Graduate Entry Medicine MBChB
If you’re a life science graduate from a background that’s underrepresented in higher education, this route into medicine could be for you. After a six-week introduction, you’ll jump straight into phase two of our MBChB programme and graduate in just four years.
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A Levels
BBB -
UCAS code
A101 -
Duration
4 years -
Start date
September
- Course fee
- Funding available
- Clinical placement
Explore this course:
Course description
Why study this course?
Get hands-on from day one
Jump straight into real clinical settings. From GP surgeries to hospital wards, you’ll begin developing the skills you’ll use every day as a doctor.
Learn directly from real patients
Our acclaimed Patients as Educators programme is the largest of its kind.
Unique social accountability placements
You will work with one of over 130 charities/community organisations to develop and deliver activities that have a positive impact on health and wellbeing.
Explore anatomy like never before
Our Anatomy Lab is home to Anatomage tables, one of the most advanced 3D anatomy tools in the world.
Powered by real research
You’ll learn in a medical school where scientists are developing new treatments for heart disease, neurodegenerative illnesses and cancer as well as experts in epidemiology, public health and health economics.
Our four-year Graduate Entry Medicine programme is designed for life science graduates from under represented backgrounds in higher education. It’s fast paced, hands on, and gets you straight into real clinical settings from day one.
You’ll be learning in real clinical settings. Meeting patients, working alongside experienced doctors, and developing the practical skills that bring medicine to life. Your academic learning is closely linked to what you see in hospitals and GP practices, so you’ll always understand how your studies apply in the real world.
You’ll explore how the human body functions, what happens in disease, and how to diagnose and treat patients. Alongside this, you’ll strengthen communication skills, learn to work effectively within healthcare teams, and develop a deep understanding of the ethical and professional responsibilities of being a doctor.
Throughout the course, you’ll gain exposure to a wide range of specialties from emergency care and surgery to paediatrics and mental health, helping you identify the areas of medicine that inspire you most. You’ll also have opportunities to engage in research or take an intercalated year to explore a subject in depth.
By graduation, you’ll be ready to step into foundation training with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a real impact on patients’ lives.
This entry route is not available to international students.
Modules
We review the curriculum every year to ensure it remains current, relevant and informed by the latest research, student feedback and professional accreditation requirements.
As a result, elements of the course may be updated, changed or replaced. If this happens, we’ll keep you informed and do everything we can to minimise any disruption to your studies.
Click through the below to explore what you could study at different stages of your learning journey.
UCAS code: A101
Years: 2026, 2027
Students on the Graduate Entry Medicine course bypass the first year of the standard A100 Medicine degree, beginning the programme with an accelerated focus on foundational clinical knowledge and skills.
In the early years, you will:
- Complete a research project
- Undertake early years General Practice placements
- Participate in clinical attachments
- Study clinical medical sciences and clinical skills
- Choose Student Selected Components (SSCs)
In the later years, the focus shifts to extended clinical experience, specialty attachments, and preparation for practice as a foundation doctor.
You will:
- Take part in clinical team and specialty clinical attachments
- Learn acute and continuing clinical care
- Study medical sciences and community/public health
- Complete child health, women’s health, and mental health placements
- Continue Student Selected Components (including electives, community-based options, and medical audit)
- Participate in Longitudinal Integrated Clinical Placements (LICP2 and LICP3)
- Undertake a six-week student assistantship, preparing you for foundation year training
The final year consolidates your clinical knowledge, professional skills, and readiness for practice.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You’ll get hands-on experience in real hospital wards, GP surgeries and clinics, as well as learning through lectures, small group sessions, practical classes and workshops. You’ll also have support from experienced teachers and your own personal academic tutor throughout the course.
Your clinical placements will take place in hospitals and GP practices across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and the surrounding areas giving you plenty of chances to build confidence and real world skills.
We’ve invested in creating a great study environment for you. You will have access to modern facilities, comfortable study spaces and 24/7 access to our online library so you can study whenever it suits you.
There are plenty of places to work on campus too, with computers and study areas you can use whenever you need. Our five libraries give you access to more than 1.3 million books and journals, plus loads of online resources you can use from home or on the go. If you ever need help, we offer study skills support to boost your grades and subject specific advice from experts.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways to show what you’ve learned. This includes written exams, coursework, and practical tests. You will also be judged on how you perform in real-life and simulated clinical situations, so you get plenty of opportunities to show your skills in action.
