Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Oxford University Medicine Entry Requirements - Oxford UCAT Cut Off, Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics
- The Medic Life
- 3 days ago
- 21 min read
Oxford Medicine is among the most competitive and prestigious medical programmes in the world — ranked number one globally by Times Higher Education for clinical, pre-clinical and health sciences. If you are serious about becoming a doctor and want to understand exactly what it takes to secure a place, this guide covers every requirement in detail: A-levels, GCSEs, the UCAT, the IB, graduate entry, international student requirements, the interview process, and the latest admissions statistics.
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad, The Medic Life's resident admissions expert, has broken down the 2026 entry requirements for both the six-year standard A100 course and the four-year Graduate Entry A101 course, sourced directly from the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division. Bookmark this page — this is the most up-to-date and comprehensive guide to Oxford medicine entry requirements available.
Expert note from Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad: "Oxford changed from BMAT to UCAT for 2025 entry onwards. This is one of the most significant shifts in Oxford's admissions history. Students who prepared for the BMAT need to completely reset their approach — the UCAT requires different strategies, particularly around speed and decision-making under pressure. The move also means Oxford now shortlists using UCAT combined with GCSE performance, contextualised against your school's data — so your GCSEs matter more than ever at Oxford."
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: At a Glance
Below is a quick-reference summary of the key entry requirements for the six-year undergraduate Medicine course (UCAS code A100) at the University of Oxford for 2026 entry.
Requirement | Standard Entry (A100 — 6-Year BMBCh) |
A-levels | A*AA in one academic year — Chemistry (A) + one of Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths (A) |
GCSEs | No formal minimum, but high grades 8/9 are expected; used in shortlisting alongside UCAT |
UCAT | Required — all applicants must sit; combined with GCSE score for shortlisting |
Oxford UCAT Cut-Off | No fixed cut-off; mean score for shortlisted (2025 round) was 2,377.5 out of 2,700 |
IB | 39 points overall (inc. core points); 7, 6, 6 at Higher Level incl. Chemistry + one science/maths |
Scottish Qualifications | AA in Advanced Highers (inc. Chemistry) + AAAAA in Highers |
Age Requirement | Must be 18 by 1 November in the year the course begins |
Interviews | Each shortlisted candidate is interviewed by two colleges (panel-style) |
Offer Basis | Interview performance — colleges rank all candidates after interview, blind of UCAT score |
UCAS Deadline | 15 October 2025 at 6pm BST (for 2026 entry) |
International Quota | Maximum 14 international places per year (A100 + A101 combined) |
Oxford Medicine Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics (2025 Round — 2026 Entry)
The University of Oxford publishes detailed admissions statistics for medicine every year. Here is the data from the 2025 admissions round for 2026 entry — sourced directly from Oxford's Medical Sciences Division.
1,156 Total UCAS applications received (A100) | ~41% Eligible applicants shortlisted for interview | ~425 Candidates invited to interview (~2.5 per place) | 175 Total offers made (quota + open + deferred) |
2,377 Mean UCAT score — shortlisted candidates | 2,407 Mean UCAT score — offer holders | 2,217 Mean UCAT score — all eligible applicants | ~17% Approximate overall success rate |
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: 2025 Round Key Facts
1,156 UCAS applications received (down slightly from 1,164 in 2024)
1,026 applicants were eligible (had sat UCAT, met requirements, and had not withdrawn)
41.4% of eligible applicants were shortlisted for interview
~425 candidates were invited to interview — approximately 2.5 per available place
158 quota offers, 16 open offers, and 1 deferred offer made
8 international fee-status applicants received an offer for 2026 entry
55.9% of eligible applicants were female; 76.3% offered A-levels
7 graduates submitted eligible applications to the A100 course
80 additional candidates were added to the shortlist after tutor review of non-shortlisted applications
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's perspective: "The 41% shortlisting rate can feel reassuring — but it is critically important to understand that this is 41% of eligible applicants only, after ~130 applicants had already been removed for not meeting requirements. The real acceptance rate across all who apply is closer to 15–17%. Oxford is one of the most selective medical schools in the world. Every element of your application must be at the highest level."
