St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: St Mary's University Medicine Entry Requirements - St Mary's UCAT Cut Off & Acceptance Rate
- The Medic Life
- Apr 29
- 14 min read
If you've been following the expansion of UK medical education, you'll have heard about one of the most exciting new medical schools to launch in 2026: the St Mary's University, Twickenham London School of Medicine. Founded in 1850 as a Catholic teaching college, St Mary's University in Twickenham, South West London, is opening its brand-new School of Medicine – with a 5-year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) programme taught in a purpose-built medical school facility, including a state-of-the-art Integrated Skills and Simulation Centre.
There's an important detail every applicant must understand:
For September 2026 entry (we could not find the 2027 entry requirements), applications are open ONLY to international students. UK Home applicants cannot currently be considered. This is expected to change in future cycles, once the programme is established and Home places are made available.
This guide explains everything you need to know about St Mary's Medicine entry requirements – including A-Levels, GCSEs, IB, the graduate entry pathway, UCAT, IELTS, the SAMMI® virtual MMI interview, key dates, scholarships, acceptance rates, and the unique features of this new London medical school.
At The Medic Life, our admissions expert Dr Bakhtar Ahmad has supported countless international and UK applicants through the medical school admissions process. Below, you'll find a clear, expert breakdown of what it takes to secure a place at St Mary's – plus insider tips to make your application competitive.
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: Quick Snapshot: St Mary's Medicine at a Glance
Institution: St Mary's University, Twickenham, London
Campus: Twickenham, South West London
Course: MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) – 5-year full-time
UCAS Code: A100
Eligibility for 2026 entry: International students only (UK Home students not accepted)
Standard A-Level Offer: AAA including Chemistry or Biology + another science
Graduate Entry Offer: 2:1 Honours degree (in any discipline, within last 3 years) + ABB at A-Level (one at A grade), including Chemistry or Biology or another science
GCSE Requirement: Minimum 6 GCSEs at grade 6+ (scoring based on 8 GCSEs)
IB Offer: 36 points overall (HL grade 6 in Chemistry or Biology, plus two further HL 6s)
Admissions Test: UCAT – first attempt only, taken in year of application
English Language: IELTS 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component
Interview: SAMMI® virtual asynchronous MMI
Interview Dates (2026 entry): January, March, June rounds
Application Routes: UCAS or direct application to St Mary's
Accreditation: Working towards full GMC accreditation
Deferral: Possible for one year only
St Mary's University Medicine Entry Requirements: A-Levels (Standard Entry)
For non-graduate (school-leaver) applicants, St Mary's makes a standard A-Level offer.
Standard A-Level Entry Requirements
AAA at A-Level
Must include Chemistry or Biology AND another science (from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths)
St Mary's actively welcomes applicants whose third A-Level is outside the sciences – they recognise the value of arts, humanities and social sciences in shaping good doctors
Subjects Treated Differently
Human Biology, Sports Science, Further Mathematics and Statistics: only accepted as a 4th A-Level (not part of the scoring system)
General Studies and Critical Thinking: welcomed as a 4th A2 but do not form part of the offer
EPQ (Extended Project Qualification): not considered within the scoring
Resits
A-Level resits are only considered in exceptional circumstances
Well-supported documentary evidence of extenuating circumstances is required
The timing of the circumstances must align with the impact on study during the examination period
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: Graduate Entry (Onto the 5-Year MBBS)
St Mary's allows graduate applicants to enter the 5-year MBBS with a slightly reduced A-Level offer – an important and accessible feature.
Graduate Entry Requirements
Minimum 2:1 (upper second-class) Honours degree in any discipline, awarded within the last three years
PLUS three A-Levels at ABB, to include Chemistry or Biology or another science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths)
One A-Level must be at grade A (or equivalent international qualification)
GCSE/Level 2 minimum requirements must also be met
Important: Unlike many UK universities, St Mary's does not currently offer a separate 4-year accelerated graduate-entry programme (e.g. an A101 or A102). Graduates apply for the same 5-year A100 MBBS, with adjusted academic conditions reflecting their degree.
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: GCSEs
GCSEs (or international Level 2 equivalents) are an important part of St Mary's scoring system.
