrees A sandwich degree includes an extra placement year, which can be used to accrue additional experience in settings such as hospitals and clinics. This practical experience allows students to gain valuable insights into medical practice, and sometimes includes options to travel abroad. 

• Integrated Master’s A medicine undergraduate takes five to six years to complete, and a one to two year Master’s degree is the necessary next step to becoming qualified as a doctor. While there aren’t integrated Master’s per se, some medicine degrees will include probably Master’s specialisms from your first year. 

• Degree apprenticeships Degree apprenticeships in medicine are a very recent development within UK healthcare. There have been only small pilot schemes so far, with the first apprentices starting in September 2024. Apprentices earn a wage while training to nationally recognised standards and won’t have to pay any tuition fees.  

SOURCE: WHATUNI

Entry requirements for medicine degrees in the UK typically include high grades at A-levels or equivalent, with mandatory qualifications in biology and chemistry. Some universities may also prefer mathematics and physics at A-level. Additionally, universities often consider personal statements, references, and admissions tests such as the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT). 

Medicine offers various specialisations, allowing students to focus on specific areas of healthcare as they develop their educational pathway. Medicine degrees in the UK are typically five to six years in duration, so you’ll have plenty of time to build expertise in your area of interest. Some specialisations include: 

• Cardiology This is the branch of medicine focusing on the heart and circulatory system, diagnosing and treating conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Cardiologists use various tests and procedures to assess heart health and manage cardiovascular disorders. 

• Orthopaedics This branch of medicine specialises in the management of musculoskeletal conditions that affect bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Orthopaedic surgeons perform procedures like joint replacements, fracture repairs, and spinal surgeries to restore mobility and alleviate pain in patients of all ages. 

• Paediatrics Paediatricians focus on the health and well-being of children. They provide preventive care, diagnose illnesses, and monitor growth and development milestones. They address various medical concerns, from vaccinations and nutrition to developmental delays and behavioural challenges. 

• Oncology Focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Oncologists typically specialize in different types of cancer, such as breast, lung, or prostate cancer, employing treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy to manage tumors and improve patient outcomes.  

• Dermatology Dermatologists deal with the treatment of skin disorders, ranging from acne and eczema to skin cancer and dermatitis. Dermatologists perform examinations, biopsies, and procedures like laser therapy to address various conditions, promoting health and cosmetic concerns alike. 

• Pharmacology 

• Pathology 

• Clinical skills 

• Medical ethics and law 

• Epidemiology 

• Cell biology and genetics 

• Evidence-based medicine 

• Neurobiology 

• Human reproduction 

• Cardiovascular science 

Studying medicine gives you a complex understanding of the human body, as well as diseases which affect it, and the appropriate medical treatments. You’ll learn clinical skills, diagnostic techniques, and treatment approaches that will allow you to engage with patients of all ages and walk of life. 

You can expect to learn through lectures, tutorials, and hands-on clinical placements, and in addition to an encyclopaedic knowledge of human health, will develop critical thinking skills, communication, and ethical principles necessary for competent and compassionate medical practice. 

Transferable skills you’ll pick up along the way include: 

• Communication 

• Research 

• Attention to detail 

• Report writing  

• Observation and analysis 

In the UK, medical degrees are accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC), ensuring that graduates meet the necessary standards for medical practice. Accreditation ensures that medical schools provide high-quality education and training, preparing students for careers as competent and ethical healthcare professionals. 

If you're interested in healthcare but aren’t sure that you want to study medicine, then there are many alternative degrees which may be worth considering. These disciplines offer opportunities to work in healthcare settings and contribute to improving patient outcomes through research, clinical practice, or patient care. 

Alternatives include: 

• Biomedical sciences 

• Nursing 

• Neuroscience  

• Dentistry  

• Chemistry  

• Biology 

• Physiotherapy 

A medicine degree is quite a commitment, but the rewards are significant. As well as having a large selection of career pathways to explore, you’ll usually be well compensated for your work, and will have the good fortune to be working in an extremely meaningful field, where you’ll be improving the lives of people around you every day. You can choose to work in an office, a clinical setting, or even out in the field. Wherever there are people there is a need for medical professionals, and your expertise is valuable in all sorts of areas from public health and healthcare management to medical education, biomedical research, and patient care. 

Jobs that medicine graduates can apply for include: 

• GP 

• Paediatrician 

• Surgeon 

• Clinical researcher 

• Anaesthetist 

• Genetic scientist 

• Lecturer 

• Medical journalist 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You'll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in medicine or a related subject.