BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation entry requirements

Full entry requirements for BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation

BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation is designed to make the study of medicine accessible to all individuals. For this reason, you must meet both the academic and non-academic entry requirements in order to be considered for this programme.
Please note the following information concerning academic entry requirements: 
  • None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.
  • Applicants for this course must not meet the A level and GCSE grade requirements for the five-year BMBS Medicine (A100) course, including the re-sit policy. However, if you meet either the GCSE or A level requirements for A100 but not the other, then you would be considered for the foundation course. 
  • We will only consider an application from each candidate for either BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation Year (A102) or BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (A100). Offers will not be made for both programmes. 
  • As part of our commitment to a fair and transparent admissions process, Peninsula Medical School uses the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in order to make informed choices from amongst the many highly qualified applicants who apply for a place on the BMBS with Foundation programme. UCAT test results will be used alongside A levels and GCSEs to select for interview. The Admissions Advisory Panel reserve the right to consider all aspects of the UCAT when shortlisting for interview. The UCAT is valid for 12 months and must be sat in the year of application. The UCAT threshold score applied to determine candidate selection for interview can alter each year and is influenced by overall candidate performance in the UCAT and the number and quality of applications received. Unfortunately, we will not be able to confirm the cut off for the coming academic year until all applications have been received and assessed.
  • We are unable to consider any applicants who have already completed a first degree.
  • We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2019 would still be valid when applying in September 2024.
  • Applicants must meet the GCSE and Level 3 criteria to meet the academic entry requirements.

GCSE
Applicants need to achieve 5 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects: 
  • English Language
  • Mathematics 
  • Two Science subjects - either GCSE Double Award Science or two from single award Chemistry, Biology, or Physics
We are unable to consider functional skills in lieu of GCSEs.

Level 3 qualifications
A Level
The typical offer is BBB at GCE A level which must include the following:
  • Grade B in Biology
  • Grade B in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
  • Your third A level can be from any subject area and does not need to be science based. When shortlisting for interview we do not give preference to those who complete three Science A Levels. General Studies is not accepted
BTEC National Extended Diploma
DDM in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient Biology and another science.
BTEC National Diploma
  • DM in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient Biology and another science
  • GCE A Level grade B in Biology
Access to Higher Education Diploma
Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a predominantly science subject area, meeting the following criteria: 
  • 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits, of which 15 level 3 credits must be in Biology or Human Biology
  • You must achieve Distinction in 33 level 3 credits, and Merit in the remaining 12 level 3 credits
Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge can be considered in place of a third A Level alongside Biology and a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBB to include the following:
  • Grade B in Biology 
  • Grade B in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
Irish Leaving Certificate
H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3 to include Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
International Baccalaureate
28-32 points overall to include the following: 
  • Higher Level 5 in Biology
  • Higher Level 5 in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
Other UK qualifications
Other UK qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk for advice, ensuring you provide all details of your qualifications.

Mandatory non-academic entry requirements

Contextual entry requirements

All applicants, in addition to meeting or exceeding the academic criteria, will need to meet a total of at least 5 points from any combination of the following criteria:
Each worth 2 points
  • Being in care or care-experienced 
  • Being in receipt or eligible for free school meals
  • Refugee/asylum seeker status
  • Attending a low performing school/college based on 16-18 performance
  • In receipt of EMA or 16-19 bursary
  • In receipt of UCAT bursary
Each worth 1 point
  • Living in an area categorised as being in indices of mass deprivation (IMD) 1-4 or local equivalent
  • Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme
  • Living in a low participation area as determined by POLAR4 quintile 1 postcode analysis
  • Being a south west resident (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset)
  • In receipt of service pupil premium

Explanation of above terms

In care/care leaver
Being in care or care-experienced – Evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received).
What's a care experienced student?
A care experienced student is someone who has spent any amount of time in local authority care, such as foster care or residential children's homes, but may not meet the definition of a care leaver.
Free school meals
Being in receipt of free school meals whilst completing your level 3 qualifications, at the school/college you undertook these qualifications – evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received).
Refugee or asylum seeker status 
Evidenced by either an official letter from the Home Office or preferably a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), submitted by the applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received).
Where English is not your first language and you do not have a GCSE or IGCSE Grade 4 in English language you, must have an alternative English language qualification.  Examples of acceptable language qualifications are the Certificate of Proficiency in English (Cambridge - Grade C) or the International English Language Testing System IELTS (at least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in every element). 
School performance
Attended a low performing school/college whilst completing your level 3 qualifications e.g. 16-18 performance in the ‘below’ or ‘well below average’ classification. This must be the school/college where you undertook your level 3 qualifications. If you attend a secondary school or college in England, please visit the Compare School and College Performance gov.uk website. If you attend a secondary school or college in Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk. 
UCAT, EMA or 16-19 bursary
In receipt of one or more of these bursaries.  UCAT bursary entitlement can be downloaded from source. EMA or 16-19 bursary entitlement to be evidenced by an official award letter or a school letter submitted at the point of UCAS application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received).
Indices of Mass Deprivation
Living in an area categorised as being in Indices of Mass Deprivation (IMD) 1–4 or 20% most deprived as determined by your English postcode, Northern Ireland postcode, Scottish postcode, and Welsh postcode.
POLAR4
Living in a low participation neighbourhood as determined by your postcode (POLAR4 quintile 1).
South west resident
Living in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset or Somerset as determined by your postcode.
Service pupil premium
Being in receipt of service pupil premium – Evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received).
Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme
Significant engagement includes completion of the five-day summer Work Experience Programme, being a member of the e-Mentoring scheme and having attended a minimum of three of the various Peninsula Pathways workshops by the end of Year 12.