Medical Licensing Assessment
You’ll need to pass the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) before you can register with the General Medical Council. You’ll take this test as part of your degree. It checks not just your medical knowledge, but also your clinical and professional skills, so patients and future employers can trust that you’re ready to practise medicine safely.
Entry requirements
Make sure you also read the more detailed entry requirements below.
For more information and frequently asked questions about the course, check the Medical School website.
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
BBB
including Chemistry or Biology + 2.1 in a life sciences degree + meet our Widening Participation criteria
- International Baccalaureate
- 32, with 5 in three Higher Level subjects including Chemistry or Biology + 2.1 in a life sciences degree + meet our Widening Participation criteria
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- Not accepted
- BTEC Diploma
- Not accepted
- T Level
- Not accepted
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Examples of Life Science subjects include Biomedical Science, Clinical Science or Dentistry
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Applicants for Medicine at the University of Sheffield must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) – visit below for more information about how we use applicants’ UCAT scores in the Medicine selection process
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
More detailed entry requirements
We have 24 places for our four-year MBChB Graduate Entry Medicine (A101) programme, which are available to home applicants from backgrounds that are under-represented in higher education. If you wish to also be considered for the five-year MBChB Medicine (A100) programme you will need to apply to that course via UCAS as a separate choice.
Applicants for MBChB Graduate Entry Medicine (A101) will need to demonstrate that they meet our Widening Participation entry requirements, as well as our minimum academic and UCAT requirements.
Meeting the minimum academic, UCAT and Widening Participation entry requirements does not guarantee an invitation to interview or the offer of a place. You can find more information about how we select candidates for interviews and offers on the School of Medicine and Population Health website.
- Widening Participation entry requirements
Applicants for MBChB Graduate Entry Medicine are required to meet two or more of the following criteria:
You lived in an area of deprivation
At the point you completed your A Levels (or equivalent), you were living in a neighbourhood that is assessed as being in a lower quintile in the government's Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD quintile of 1 or 2).
You can check your area by searching for your postcode on our 2026 entry postcode checker.
You can check the IMD ranking for your area using the following tools. Simply follow the link and put your postcode into the postcode checker.
- For applicants from Wales, Quintiles 1 and 2 equates to a Welsh Indices of Multiple Deprivation rank of up to and including 764.
- For applicants from England, Quintiles 1 and 2 equates to an IMD rank of 13,137 or below.
- For applicants from Northern Ireland, Quintiles 1 and 2 equates to a NI Multiple Deprivation measure rank of 356 or below.
- For applicants from Scotland, Quintiles 1 and 2 equates to a Scottish Indices of Multiple Deprivation rank of up to and including 2790.
You are care experienced or a care leaver
You should have lived in public care or as a looked-after child at any stage of your life up to the age of 18, including if you were adopted from care or left care with a Special Guardianship Order before the age of 18 lived with foster carers or in a residential children's home have been looked after under a supervision order; or have lived with friends or relatives in formal kinship care under a Local Authority but are not currently recognised by your Local Authority as a care leaver in receipt of statutory support.
Alternatively, you should be recognised by your Local Authority as a 'care leaver', or have been recognised in the past as a person who
- has been looked after by a local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14
- and was looked after by the local authority at school-leaving age or after that date
You have been a carer
At the point you completed your A Levels (or equivalent), you should have been responsible for providing unpaid care to someone who has, for example
- a long-term illness
- a physical or learning disability
- a mental health condition
- an addiction
- temporary care needs following, for example, an accident or operation
You have been estranged from your family
Estranged students have no relationship with, or support from, their parent(s) or carer(s). We'll consider you an estranged student if, at the point you completed your A Levels (or equivalent):
- You hadn't communicated with your parents for 12 months and the situation was irreconcilable.
- Both your biological or adoptive parents were deceased.
- Your parents couldn't be traced or it wasn't practicable or safe for you to make contact with them.
