Entry requirements
BSMS gives equal emphasis to applicants' academic qualifications and their personal qualities and potential. Based on information from applications, candidates will be recommended by the admissions board to be invited to interview. Individual offers will depend on interviewers' recommendations.
After academic screening, BSMS rank candidates according to UCAT score. Candidates with an SJT band of three or higher and who meet the BSMS global score threshold are invited to interview. Candidates are then ranked again by interview score. Those meeting the interview score threshold will be made an offer. Where candidates tie on interview score, UCAT may be used as a discriminator. Personal statements are not used at any point in the BSMS admissions process.
GCSE
English language or English literature and maths at grade6/B or above.
A-levels
Most standard offers for entry to us are conditional on gaining three A grades at A-level (to include biology or chemistry and one further subject from biology, chemistry, maths or physics). We do not specify the nature of the third A-level subject. The majority of our applicants will choose to study maths or physics, however we strongly encourage applications from students who study humanities or the arts as we recognise their value in broadening academic horizons. It should be noted that general studies and critical thinking is not acceptable at any level.
We reserve the right to make alternative offers where appropriate.
International Baccalaureate
We very much welcome applications from students who have taken, or are taking, the International Baccalaureate Diploma. You will normally need to pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with 36 points overall to include a grade 6 in Higher Level biology or chemistry and a grade 6 from one further HL subject from biology, chemistry, maths or physics.
T-level not accepted for this course.
Other equivalent qualifications
A wide range of other academic qualifications equivalent to A-levels, Advanced Highers and the International Baccalaureate are also welcome. If you are intending to offer such qualifications, please check on the BSMS admissions webpage for advice on their eligibility and the grades expected. If you have any further queries, contact our admissions team.
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
We welcome candidates who have successfully completed an Extended Project, recognising the effort that they have expended and the valuable skills and knowledge that they will have gained. However the EPQ will not form part of any offers that we make.
Scottish Highers
You will normally be required to have three Advanced Highers including biology and chemistry grades A plus a Higher Level subject at grade B or above, or two Advanced Highers in biology and chemistry at grades A plus two Higher Level subjects at grades A.
Welsh Baccalaureate
We welcome applicants applying to us with the Welsh Baccalaureate. Normally you will be required to achieve an A grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma as well as 2 A grades at A-level to include both biology and chemistry.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate at Higher/Honours level with (old 2016 system) at least grades A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 A2 at Higher/Honours Level including grades A1 in Biology and Chemistry. Or at least (new system) grades H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including H1 in both Biology and Chemistry subjects. You will also need at least (old system) grades B2 in English and Maths or (new system) grades at least H3/O3 or above in the Leaving Certificate at Ordinary/Standard Level.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with at least 7.0 in each section. This must have been achieved no more than two years before the date that you intend to register with BSMS.
Widening participation
BSMS is committed to seeking out talented people who have the potential to become tomorrow’s doctors but who may not have considered it as a possibility, thus enabling medicine to better reflect the patient population.
As well as assessing your academic profile, we will also be looking to see whether you meet our adjusted offers criteria. If you identify as meeting at least one criterion from three different sections below and are classified as being a home fee paying student, you will be eligible for contextual data admissions offer and will be considered separately from the wider applicant pool. For these applicants we will accept AAB at A-level to include biology or chemistry and one further subject from biology, chemistry, maths or physics. For candidates studying the International Baccalaureate we will accept 35 points overall to include a grade 5 in Higher Level biology or chemistry and a grade 5 from one further HL subject from biology, chemistry, maths or physics.
Adjusted offer criteria
Applicants must meet at least one criterion from three different sections.
Geographical
You live in a neighbourhood that has low participation into higher education:
- POLAR 4 – Quintile 1 or 2.*
- TUNDRA LSOA (MSOA not considered) – Quintile 1 or 2.*
- Index of Mass Deprivation – living in an area that falls within the lowest 20%*.
Educational
- Attended an 11–16 state school that performed below the national average according to Attainment 8*.
- Parents/carers must not hold a degree from a UK university.
Household
- You (or a parent or guardian) are in receipt of or have been eligible for a means-tested benefit ** (.docx)
- You receive / or have received free school meals during your secondary/post 16 education.**
- You received the .**
Individual
- If you are or have been in receipt of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).**
- You are (or have been) eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). **
- You are or have been a young carer during secondary school or post-16 education, this must be validated by your Head Teacher and/or your Local Authority.**
Care leavers
- Applicants that have been in local authority care for a period of at least three months during secondary and/or post 16 education will automatically be invited for interview subject to satisfying academic criteria.
* This will be determined from the information you provide on your UCAS form.
** All applicants will be invited (via email) to upload any evidence of the above criteria after we receive your UCAS application.
If you have any queries as to whether or not you meet our contextual data criteria, get in touch with our admissions team at medadmissions@bsms.ac.uk.
Mature and graduate entry
Access to HE Diploma
Mature entry: Pass with distinction on a recognised Access to Medicine course.
Degree and experience
Graduate entry: Applicants should hold, or expect to hold, a first or upper second class honours science degree and at least BBB at A-level including biology or chemistry and one further subject from biology, chemistry, maths or physics. If applying with a non-science degree applicants should hold, or expect to hold, a first or upper second class honours degree and at least AAB at A-level including grades A in biology or chemistry and one further subject from biology, chemistry, maths or physics. Applicants without the required science qualifications may like to consider the Access to Medicine diploma.
EU or Channel Island applications are considered on the same basis as UK applicants. BSMS has 10 places per year for international students from outside the European Union. Applicants should possess academic qualifications equivalent to those required from UK and EU applicants. We will be able to interview overseas applicants by video link.
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
BSMS requires all applicants to sit the UCAT in the year that you apply, in order to be considered for interview. Find out more on the including how to register, key dates and preparing for the test.
International requirements
International candidates can find out more about BSMS entry requirements for international qualifications and detailed information on English language requirements .