Where To Apply With Above Average UCAT Score - 2026 Entry
- The Medic Life
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 28
If you’ve scored above average on the UCAT, you have a lot of options for 2026 entry - but it pays to be strategic. In general, target medical schools that shortlist or rank applicants heavily by UCAT to make the most of your score (especially if other parts of your application are less strong).
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Below are some top UK universities that use UCAT scores prominently in interview selection:
Bristol University - Meets academic requirements first, then ranks applicants entirely by UCAT score. The highest-scoring students are invited to interview.
Newcastle University - Uses a combined points system (GCSEs + UCAT). Newcastle assigns up to 60 points for UCAT and 40 for grades, then invites the top scorers to interview. In practice, applicants are ranked mainly by UCAT among those meeting the grade threshold.
King’s College London (KCL) - Uses a points system where UCAT carries the most weight (100 points for UCAT vs 40 for GCSEs). For 2023, the average UCAT of those interviewed was very high (~2997), showing how much they value a strong score.
Edge Hill University - Sets an annual UCAT cutoff. All students above the cut (usually high – e.g. ~2450–2500 recently) who meet grades are invited to interview. Edge Hill also automatically excludes candidates with a Band 4 in the SJT.
University of Glasgow - Allocates ~80% of available interviews based on UCAT score. All applicants meeting the academic/GPA thresholds are ranked by UCAT, and interviews are offered in descending order of UCAT score. (For 2024 entry the interview cutoffs were ~2450 for Scottish and 2500 for other UK applicants.)
University of Southampton - Also heavily uses UCAT for shortlisting. While specifics change each year, Southampton typically invites candidates based on their total points (UCAT decile + other criteria). In recent cycles, the lowest UCAT invited has been around the mid-2000s.
Other top options (if your UCAT is exceptionally high): Imperial College London ranks candidates by UCAT (inviting roughly the top third); Birmingham combines UCAT deciles with academic points (2024 cutoff -700 for non-contextual applicants); Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge) require very high grades plus use UCAT and GCSEs in a composite ranking for interviews. In short, with an above-average UCAT (especially >2,100–2,200), you could confidently apply even to ultra-competitive schools like Birmingham, Newcastle, UCL, Imperial, Oxford or Cambridge - but only if your academics are also strong.
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PS: This expert "Where To Apply With Above Average UCAT Score - 2026 Entry" guide from The Medic Life (experts in MMI Courses) covers what to expect, common interview themes, and practical tips to help you succeed. Our Founder, Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad, is an expert in MMI Prep! Explore The Medic Life's MMI Mocks & MMI Stations as well as MMI Role Play and MMI Courses.
-> Book an intro call with our Medicine Interview Tutoring specialist and smash your interview!
Where To Apply With Above Average UCAT Score - 2026 Entry: Other Factors to Consider
Holistic vs. UCAT-heavy selection: Some universities (like Bristol or Imperial) shortlist almost purely on UCAT, whereas others (e.g. Birmingham, Leeds, Queen Mary) use UCAT as one component. Birmingham, for example, scores applicants out of 10 with up to 4 points from UCAT decile and 4.5 from GCSEs. Know which schools use UCAT most to play to your strength.
Situational Judgement Test (SJT): Many schools require at least SJT Band 3. A Band 4 can lead to automatic rejection at places like Imperial and Edinburgh. Make sure your SJT performance meets each university’s policy.
Academic record: A high UCAT score helps, but strong grades are still essential. Top schools typically want AAA/AAA at Alevel (e.g. Cambridge demands AA*A). If your UCAT is above average but your grades are marginal, focus on universities that take a more balanced view (like Leicester or Queen Mary, which consider UCAT and academics roughly equally).
Check each school’s cutoffs: UCAT thresholds change yearly. Always review the latest admissions info. For example, Edinburgh’s 2026 entry has a published UCAT cutoff of 1650 for interview consideration, whereas Glasgow’s is usually around 2450–2500 (depending on applicant group).
Where To Apply With Above Average UCAT Score - 2026 Entry: FAQs
Where should I apply with a high UCAT score?
Aim for schools that put lots of weight on UCAT for interviews (see list above). You can safely apply to those and also to balanced programs. If your score is in the top 10% (around 2,220+ out of 3,600), even elite universities like Oxford, Cambridge or UCL become attainable, provided your academics are strong.
What is an above-average UCAT score?
The median UCAT is roughly 1,850–1,900 (out of 3,600). “Above average” typically means anything substantially over that – say 2,000+. A score of ~2,200+ is in roughly the top 10% of candidates.
Is AAA good enough for Medicine?
It depends on the university. Many medical schools require AAA or A*AA at A-level. For example, Cambridge asks for AAA and several top schools want A*AA. If you have AAA and a high UCAT, consider schools known for UCAT-shortlisting (like those above) which may be more flexible on grades.
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