You have parenting responsibilities
At the point you completed your A Levels (or equivalent), you should have been a parent of, or responsible for the care and wellbeing of, a child aged 17 or under. This includes being:
- a biological parent
- a step-parent
- an adoptive or legal parent
- a legally-appointed guardian
- a foster carer
- someone who provides kinship or other parental care to a child
You were entitled to Free School Meals
You should have been entitled to Free School Meals at some point during the six years prior to your final KS4 year (ie, the year you were aged 15-16).
School pupils in the UK are normally entitled to Free School Meals if their parents or carers are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits. If you’re not sure, your school will be able to confirm this for you. You may also be entitled if you're paid qualifying benefits directly, instead of through your parent or carer.
You are a forced migrant
You should have been a forced migrant to the United Kingdom. This means at the time you started your undergraduate study:
- The UK government had granted you refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.
- You had limited or discretionary leave to remain in the UK as the result of an asylum or human rights application.
- You were seeking asylum in the UK
Your parents were unemployed or working in unskilled jobs
At the point you completed your A Levels (or equivalent), your parents or legal guardians should have been unemployed, or the main earner should have been working in an unskilled job. We consider unskilled jobs as those defined by the Office for National Statistics Occupation Coding Tool as falling into simplified NS-SEC analytic classes 4-8.
You received a 16-19 Bursary or similar grant
You should have been in receipt of a 16-19 Bursary or Discretionary Learner Support with an income threshold of £25,000 or below.
You have a disability
You should have a disability that has been declared as part of your UCAS application.
You will be asked to complete a short form after you submit your application.
For 2026 entry, this must be returned to us by 5pm on Friday 31 October 2025.
Applicants who receive offers will be required to provide supporting evidence that they meet these criteria at registration.
- Academic entry requirements
In addition to meeting our Widening Participation entry criteria, applicants are required to meet both our minimum A Level and our minimum Degree academic entry requirements. (We do not consider GCSEs or AS Levels for this programme.) Applicants are also required to meet our minimum English Language requirements. We do not rank applicants on the basis of their academic attainment.
A Level qualifications
Applicants must have grades of at least BBB at A Level at the time of application, one of which must be Chemistry or Biology.
Please note:
- The requirement for BBB at A Level means at least a B grade in each of the three A Levels
- All three A Levels must have been taken in the same first sitting
- We do accept A Level resits. Any and all A Level resits must be taken in the same sitting, and only one resit per A Level is permitted. Only those A Levels that do not meet the above entry requirements need to be retaken
- A Levels in Further Mathematics, Critical Thinking and General studies are not accepted for the A101 programme
- For applicants who took four A Levels in a two year period (typically years 12 and 13 at school) including Mathematics and Further Mathematics, we will accept the Mathematics A Level, even if it is taken in Year 12, and irrespective of whether the A Level is certificated in Year 12 or 13. It is expected that Chemistry or Biology and another subject (that is not Critical Thinking, Further Mathematics or General Studies) will be taken in Year 13
- Where a graduate applicant has BBB or better at A Level but the pre-degree A Levels do not include Chemistry or Biology we will consider their application provided they have taken an A Level in either Chemistry or Biology during or after their Bachelor's degree and achieved (or are predicted to achieve) a Grade B or higher
For applicants not holding A Levels, our usual requirement for other qualifications is:
- Cambridge Pre-U Certificate - grades M2, M2, M2 including Chemistry or Biology
- Scottish Highers - Advanced Highers grades BB including Chemistry or Biology
- Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma - grade B, plus grades BB in two A Levels, subjects must include Chemistry or Biology
- Irish Leaving Certificate - H3,H3,H3,H3,H3,H3 with H3 in Chemistry or Biology
- International Baccalaureate - 32 points overall with 5's in Higher Level subjects (to include Chemistry or Biology) and no less than 4 in each of the Standard Level subjects
We are not able to consider the following qualifications for entry to our Graduate Entry Medicine course:
- Access courses
- Bachelor's degrees that are not in acceptable Life Sciences subjects
- Bedales Examinations
- BTECs
- Foundation courses
- HE Diplomas
- International Certificate of Christian Education
- Masters degrees
- PhDs
- T-Levels
- Degree qualification
