Studying medicine anywhere is challenging, but getting your education in a foreign country can be even more complicated. You would have to learn a new language, culture, and way of life. But with all this said, medical students are usually the first to embrace a challenge and make it a learning opportunity. So, consider the United Kingdom first when searching for which country to choose for your international education.
You can get the best education available in the UK, but it has a few more benefits. You will train with the patients from the first year, meaning you will have more experience than medical students in most countries. Second, you will perfect your English language and expect to know “medical English” even better, improving your chances of getting a job and using your diploma.
With all of this information, medical schools in this country should be at the top of any enrollment list. Other education systems from other places are incomparable to theirs. So, if you are willing to take a longer path to pursue your education, look no further.
Top Medical Schools in the United Kingdom
1. University of Oxford
It has yet to be determined precisely when the exact year of establishment of this most famous school is, but it started in early 1100 and has been ever since. It’s one of the oldest institutions known, formed after the English students were forbidden from Paris University. Since those turbulent times, the University of Oxford has become a leader in education and research and a worldwide known academic residence.
Diplomas acquired here are accepted everywhere, and the chance of getting a job in your country after graduating from this university is much higher. Oxford is the best medical school in the UK because of its prestige and academic excellence. It offers degrees in various medical fields, such as biochemistry, clinical medicine, pediatrics, pharmacology, and more.
2. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209, and the medical department started working in 1540 when only a few students graduated annually. This school’s long history and incredible academic achievements are only the tip of the iceberg because it has so much more to offer. It is the fourth-oldest university in the world, and it welcomes international students from more than 140 countries.
Cambridge ensures that education is constantly monitored, improved, and improved to accommodate the speed of development of science and society. The direct connection to hospitals, patients, and clinical research will allow future doctors to be ready and educated for any job, position, and situation. They proudly stand by the principles made centuries ago while improving the quality of their work every day.
3. University College London
University College London, a top medical school in the UK, was established in 1826. Ever since, it has challenged theories and promoted free thinking. The institution works with diversity, not against it, and enrolls students from over 150 countries. Located in the heart of London, it will offer not just premium education but also living and learning in one of the most amazing cities in the world.
UCL is ranked ninth in the world, according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings. Regarding their programs, the undergraduate medical degree lasts six years, and the university offers postgraduate programs like master’s, Ph.D., and continuing professional development level programs.
4. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1726 and spread across several campuses, is dedicated to research and applying knowledge to perform even the most demanding professions. The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine houses two schools in the institution, which are the Edinburgh Medical School and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
The medical school is divided into three deaneries: clinical sciences, biomedical sciences, and molecular, genetic, and population health sciences. This institution has to offer a six-year-long education to get your Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, or MBChB, degree, and after that, you can enroll in foundation training.
5. Imperial College London
Next on our list of best institutions in the UK is the Imperial College London, which was officially established in 1907. However, the mention of medical school can be found as early as 1822. ICL is now attracting international students from over 125 countries. It also holds the Silver Athena Swan Award for advancing women in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.
This prestigious college is devoted to high-impact research and education based on traditional values and modern concepts. After the initial six-year education, students will obtain a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), and Bachelor of Science (BSc) as dual qualifications.
6. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester was founded in 1824. Its museum contains relics from the 16th century, proving its long and prosperous achievements. This British higher institution has three schools: the School of Medical Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, and the School of Biological Sciences. The goal of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health in many of its medical degree programs is to provide medical students with a well-rounded biology, medicine, and health education by bridging related subjects and schools.
Meanwhile, Manchester and this university are multicultural places, ideal for international students looking for high-quality education and diversity. Moreover, the institution is open to more than 160 countries, and the list undoubtedly grows more significant each year.
7. King’s College London
King’s College London was founded in 1829 by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. Its vision is as honorable as its name, and it has strived to improve the world since its establishment. With this idea in mind, this top medical school in the UK proudly places it on the map of global universities, opening its doors to international students and staff. It represents diversity as an opportunity to see problems through different eyes and solve them more efficiently.
The school’s Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine has over 5,000 students, who are helped by over 500 distinguished faculty members in their profession. It provides diverse courses to aspiring local and international learners who aspire to careers in medicine and healthcare.
8. University of Glasgow
Established in 1751 in an intellectually engaging setting, the University of Glasgow‘s medical school creates and preserves educational and clinical research distinction. Medical students who graduate from this school are highly sought after due to their extensive expertise and abilities gained throughout the undergraduate program.
You’ll get hands-on training at several medical facilities across West Scotland. Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital function as their affiliated teaching hospitals, complete with labs, lecture halls, and a cutting-edge clinical training area. Each year of their five-year medical “spiral curriculum” adds intricacy.
The program has four parts, and completion grants temporary accreditation through the General Medical Council and a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, or MBChB degree. Phases 1 and 2 take up the initial portion of the first year. This course is designed to provide students with a foundation in the fundamentals of the medical field.
The third academic year’s third phase is dedicated to healthcare structures, emphasizing pathophysiology. Phase 4 involves the entirety of the fourth year and the initial part of Year 5. The clinical rotations are conducted in this phase in various settings, including hospitals and private practices.
Furthermore, the School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing requires exceptional performance in competitive exams, which may include language assessments for international applicants. As one of the best universities offering medical programs, it also provides fully funded scholarships and bursaries for deserving students.
9. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds, considered to be one the oldest and most prominent in the United Kingdom, ranks among the 100 best universities worldwide by the QS World University Rankings 2024. This institution is proud of its high-quality programs, the prospects it provides in research, and the advancement of graduate students’ careers.