Minimum GCSE Requirement
Minimum 6 GCSEs at grade 6 (B) or above
Required subjects: Maths, English Language, Biology and Chemistry (Dual Science accepted in lieu of separate Biology and Chemistry)
How GCSEs Are Scored
The School of Medicine scores applicants based on their best 8 GCSEs
This means applicants with only the minimum 6 GCSEs at grade 6 are unlikely to be shortlisted for interview
The more GCSEs you have at grade 7 (A) or above, the more competitive your application
International Equivalents
International qualifications equivalent to GCSE Level 2 are accepted
Scottish National 4 or 5 may be used to meet the English Language requirement for visa sponsorship
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: International Baccalaureate (IB)
For IB applicants, the academic threshold is:
Overall score of 36 points
Grade 6 in three Higher Level (HL) subjects, one of which must be Chemistry or Biology
If English and Maths were not offered at GCSE level, they must be offered at SL minimum grade 5
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
For Scottish applicants:
AAAAB at Higher, including Biology or Chemistry
PLUS AAB at Advanced Higher, including A in Chemistry or Biology
This is one of the more demanding Scottish offers among UK medical schools – a reflection of St Mary's commitment to scientific rigour.
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: Access to HE Diploma
The QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma – Medicine is accepted, provided that:
The candidate meets St Mary's widening participation criteria at the point of entry
Programme progression requirements are met
The applicant contacts the admissions team for individual advice prior to application
For 2026 entry, however, contextual/widening participation routes apply only to Home applicants (currently not eligible for 2026/27 entry).
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: International Applicants (the Primary Route for 2026)
Since the 2026/27 cycle is open exclusively to international students, the international entry pathway is the most important for almost every applicant reading this page.
Academic Requirements (International)
Equivalent qualifications to AAA at A-Level (standard entry) or 36 IB points
For graduate applicants: 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) within the last 3 years + ABB at A-Level (one at A grade)
Foundation programmes (including international foundation degrees) may be accepted as an alternative pathway
English Language Requirements
IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in each of the four components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
Equivalent English language qualifications are also accepted
Other International Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years old by 1 January of the academic enrolment year (so for 2026/27 entry, you must be 18 by 1 January 2027)
An Enhanced DBS check is required for clinical placements
Any criminal convictions may affect admission eligibility
A valid Student visa will be required
International Scholarships
10 scholarships of £3,000 per year of enrolment are automatically considered for all international applicants
This applies for each year of the 5-year programme
No separate scholarship application is required
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: St Mary's UCAT Cut Off & Admissions Test Requirements
All applicants to the St Mary's MBBS – including international applicants – must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT).
UCAT Requirements at St Mary's
The UCAT must be taken in the year of application (the 2026 UCAT for September 2026 entry)
Only the first attempt result will be accepted
Alternative admissions tests (e.g. BMAT, GAMSAT, MCAT) are not accepted
St Mary's uses the UCAT Cognitive Total (sum of Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning) plus the SJT Band in shortlisting
What If UCAT Isn't Available in My Country at the Standard Time?
For international candidates from countries where UCAT support is provided but the test wasn't yet sat:
You can still submit an application
If your application meets the other requirements, you'll be placed on a waiting list
You'll be asked to take the UCAT at the first available opportunity in July 2026
A late interview round is held for those who achieve the required UCAT score
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: St Mary's UCAT Cut Off – What to Expect
As a brand-new medical school, St Mary's has not yet published a historical UCAT cut-off score. There are several important points to understand:
The 2026 entry is the inaugural cohort, so no previous-cycle benchmark exists
St Mary's uses a scoring approach (academic + UCAT) to rank applications, rather than a strict numeric cut-off
The SJT Band is used in shortlisting (a feature shared with newer-format admissions like St George's)
Note: For 2026 onwards, the UCAT no longer includes Abstract Reasoning, so the maximum cognitive score is now 2,700 (down from 3,600)
Dr Bakhtar's tip: "Because St Mary's is a brand-new med school with no published cut-off, aim for a UCAT score in the top 30–40% nationally (broadly 1,950+ on the new 2,700-point scale) to give yourself a strong shortlisting chance. Pair this with a competitive academic profile, and your application will rank highly."
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: St Mary's Medicine Interview: The SAMMI® Virtual MMI Format
St Mary's has chosen one of the most modern interview formats in UK Medicine: the SAMMI® (Scalable Automated Multiple Mini Interviews) platform.
What Is the SAMMI® Interview?
