Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Swansea Medicine Entry Requirements – Swansea UCAT Cut Off & Acceptance Rate
- The Medic Life
- 22 hours ago
- 14 min read
Applying to Swansea University Medical School for 2026/27 entry? Swansea is unique in Wales: it offers only one medical degree – a four-year Graduate Entry Medicine (MBBCh) programme, UCAS code A101 – open to graduates of any discipline. The Swansea University medicine entry requirements centre on a 2:1 degree, a competitive admissions test score (GAMSAT, UCAT or MCAT depending on your fee status) and a strong performance at the Swansea Assessment Day. At The Medic Life, admissions expert Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad has supported hundreds of graduates to navigate Swansea’s distinctive selection process. This page sets out the full Swansea medicine entry requirements – including the latest UCAT and GAMSAT cut-offs, acceptance rate, Pathways to Medicine route, and interview format – so you can apply with strategy, not guesswork.
Last reviewed: May 2026 by Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad, Medical Admissions Lead at The Medic Life. All criteria reflect Swansea University’s published 2026/27 MBBCh Medicine (Graduate Entry) admissions policy.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Does Swansea offer undergraduate Medicine? An important first note
Swansea University does not offer a five-year undergraduate Medicine degree (e.g. an A100 course). The only medical degree at Swansea is the four-year MBBCh Graduate Entry Medicine programme (UCAS code A101). This means:
If you are a school-leaver, you cannot apply directly to Swansea Medicine until you have completed (or are in the final year of) an eligible degree.
Swansea’s Pathways to Medicine BSc programmes are designed as a UCAS fifth-choice route – they give you the chance of a guaranteed Graduate Entry Medicine interview once you complete the BSc and meet the criteria.
All references to “Swansea uni medicine entry requirements” in this guide refer to the Graduate Entry MBBCh, because that is the only Medicine course Swansea runs.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Swansea Medicine at a glance: what you need to qualify (2026 entry)
Course: MBBCh Medicine (Graduate Entry) – 4 years, full-time.
UCAS code: A101.
Campus: Singleton Park Campus, Swansea, Wales.
Degree: Minimum 2:1 in any subject (alternative routes available – see below).
GCSEs: Grade C / 4 minimum in Mathematics AND English Language or Welsh.
Admissions test: GAMSAT or UCAT for Home applicants; GAMSAT, UCAT or MCAT for International applicants.
Minimum GAMSAT: 50 overall AND 50 in Paper 3 (Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences).
Minimum UCAT: 1900 (Situational Judgement Test bands are NOT considered).
Minimum MCAT: 500 (International applicants only).
A-Levels: NOT required (and no Science A-Level required).
English language: IELTS 7.0 (no less than 7.0 in Speaking; 6.5 in Listening, Reading and Writing) for non-native English speakers.
Interview: Assessment Day with 3 × 20–30 minute face-to-face stations.
Tuition (Sep 2026): £9,790 (UK) / £48,350 (International) – Year 1.
International eligibility: Yes – Swansea is one of the few UK medical schools to accept international applicants on a Graduate Entry pathway.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Swansea University medicine academic entry requirements
By the time of application, you must have achieved (or be predicted to achieve) ONE of the following:
A 2:1 (Hons) undergraduate degree in any subject, OR
A Merit in an integrated master’s degree in any subject (equivalent to 2:1), OR
A 2:2 (Hons) undergraduate degree PLUS a Pass in a postgraduate higher degree (Master’s or PhD) in any subject.
Pending results: If your degree is in progress, results must be confirmed no later than 31 July in the year of intended enrolment. Conditional offers are withdrawn if results are outstanding after this date.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Subject of degree
Any discipline is accepted. You do not need a science degree, a Science A-Level, or any prior biomedical study. Swansea uses the admissions test to gauge your scientific, analytical and reasoning ability – not your A-Level subjects. This makes Swansea an excellent option for applicants from humanities, social sciences, engineering, business or any other non-biomedical background.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Swansea Medicine GCSE requirements
GCSE Mathematics: minimum grade C (England Pre-2017) or grade 4 (England Post-2017) / equivalent in Welsh / Scottish / Northern Irish systems.
