Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: QUB Medicine Entry Requirements - Queens UCAT Cut Off & Acceptance Rate
- The Medic Life
- 3 hours ago
- 21 min read
Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is the only medical school in Northern Ireland, and one of the UK's most distinctive places to study medicine. Founded in 1849, QUB Medical School has trained doctors for over 175 years — and 90% of its students reported satisfaction with teaching in the 2025 National Student Survey, placing QUB second in the UK overall.
With a uniquely early clinical exposure model — students begin working with patients in Year 1 through the Family Attachment Scheme — QUB offers a hands-on, community-rooted medical education across four major teaching hospitals in Belfast and healthcare settings across Northern Ireland. For UK applicants, particularly those from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, QUB is one of the most competitive and desirable medical school choices in the country.
In this guide, Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad, The Medic Life's admissions expert, breaks down every entry requirement for QUB Medicine 2026 entry in precise detail: A-levels, GCSEs, the UCAT scoring system, IB and international qualifications, graduate entry, the selection process, MMI interview, fees and much more.
Expert note from Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad: "QUB runs one of the most transparent and rigorously structured medical school selection processes in the UK. Their two-stage system — Stage 1 scoring GCSE + UCAT to produce a combined ranking, Stage 2 being the MMI interview — means there are no hidden variables. If you understand the scoring system and target the right score combination, you know exactly what you are competing for. The key insight: because QUB weights academics so heavily (up to 36 GCSE points vs up to 9 UCAT points), excellent GCSEs can meaningfully offset a more average UCAT score — a genuine strategic advantage for high-achieving school students."
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: QUB Medicine Entry Requirements: At a Glance
Here is a quick-reference overview of the key entry requirements for the five-year MB BCh BAO Medicine course (UCAS code A100) at Queen's University Belfast for 2026 entry.
Requirement | Standard Entry (A100 — 5-Year MB BCh BAO) |
A-levels | A*AA or AAA + A in fourth AS-level, including Chemistry + Biology/Human Biology or Maths/Physics + AS Biology |
GCSEs | Minimum Grade 4 in Maths & Physics/Double Award Science; best 9 subjects scored out of 36 points |
Admissions Test | UCAT — compulsory; up to 9 points awarded via banding system; SJT used as tiebreaker only |
Total Ranking Score | Up to 45 points (36 from GCSEs + 9 from UCAT); top ~700 invited to interview |
IB | 36 points overall including 6,6,6 at Higher Level; Chemistry + one of Biology, Physics or Maths at HL |
Scottish Highers | AA in Advanced Highers with Chemistry + one science; offer depends on Higher combination (AA to AAA) |
Interview Format | MMI — 9 stations face-to-face in Belfast (home); 7 stations online (international); December–March |
Offers Based On | Interview ranking alone; SJT used only if two candidates tie exactly |
Interview Success | Approx. 1 in 2 chance of offer once invited to interview |
Home Places | 236 standard places + potential additional RoI-funded places (TBC for 2026) |
International | 26 places per year |
QUB Medicine Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics
Queen's University Belfast publishes admissions statistics annually. Here is the key data for the most recent available cycles.
236 Standard home places per year (UK + RoI) | 26 International student places per year | ~700 Applicants invited to interview (home) | ~1:2 Chance of offer once interviewed |
QUB publishes the number of offers made and the lowest-ranked applicant to receive an offer each year, following the UCAS decision deadline in May. These statistics are available at the official QUB Medicine admissions FAQ page. The majority of final decisions are communicated by mid-March, with a reserve list process running through to August/September.
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's insight: "The 1-in-2 offer rate at interview is genuinely encouraging — once you earn an interview at QUB, your odds are among the best of any Russell Group medical school. The real battle is reaching that interview. With the top ~700 home applicants shortlisted from thousands of applications, the competition at Stage 1 (GCSE + UCAT ranking) is fierce. Maximising your combined score — particularly those GCSE points — is where your QUB application is won or lost."