Applicants for this programme will need to have attained, or be predicted to attain, an upper second-class or first-class Bachelor's degree in an appropriate life sciences subject. We are looking for applicants whose degrees will have given them an appropriate level of understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
Please note:
Appropriate life sciences degrees include, but are not limited to the following degrees (this is not an exhaustive list):
- BDS (Dentistry)
- BMedSci
- BSc Anatomical Sciences (provided this relates to Human Anatomy)
- BSc Anatomy and Physiology
- BSc Applied Medical Sciences
- BSc Biomedical Science
- BSc Biomedicine
- BSc Clinical Science
- BSc Healthcare Science
- BSc Human Biology
- BSc Human Physiology
- BSc Medical Pharmacology
- BSc Medical Physiology
- BSc Medical Physiology and Therapeutics
- BSc Medical Science
- BSc Neuroscience
- BSc Pharmacology
- BSc Pharmaceutical Science
- BSc Physiotherapy
- BSc Sport and Exercise Science
- BSc Sport Rehabilitation and Exercise Science
- MPharm
We do not consider the following degrees to be appropriate life sciences degrees and they do not meet our entry requirements. Please note that it is not an exhaustive list:
- BSc Adult Nursing
- BSBA/BSc Ayervedic Medicine and Surgery
- BSc Biochemistry
- BSc Biochemistry with Human Biology
- BSc Biology
- BSc Biological Science (Cell Biology)
- BSc Biological Science (Genetics)
- BSc Biomedical Engineering
- BSc Biomedial Material Science
- BSc Botany
- BSc Cancer Biomedicine
- BSc Chemical Engineering
- BSc Chemistry
- BSc Clinical Speech and Language Sciences
- BSc Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience
- BSc Diagnostic Radiology
- BSc Engineering
- BSc Forensic Anthropology
- BSc Forensic Psychology
- BSc Forensic Science
- BSc Genetics
- BSc Global Health
- BSc Human Genetics
- BSc Immunology
- BSc Marine Biology
- BSc Medical Biochemistry
- BSc Mental Health Nursing
- Bsc Molecular Cell Biology
- BSc Nursing
- BSc Operating Department Practice
- BSc Optometry
- BSc Orthoptics
- BSc Podiatric Medicine
- BSc Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Bsc Psychology
- BSc Zoology
Potential applicants whose degree does not appear in the lists above are strongly advised to contact the medical admissions team (medadmissions@sheffield.ac.uk) prior to submitting an application, enclosing a degree transcript, to determine whether their degree will be acceptable or not.
We do not consider postgraduate Masters degrees (i.e. when taken as a second degree) or PhDs when determining whether you meet our academic entry requirements.
- University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) requirements
Applicants for Medicine at the University of Sheffield must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) before they apply, in the year that they are applying.
Each year, we set a minimum UCAT score threshold, which is 1800 for 2026 entry.
Applications will be ranked according to their UCAT scores and only those with the highest UCAT scores will be invited to interview.
Applicants’ performance in the Situational Judgement Test component of the UCAT will only be reviewed if they are invited to interview.
More information about how we use applicants’ UCAT scores, and the scores that were required to be invited to interview in recent years, can be found on the School of Medicine and Population Health website.
- Multiple mini-interviews (MMIs)
If you meet our minimum academic entry requirements and you have the required UCAT score, you will be invited to interview.
For home applicants, we use a multiple mini-interview (MMI) format, which applicants attend in person. International applicants will be invited to an online panel interview.
You can find more information about interviews on the School of Medicine and Population Health website.
- Disrupted Studies policy
If you have experienced issues of a personal, social or domestic nature that have affected either your post-16 studies, or any GCSE Qualifications that are cited in our course entry requirements, you can let us know by completing our Disrupted Studies form. Read the Medical School's Admissions Policy on Disrupted Studies carefully before submitting a Disrupted Studies form.
- Admissions policy
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school.
Graduate careers
When you successfully complete your degree, you will be able to apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council. This gives you a licence to practise medicine as part of an approved Foundation Year programme.
UK Foundation Programme
Most of our students apply to the UK Foundation Programme during their final year. This is a two-year training programme for newly qualified doctors, which bridges the gap between medical school and speciality or general practice training. You will build on your existing clinical and professional skills by working as a doctor on rotation in different areas of medicine. After the first year, you can apply for full registration with the General Medical Council, and once you have completed the programme, you will be awarded a Certificate of Excellence so that you can apply for speciality training.