A fully virtual, asynchronous online interview
Questions are pre-recorded and you record your responses to be assessed afterwards
There are no live interviewers – you record into your camera, and trained reviewers score your answers later
No follow-up questions – your recorded answer is your final answer
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: Non-Academic Requirements at St Mary's Medicine
Beyond grades and UCAT, you'll need:
Personal statement: read at interview but not formally scored at shortlisting stage
Reference: standard UCAS academic reference
Work experience: NOT required, but can be mentioned in your personal statement or at interview – a major access advantage compared to most UK medical schools
Enhanced DBS check: mandatory for all offer holders (criminal convictions may affect eligibility)
Occupational Health screening: including immunisations, fitness to practise, and Hepatitis B clearance
Fitness to Practise Policy: acceptance and adherence required throughout the programme
Age requirement: 18 by 1 January of the year of enrolment
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: Why Choose St Mary's Medicine? Unique Features
St Mary's is unlike any other UK medical school – here's what makes it stand out:
Brand new School of Medicine with cutting-edge facilities and a clean curriculum design
Clinical placements from Year 1 in NHS settings (community and hospital)
Integrated Skills and Simulation Centre with state-of-the-art simulation suites
Digitally innovative curriculum – digital health and patient journey simulation embedded throughout
"Care Principle": Compassion, Ambition, Readiness, Excellence
Catholic heritage with a strong commitment to ethics, values-based care and social purpose
TEF Gold-rated university, ranked in the top 10* for student experience
Small class sizes with strong pastoral support
Beautiful Twickenham campus in South West London (close to Richmond, Kew, and central London)
Working towards GMC accreditation – reviewed annually until first cohort graduates (standard for all new UK medical schools)
No work experience requirement – more accessible to international applicants who can't easily access UK clinical placements
Direct application option – you can apply through UCAS or directly to St Mary's
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: St Mary's Medicine Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics
Because 2026/27 is the inaugural cohort, there are no historical St Mary's Medicine admissions statistics yet. However, here's what we know and what we can reasonably project:
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: Dr Bakhtar's Verdict on Acceptance Rate
"For 2026/27 entry, the St Mary's MBBS is genuinely competitive but not as oversaturated as established London med schools. Strong international applicants with AAA equivalents, 6+ grade 6 GCSEs, IELTS 7.0 in all components, and a competitive UCAT can absolutely secure a place. The biggest differentiator will be your performance at the SAMMI® virtual interview – which is a coachable skill."
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: FAQs
What is the easiest med school to get into in the UK?
There's no UK medical school with genuinely "easy" entry – all require AAA-level academic performance or equivalent. However, some routes and institutions are statistically more accessible for certain applicant profiles:
St Mary's University, Twickenham (2026 inaugural intake) – brand-new, with no legacy applicant pool, currently open only to international students
University of Buckingham – private medical school with rolling international intake
Brunel Medical School and Edge Hill University – newer UK medical schools
Kent and Medway, Sunderland and Sheffield – generally have lower UCAT thresholds
Graduate entry routes (e.g. St George's A101, Warwick A101, Nottingham A101) – don't require A-Levels at all if you have a 2:1 degree
If you're an international applicant looking for a London-based MBBS with no prior cohort competition and a modern, values-led curriculum, St Mary's is one of the most strategically interesting options for 2026 entry.
What do you need to get into St Mary's University London Medicine?
To get into the St Mary's University, Twickenham MBBS for September 2026 entry, you'll need:
International (non-Home) fee status – Home applicants are not eligible for 2026/27
AAA at A-Level (standard entry) including Chemistry or Biology + another science or equivalent qualifications (e.g. 36 IB points with HL 6 in Chemistry/Biology)
For graduates: a 2:1 Honours degree in any discipline (within the last 3 years) plus ABB at A-Level (one at A grade)
Minimum 6 GCSEs at grade 6+ (with scoring based on 8 GCSEs)
UCAT taken in the year of application (first attempt only)
IELTS 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component (or equivalent English language proficiency)
Successful performance at the SAMMI® virtual MMI
Enhanced DBS check for offer holders
Age 18+ by 1 January of the academic enrolment year
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: What grades do you need to get into St Mary's?
For the 5-year MBBS at St Mary's, Twickenham:
Standard entry: AAA at A-Level, including Chemistry or Biology and another science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths)
Graduate entry: ABB at A-Level (one at A grade) PLUS a 2:1 Honours degree in any discipline (within last 3 years)
GCSEs: Minimum 6 at grade 6 (B) or above, including Maths, English Language, Biology and Chemistry – but scoring is based on best 8 GCSEs, so more is better
IB: 36 points with HL grade 6 in Chemistry or Biology + 2 other HL grade 6s
Scottish Highers: AAAAB at Higher (incl. Biology or Chemistry) + AAB at Advanced Higher (with A in Chemistry or Biology)
IELTS: 7.0 overall with 7.0 in each component for international applicants
Is St Mary's University Medicine open to UK Home students for 2026?
No. For September 2026 entry, applications are open only to international (non-UK Home) students. UK Home applicants and those eligible for funding from Student Finance England or Ireland cannot be considered. If your fee status is reassessed as Home at any stage of the admissions process, your application will be withdrawn. This is expected to change in future cycles, but is not yet confirmed by St Mary's.