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: The QUB Medicine Selection Process: How It Works
QUB uses a clearly documented two-stage selection process. Understanding both stages is essential to building a competitive application.
Stage | What Happens |
Stage 1 — Cognitive Assessment | Previous academic performance (GCSE score) + UCAT score are combined to produce a total ranking score out of 45 points. All eligible applicants are ranked. The top ~700 are invited to interview. |
Stage 2 — Non-Cognitive Assessment (MMI) | Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) assessing empathy, communication, ethical reasoning, problem-solving and other non-cognitive competencies. Final offers are based entirely on interview ranking. |
Tiebreaker | If two candidates have identical interview rankings, the offer goes to the candidate with the higher UCAT SJT band. SJT is not used in any other part of the selection process. |
This two-stage process applies to all home (UK and Republic of Ireland) fee-paying applicants. The shortlisting process for international fee-paying applicants takes into account a wider range of factors, including previous academic performance and UCAT results — but is not scored on the identical algorithmic basis used for home applicants. Offers for international applicants are also based on interview performance.
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: QUB Medicine A-Level Entry Requirements (2026 Entry)
QUB offers multiple accepted A-level combinations. Each route leads to the same standard conditional offer and requires the same UCAT and GCSE standards. Carefully read all combinations to identify which applies to your subject choices.
Standard A-Level Offer — Route 1
A*AA at A-level, including Chemistry and Biology (or Human Biology)
Standard A-Level Offer — Route 2
A*AA at A-level, including Chemistry and either Mathematics or Physics
PLUS AS-level Biology (or Human Biology) at grade B
Standard A-Level Offer — Route 3 (with a fourth AS-level)
AAA at A-level (three A-levels) + A in a fourth AS-level subject
Must include Chemistry as one of the A-levels
Must include at least one other from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics at A-level
If Biology/Human Biology not offered at A-level: Biology/Human Biology grade A as 4th AS-level OR Biology/Human Biology grade B as 5th AS-level
Grade A in the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is acceptable in lieu of the 4th AS-level
Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate grade A is acceptable in lieu of the 4th AS-level
Grade B in a 4th A-level is acceptable in lieu of the 4th AS-level
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: Important A-level Subject Rules
Mathematics and Further Mathematics cannot both count at A-level — one may be at A-level and the other at AS-level
A maximum of one Applied subject may be counted at either A-level or AS-level (not both)
General Studies is not acceptable at A-level or AS-level
Critical Thinking is only counted at AS-level (not A-level)
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: GCSE Requirements Alongside A-levels
GCSE Mathematics, English and Physics (or GCSE Double Award Science) are required if these subjects are not being offered at AS or A-level
This ensures all QUB medicine applicants have the required science and numeracy background at GCSE level, regardless of A-level subject choice
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad says: "The most critical thing to notice about QUB's A-level routes is the flexibility. Route 3 is particularly accessible for students who are predicted AAA rather than A*AA — adding a strong AS-level or EPQ to your profile opens the same door. However, do not assume the conditional offer is less competitive than it appears. QUB's interview is rigorous, and the shortlisting process at Stage 1 is highly competitive."
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: A-Level Resit Policy
QUB does consider A-level resit applicants under specific conditions
Resit applicants must have applied to Medicine at QUB at the first attempt and held a conditional firm offer
Must have achieved A*AB/AAA or AAB + A in a fourth AS-level on first attempt
The offer for repeat applicants is A*AA or AAA + A in a fourth AS-level
Only two attempts at A-levels are permitted — applicants who have taken A-levels more than twice are not considered
UCAT must be retaken — previous results are not accepted for repeat applicants
QUB Medicine GCSE Requirements & Scoring System
GCSEs are a major and often underappreciated component of QUB's selection process. Unlike medical schools where GCSEs are merely a gating requirement, QUB converts your GCSE grades into points that directly contribute to your Stage 1 shortlisting score. This is one of the most distinctive features of QUB's admissions system.