GCSE English Language OR Welsh: minimum grade C / 4.
No other GCSE subjects are specified – you do not need science GCSEs.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Equivalent qualifications
Swansea accepts equivalent secondary school and degree qualifications approved by the University. International applicants are advised to check their qualification equivalency directly with Swansea Admissions before submitting their UCAS application.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Swansea medicine admissions tests: GAMSAT, UCAT or MCAT?
This is the area where Swansea has changed significantly. For 2026 entry, Swansea accepts three admissions tests, depending on your fee status. You must have SAT (or have a confirmed sitting for) your chosen test before submitting your UCAS application. Late tests are not accepted.
Test | Who can take it | Minimum score | Valid sittings |
GAMSAT | Home + International | 50 overall AND 50 in Paper 3 | Last 4 sittings before UCAS October deadline |
UCAT | Home + International | 1900 (SJT not considered) | Year of application only |
MCAT | International only | 500 | Within 24 calendar months of UCAS closing date |
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: How Swansea uses your admissions test score
All applicants meeting the minimum entry requirements are ranked by their test score.
Each year, a cut-off score is set once all results are received – this is usually HIGHER than the published minimum, depending on the strength of that year’s applicant pool.
Applicants meeting the annual cut-off are invited to the Assessment Day (interview).
If you sit more than one test, Swansea will only consider ONE score. You can nominate which one when your application is acknowledged. If you don’t nominate, Swansea uses this preference order: 1) highest GAMSAT, 2) most recent UCAT, 3) highest MCAT (international).
After interview, your admissions test score is no longer considered – offers are based solely on interview performance.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Historic Swansea GAMSAT cut-off scores
The minimum acceptable GAMSAT score is published as 50 overall (and 50 in Paper 3), but the actual annual cut-off has historically been higher because the test is used to rank applicants. Recent published cut-offs show how volatile this can be:
Entry Year | Home GAMSAT cut-off | Welsh-domiciled cut-off | International cut-off |
2024 | 53 | 50 | 50 |
2023 | 63 | — | — |
2022 | 62 | — | — |
2021 | 60 | — | — |
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad’s take: The dramatic drop in 2024 (53 for Home applicants) reflects Swansea’s decision to accept both UCAT and GAMSAT, which broadened the applicant pool and changed the GAMSAT distribution. Plan as if the published minimum of 50 is a floor, not a target – the realistic GAMSAT target for safety remains in the mid-to-high 50s, and 60+ is genuinely strong.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Swansea UCAT cut-off – what you need to know
Swansea’s published minimum UCAT score is 1900 (across the four cognitive subtests, on the 4-section UCAT scale).
The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) band is not considered – a rarity among UK medical schools.
Only UCAT scores from tests taken in the year of application are accepted.
Like GAMSAT, the UCAT cut-off is determined annually based on application volumes, so the published minimum is a floor, not the actual cut-off.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Pathways to Medicine: Swansea’s undergraduate route into GEM
Although you can’t apply directly for an undergraduate Medicine degree at Swansea, the Pathways to Medicine programme is designed exactly for school-leavers who want a route into Swansea Graduate Entry Medicine. These are selected BSc programmes that confer a guaranteed interview for the MBBCh – with a lower GAMSAT/UCAT score threshold – if you meet the requirements.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Eligible Pathways to Medicine BSc degrees
Applied Medical Sciences, BSc (Hons)
Medical Biochemistry, BSc
Medical Genetics, BSc
Medical Pharmacology, BSc (Hons)
Medical Sciences and Population Health, BSc (Hons)
Psychology (selected programmes)
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Pathways to Medicine interview guarantee criteria
To qualify for the guaranteed Graduate Entry Medicine interview, you must:
Achieve at least 60% overall in Year 1 of your BSc, to be eligible for the dedicated Pathways Module in Year 2: “Doctors, Patients and the Goals of Medicine” (PM254).