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Oxford Medicine Course Options: A100 vs A101
Oxford offers two undergraduate medicine pathways. Choosing correctly matters — you cannot apply to both in the same UCAS cycle.
Feature | A100 — 6-Year Medicine (BMBCh) | A101 — 4-Year Graduate Entry |
Duration | 6 years (3 pre-clinical + 3 clinical) | 4 years (1 pre-clinical + 3 clinical) |
For | School leavers, graduates, mature students | Science graduates only |
Degree Requirement | Not required | 2:1+ in applied or experimental science |
A-level Requirement | A*AA (Chemistry + one science/maths) | AAB with A/A* in Chemistry |
Admissions Test | UCAT | UCAT |
International | Open — max 14 places total across A100+A101 | Open — included in 14-place quota |
UCAS Code | A100 | A101 |
Oxford Medicine A-Level Entry Requirements (A100 — 2026 Entry)
The A-level requirements for Oxford Medicine are among the most demanding of any UK medical school. Here is every detail you need to know before applying.
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Standard A-Level Offer
A*AA in three A-levels — all achieved in one academic year (one sitting)
Chemistry is compulsory — must be achieved at grade A or A*
At least one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics — must be achieved at grade A or A*
The A* does not have to be in a specific subject — no subject specification is made for the A*
If four A-levels are offered, the third subject of the offer is not specified
Four-A grade offers (AAAA) are not made — three A-levels are the standard
If a practical component forms part of any A-level taken, candidates must have taken it and passed it
Subjects Excluded from the A*AA Requirement
Critical Thinking (A-level)
General Studies (A-level)
International A-level Thinking Skills
None of the above count towards the three subjects of the A*AA offer.
Resit Policy
Oxford does consider applicants who have resat examinations, but only where sufficient extenuating circumstances are provided. Simply wanting a better grade is not considered a sufficient reason. Applicants must declare any resits on their UCAS application and, where applicable, submit an extenuating circumstances form to the Medical School. A-levels must still be achieved in one academic year.
Do I Need 4 A-Levels for Oxford Medicine?
No — Oxford does not require four A-levels and does not give applicants with four A-levels any advantage. The standard offer is A*AA in three A-levels. Spending time deepening your understanding of Chemistry, Biology and Physics is a far better use of your time than adding a fourth A-level.
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad says: "One of the most common misconceptions I encounter is that you need four A-levels for Oxford Medicine. You do not. What Oxford actually cares about is the depth of your scientific understanding — reflected in your A-levels, your GCSE performance, and most critically, your interview. An A* in Chemistry with deep conceptual mastery will take you further than a fourth A-level."
Oxford Medicine GCSE Requirements — What You Really Need
Oxford has no formal GCSE grade minimum for medicine. However, this should not be read as GCSEs being unimportant — quite the opposite. GCSEs are a key component of Oxford's shortlisting process and are used in combination with your UCAT score to determine who is invited to interview.
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: How Oxford Uses GCSEs in Shortlisting
Oxford uses GCSE grades combined with UCAT scores to rank applicants and determine interview invitations
Grades 8 and 9 contribute to your GCSE score; Grade 7 (A) does not contribute a positive score in Oxford's system
Oxford contextualises your GCSE grades against the performance data for your school (for schools in Great Britain and Northern Ireland) — this means high performance at a lower-achieving school is recognised
Applicants who took their GCSEs in summer 2020 or 2021 (teacher-assessed grades) had their UCAT score double-weighted instead, as school comparison data was not available
Applicants with fewer than 5 GCSEs also have their UCAT score double-weighted
For applicants without GCSEs (e.g. most international students), UCAT is used as the sole shortlisting measure
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: What GCSE Grades Does Oxford Expect?
While there is no formal minimum, the competitive reality is clear: the vast majority of successful Oxford Medicine applicants have a high proportion of Grade 8 and 9s at GCSE, particularly in sciences, English and Mathematics. Oxford is explicit that grades 8 and 9 are the grades that contribute positively to your shortlisting score.