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: GCSE Minimum Requirements
GCSE Mathematics: minimum Grade 4 (C) — required if not offered at AS or A-level
GCSE Physics or Double Award Science: minimum Grade 4 (C) — required if not offered at AS or A-level
GCSE English Language: required if not offered at AS or A-level
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: How QUB Scores GCSEs - The Points System
QUB scores your best 9 GCSE subjects using the following points scale:
Grade 9 / A* | Grades 7–8 / A | Grade 6 / B | Grades 4–5 / C*/C |
4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
The maximum GCSE score available is 36 points (9 subjects × 4 points each). This contributes directly to your total Stage 1 ranking score alongside your UCAT points.
Additional GCSE scoring rules: GCSE Short Courses attract half points (A* = 2 pts, A = 1.5 pts, B = 1 pt, C = 0.5 pts). A maximum of one BTEC or OCR Level 2 qualification will be considered equivalent to one or two GCSEs as appropriate and included in the scoring. AS-level grades will also be considered for borderline cases alongside additional GCSE A-grade performance.
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: Northern Ireland Applicants — Special GCSE Rule
Applicants who have been educated at a secondary school in Northern Ireland to at least Year 12 will be shortlisted on the basis of their AS-level grades rather than GCSE performance, combined with UCAT results and predicted A-level performance. This applies because of the distinctive NI curriculum structure and results in more NI students progressing to interview.
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's note: "QUB's GCSE scoring system rewards academic consistency from an early age. A student with nine Grade 9s at GCSE scores the maximum 36 points — and has a 4-point GCSE advantage over a student who averaged Grade 7s. When combined with UCAT, this can be the difference between an interview and a rejection. If you are currently in Year 10 or 11, treat your GCSEs as the first stage of your medicine application — because at QUB, they genuinely are."
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: QUB UCAT Requirements & Scoring System
UCAT is compulsory for all applicants to Medicine at QUB. There are no exceptions except in very rare cases with appropriate supporting evidence — applicants who believe they qualify for an exemption should contact UCAT-exemption@qub.ac.uk.
How QUB Uses UCAT?
Unlike many medical schools that use a raw UCAT score or set a fixed cut-off threshold, QUB uses a banding system that converts your total UCAT cognitive score into a points value of up to 9. These UCAT points are then added to your GCSE points to produce your Stage 1 combined ranking score.
Scoring Category | Points Available |
GCSE performance (best 9 subjects, scored via points system) | Up to 36 points |
UCAT cognitive score (banding system) | Up to 9 points |
TOTAL combined maximum (Stage 1 ranking score) | 45 points (2026 entry) |
QUB UCAT Cut-Off — What You Need to Know
QUB does not use a fixed minimum UCAT cut-off score
Instead, your UCAT total cognitive score is converted into a banded points value (up to 9 points)
The banding thresholds are updated and published each year in the QUB Admissions Policy Statement ('How We Choose Our Students') — check go.qub.ac.uk/med-adm-policy for the 2026 entry version
For 2026 entry, the total maximum combined score (GCSEs + UCAT) was 45 points; the 2025 threshold for interview invitation was 30 points out of the previous 42-point system
The UCAT Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is NOT used in Stage 1 shortlisting
SJT is used only as a tiebreaker if two candidates achieve identical interview ranking scores at Stage 2
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's UCAT strategy for QUB: "With only 9 points available from UCAT versus 36 from GCSEs, QUB is genuinely one of the UK's most academically weighted medical schools. A candidate with 36 GCSE points and 6 UCAT points (42 total) will consistently outrank a candidate with 27 GCSE points and 9 UCAT points (36 total). The practical takeaway: if your GCSEs are outstanding, you can still be shortlisted with a UCAT score in the middle of the performance range. But this does not mean you should neglect UCAT — every single point in the combined total matters. Also note: QUB does not penalise for SJT Band 3 or 4 in shortlisting — so unlike schools that auto-reject Band 4, you can focus your UCAT preparation entirely on maximising your four cognitive sections."