Achieve 60% in the Pathways Module.
Have, or be expecting, a valid GAMSAT, UCAT or MCAT score at the time of GEM application.
Use the guaranteed interview ONLY in your final year of study – the guarantee can only be used once.
Complete your BSc on schedule (the guarantee is for graduates of the Pathway, not for transfers).
Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad’s tip: Pathways to Medicine is one of the smartest UCAS fifth-choice strategies in the UK. You build a strong BSc, lock in a guaranteed Swansea GEM interview, and benefit from a reduced admissions-test cut-off. For applicants who narrowly missed undergraduate Medicine the first time, this is a structured second chance.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Swansea Medical School acceptance rate (how competitive is it?)
Swansea is small and highly selective. The most recent transparent application data shows the realistic scale of competition for the MBBCh A101 programme:
Cycle | Applications | Interviews | Offers | Places |
2025 entry | 868 | 356 | 227 | 142 |
In real terms, this puts the headline Swansea medicine acceptance rate at roughly 1 in 6 applicants receiving an offer, with around 1 in 4 invited to interview. The medical school caps its annual intake at around 142–150 places, and there are typically several hundred applicants every cycle.
Key acceptance-rate takeaways: the admissions test cut-off is the first hurdle (around 40% of applicants progress past it), the Assessment Day is the second (and only) determinant of whether you get an offer, and Swansea over-offers slightly because not all offer-holders firm.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Swansea medicine application timeline (2026/27 cycle)
Stage | Timing | What happens |
Admissions test | Before UCAS deadline | GAMSAT, UCAT or MCAT must be sat (or scheduled) before you submit your UCAS application. |
UCAS submission | By 15 October | Application submitted via UCAS – no late or direct applications accepted. |
Test score ranking | Autumn | All applicants meeting minimum criteria are ranked by their admissions test score. |
Annual cut-off set | Late autumn | Cut-off score determined once all test results received; cut-off applicants invited to Assessment Day. |
Assessment Day (interview) | Early in the New Year | In-person, 3 × 20–30 minute stations (interviews, presentations, role-play) at Singleton Park Campus. |
Offers issued | Spring (Mar–Apr) | Decisions based solely on interview performance; offers sent via UCAS Hub. |
Enrolment & checks | Summer | DBS, Occupational Health, fitness-to-practise and Code of Professional Practice declarations completed. |
Course start | September 2026 | Year 1 begins at Singleton Park Campus. |
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: The Swansea Assessment Day: interview format and what’s assessed
Swansea does not use the conventional Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) circuit. Instead, your interview takes place at an Assessment Day at Singleton Park Campus, with three face-to-face stations of 20–30 minutes each. Expect a mix of:
Panel-style interview (often two interviewers per station, with personal statement discussion).
Presentation station (where you may be asked to prepare or respond to a topic).
Role-play / simulated scenario (testing communication, empathy and judgement).
Swansea may also include a 30-minute written situational judgement assessment alongside the interview stations. This assesses decision-making relevant to medical practice – it is not a clinical knowledge test.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Qualities Swansea is assessing
Swansea uses the GMC’s Good Medical Practice and Outcomes for Graduates as the framework for assessment. The qualities you need to demonstrate are:
Communication skills.
Problem-solving skills.
Coping with pressure.
Insight and integrity.
Passion for medicine and resilience to succeed.
Organisation and research.
Ethics and values.
Crucial point: Once interviews are complete, your admissions test score plays no further role. Offers are based solely on performance at interview. This means a strong GAMSAT/UCAT alone won’t secure a place – your Assessment Day performance is decisive.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: English language requirements for Swansea medicine
Applicants from majority non-English speaking countries must demonstrate English proficiency. The minimum standard is:
IELTS 7.0 overall, with:
No less than 7.0 in Speaking.