Aim for as many Grade 9s and 8s as possible across all subjects
Science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Mathematics and English are especially important
A basic understanding of Biology, Physics and Mathematics at GCSE level is expected of all applicants to cope with the academic demands of the course
Oxford recommends applicants have received at least a grade C/4 at GCSE in Biology, Physics and Mathematics as a foundation — but competitive applicants will be scoring 8s and 9s in these subjects
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's tip: "Grades 7, 8 and 9 used to be loosely treated as equivalently strong at Oxford. That has changed. Under the current system, only Grades 8 and 9 contribute positively to your shortlisting score. A student with six Grade 9s will outrank a student with six Grade 7s in Oxford's algorithm — even with identical UCAT scores. If you are still at school, push for 9s, not just 7s."
Oxford Medicine IB (International Baccalaureate) Requirements
The International Baccalaureate is a well-regarded qualification at Oxford. The entry requirements for the A100 course for 2026 entry are:
39 points overall, including core points (Extended Essay + Theory of Knowledge)
Scores of 7, 6 and 6 in subjects taken at Higher Level
Chemistry is compulsory at Higher Level
At least one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics at Higher Level is also required
For Mathematics HL, both the Analysis and Approaches (AA) and Applications and Interpretation (AI) courses are accepted
Note: IB students without GCSE equivalents will have their UCAT score used as the sole shortlisting measure. Oxford confirms this does not disadvantage your application.
Other Qualifications
Oxford accepts a wide range of UK and international qualifications. Here is a summary of the main alternatives:
Qualification | Oxford Medicine Requirement |
Cambridge Pre-U | D2D3D3 in three Principal Subjects (same academic year) — Chemistry + one of Biology, Physics, Maths, Further Maths |
Scottish Highers/AH | AA in Advanced Highers (Chemistry + one science/maths) + AAAAA in Highers — all in one academic year |
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma | Applied Science (incl. Units 13 & 14 in Inorganic and Organic Chemistry) at D*DD or equivalent — specific combinations accepted |
Irish Leaving Certificate | H1H1H2H2H2H2 at Higher Level; strong track record in Chemistry + one science/maths |
European Baccalaureate | Average 85%+ with marks of 8-9 in Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics |
AP Tests (USA) | Four APs at grade 5 in one year (inc. Chemistry + Biology/Physics/Calculus) OR Three APs at grade 5 + ACT 32+ / SAT 1470+ |
Access & Foundation | Accepted if content equals A-levels (including Chemistry), entry is competitive, formally examined, and result is at Distinction level |
Oxford UCAT Requirements & Cut-Off Score (2026 Entry)
Oxford switched from the BMAT to the UCAT for 2025 entry onwards. All applicants — both A100 and A101 — must now sit the UCAT. Understanding exactly how Oxford uses UCAT is essential to a competitive application.
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Key UCAT Rules at Oxford
All applicants to both A100 and A101 must register for and sit the UCAT
UCAT must be sat in the year of application — Oxford recommends preparing using the free official practice materials from the UCAT consortium
Oxford does NOT use a fixed UCAT cut-off score for shortlisting
UCAT is used in combination with GCSE scores to produce a combined shortlisting ranking
Oxford does not currently use the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) component prior to interview for shortlisting (for 2026 entry)
The SJT band IS disclosed to colleges after interviews when ranking candidates
Abstract Reasoning was removed from the UCAT from 2025 onwards — all scores are now out of 2,700 (previously 3,600)
What Is the Oxford UCAT Cut-Off Score?
There is no published fixed Oxford UCAT cut-off. Oxford's shortlisting algorithm combines UCAT score with contextualised GCSE score to produce a ranking. The actual threshold that results in an interview invitation moves each year based on the applicant pool.
What the data does tell us - from Oxford's own published statistics for the 2025 round (for 2026 entry):
Group | Mean UCAT Score (out of 2,700) — 2025 Round |
All eligible applicants | 2,217.5 |
Shortlisted for interview | 2,377.5 |
Received an offer | 2,407.1 |
International shortlisted applicants | 2,537.2 |
All UCAT test-takers nationally (2025) | 1,891 (final total cognitive mean) |
Oxford Medicine applicants are already a highly self-selected group - and even within this group, shortlisted candidates score significantly higher than the average. Competing successfully requires a score substantially above the national UCAT average.
