Entry requirements

Graduates must hold at least an upper second class honours (2:1 Hons degree) or equivalent. Chemistry to at least B grade in Scottish Higher or B grade in GCE A-Level examinations is required also, although this requirement may be satisfied in individual cases by appropriate courses of study and achievement during the first degree.

A levels - AAA including Chemistry and one from Biology, Maths or Physics, and one other subject

S5 - AAAAB in Chemistry and two of Maths, Biology/Human Biology or Physics plus two other subjects.
S6 - BBB at Higher/Advanced Higher

36 points. Three subjects at Higher level at grade 6 or higher including Chemistry and one of either Biology, Physics or Maths. Three appropriate subjects at standard level with average grade 6 including one science if three not offered at Higher level.

GCSE Grade 6 passes in English Language and Maths are required. Biology is recommended; Physics is recommended (or Dual Award Science)
A combination of Grade 6-9 passes at GCSE is expected, especially in science subjects.

National 5s: English and Maths are required (Grade B minimum); Biology and Physics are recommended but not compulsory (Grade B minimum). A combination of Grade A & B passes at Standard Grade / National 5 is expected, especially in science subjects.

Access to Medicine Higher Education Courses that are approved by AQA.

Minimum 2:1 honours degree awarded within the last five years. The degree must be in a biological, biomedical, chemistry or health science subject (please note we do not accept Nursing or Paramedic Science).

AAA at A Level taken within two academic years prior to the time of application, to include Chemistry or Biology and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. For the third A Level*, please note that we do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. For Biology, Chemistry and Physics A Levels, we require a pass in the practical element. Applicants who meet the criteria of our Widening Access to Medicine Scheme are eligible for a lower entry requirement of ABB.

Advanced Highers: ABB from Scottish Advanced Highers with grades AB to come from Biology and/or Chemistry and another science subject.

Highers: AAAAA at Higher Grade including Biology and/or Chemistry and another science subject. We also require National 5 Grade B or above or GCSE grade B (5) or above in English Language, two science subjects and Maths.

A minimum of 36 points is accepted. 666 at Higher Level in Biology and/or Chemistry plus one other science and including Mathematics or English.

GCSEs: A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade A*-B (9-6) required including English Language, Maths and two science subjects.

Scottish Nationals: Grade 5 or above in English Language, two science subjects and Maths.

We currently accept Access to Medicine qualifications from:

City & Islington College – Medicine and Medical Bio Sciences
College of West Anglia – Medicine and Dentistry
East Sussex College – Medicine
Harlow College – Medicine
Havering College – Medicine and Medical Sciences
Lambeth College – Medicine and Medical Biosciences
The Manchester College – Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Medical Science
Access to HE Diploma (Medicine and Healthcare Professionals) Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group
Truro and Penwith College – Medicine

For graduate applicants, normally a minimum of an upper second class Honours degree (2:1) in any discipline plus three A Levels at grades ABB to include Chemistry and Biology with either at grade A. The university degree must be from a recognised UK or UK ENIC approved university. In addition, applicants will normally be required to have the same GCSE requirements as other applicants.

The normal requirement is a minimum of grades AAA at A level with Chemistry and Biology being compulsory and any third subject excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking. If applicants are taking more than three A levels, Chemistry, Biology and the next best grade will be considered.

Applicants with Scottish Advanced Highers will normally be expected to achieve, or have achieved AAA to include Chemistry and Biology.

The normal requirement is a minimum of five GCSEs/IGCSEs at grade 6/B or above, which must include English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology or Double Science (or international equivalent).

36 overall (6,6,6 at Higher Level in three subjects which must include Chemistry (HL6) and Biology (HL6) and the rest from three subjects at Standard Level (SL) and Diploma Programme Core).

Applicants must possess minimum of 2:1 degree in any subject from a recognised institution. We expect that no more than five years will have elapsed between the most significant and relevant qualification and the start date of the course. If more than five years have elapsed since your degree, then your work since your degree will be considered.

All degree subjects are accepted. However, if you do not have a life sciences degree or degree in a subject allied to medicine, or your work does not provide you with sufficient responsibility in areas of healthcare practice or biomedical science, you must offer a qualification relating to Biology and Chemistry that is A level standard.

Minimum requirement is AAA at A level, and A*AA as a standard including Biology and Chemistry. 

A level grades or equivalent grades are not used to determine selection for interview as long as predicted thresholds (see below) are achieved. Applicants must be taking three A Level subjects (or equivalent) in the final year of secondary school. Subjects must include Biology and Chemistry. We have no preference for the third subject, but General Studies, Critical Thinking and EPQ are not accepted.

A total of seven GCSEs must be offered, which will be scored as part of the process of calculating an application score (see our website for details). The required subjects are:

Predicted 6,6,6 at Higher Level, including Chemistry, Biology and one other approved subject. You must offer English and Mathematics at Standard Level if not offered at the Higher Level (Maths Studies is acceptable). You must be predicted a minimum of 32 points overall.

You must also provide results either from the Middle Years' Programme or an acceptable GCSE-equivalent qualification. MYP results will be scored according to their equivalence to GCSEs.

Graduate entrants are assessed on their recent achievement and do not have to satisfy our normal entry requirements, however they will need to have achieved at least BBB at A level (to include biology and chemistry) our GCSE English and Maths requirements must still be met.​

A Level: AAA - Biology, Chemistry and one other (AAB with CD)

Scottish Highers: AAA to include Biology and Chemistry. Or pass Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry with grades A with at least grades A in two additional Higher Subjects. English and Maths requirements: grades B or above in National 5s English and Maths.

