A/AS Levels and GCSEs

The typical A Level offer is AAA to include Chemistry and one other science (Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Psychology).. The three A Levels should be studied for no longer than two years, must be passed on the first attempt and should all be taken in one sitting. Where an A Level has a separately graded practical component, this practical component should be passed. Critical Thinking and General Studies are not accepted as a third A level subject, and only one of Mathematics and Further Mathematics will be considered.

AS Level results are not used in the admissions process.

Applicants should have at least eight GCSE subjects at grades A*- C. Of these, they must have at least six A grades in subjects that have been taken in one sitting which may include Mathematics, English and the sciences.

A minimum of grade C is required in GCSE Mathematics, English and the Sciences. Acceptable science GCSEs include: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sciences (dual awards).

IB

Applicants should have a minimum of 36 points overall with 6,6,6 at Higher Level (to include Chemistry and one other science subject). No less than 4 points should be scored in any Standard Level subject.

Admissions Exam

All applicants must sit the UKCAT exam, which is valid for one application cycle only. Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 2460/3600 or above in order to be considered at the next stage. Furthermore, the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) score will only be considered if applicants are invited to interview.

Other Diplomas

The Cambridge Pre-U Certificate is accepted. The minimum grades in the Principle Subjects are D3, D3 and D3, to include Chemistry and another science subject.

BTEC qualifications are not accepted as a route of entry.

Widening Participation

Sheffield Medical School is committed to widening access to the Medicine course for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who may not ordinarily consider Medicine as a career option. The medical school recognises that there are educational and familial barriers which can prevent students with the potential to be doctors from pursuing this career (for example a family in financial difficulty may expect their son or daughter to leave school at 16 to get employment). The medical school is involved with the following programmes:

1. Sheffield's Outreach and Access to Medicine Scheme (SOAMs). This scheme aims to give local students from Sheffield and the surrounding area in Years 12-13 support to apply for and study Medicine at the University of Sheffield. To be eligible, students must attend schools that do not usually have a record of high academic achievements, and have a family background that may prevent them from progressing into higher education.
2. Realising Opportunities is a national Widening Participation Scheme in the United Kingdom.  It is a collaboration of 15 leading research-intensive universities that are working together to promote fair access and social mobility of students from groups that are under-represented in higher education.

Students who have completed either of these schemes will be eligible for a lower grade offer for entry onto the medical programme (ABB at A level and 6 A*-B grades in lieu of 6As at GCSE). They are still subject to the minimum UKCAT cut-off. However unlike the standard selection process, all applicants from these schemes who have met the minimum academic and UKCAT cut-offs, will be guaranteed an interview. For more information on this scheme, please contact Denise Brooks (Outreach and Widening Participation Officer) at [email protected]

International Students

There are 18 spaces for international applicants on the 5-year programme. Note that international applicants will be ranked separately to home applicants (looking at their academic achievements and UKCAT scores), when selecting applicants for interview. The medical school offers international applicants the option of scheduling their interview in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, as well as Sheffield.

Students who are non-native English speakers should be able to demonstrate proficiency in English Language, e.g. through the IELTS, with an overall score of 7.5 and no less than 7.0 in each component.

If you are applying as an overseas student and taken qualifications other than those listed above, please contact us by email ([email protected]) if you would like more information on the minimum grades needed to be considered for a place in Medicine at Sheffield.

Policy on Re-applicants

Applicants who have previously not received an offer are welcome to apply again in subsequent years.

Policy on Deferrals

Deferred applications are welcome. The university expects applicants to use their gap year constructively and may be asked to summarise their plans during the MMI.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Applications via UCAS for 2018/19 entry are open from 6th September 2017 and close on 15th October 2017.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

• Completed UCAS application form
• International students may be requested to provide transcripts of their previous academic records
• Applicants who have had personal, social or health issues which have affected their studies should fill in the ‘Disrupted Studies’ form and send it to the admissions team.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants have their academic achievements reviewed to make sure they meet the minimum entry requirements. Their UKCAT scores are then checked to ensure that they are above the cut-off. Those who meet these minimum requirements will then be ranked in order of their UKCAT score from highest to lowest and the top 800-900 applicants will be invited to interview – approximately 800 Home/EU applicants and 100 international applicants. The Situational Judgement Test component of the UKCAT will be reviewed for those applicants invited to attend interview. The personal statement is not scored prior to interview, but will be used during the interview

INTERVIEW

The interview at Sheffield consists of 8 eight-minute mini multiple interview (MMI) stations which assess the following criteria:

• Communication skills
• Depth and breadth of interests (achievement in specific fields)
• Evidence of commitment for caring
• Knowledge of and interest in study in Sheffield
• Medical work experience/Extended project qualification (as appropriate)
• Motivation for Medicine
• Understanding the nature of medicine
• Values and attitudes
• Outside interests

Performance in each station of the MMI will be given a score from 1 (unsatisfactory) to 5 (excellent). The SJT component of the UKCAT will act as a 9th virtual station and will be scored according to the SJT quartile received: 5 (1st SJT quartile, ‘excellent’). 4 (2nd SJT quartile, ‘good’), 3 (3rd quartile, satisfactory) and so on.

Those interviewed can therefore achieve a score of 10-45/45 and this score will be used to rank applicants in order to determine which applicants will receive an offer.

The Medical School recognise that it is not always possible for students to obtain work placements in a medical environment, given the limited availability of volunteer placements in hospitals. However, in addition to shadowing healthcare practitioners, there are many other areas related to Medicine and the caring professions, in which you can gain experience. Some examples of these are listed below:

• Paid or voluntary work experience in a residential care home, hospice or similar.
• Working in a youth centre or working with young children.
• Participating in community volunteering schemes.
• Working with a diverse range of people (whether on a paid or voluntary basis).

‘Hands-on’ experience is extremely valuable. Many applicants arrange to undertake paid or voluntary work as a Healthcare Assistant. The admissions team are looking for applicants to reflect on their experiences, on what they have learned about themselves, others and Medicine as a career.

For 2017 entry, Sheffield Medical School received approximately 1700 applications for 237 places. They interview between 800-900 students per year.

In the Guardian University Guide 2018, Medicine at Sheffield University ranks 25th.

In the Complete University Guide 2018, Medicine at Sheffield University ranks 24th.

In the QS World Rankings 2017, Sheffield University is within the top 150-101st universities for Medicine.