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's UCAT advice: "The UCAT score needed to be shortlisted at Oxford is meaningfully higher than at most UK medical schools. In 2025, the shortlisted mean was 2,377 out of 2,700 — that is roughly the 80th to 85th percentile of all UCAT test-takers. Target a minimum of 2,350 if you want to be genuinely competitive, and 2,450+ if you want to be in a strong position. For Verbal Reasoning and Decision Making in particular, speed and accuracy under pressure are the keys. Practise daily from July at the latest."
How Oxford Scores UCAT in Its Shortlisting Algorithm
Oxford uses a combined UCAT + contextualised GCSE score to produce its shortlisting ranking
The UCAT Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning sections are weighted most heavily
Contextualised GCSE scores factor in school performance data for applicants in Great Britain and Northern Ireland
For applicants with GCSEs taken in 2020 or 2021, or those with fewer than 5 GCSEs, UCAT score is double-weighted
Non-shortlisted applicants are subsequently reviewed by tutors who can nominate additional candidates to be added to the shortlist — 80 candidates were added this way in the 2025 round
Oxford Graduate Entry Medicine (A101) — Entry Requirements
The Oxford Graduate-Entry Medicine course (A101) is an intensive four-year accelerated programme designed for graduates who have trained in applied or experimental science. It is not a route for non-science graduates — Oxford is explicit that a qualifying degree in applied or experimental science is required.
Degree Requirement
A degree in applied or experimental science — Oxford publishes a list of qualifying degree subjects on its Medical Sciences Division website
Degree class of 2:1 or above (or GPA above 3.5 for international degrees)
The degree should demonstrate a scientific approach and intellectual rigour
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: A-Level Requirements for A101
Passes at A-level of at least AAB, with an A or A* in Chemistry (if A-levels were taken within the last 5 years)
Applicants whose A-levels were taken more than 5 years prior do not need to meet the AAB requirement, but grades will be assessed carefully at shortlisting
Applicants must have one from Biology, Physics or Mathematics at A-level
Applicants with a degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry (2.1 or above) are exempt from the A-level Chemistry requirement
Non-bioscience degree applicants must hold a qualification in Biology at GCSE or equivalent level
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: IB Requirements for A101
IB overall score of 36 points (including core points) — note this is lower than the A100 IB requirement
Scores of 6 in subjects taken at Higher Level
Chemistry at Higher Level (unless exempt via Chemistry/Biochemistry degree)
At least one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics at Higher Level
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Admissions Test for A101
All A101 applicants must sit the UCAT — not GAMSAT
UCAT decile score (based predominantly on Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning) is used in shortlisting alongside application form scoring
Personal statements and supplementary references are scored by two independent assessors and combined with UCAT score for shortlisting
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Work Experience for A101
Unlike the A100 course, where work experience is strongly recommended but not formally scored, A101 applicants are expected to show clear evidence of genuine commitment to medicine. This should include relevant experience in a health or social care setting — demonstrating maturity, motivation and realistic understanding of the medical profession.
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: A101 Admissions Statistics (2025 Round — 2026 Entry)
302 UCAS applications received for A101
197 applications were complete and met published selection criteria
~2.5 applicants per place called to interview
41 quota offers and 5 open offers made — 46 total
Overall success rate approximately 23% (~1 in 4 eligible applicants)
59% of applicants who had completed their degree held a First Class Classification
63% of A101 applicants were female; 34% resided outside the EU
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad notes: "A101 has a higher success rate than A100 partly because the eligible pool is much smaller and considerably more specialised. But do not let the 23% rate mislead you — only applicants with qualifying science degrees are eligible in the first place, and competition among this group is fierce. Strong GAMSAT preparation is essential... wait, for Oxford it is UCAT. Remember: Oxford A101 uses UCAT — not GAMSAT — which distinguishes it from many other graduate entry programmes."