No less than 6.5 in Listening, Reading and Writing.
Important: For Swansea Medicine specifically, the following alternatives are NOT accepted as evidence of English proficiency:
Overseas secondary education in an English-medium school or education system.
A previous degree at a British or English-medium overseas university.
Working in a professional capacity in an English-language environment.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: International applicants: can you study Medicine at Swansea?
Yes. Swansea is one of a small number of UK Graduate Entry Medicine programmes that accepts international fee-paying applicants. International applicants can sit GAMSAT, UCAT or MCAT (minimum 500). Tuition fees for September 2026 entry are £48,350 in Year 1, with subsequent years rising by 3% per year. International applicants must also meet the English language requirements outlined above.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Important Swansea medicine policies you need to know
Transfers
Swansea does not allow transfers into the Graduate Entry Medicine programme from other medical schools. Applicants who previously commenced a medical degree elsewhere and did not progress due to academic failure, fitness-to-practise or professionalism issues are not considered. Applicants who left a previous medical programme for other reasons may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Concurrent enrolment
You cannot be enrolled in Graduate Entry Medicine at Swansea while studying any other award-bearing programme at Swansea or any other university. All other degree programmes must be completed before enrolment.
Deferred entry
Swansea does not accept applications for deferred entry. Deferral requests from offer-holders are only considered under exceptional circumstances (bereavement, sole-carer responsibilities lasting 3+ months, personal ill-health affecting course readiness, or comparable circumstances). Deferral is only granted for the following academic year, and you must confirm your deferred place by 1 June.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: DBS, occupational health and fitness to practise
All offers are conditional on:
Successful Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Occupational Health clearance (including immunisation records and possible blood tests).
A Code of Professional Practice declaration after application.
Clearance against the Medical Schools Council Excluded Students Database (MSCESD).
Fitness-to-practise panel clearance where applicable (especially for offer-holders with health conditions or prior fitness-to-practise outcomes).
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA)
Year 4 Swansea students sit the GMC’s Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA), which all UK medical students must pass for GMC registration with a licence to practise. You must pass both components of the MLA, complete your Swansea finals, and demonstrate fitness to practise.
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Why apply to Swansea medicine? Course strengths
Top 15 in the UK for Medicine (Complete University Guide 2026).
9th in the UK for Medicine (Guardian University Guide 2026).
Top 5 Graduate Entry Medicine programme (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
Small, supportive cohort (~150 places per year) with close contact with staff and clinicians.
Early patient contact from the first term – uniquely accelerated clinical exposure.
Welsh-medium provision available (at least 40 credits per year), with eligibility for ColegCymraeg scholarships.
Coastal campus at Singleton Park, plus clinical placements across South West and West Wales.
Fully GMC-accredited curriculum mapped to Outcomes for Graduates.
Year 4 international elective opportunity (typically 5-week clinical placement, often overseas).
Swansea University Medicine Entry Requirements: Swansea Medicine Entry Requirements: FAQs
Can you study medicine at Swansea University?
Yes – but only as a graduate. Swansea offers a 4-year MBBCh Medicine (Graduate Entry) degree, UCAS code A101, open to graduates of any discipline. There is no five-year undergraduate Medicine degree (A100) at Swansea. School-leavers should consider Swansea’s Pathways to Medicine BSc programmes, which offer a guaranteed Graduate Entry Medicine interview after the BSc.
Does Swansea accept UCAT?
Yes – for 2026 entry, Swansea accepts the UCAT for both UK (Home) and International applicants. The published minimum UCAT score is 1900 (across the four cognitive subtests), and the SJT band is not considered. The actual cut-off is determined annually based on the applicant pool, so the published minimum is a floor, not a target. Only UCAT scores from the year of application are accepted.
What is the Swansea UCAT cut off?
