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Medicine

Course details
  • Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
  • 5 Years
  • Full-Time
  • September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Do you want to make a difference? With patient experience and student satisfaction at its heart, this hands-on degree will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to become an outstanding doctor primed for tomorrow’s healthcare needs.

Innovative teaching
We use the latest technology and teaching approaches to ensure you take ownership of your educational journey and maximise your potential.

Early clinical experience
You will gain real life experience and early clinical exposure with placements from the beginning of year 1.

Widening access
Our alternative entry routes and inclusive student support deliver better opportunities for all to begin a rewarding and satisfying career.

This course is for you if...

  • you're passionate about providing patient-centred clinical care

  • you aspire to become a competent and caring doctor, ready to make a difference

  • you seek early clinical exposure to develop practical skills

  • you value learning in specialised facilities alongside experienced professionals

Modules

Course Modules

Year 1

You’ll learn the core scientific foundations of medicine within social and clinical contexts and start developing the professional and clinical skills needed for a doctor who puts patient care at the heart of their practice. You’ll use real-life clinical case studies and experience healthcare in a range of community settings, meeting patients and service users, and learning from health and social care professionals. To thrive as a doctor, strong medical knowledge and clinical expertise are essential - but they are only part of the picture. You’ll develop core competencies preparing you for every aspect of modern medical practice starting with how to interpret and apply scientific evidence, and how to communicate complex ideas with clarity and confidence.

Year 2

You’ll deepen your medical knowledge and clinical skills through teaching with a greater emphasis on pathological processes, and the human and social impact of illness and disease. This will be delivered in a variety of settings with a focus on you getting actively involved and taking responsibility for your learning. You will see teamwork in action through your placements and start to put this into practice yourself in group tasks with your peers.

Year 3

You will spend the majority of your time in a range of clinical learning environments, in primary care, hospital-based medicine and community settings. You will see firsthand how the NHS works as a team to provide patient care and directly apply your learning in hands-on clinical scenarios. You’ll build the skills to advocate for your patients and communities, and to lead and deliver change within the healthcare system.

Year 4

You’ll continue working and learning in hospital and general practice settings, acquiring confidence and capability to succeed in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment by further developing your communication, clinical, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Final year

You’ll now be all set to apply your knowledge, skills and confidence, working as part of a healthcare team in action, preparing you to graduate as a versatile, confident and empathic doctor. You’ll become more assured when dealing with clinical situations, and develop an in-depth understanding of the principles of practice in the NHS. You will pull together your wider learning and core competencies by planning and carrying out a medical elective in your choice of social or cultural context.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/bmbs-bachelor-of-medicine-bachelor-of-surgery

How to apply

Apply by
15 October 2026

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:
A100
Institution code:
P60
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB-A*AA

The typical offer is GCE A level grades A*AA-AAB which must include Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Psychology. Your third GCE A level can be from any subject area including humanities, languages, music, sport, science and social sciences. General Studies will not be considered.

The University of Plymouth are committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply with us. The additional information gained through contextual data enables our admissions advisory panel to recognise a student’s achievements and identify their potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

Applicants who meet our widening access policy may be eligible for an offer of AAB, including grade A in Biology and grade B in a second science (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology).

The contextual data we consult when determining to issue an AAB offer includes:
- Being in care or care-experienced
- In receipt of, or eligible for, free school meals at point of completing your Level 3 qualifications
- Refugee/asylum seeker status
- Attending a low performing school/college based on 16-18 performance
- In receipt of EMA or 16-19 bursary
- In receipt of UCAT bursary
- Living in an area categorised as being in indices of mass deprivation (IMD) 1-4 or local equivalent
- Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme
- Living in a low participation area as determined by POLAR4 quintile 1 postcode analysis
- Being a south west resident (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset)
- In receipt of service pupil premium

Applicants who do not meet our widening access policy will be considered with grades AAA-A*AA, including Biology and a second Science (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology).

Please note that the typical offer is not necessarily the threshold for selection for interview, which may vary depending on the number and quality of applications received.

We have a re-sit policy for this course:
- We will consider one re-sit attempt, or a maximum sudy period of 3 years.
- Applicants who have previously made an exam attempt must have achieved grades minum grades in their first sitting for us to consider an application whilst their re-sit attempt is underway:
- Applicants who do not meet our widening access policy must have achieved grades ABB in their first attempt, and be predicted to achieve grades AAA in their re-sit attempt.
- Widening access applicants must have achieved grades ABC in their first attempt, and be predicted to achieve grades ABB in their re-sit attempt.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma
Not accepted

Scottish Advanced Higher
AAB-AAA

The typical offer is SQA Advanced Higher grades A*AA-AAB which must include Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Psychology. Your third SQA Advanced Higher can be from any subject area including humanities, languages, music, sport, science and social sciences. General Studies will not be considered.

The University of Plymouth are committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply with us. The additional information gained through contextual data enables our admissions advisory panel to recognise a student’s achievements and identify their potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

Applicants who meet our widening access policy may be eligible for an offer of AAB, including grade A in Biology and grade B in a second science (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology).

The contextual data we consult when determining to issue an AAB offer includes:
- Being in care or care-experienced
- In receipt of, or eligible for, free school meals at point of completing your Level 3 qualifications
- Refugee/asylum seeker status
- Attending a low performing school/college based on 16-18 performance
- In receipt of EMA or 16-19 bursary
- In receipt of UCAT bursary
- Living in an area categorised as being in indices of mass deprivation (IMD) 1-4 or local equivalent
- Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme
- Living in a low participation area as determined by POLAR4 quintile 1 postcode analysis
- Being a south west resident (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset)
- In receipt of service pupil premium

Applicants who do not meet our widening access policy will be considered with grades AAA-A*AA, including Biology and a second Science (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology).