Its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) program is highly sought after because of its exceptional training and evaluation track record. Starting in the first semester of the fifth year of school, MBChB graduates may participate in a four-week clinical rotation. Placement may be in the UK or another country, while particular students choose to continue their studies at prestigious universities in the United States.
Others may elect to go to underdeveloped, distant parts of the globe. Owing to the school’s robust network of affiliations with local, regional, and national healthcare providers, students could receive early hands-on training in primary healthcare, hospital training, and additional fields.
10. University of Bristol
The Bristol Medical School at the University of Bristol is a significant institution and is among the most culturally diversified departments of the university. Regarding community and cognitive medical research, the institution stands at the forefront of interdisciplinary and integrative study. The Times Higher Education’s Research Excellence Framework 2021 places this distinguished Russell Group institution fifth in the UK for research. In addition, the QS World University Rankings 2024 places them at 55th position overall worldwide.
This leading UK institution offers a five-year MBChB program and other postgraduate studies. The first two years provide students with a foundation in case-based education, allowing them to explore topics like optimal health, ailment treatments, and multiple diagnoses. Candidates in the third year of their schooling will gain experience in primary, community, and secondary healthcare while studying illness management within the National Health Service (NHS).
To obtain a diploma in medicine-related disciplines, one year of undergraduate or graduate study between years 3 and 4 is possible. Students in their 4th and 5th years will be able to participate in clinical groups in institutions, gaining exposure to collaboration and deciding in healthcare sectors. Acceptance criteria include passing the UKCAT, or its international equivalent, the IELTS, and a solid academic history from the start.
11. University of Sheffield
Pursuing a degree in medicine at the University of Sheffield is to become a part of an organization that values intellectual inquiry and creative problem-solving. They have earned acclaim due to their ground-breaking work, which has the potential to improve the lives of individuals globally. Based on the list of 50 of the most recognized universities published by Times Higher Education in 2023, it’s among the finest institutions providing outstanding medical programs.
Graduates from expanding inclusion backgrounds with degrees in relevant biological sciences are encouraged to apply to the five-year MCBhB program. Clinical instruction in primary care settings, medical centers, and outpatient clinics joins conventional learning, such as lectures, seminars, and training, to provide students with a well-rounded education.
Furthermore, the University of Sheffield partners with Northern General Hospital’s Medical Training Center, one of the biggest in the country. Here, students put what they’ve learned into practice in model surgical suites, CPR labs, and operating rooms. The school also offers several financial aid options for international students.
12. Queen Mary University of London
The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of the Queen Mary University of London is rather historical, having been established back in the 16th century. By combining their extensive expertise plus state-of-the-art classroom equipment, the school offers students the greatest possible foundation for a successful career as a medical professional, making it a top UK university providing exceptional medical programs.
Throughout the rigorous five-year MBBS curriculum, you’ll learn the fundamentals of patient care, interactions, research, collaboration, and leadership. This program allows students to draw connections between their coursework and staff members’ practical duties in medication discovery and public health program development.
Moreover, QMUL’s medical graduates begin their clinical experiences on phase 1 medical rotation. Phase 2 involves cutting-edge instruction in treating mental disorders via doctors from ELFT and NELFT, the foundations’ affiliates. General practitioners will be educating students about primary care. Excellent scores on admissions examinations like the UCAT, GCSEs, and others are necessary for enrollment.
13. Newcastle University
Finally, Newcastle University’s School of Medicine is the last acclaimed UK institution to add to our list. Their MBBS curriculum presents a fresh perspective using a comprehensive case-led method within a stimulating learning environment. The General Medical Council, or GMC, has recognized its degree as meeting its standards for expertise.
Its medical school maintains connections to the Northern Region NHS via its region status. Students will have accessibility to many patients plus a well-developed network of hospitals and medical offices across the area, all of which are ideal for gaining clinical experience. However, admission to this university requires prior entrance merit in various competitive exams.
Primary subjects such as health sciences, practical abilities, and morality will be covered in depth throughout the first two years of the program. From the third to fifth year, students will rotate throughout its regional network of medical base centers to get hands-on training in the field. Through various rotations and placements, students will get experience in every major medical and surgical subspecialty.
FAQs: Studying Medicine in the UK
Can International Students Enroll in the UK Medical Schools?
Yes! Studyin-UK states that international students can study medicine at the best UK universities. The United Kingdom offers one of the best education systems in the world, and getting into one of the universities is very competitive. To enroll in undergraduate studies, you must provide an IELTS score of at least 6.5 across all four categories: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Your grades have to be perfect, and with all that, you can try to enroll in one of the nearby schools to complete your undergraduate studies. Remember that UK universities are extremely competitive and that most students begin the preparation months or years ahead. Make sure your English is perfect, keep your grades up, and take any opportunity to volunteer, as this will all contribute to your enrollment status.
What Is the Medical Curriculum Like in the UK Medical Schools?
It can take up to 15 years of studying in the United Kingdom to get your Certificate of Completion Training or CCT. Depending on your previous engagement and future goals, it can be different. For instance, education is divided into three sections: undergraduate (five years), foundation training (two years), and specialty training (up to seven years). You will have to study for the bachelor’s degree for five years, and it could sometimes even take six if you choose particular subjects. However, it all depends on various factors and the university you enter.
The leading medical schools in the United Kingdom are increasingly adopting a case-based curriculum to keep up with the intense competition in the medical field. Medical school prepares students to provide exceptional care to patients and conduct innovative research that leads to new methods for treating a wide range of disorders. As mentioned above, universities are among the most regarded in the United Kingdom because they regularly generate skilled and highly-trained physicians.
We hope this article assisted you in deciding on the best medical schools in the United Kingdom to enroll in. Make sure also to check out our Study in the UK Page and the United Kingdom Programs for International Students for more information!