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: QUB Medicine IB & Alternative Qualification Requirements
QUB accepts a wide range of qualifications alongside A-levels. Here are the details for all major accepted qualifications for 2026 entry.
Qualification | QUB Medicine Requirement (A100) |
International Baccalaureate (IB) | 36 points overall including 6,6,6 at Higher Level; Chemistry + at least one of Biology, Physics or Maths at HL; if Physics/Maths not in IB, GCSE Physics or Double Award Science pass required |
Scottish Advanced Highers | AA in Advanced Highers; offer depends on Higher combination: AA (AAAAA Highers), AAB (AAAAB Highers), or AAA (for ABBBB–AAABB Highers); Chemistry + one of Biology, Maths or Physics required |
Irish Leaving Certificate | Chemistry + Biology at Higher Level minimum grade HB2/H3; English + Mathematics at Ordinary Level minimum grade OC required if not offered beyond LC; A/Higher Merit in Physics if not taken as part of LC |
Cambridge Pre-U | Equivalent to A*AA/AAA in Pre-U terms; Chemistry compulsory + one of Biology, Maths, Physics |
Welsh Baccalaureate | Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate grade A acceptable in lieu of the 4th AS-level for Route 3 |
EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) | Grade A acceptable in lieu of the 4th AS-level for Route 3 |
Access and Foundation Courses | Access courses are not acceptable at QUB medicine |
QUB Medicine Graduate Entry Requirements
Queen's University Belfast does not offer a separate four-year graduate entry medicine programme. Graduates who wish to study medicine at QUB apply to the standard five-year A100 MB BCh BAO course. However, QUB considers graduate applicants under a specific and different set of criteria.
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: Academic Requirements for Graduate Applicants
Full academic background is taken into account — university grades are considered alongside A-level and GCSE performance
Minimum A-level threshold of ABB at first attempt for applicants with a 2:1 Honours degree
Minimum A-level threshold of BBB at first attempt for applicants with a First Class Honours degree or PhD combined with an Upper Second Class Honours degree
The minimum grades can be averaged: the minimum acceptable grades are Chemistry grade B at A-level and grade C in any other A-level subject
No specific degree subject is required — any discipline is considered
Graduate applicants who have been at university must have passed any exams taken at university prior to transfer
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: UCAT for Graduates
UCAT is compulsory for all graduate applicants
UCAT must be retaken in the year of application — previous results from undergraduate applications are not accepted
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: Subject Requirements for Graduates
Graduates must have A-level Chemistry (or equivalent) — those with a degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry may contact admissions to discuss any exemptions
A-level Biology/Human Biology is required — or equivalent through undergraduate studies
GCSE Mathematics, English and Physics (or Double Award Science) required if not offered at AS/A-level
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's graduate advice: "QUB's graduate entry pathway is often overlooked. You do not need a science degree, and QUB assesses each application individually — meaning a career changer with a 2:1 in any subject, ABB at A-level, and a competitive UCAT can genuinely compete for a place. The key is the UCAT: because GCSEs and A-levels are already set in stone for graduates, optimising your UCAT performance becomes the primary lever you can still control."
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: QUB Widening Participation — Pathway Opportunity Programme
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at QUB has a dedicated Pathway Opportunity Programme for students from schools in Northern Ireland where progression to university has historically been lower.
Targeted at students at certain secondary schools in Northern Ireland — specific school eligibility criteria are published on the Pathway Opportunity Programme website
Students in Years 13 and 14 accepted onto the programme benefit from a structured series of events throughout the year
Programme includes admissions guidance, insight into academic and extracurricular student life, and a one-week residential summer school
Students complete assessed work as part of the programme
Successful completion leads to a guaranteed interview invitation
Students who receive an offer through this route may receive a conditional offer one A-level grade below the normal standard target
All Pathway Opportunity Programme students are still ranked in the Stage 1 process and must sit UCAT
For students currently in Year 12 in Northern Ireland, investigating the Pathway Opportunity Programme early is strongly advised. A guaranteed interview from the programme represents a significant strategic advantage — it removes the uncertainty of Stage 1 shortlisting entirely.