Swansea publishes a minimum UCAT score of 1900 but sets the actual annual cut-off after all scores are received. The cut-off is typically higher than 1900 and varies by year. Swansea is also unusual in that the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) band is not part of the admissions decision.
What is the Swansea Graduate Entry Medicine GAMSAT cut off?
The minimum acceptable GAMSAT score is 50 overall AND 50 in Paper 3 (Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences). Historically, the actual cut-off has run between 53 and 63: 2021 = 60, 2022 = 62, 2023 = 63, 2024 = 53 (Home applicants) / 50 (Welsh-domiciled and International). A safe GAMSAT target for 2026 is the mid-to-high 50s, with 60+ being genuinely competitive.
Do you need A-Levels for Swansea Medicine?
No. Swansea does not require A-Levels (and does not require science A-Levels) for Graduate Entry Medicine. The only school-level academic requirements are GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English Language / Welsh. The selection process focuses on your degree classification and admissions test performance.
Does Swansea have undergraduate medicine entry requirements?
Swansea does not run an undergraduate (A100) medicine course. If you’re searching for “Swansea university medicine entry requirements undergraduate” or “Swansea Medicine undergraduate,” you’re likely looking for either the Graduate Entry MBBCh (which is technically delivered through the undergraduate UCAS route, even though it requires a prior degree) or the Pathways to Medicine BSc programmes that lead to a guaranteed GEM interview.
What degree classification do I need for Swansea Graduate Entry Medicine?
You need at least a 2:1 (Honours) degree in any subject. Alternative routes include a Merit in an integrated master’s degree, or a 2:2 (Hons) degree PLUS a pass in a postgraduate Master’s or PhD in any subject. A Master’s alone cannot compensate for a degree below 2:1 unless combined with a 2:2 undergraduate degree.
Are international students eligible for Swansea Graduate Entry Medicine?
Yes. Swansea is one of the few UK Graduate Entry Medicine programmes open to international applicants. International applicants can use GAMSAT, UCAT or MCAT, and tuition fees for 2026 entry are £48,350 in Year 1, rising by approximately 3% per year. IELTS 7.0 (with sub-score minima) applies for non-native English speakers.
How many places are there on Swansea Graduate Entry Medicine?
Swansea has around 142–150 places per cycle. The medical school is deliberately small to ensure close contact between students and teaching staff, and to support early patient contact from the first term.
What is the Swansea Medicine acceptance rate?
Approximately 1 in 6 applicants ultimately receives an offer. The most recent transparent figures (2025 entry) show 868 applications, 356 interviews and 227 offers for 142 places. Roughly 40% of applicants progress past the admissions test cut-off, and the Assessment Day determines whether you receive an offer.
How is the Swansea Graduate Entry Medicine interview structured?
Swansea uses an in-person Assessment Day at Singleton Park Campus, with 3 × 20–30 minute face-to-face stations. These may include panel-style interviews (discussing your personal statement), presentations, and role-play / simulated scenarios. A 30-minute written situational judgement assessment may also be included. Once interviews are completed, offers are based solely on interview performance – your admissions test score is no longer considered.
Can I defer my Swansea Graduate Entry Medicine offer?
Generally, no. Swansea does not accept applications for deferred entry due to the highly competitive nature of the programme. Deferral requests from offer-holders are considered only on a case-by-case basis under exceptional circumstances (such as bereavement, sole-carer responsibilities, or significant personal ill-health).
Where is Swansea University Medical School located?
The Medical School is based at Singleton Park Campus in Swansea, on the south coast of Wales. Clinical placements take place at NHS sites including hospitals, GP surgeries and community health facilities across South West and West Wales, with a Year 4 elective (typically a 5-week clinical placement, often overseas).
What is Swansea University’s ranking for Medicine?
Swansea is consistently ranked among the top UK medical schools: Top 15 for Medicine in the Complete University Guide 2026, 9th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2026, and Top 5 for Graduate Entry Medicine in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
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