Admissions statistics

Interpreting Admissions Ratios

Note that schools offer more places than their class size, since not everyone accepts the offers. For example, the true “acceptance ratio” at the Imperial College London 6 year program is roughly 4:1, rather than 7:1, because roughly 500 applicants are offered admission for the 286 places available.

Overall, In 2008 there were roughly 19,000 applicants for approximately 8,000 places to study medicine in the UK, including 4, 5 and 6 year programs. This means that approximately 42% of applicants are offered a place at at least one medical school.

Considering Admissions Ratios

The admissions ratios for medical courses are important to consider, but it is also essential to know how favorable your profile is based on each medical school's selection formula. For example, although the University of Glasgow has a relatively good selection ratio (9:1), the university selects applicants for interview by first screening for those applicants who meet the minimum academic requirements, then ranking those students based on their UKCAT results. The personal statement and reference letter are not taken into consideration in selecting applicants for interview. Thus, a student with an excellent extra-curricular and academic profile and a UKCAT score of 2550 would be unlikely to be interviewed, given that the average UKCAT score each year is usually between 2400 and 2500, and only 800 out of the 2000 applicants each year to the University of Glasgow are interviewed.

This student will have a significantly better chance applying to the University of Leeds, despite its higher admissions ratio (16:1), because applicants who meet the minimum academic requirements are selected or interview there after full review of their UCAS application forms. The UCAS application score would likely be high for the applicant above if they prepare their personal statement well. By preparing well for the interview, the applicant would have a much stronger chance of admission. This example shows how vital it is that applicants not only know the competitiveness of different medical schools, but also know their detailed selection formulae, which are not always available online. All of this information is provided in detail in the MSAG for undergraduate applicants 2012-2013 guidebook. The guidebook also containts a special  "What are your chances" section that gives detailed information on which medical schools have the most favorable admissions policies for students with certain profiles (high UKCAT or low UKCAT scores, high A-level grades or a B or lower at A-level, etc.)

More information

You may browse our website or click on the links below to find out more about the following

• Information on what sets the MSAG for Undergraduate applicants apart from other guidebooks on the market: Advantages of the MSAG for Undergraduate applicants.
• The list of all medical courses UK
  
• How to choose which medical programs to apply to?
• The admissions requirements for medical schools UK
  
• The admissions statistics for medical schools UK
  
• The admissions process for medical schools UK
• To view the table of contents or to buy the guidebook: The Medical school application guide - For undergraduate applicants 2012-2013 guidebook