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: QUB Medicine Entry Requirements: International Students
International students are welcome to apply to QUB Medicine. With 26 international places available annually, the competition is intense — but the application route and requirements are clearly defined.
Academic Requirements
The same A*AA/AAA + subject requirements apply to international students as to home applicants
International qualifications are assessed for equivalence — QUB provides country-specific entry requirement guidance on its website
Applicants who have not taken any formal examinations (e.g. GCSEs or O-levels) will be assessed on the basis of High School reports, which will also be used to assess whether subject requirements are met
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: Shortlisting for International Applicants
International applicants are not shortlisted on the same algorithmic GCSE + UCAT system as home applicants
Instead, a broader range of factors is considered for international shortlisting — including previous academic performance and UCAT score
UCAT is compulsory for all international applicants
Interviews for international applicants are held online (7 stations), while home applicants interview in-person in Belfast (9 stations)
English Language Requirements
IELTS: 7.5 overall, minimum 7.0 in Speaking and Listening, minimum 6.5 in Reading and Writing
TOEFL or other equivalent qualifications are also accepted — check QUB's English Language Requirements page for the full list
Applicants whose home country first language is not English must meet the English language requirement
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: International Tuition Fees (2026 Entry)
International medicine tuition fee: approximately £36,900 per year
PLUS a mandatory Northern Ireland clinical placement levy of £11,500 per year for all years of study
Total annual cost for international students: approximately £48,400 per year (subject to annual inflationary increases)
The clinical placement levy covers access to clinical placements in the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care system
International students may also be eligible for QUB's range of international scholarships — check QUB's scholarships pages as medicine is noted as an excluded programme from some awards
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's perspective on international applications: "QUB's international intake of 26 students per year — from a pool of hundreds of applicants worldwide — makes it one of the most competitive international medicine admissions in the UK. Factor in the clinical placement levy on top of tuition fees, and the total financial commitment is significant. That said, for international students who want to study in the UK outside of London or the South, Belfast offers an exceptional clinical environment, four major teaching hospitals, and one of the highest student satisfaction ratings for medicine in the UK."
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: QUB Medicine Tuition Fees — Home Students (2026 Entry)
Student Category | Annual Tuition Fee (2026 Entry) |
Northern Ireland domiciled students | Regulated NI fee — approximately £4,855 per year (confirm on QUB fees page as NI fees are set annually) |
England, Scotland and Wales (rest of UK) students | £9,535 per year (standard regulated undergraduate fee for 2026 entry, rising to £10,050 in 2027/28) |
Republic of Ireland (RoI) fee-status students | RoI tuition fee — check QUB fees page; separate RoI-funded additional places may apply |
International fee-status students | ~£36,900/year + £11,500 clinical placement levy = ~£48,400 total per year |
All fees are subject to annual inflationary increases in subsequent years of the course. For the most current and confirmed fee information, always check Queen's University Belfast's official Fees and Finance page at qub.ac.uk/Study/Feesandfinance.
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: QUB Medicine MMI Interview Process (2026 Entry)
Queen's University Belfast uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) as Stage 2 of its selection process — the decisive stage on which all offers are based. QUB's MMI is widely noted for being significantly role-play heavy, which distinguishes it from the MMI format at many other UK medical schools.