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Colleges Accepting A101 Applications
All graduate colleges accept A101 applications — applicants may express a college preference on their UCAS form
Green Templeton College is a graduate-only college that admits graduate-entry medical students and clinical students
Harris Manchester College is a mature-student-only college — applicants must be at least 21 years old when they start the course
Open applications (no college preference stated) are accepted and assigned a college by Oxford
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: International Students
International students are welcome to apply to both A100 and A101. However, it is essential to understand the government-imposed quota on international medical students — which makes Oxford Medicine one of the most restrictive medical schools in the world for international applicants.
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: The International Quota
The UK government imposes a maximum of 14 international fee-status places per year at Oxford across both A100 and A101 combined
In the 2025 admissions round for 2026 entry, over 260 international applicants sat the UCAT for A100, of whom 32 were shortlisted — and only 8 received an offer
International applicants should be aware that achieving the academic requirements and a competitive UCAT score does not guarantee a place given the quota constraints
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: International Academic Requirements
The same A*AA (A100) or AAB (A101) requirements apply — Oxford provides guidance on international qualification equivalences on its website
IB: 39 points (A100) or 36 points (A101) with specified Higher Level subject requirements
AP Tests, European Baccalaureate, Irish Leaving Certificate — all accepted with specific requirements (see qualifications table above)
Oxford strongly recommends international applicants contact the Pre-Clinical Admissions Office (A100) or geadmissions@medsci.ox.ac.uk (A101) to confirm their qualification equivalences
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: English Language Requirements
All non-UK applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency
IELTS Academic: overall 7.5 with minimum 7.0 in each component
TOEFL iBT: overall 110 with specific component score requirements
Applicants who have studied in English for their entire secondary education may not need to provide a separate language test result — check Oxford's English Language Requirements page for full details
International applicants without GCSEs or IGCSE equivalents will have their UCAT score used as the sole shortlisting measure — no disadvantage is applied
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's advice for international applicants: "With only 14 international places available across both courses, your application needs to be exceptional across every dimension. A UCAT score in the 2,500+ range, near-perfect academic credentials, and exceptional interview performance are realistically what is required to be competitive. If your country has strong domestic medical school options, it is worth considering carefully whether Oxford is a realistic target — and planning applications broadly."
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Oxford Medicine Selection Criteria - What Oxford Looks For
Oxford's selection process assesses two broad categories: personal characteristics and academic potential. These are the qualities admissions tutors actively assess at every stage of the process.
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Personal Characteristics: Suitability for Medicine
Empathy — ability to imagine the feelings of others and understand their perspectives
Motivation — a well-informed and strong desire to practise medicine
Communication — ability to make ideas clear using language appropriate to the audience
Honesty and integrity
Ethical awareness
Ability to work effectively with others
Capacity for sustained and intense work
Alignment with the values of the NHS Constitution
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Academic Potential
Problem-solving — critical thinking and analytical approach
Intellectual curiosity — keenness to understand the reasons behind observations; depth and enthusiasm in science
Communication skills — willingness and ability to express ideas clearly and effectively; ability to listen; compatibility with the Oxford tutorial format
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's insight: "The tutorial system is at the heart of Oxford medicine. Interviews at Oxford are essentially a test of whether you can thrive in one-to-one tutorial settings where you are challenged to think aloud, reason through problems you have never seen before, and defend your thinking under pressure. This is fundamentally different from an MMI at other schools. You cannot prepare by memorising facts — you must practise scientific reasoning."
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: What Do Oxford Medicine Interviews Look Like?