Does St Mary's Medicine require work experience?
No. Unlike most UK medical schools, work experience is not required at St Mary's. However, you can mention any clinical or caring work experience in your personal statement or at interview – and reflective insight into a career in medicine is still valuable. This is a notable access advantage for international applicants who may not be able to easily access UK NHS clinical placements before applying.
What is the St Mary's Medicine UCAT cut off?
As 2026/27 is the inaugural cohort, St Mary's has not yet published a historical UCAT cut-off score. The UCAT is used in St Mary's scoring system alongside academic performance to rank applicants for interview shortlisting. The school uses the UCAT Cognitive Total (Verbal Reasoning + Decision Making + Quantitative Reasoning) and the SJT Band. As a guide, aim for a top 30–40% national UCAT score (broadly 1,950+ on the new 2,700-point scale) to give yourself a strong shortlisting chance.
What is the SAMMI® interview at St Mary's?
The SAMMI® (Scalable Automated Multiple Mini Interviews) is St Mary's chosen interview format – a fully virtual, asynchronous online MMI. You'll record responses to pre-recorded questions within a set interview window (e.g. 26 January – 3 February 2026 for the first round). The interview takes around 1.5 hours to complete and there are no live interviewers – your recorded answers are scored by trained reviewers afterwards. Three interview rounds are scheduled: January, March and June for the 2026/27 cycle.
Can I apply to St Mary's Medicine through both UCAS and direct application?
You can apply to St Mary's MBBS through either UCAS or directly to St Mary's University – the choice is yours. Most international applicants will go through UCAS so they can also apply to up to four other UK universities (UCAS allows up to 4 medical school choices). If St Mary's is your only UK medical school choice, the direct application route may be simpler and faster.
Does St Mary's accept GCSE/A-Level resits?
A-Level resits are only considered in exceptional circumstances, with documented extenuating circumstances. The university expects applicants to liaise with their qualification board's special consideration process at the time of the original examination. Re-applying with significantly improved grades after a gap year is generally not the recommended pathway at St Mary's.
What is the St Mary's MBBS scholarship?
International applicants to the St Mary's MBBS programme are automatically considered for one of 10 scholarships of £3,000 per year of enrolment. That's potentially £15,000 in scholarship support across the 5-year programme. No separate application is required – every eligible international applicant is reviewed.
Is St Mary's MBBS GMC accredited?
St Mary's is working towards full GMC accreditation, which is standard process for all new UK medical schools. The GMC reviews new medical schools annually from the first cohort's Year 1 until graduation, after which formal full accreditation is granted. This means students in the inaugural 2026 cohort will be part of an accredited-in-progress programme – an important consideration when choosing a brand-new medical school.
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: People Also Search For
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements Undergraduate
For undergraduate (school-leaver) applicants to the St Mary's MBBS, the standard offer is AAA at A-Level (including Chemistry or Biology + another science), 36 IB points (with HL 6 in Chemistry or Biology), or equivalent international qualifications. Applicants must also have at least 6 GCSEs at grade 6+ (scoring based on 8), sit the UCAT in the year of application, achieve IELTS 7.0 in each component, and perform well at the SAMMI® virtual MMI. For September 2026 entry, undergraduate places are open only to international students – UK Home applicants cannot currently apply.
St Mary's University, Twickenham Medicine
The St Mary's University, Twickenham MBBS is a brand-new 5-year medical degree launching in September 2026, taught at a purpose-built School of Medicine on the historic Twickenham campus in South West London. The programme features clinical placements from Year 1, an Integrated Skills and Simulation Centre, and a values-led "care principle" curriculum. Applications are open to international students only for 2026/27 via UCAS or direct application. Standard entry is AAA at A-Level (including Chemistry or Biology + another science); graduate entry is ABB plus a 2:1 Honours degree. The university automatically considers all international applicants for 10 scholarships of £3,000 per year.
St Mary's Medicine Entry Requirements: Final Word from Dr Bakhtar Ahmad
The St Mary's University, Twickenham London School of Medicine represents one of the most exciting new opportunities in UK medical education. With a brand-new School of Medicine, a values-led curriculum, modern simulation facilities, no work experience requirement, and a SAMMI® virtual interview format that rewards clear, structured communication, it's a genuinely compelling choice – especially for international applicants seeking a London-based MBBS in 2026.
If you're an international student ready to plan your application strategy, The Medic Life is here to help you navigate every step – from UCAS or direct application, through UCAT and IELTS preparation, to a polished personal statement and a confident SAMMI® performance.
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