Feature | Detail |
Interview Format | Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) |
Stations — Home | 9 stations (in-person, in Belfast); December to March |
Stations — International | 7 stations (online); December to March |
Who Invites You | Top ~700 ranked applicants at Stage 1 (combined GCSE + UCAT score) |
Basis of Offers | Interview ranking alone — Stage 1 score is not used after interview stage |
Tiebreaker | Identical interview rank → offer to candidate with higher UCAT SJT band |
Chance of Offer | Approximately 1 in 2 (QUB states at least a 1-in-2 chance once invited) |
What is Assessed | Non-cognitive competencies: empathy, communication, ethical reasoning, problem-solving, moral reasoning, commitment to medicine |
Personal Statement | Not scored in Stage 1; reviewed and used at MMI stage |
Work Experience | Not required for admission; caring experience encouraged and may be discussed at interview |
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: Work Experience at QUB Medicine
Work experience is not a formal requirement for admission to QUB Medicine. QUB acknowledges that candidates cannot always have equal access to clinical work experience, and it is therefore not specified as an admission requirement.
However, QUB strongly encourages applicants to obtain caring experience — whether through volunteering, paid employment in a care-related role, or health-related community work. This experience is valuable for two reasons:
It helps you make an informed decision about a career in medicine before committing to a five-year degree
It provides material you can draw on during your MMI interview stations — particularly in role-play and motivation-based scenarios
QUB advises applicants to read the Medical Schools Council's guidance on work experience options, including online and virtual experiences, which count alongside in-person placements. If direct clinical access has been difficult, virtual hospital experience and healthcare volunteering are both considered positively.
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: Personal Statement at QUB Medicine
The personal statement is not scored as part of QUB's Stage 1 shortlisting process. However, it plays a meaningful role in the overall application:
There should be clear evidence of commitment and motivation towards a career in medicine
The personal statement should explicitly state that Medicine is the applicant's career choice
The personal statement is used by interviewers as material during the MMI — interviewers may draw on its content for questioning
Demonstrating that you have taken proactive steps to learn about medicine as a profession strengthens your application's overall narrative
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad's advice: "Even though QUB does not score the personal statement in Stage 1, a poorly written or generic statement will harm you at Stage 2. QUB interviewers see your personal statement before or during the MMI. If you have stated you shadowed a GP but cannot speak articulately about what you learned, or if your statement lacks specific, reflective insight, it will undermine your interview performance. Write it with the interview in mind — not just the shortlisting algorithm."
Queen's University Belfast Medicine Entry Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What A-levels do you need for Queen's University Belfast Medicine?
A: QUB requires one of three A-level combinations: (1) A*AA including Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology; (2) A*AA including Chemistry and Maths or Physics, plus AS-level Biology at grade B; or (3) AAA plus A in a fourth AS-level subject, including Chemistry and at least one of Biology/Human Biology, Maths or Physics. General Studies is not accepted at A-level or AS-level. An EPQ grade A, Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate, or grade B in a 4th A-level are accepted in lieu of the 4th AS-level for Route 3.
Q: What is the selection process for Medicine at Queen's Belfast?
A: QUB uses a two-stage selection process. Stage 1 combines your best 9 GCSE scores (up to 36 points) with your UCAT score (up to 9 points) to produce a combined ranking score out of 45. The top approximately 700 home applicants are invited to interview. Stage 2 is the MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) — 9 in-person stations for home applicants in Belfast, 7 online for international applicants. Final offers are based entirely on interview ranking. The UCAT SJT is used only if two candidates tie at identical interview ranks.
Q: What is the QUB Medicine UCAT cut-off score?
A: QUB does not publish a fixed UCAT cut-off score. Instead, it uses a banding system that converts your UCAT total cognitive score into a points value of up to 9. These UCAT points are added to your GCSE score (up to 36 points) to produce a combined Stage 1 ranking score out of 45. The 2025 entry threshold for interview was 30 points out of the previous 42-point system. The UCAT SJT is not used in shortlisting. Full details of the banding system are published annually in the QUB Admissions Policy Statement at go.qub.ac.uk/med-adm-policy.
Q: Is Queen's Belfast good for Medicine?
A: Yes — QUB is widely regarded as an excellent medical school. It is the only medical school in Northern Ireland, ranked highly for student satisfaction (second in the UK overall in the 2025 NSS for Medicine), with early clinical exposure from Year 1, access to four major Belfast teaching hospitals, and a 175-year history of training doctors. Notable alumni include Professor Frank Pantridge, the inventor of the portable defibrillator. QUB is a member of the Russell Group and consistently performs well in research and teaching quality assessments.
