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Gateway to Medicine

  • MB ChB
  • 6 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Bristol

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Gateway to Medicine is aimed at students with the potential to become doctors who do not meet the standard academic entry criteria to apply directly to our five-year Medicine course. Our Gateway courses are a widening participation initiative for UK students who fulfil specific criteria and wish to apply for a clinical programme.

During the Gateway year, students will learn alongside each other, benefiting from shared interprofessional insight and the unique community of Bristol's medical, dental and veterinary schools. Students will be taught by teachers who are scientists and clinicians.

The Gateway course builds on core basic sciences underpinning clinical subjects (chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy and physiology); it encourages reflection and places emphasis on personal and professional development; strengthens practical, numeracy, research and library skills; considers attributes and behaviours that enable a successful transition to university study. Successful completion of the Gateway year allows automatic progression onto the five-year MB ChB Medicine.

Eligibility
This course is open to applicants from specific schools and colleges in the UK only, those who have spent three months or more in care and/or those who have received free school meals. For further information and lists of eligible schools and colleges, visit the Gateway courses eligibility webpage: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/gateway-eligibility/

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is required for admission to this course. You may be eligible for a UCAT bursary to cover the cost of taking the test; please visit www.ucat.ac.uk for more information.

Health and conduct

Certain health conditions may be incompatible with some careers in medicine. Further information can be found in our pre-course information, or you can contact our Occupational Health team.

If you have a chronic health condition contact the enquiries team for guidance on making an application.

Medical students must complete a health questionnaire and undergo a medical examination. Non-immune students must be immunised against hepatitis B and tuberculosis.

In accordance with the General Medical Council guidelines, all medical students undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in line with other UK health-related courses.

This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • MB ChB • Full-time • 6 Years

Start dates

  • September 2026

Apply by
15 October

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
A108
Institution code:
B78
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Bristol has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.

Apply by
15 October

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
A108
Institution code:
B78
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We do not accept international applications for our Gateway courses.

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
BBC

BBC including B in Biology or Chemistry.

Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of AAB or above (or points equivalent), or with A in Chemistry, are not eligible for this course.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DMM

BTEC Extended Diploma Applied Science (RQF): Grades DDM or DMM, including five specified Biology or Chemistry units in any combination. Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of DDD or above cannot be considered for Gateway programmes but could be considered for the five-year standard entry course instead.

Access to HE Diploma
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
BBBBC

Standard Level: BBBBC.

Applicants with achieved or predicted Advanced Higher grades of AA, or with Chemistry at A grade, are not eligible for this course.

Scottish Advanced Higher
BB

Advanced Higher: BB including Biology or Chemistry.

Applicants with achieved or predicted Advanced Higher grades of AA, or with Chemistry at A grade, are not eligible for this course.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
29 points

29 points overall with 14 at Higher level, including 5 at Higher Level in Biology or Chemistry.

Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of 33 points overall including 16 at Higher Level, or with 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry, are not eligible for this course.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, and M3 is C.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must also meet these GCSE profile requirements: standard literacy requirement (4 or C in GCSE English or equivalent) and Standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent).

Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/gcse/

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Admission tests
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Health checks
Health questionnaire and medical examination. Non-immune students must be immunised against hepatitis B and tuberculosis.
Interview
Other
This course has additional eligibility criteria, please check these before applying: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/gateway-eligibility/
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (formerly UKCAT) is required. Bursaries are available to cover the cost of taking the UCAT; please see the UCAT website for details: https://www.ucat.ac.uk/

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level: Profile B Further information about English language requirements and profile levels: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/language-requirements/ For 2020 entry English language requirements are being reviewed and will be confirmed by August 2019.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. We consider a large range of contextual factors when making application decisions.

If you receive and accept an offer from the University of Bristol, and you meet the terms of your offer in full, you will be accepted.

Learn more on the University of Bristol website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fees are subject to annual review and are liable to rise each year. Home fees will be set in line with UK government policy and updated as per their guidance. Visit bristol.ac.uk/ug-fees-funding for further information, including estimated fees for subsequent years and typical total costs.

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