36 points including Biology and Chemistry at Higher level at grade 6. 

We require all applicants, without contextual data, to have obtained at least a grade 6/B in English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs. For applicants with contextual data, we will accept English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs at a grade 5/C. Please note we do not take any other GSCEs into consideration during our admissions process.

Scottish National 5s - English and Maths at grade B or above, or grade C for applicants meeting BSMS's contextual admissions criteria.

BSMS accepts the following Access to HE qualifications:

• Bright Met Access to Medicine Diploma
• East Sussex College Access to Medicine and Dentistry Diploma
• City and Islington Medicine & Medical Bio Sciences – Access to HE Diploma
• College of West Anglia Access to Medicine and Dentistry
• Lambeth College L3 OCNLR Access to Medicine & Medical Biosciences (Pathway 2)
• Manchester College Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy & Medical Science Access to HE Diploma

2:1 in first degree with ABB at A Level including A in Chemistry and B in one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics (or in equivalent level 3 qualifications). Any degree subject is accepted if applicants meet the above level 3 requirements.

AAA at A level including A in Chemistry and A in one of Biology, Physics or Maths.

AA at SQA Advanced Higher including A in Chemistry and A in one of Biology, Physics or Maths with with AAAAB in Scottish Highers.

36 overall with 18 in three Higher Level subjects including 6 in HL Chemistry and 6 in one of HL Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

GCSEs: A minimum of grade A required in GCSE Mathematics and grade C in English Language.

Scottish Nationals: A minimum of grade A in Mathematics and grade C in English Language

Life Science, Medicine or Science. Must include a minimum of 15 level 3 credits in Chemistry and 15 level 3 credits in one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

Bachelor Degree in a subject cognate to medicine with an upper second-class (2:1) or above.

Master Degree in a subject cognate to medicine with a Merit or above.

AAB at A-Level to include Chemistry or Biology and a second science (chemistry, biology, physics) or maths and a third subject (not general studies) or international equivalent.

GCSE Maths grade B or equivalent is required.

36 points (including Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay) and must include Higher Level 6 in either Chemistry or Biology and Higher Level 5 in Mathematics or in a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics).

For applicants offering a degree – they should have a Bachelor degree in a subject cognate to Medicine, and have or be predicted a minimum classification of 2.1.

ABB at A level including Chemistry and Biology.

BBB at Advanced Highers to include Chemistry and Biology.

No specific requirements.

In the specific case of the International Baccalaureate, they should be expected to achieve or to have achieved a total score of at least 34 points with Higher Level 6 in Chemistry & Biology. Please note that the overall point score does not include theory of knowledge or extended essay.

Typical offers are A*A*A at A level, or A1A1A2 in Scottish Advanced Highers. On entry, applicants must have A level passes in Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics, Maths (two required by some Colleges). Please note that the success rate for students offering three or more Science/Maths A levels has often been higher than for those without.

No specific requirements.

40–42 points, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level. On entry, applicants must have Higher Chemistry and at least one of Higher Biology, Physics, Maths (two required by some Colleges).

A-levels: AAA at A-level. Students must offer three A-levels including Chemistry and Biology. If the Science subject has a separate practical endorsement a pass in this element is required. Applicants offering only one of Biology or Chemistry at A2 and a second science subject e.g., Physics or Maths, may be considered if they achieve an A grade at AS level in the subject (Biology or Chemistry) not offered at A2 level. Such candidates are advised to contact the Admissions Team, to confirm the acceptability of this arrangement prior to applying. Only one Mathematics subject at A-level (from Maths, Further Maths and Statistics) will be considered. Human biology and biology will not be considered as separate A-levels. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. 

The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (WBA) with an overall grade A will be considered in lieu of an A-level alongside grade A in both Biology and Chemistry A level. Applicants offering applied subjects should contact Admissions Team for advice medadmissions@cardiff.ac.uk.

Scottish Highers: Applicants offering two subjects at Advanced Higher level with AA grades (including Chemistry and Biology) along with five Scottish Higher A grades are eligible to apply for the A100 course. Mathematics and English language must be passed to at least Standard Level with grade 2 or grade B.  

Mathematics and English language must be passed to at least Standard Level with grade 2 or grade B. 

All applicants (including all graduates) must have grade 6/B GCSE (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics, English Language, and Double Award Science (6,6 or B/B) or Chemistry and Biology.  Applicants receive a score based on the four subjects above and the five best other GCSE (or equivalent level) results. No results below 6/B are scored.

Applicants applying prior to having achieved the IB qualification must include details (including a breakdown of subjects and grades) of their achieved Level 2 examinations, GCSE and Middle Years Programme (MYP), in the Education Section on their UCAS application to be considered. We accept performance from the MYP in English qualification (either at SL or HL) as indicative of the expectation of IB English: A Language and Literature (first language) or IB English B (second language) being achieved at SL6 or HL5.

Successful candidates require an overall total of 36 points (excluding Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay) for entry. A minimum of 19 points must be achieved in Higher level subjects made up of a score of 7,6,6 points to include two science subjects. This must include at least one of Biology and Chemistry at Higher level (if both subjects are not offered then the second subject must be one of Physics, and either Mathematics or Statistics) with the score of 6 points being achieved in either Chemistry or Biology. Chemistry or Biology must be offered at Standard Level with a score of 7 points, if not at Higher level.

If Mathematics and English language are not offered within the diploma they should be offered as GCSE subjects with at least grade 6/B .