Oxford interviews are not structured around personal statement discussion or reflective questions about work experience. Instead, you will be presented with scientific problems — often starting simple (GCSE level) and escalating in complexity. Interviewers want to see how you think, not what you know. Topics from recent Oxford medicine interviews include:
Mechanisms of biological processes (e.g. glucose regulation, action potentials, cardiac physiology)
Graph interpretation and data analysis
Ethical dilemmas in medicine and resource allocation
Applied chemistry and biochemistry problems
Questions on personal statement content — work experience and wider reading
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's interview strategy: "The single most important thing to understand about Oxford Medicine interviews is that they are testing reasoning, not recall. When you do not know the answer, say so — then reason through it aloud. Interviewers are not looking for students who already know everything; they are looking for students who can be taught. Practice thinking aloud, building from first principles, and saying 'I think this is happening because...' rather than freezing. That is the Oxford tutorial mindset."
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Work Experience for Oxford Medicine
Work experience is not formally required or scored for A100 shortlisting. However, it serves two important functions in your Oxford application:
It informs your Personal Statement — Oxford tutors review PS content when interviewing candidates and may ask directly about your experiences and what you learned
It demonstrates the motivation, commitment and realistic understanding of medicine that Oxford's selection criteria explicitly assess
Oxford advises applicants to have 'familiarity with the healthcare system' rather than specifying a particular type or volume of work experience. What matters is reflection — demonstrating that your experience has given you genuine insight into the realities of medical practice and patient care.
Clinical shadowing (e.g. shadowing GPs, hospital doctors, surgeons)
Volunteering in care settings (hospitals, hospices, care homes)
Healthcare-adjacent roles that involve working with patients or the public
Reading widely in biomedical science — Oxford interviewers expect intellectual curiosity beyond the curriculum
For A101 Graduate Entry Medicine, work experience is formally expected and should be evidenced in your application. Health or social care experience that demonstrates commitment and maturity is required.
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Age Requirement — Oxford Medicine 2026 Entry
Oxford Medical School requires all applicants to be at least 18 years of age by 1st November in the year they intend to start the degree course. This applies to both A100 and A100L (pre-clinical). Applicants who will not meet this requirement should contact Oxford before applying.
For A101 Graduate Entry Medicine, applicants to Harris Manchester College must be at least 21 years of age when they start the course.
Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements: Oxford Medicine Fees (2026 Entry)
Oxford medicine has two distinct fee rates — pre-clinical years and clinical years. Fees increase annually.
Course Stage
Annual Fee — Home Students | Annual Fee — International
Pre-clinical Years (A100 Years 1–3)
£9,535 (2026 entry) — rising to £10,050 in 2027/28 | ~£36,800 (indicative)
Clinical Years (A100 Years 4–6)
Different rate — to be confirmed for students progressing to clinical years in 2026 | ~£48,600 (indicative)
Pre-clinical Year (A101 Year 1)
Pre-clinical rate applies — see above | See above
Clinical Years (A101 Years 2–4)
Clinical rate applies | Clinical international rate applies
Living costs in Oxford for 2026-27 are estimated at £1,405 to £2,105 per month. The Oxford academic year consists of three eight-week terms, so students are typically in Oxford for approximately six months per year (pre-clinical). Clinical years require longer residence. Total cost over the six-year A100 programme including living expenses can be substantial — financial planning from early in your application is strongly advised.
Frequently Asked Questions — Oxford Medicine Entry Requirements
Q: What are the entry requirements for Oxford Medicine?
A: For the six-year A100 BMBCh course, Oxford requires A*AA at A-level in one academic year, including Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics — all achieved at grade A. Applicants must also sit the UCAT. There is no formal GCSE minimum, but grades 8 and 9 are used in the shortlisting algorithm combined with UCAT score. Applicants must be 18 by 1 November of their start year. The IB requirement is 39 points overall with 766 at Higher Level including Chemistry.
Q: Do I need 4 A-levels for Oxford Medicine?
A: No. Oxford Medicine requires A*AA in three A-levels — not four. Offering a fourth A-level does not give you any advantage in Oxford's selection process. Admissions tutors are interested in depth of scientific understanding, not the number of subjects taken. Focus on achieving A* in Chemistry and A in your chosen second science/maths, rather than adding a fourth subject.
Q: Do you need all 9s at GCSE for Oxford Medicine?