Q: What GCSE grades are needed for QUB Medicine?
A: QUB requires a minimum of Grade 4 (C) in GCSE Mathematics, English and Physics (or Double Award Science) if these subjects are not offered at AS or A-level. Beyond this minimum, QUB scores your best 9 GCSE subjects using a points system: Grade 9/A* earns 4 points, Grades 7–8/A earn 3 points, Grade 6/B earns 2 points, and Grades 4–5/C earns 1 point. The maximum GCSE score is 36 points. These points are combined with your UCAT score (up to 9 points) for a total out of 45 — making GCSE performance one of the most heavily weighted factors in QUB's selection process.
Q: What are Queen's University Belfast Medicine entry requirements for the IB?
A: For the IB, QUB requires 36 points overall including 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level. Chemistry must be offered at Higher Level, plus at least one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics at Higher Level. If Physics and Maths are not part of your IB, a pass in GCSE Physics (or Double Award Science) is required. IB applicants without standard GCSE equivalents will have their shortlisting based on UCAT performance and IB academic profile.
Q: What are the Queen's University Belfast Medicine entry requirements for graduate entry?
A: QUB does not have a separate four-year graduate entry programme. Graduates apply to the standard five-year A100 course. The minimum A-level threshold for graduates with a 2:1 Honours degree is ABB on first attempt (Chemistry at B minimum). Graduates with a First Class Honours degree or PhD may be considered with BBB at first attempt. Any degree subject is considered. UCAT is compulsory and must be retaken. University academic performance is taken into account alongside A-level and GCSE results.
Q: What are the Queen's University Belfast Medicine requirements for postgraduate applicants?
A: QUB Medicine does not have a separate postgraduate entry programme. Postgraduate-level applicants (those who have completed a Masters or PhD) may apply to the standard five-year A100 course. A PhD combined with an Upper Second Class Honours degree allows a minimum A-level threshold of BBB at first attempt. UCAT is compulsory for all postgraduate applicants. Contact the QUB Medical School admissions team for case-by-case guidance.
Q: What are the Queen's University Belfast Medicine requirements for international students?
A: International applicants must meet the same academic requirements as home students (A*AA with Chemistry + Biology/Maths/Physics, or equivalent). UCAT is compulsory. English Language: IELTS 7.5 overall, minimum 7.0 in Speaking and Listening, minimum 6.5 in Reading and Writing. International shortlisting uses a broader set of factors and is not identical to the GCSE + UCAT algorithm for home applicants. Only 26 international places are available per year. Tuition fees are approximately £36,900/year plus a £11,500 annual clinical placement levy. International interviews are held online with 7 MMI stations.
Q: What are the Queen's University Belfast Medicine fees?
A: For 2026 entry, annual tuition fees are: approximately £4,855 for Northern Ireland domiciled students; £9,535 for England, Scotland and Wales students; and approximately £36,900 for international fee-status students. International students also pay a mandatory clinical placement levy of £11,500 per year, making the total annual cost approximately £48,400. Republic of Ireland students have separate fee arrangements — check the QUB fees page. All fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. For the latest confirmed figures, visit qub.ac.uk/Study/Feesandfinance.
Q: Which university has the lowest entry requirements for medicine in the UK?
A: Entry requirements for UK medical schools vary across academic grades, UCAT expectations and shortlisting systems. Some schools with broader A-level grade ranges include Plymouth (A*AA–AAB), QUB for widening access applicants via the Pathway Opportunity Programme, and some newer medical schools. However, 'lower entry requirements' should not be read as 'easier to get in' — UCAT performance and interview quality remain decisive at most schools, regardless of nominal A-level offer. For personalised advice on which schools best match your profile, The Medic Life's admissions team can provide tailored guidance.
Useful links:
Comments