As well as the standard Foundation Programme, there is a Specialised Foundation Programme that focuses on research, teaching and leadership, a Foundation Priority Programme to support areas that have faced difficulties in attracting and retaining doctors, and a Psychiatry Foundation Fellowship.
Speciality training
After you have completed the Foundation Programme, there are many different specialities you can train in – from general practice to paediatrics, gynaecology, cardiology or radiology. The time you will spend in speciality training ranges from three to eight years, depending on the speciality you choose.
Other careers for medicine graduates
Rather than becoming a GP or consultant, some graduates go on to do a masters degree or PhD and pursue a career in research. Others become medical educators, health service managers or work in the pharmaceutical industry.
School of Medicine and Population Health
Department statistics
99% of medicine graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after completing their course
Graduate Outcomes 2020/21
The University of Sheffield’s medical school dates back to 1828 and was a founding part of the University itself.
Today, medicine students are based in the School of Medicine and Population Health, and study alongside practising clinicians and expert researchers who are working on topics that range from neurodegeneration to public health. Everything we do is about improving people’s health.
The Medical School building is connected to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and is close to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, the Students’ Union, and the wider University campus.
Facilities
Our Medicine course is supported by well equipped teaching and clinical facilities designed to support your learning every step of the way. From specialist libraries and laboratories to hands on clinical training spaces, these facilities help you build your knowledge and practical skills
Your placements will take you to primary and secondary care providers across Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.
You will also benefit from the teaching and expertise linked to our research centres, where ground-breaking work takes place to transform the health of people across the world.
In the Faculty of Health we are host to:
- The Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research
- The Centre for Urgent and Emergency Care Research (CURE
- The Versus Arthritis Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA)
- The Health and Care Research Unit (HCRU)
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR)
- The Neuroscience Institute
- The Healthy Lifespan Institute
- The Insigneo Institute
University rankings
A world top-100 university
QS World University Rankings 2026 (92nd)
Number one in the Russell Group (based on aggregate responses)
National Student Survey 2025
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year for Student Experience
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2025 University Awards
20th in the UK targeted by the largest number of Top 100 Employers in 2025-26
High Fliers 2026
Student profiles
Having a paw-sitive impact
Student doctor Emily Gaskin introduced support dog Oliver to local charity HOPE South Yorkshire Fire, Road and Water-related Trauma Support for Families during her four-week social accountability placement in December 2021.
“My journey as a mature medical student has been great so far”
Visitation Lesterpearson
Current student,
MBChB Medicine
I wanted to do something that had a real, immediate, positive effect on people’s lives
Catherine Jesson
Undergraduate student,
MBChB Medicine
Being able to apply what I’ve learnt to help people is the most rewarding
Tobias Tan
Undergraduate student,
MBChB Medicine
Fees and funding
Fees
MBChB Graduate Entry Medicine (A101) students are expected to pay towards their tuition fees in their first year and can apply for loans from Student Finance England to cover their remaining tuition fees and maintenance costs. Thanks to the support of our alumni donors' generosity, this self funded element of your fees will be covered by their giving to support your studies.
You are eligible for NHS funding in years two, three and four of your course. This includes a bursary, a £1,000 grant, a reduced Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England, and a contribution towards tuition fees.
You can continue to apply for loans from Student Finance England to cover your remaining tuition fees.
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Additional funding
Clinical placements
In phase two of the course, you will spend 12 weeks on a longitudinal hospital placement and become part of a clinical team, attending ward rounds, surgical operations, pathology meetings and outpatient clinics.
After this, you will have the opportunity to complete a placement focused on social accountability in medicine. You will complete some voluntary work with patient or community groups in Sheffield or the surrounding area and through this, increase your understanding of health inequity and the role of medicine in society.
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Online events
Join our weekly Sheffield Live online sessions to find out more about different aspects of University life.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've made an application to study with us, we may invite you for an interview. If you are then successful in receiving an offer, we'll invite you to one of our applicant days. These applicant days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Apply
Contact us
- Telephone
- +44 114 222 5531
- medadmissions@sheffield.ac.uk
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.