A: No — but the competitive reality is that the vast majority of successful Oxford Medicine applicants have a very high proportion of Grade 9s and 8s. In Oxford's shortlisting algorithm, only Grades 8 and 9 contribute positively to your GCSE score. Grade 7 (A) does not carry the same weight. While there is no formal minimum GCSE requirement, aiming for Grade 9 across Science, Mathematics and English is strongly advisable for a competitive Oxford application.
Q: What UCAT score do I need for Oxford Medicine?
A: There is no fixed Oxford UCAT cut-off score. Oxford uses UCAT combined with contextualised GCSE scores to shortlist candidates. The official data for the 2025 round (for 2026 entry) shows that shortlisted candidates averaged 2,377 out of 2,700, and offer holders averaged 2,407. The national average for all UCAT test-takers was 1,891. To be genuinely competitive, target a score of 2,350 minimum — with 2,450+ putting you in a strong position. Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning are weighted most heavily by Oxford.
Q: What are the Oxford Medicine GCSE requirements?
A: Oxford has no formal GCSE grade minimum for medicine. However, GCSEs are used as a key part of the shortlisting algorithm combined with UCAT score. Grades 8 and 9 contribute positively to your shortlisting score; Grade 7 does not. Your GCSE grades are contextualised against your school's performance data, meaning strong performance at a lower-achieving school is recognised. Applicants with fewer than 5 GCSEs, or those who took GCSEs in summer 2020 or 2021, have their UCAT score double-weighted instead.
Q: What are the Oxford Medicine UCAT requirements?
A: All applicants to A100 and A101 must sit the UCAT in the year of application. Oxford uses the UCAT alongside GCSE scores for shortlisting (A100) or alongside application form scoring for shortlisting (A101). Oxford does not currently use the Situational Judgement Test before interview for shortlisting; it is disclosed to colleges after interviews for ranking. There is no fixed minimum UCAT score, but shortlisted candidates in 2025 averaged 2,377 out of 2,700, substantially above the national average of 1,891.
Q: What are the Oxford Medicine requirements for undergraduate applicants?
A: Undergraduate (school leaver) applicants to A100 need: A*AA at A-level in one academic year including Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths; UCAT sat in the year of application; no formal GCSE minimum but high grades 8 and 9 expected; must be 18 by 1 November. UCAS deadline is 15 October. Each shortlisted applicant is interviewed by two colleges in December. Offers are based on interview performance.
Q: What are the Oxford medical school requirements for international students?
A: International students face the same academic requirements (A*AA or IB 39 points for A100) plus English language requirements (IELTS 7.5 overall with minimum 7.0 in each component, or equivalent). However, Oxford is subject to a government quota of a maximum 14 international places per year across both A100 and A101. In the 2025 round, only 8 international offers were made across over 260 international applicants. International applicants without GCSEs have UCAT used as their sole shortlisting measure.
Q: What are the Oxford Medicine requirements for graduate entry?
A: The A101 Graduate Entry Medicine course requires: a 2:1 or above (or GPA >3.5) in applied or experimental science; A-levels at AAB with A/A* in Chemistry (if taken within the last 5 years); one A-level from Biology, Physics or Mathematics; UCAT sat in the year of application. Work experience in health or social care is expected. In 2025, the A101 course had a success rate of approximately 23% across eligible applicants (46 offers from 197 eligible applications). Open to both home and international applicants within the 14-place international quota.
Q: What are the Oxford Medicine IB requirements?
A: For A100, the IB requirement is 39 points overall (including core points — Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge) with 7, 6, 6 at Higher Level, including Chemistry plus at least one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics. For A101 graduate entry, the IB requirement is 36 points overall with scores of 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry plus one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
Q: What is Oxford Medicine's acceptance rate?
A: Oxford Medicine is one of the most selective medical programmes in the world. In the 2025 admissions round, 1,156 UCAS applications were received for A100. Of these, approximately 41.4% of eligible applicants were shortlisted, and around 175 total offers were made. The overall success rate across all who applied was approximately 15–17%. The A101 Graduate Entry Medicine course had a success rate of approximately 23% among eligible applicants (those meeting all published criteria). Only 8 international offers were made across both courses combined.
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