International applicants
This programme is open to international applicants who are currently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom – no other international applications will be considered.
International applicants need to meet the equivalent admissions criteria described for home students as outlined above. Applicants applying with overseas qualifications should contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk prior to submitting an application through UCAS.
All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have one of the following English Language qualifications. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk:
  • If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent of a GCSE grade A/8 in English Language providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). 
  • GCSE or IGCSE grade A in English Language. 
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band 7.0 or above with at least 6.5 in each of the speaking and listening sections taken within 12 months prior to entry. The University will no longer accept the IELTS indicator (online test). All applicants will have to take the IELTS test at an approved centre.
  • IB score of 5 in English B at the standard level.
We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you are a long way from home. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive and we have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International student advice also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them.
Student visas
If you have an offer of a place at the Faculty of Health you will need to apply for a Student visa (formerly Tier 4 General Student category) unless you have an alternate visa which allows study or a suitable UK passport. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website.

Re-sit applicants
Re-sit applicants are considered for this course, with the following requirements: 
  • If you are applying with predicted grades, a minimum of BCC must be achieved on first sitting of A Level
  • Where BCC is not achieved on first sitting, applicants must re-sit the required qualifications and apply once suitable grades have been achieved
  • A Level or accepted equivalent qualifications must be completed in no more than 3 years of study, unless otherwise advised
  • A suitable qualification profile must be achieved on first re-sit attempt
We do not have an AS Level resit policy, however, full A Levels must be completed within the above timeframe.
For re-sit criteria of other qualifications, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Selection and admissions process
Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically the 15th October. You can apply to no more than four of the same clinical course choice, so although you cannot apply for five medical courses, four medical courses and one dental course would be permitted. Further information on this is available through the UCAS website. You may also wish to consider an alternative course such as Biomedical Science or Human Biosciences as your fifth choice.
All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.
The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows:
1. Shortlisting for interview– Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications and non-academic criteria alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview
The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants
2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews.  Full details can be found in our selection and admissions process .
Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course
3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.
Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our  Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise .

Frequently asked questions
Medicine is an incredibly competitive course. What are my chances of being offered a place?
It is difficult for us to confirm what percentage of applicants will be accepted as the number of applications we receive changes year to year.
We have 40 places on BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation Year.
Application statistics for 2024 can be found below:
Number of Places: 40
Number of applications for 2024 entry: 510
Number of applicants interviewed: 193
Number of offers made: 82
Although we very rarely have places available through Clearing, you are more than welcome to call us from early August to check if there are places available.
I am unable to obtain predicted grades for my qualifications. Will my application still be considered?
We are unable to consider any applicant who cannot provide predicted grades for pending qualifications.
Do you consider late applications?
We are unable to consider any applications that are received by UCAS after the deadline, which is typically 18:00 (GMT) on the 15th October annually. To ensure your application is considered, please do not leave it until the last minute to apply, as you will need to allow time for your school or college to add your reference and officially submit your application.
If you applied on time but changed your mind about your university choices, we will consider your application assuming you are within the 14 day cooling off period set by UCAS and your application was submitted prior to the deadline.
When will interviews take place?
Interviews typically take place between December and February. You will be given the opportunity to choose your preferred interview date through our online booking system, and we endeavour to provide as much notice of interview dates as possible.
Where will interviews take place?
We will be completing all interviews in the 2024 admissions cycle online via zoom.
I have personal issues that I am worried could have affected my interview/exam performance. Do you consider extenuating circumstances?
Whilst we sympathise with the unfortunate situation you have experienced, in the interest of fairness to all our applicants we are unable to consider any extenuating circumstances at any stage of the admissions process.
Will you have places available through Clearing?
We very rarely have places available through Clearing. You are more than welcome to call us from early August to check if there are places available, however.
I have been given an offer but I am worried that I will not meet the academic criteria. What will happen if I don’t achieve the required grades?
We understand that applying for university and sitting exams is an incredibly stressful time. We will be unable to confirm whether we can accept your application if you do not meet the required grades until A Level results day. At this point, we will know how all of our applicants have performed and the Admissions Advisory Panel will advise whether reduced grades will be considered. 
While we have softened on entry requirements in the past, there is no guarantee that this will be the case.