Please note that the typical offer is not necessarily the threshold for selection for interview, which may vary depending on the number and quality of applications received.

We have a re-sit policy for this course:
- We will consider one re-sit attempt, or a maximum sudy period of 3 years.
- Applicants who have previously made an exam attempt must have achieved grades minum grades in their first sitting for us to consider an application whilst their re-sit attempt is underway:
- Applicants who do not meet our widening access policy must have achieved grades ABB in their first attempt, and be predicted to achieve grades AAA in their re-sit attempt.
- Widening access applicants must have achieved grades ABC in their first attempt, and be predicted to achieve grades ABB in their re-sit attempt.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
36-38

The typical offer is 36-38 ponts overall, which must include Higher Level 6 in Biology and Higher Level 6 in one further science from Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Psychology.

The University of Plymouth are committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply with us. The additional information gained through contextual data enables our admissions advisory panel to recognise a student’s achievements and identify their potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

Applicants who meet our widening access policy may be eligible for an offer of 35 points overall,, including grade Higher Level 6 in Biology and Higher Level 6 in a second science (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology).

The contextual data we consult when determining to issue a contextual offer includes:
- Being in care or care-experienced
- In receipt of, or eligible for, free school meals at point of completing your Level 3 qualifications
- Refugee/asylum seeker status
- Attending a low performing school/college based on 16-18 performance
- In receipt of EMA or 16-19 bursary
- In receipt of UCAT bursary
- Living in an area categorised as being in indices of mass deprivation (IMD) 1-4 or local equivalent
- Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme
- Living in a low participation area as determined by POLAR4 quintile 1 postcode analysis
- Being a south west resident (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset)
- In receipt of service pupil premium

Please note that the typical offer is not necessarily the threshold for selection for interview, which may vary depending on the number and quality of applications received.

We have a re-sit policy for this course:
- We will consider one re-sit attempt, or a maximum sudy period of 3 years.
- Applicants who have previously made an exam attempt must have achieved grades minum grades in their first sitting for us to consider an application whilst their re-sit attempt is underway:
- 34 overall, including Higher Level 5 in Biology and a second science in their first attempt, and be predicted to achieve grades 36-38 overall, including Higher Level 6 in Biology and a second science in their re-sit attempt.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1H1H2H2H2H2

Must include Higher Level Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Maths, Physics, or Psychology.

Please note that the typical offer is not necessarily the threshold for selection for interview, which may vary depending on the number and quality of applications received.

We have a re-sit policy for this course:
- We will consider one re-sit attempt, or a maximum sudy period of 3 years.
- Applicants who have previously made an exam attempt must have achieved grades minum grades in their first sitting for us to consider an application whilst their re-sit attempt is underway:
- H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2

Due to the nature of our widening access indicators, we are unfortunately unable to make contextual offers to Irish applicants.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3D3D3

To include Biology an a second Science from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology.

The University of Plymouth are committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply with us. The additional information gained through contextual data enables our admissions advisory panel to recognise a student’s achievements and identify their potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

Applicants who meet our widening access policy may be eligible for an offer of D3, D3, M2 including grade D3 in Biology and grade D3 in a second science (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology).

The contextual data we consult when determining to issue an AAB offer includes:
- Being in care or care-experienced
- In receipt of, or eligible for, free school meals at point of completing your Level 3 qualifications
- Refugee/asylum seeker status
- Attending a low performing school/college based on 16-18 performance
- In receipt of EMA or 16-19 bursary
- In receipt of UCAT bursary
- Living in an area categorised as being in indices of mass deprivation (IMD) 1-4 or local equivalent
- Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme
- Living in a low participation area as determined by POLAR4 quintile 1 postcode analysis
- Being a south west resident (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset)
- In receipt of service pupil premium

Please note that the typical offer is not necessarily the threshold for selection for interview, which may vary depending on the number and quality of applications received.

We have a re-sit policy for this course:
- We will consider one re-sit attempt, or a maximum sudy period of 3 years.
- Applicants who have previously made an exam attempt must have achieved grades minum grades in their first sitting for us to consider an application whilst their re-sit attempt is underway:
- D3, M1, M1

Applicants applying with a suitable Level 3 qualifications as listed above, or an accepted overseas equivalent must also evidence that they have achieved 7 GCSEs at grades A-C/9-4, including English Language, Mathematics and two Science subjects from Science, Additional Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. We will also accept a Dual Science or Combined Science award.

Applicants applying with overseas qualifications should contact the Enquiries and Applicant Support Team via admissions@plymouth.ac.uk prior to submitting an application through UCAS.

Applicants should also look to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) ahead of submitting their application. We can only consider scores from the year of application, for example, if you are applying in October 2026 for September 2027 entry, we can only consider scores from a 2026 test date.

The entry requirements above apply to you if you completed your GCE A levels, or equivalent qualifications, within five years of the start of the application cycle.

Applicants who completed their Level 3 qualifications more than 5 years ago should look to sit the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) to meet our entry requirements. Please see our website for further information.

Selection and Admissions Process:

  • Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically the 15 October.
  • You can apply to no more than four of the same clinical course choice, so although you cannot apply for five medical courses, four medical courses and one dental course would be permitted. Further information is available through the UCAS website. You may also wish to consider an alternative course such as Biomedical Science or Medical Sciences as your fifth choice.

All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.
The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows:
1. Shortlisting for interview– Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications alone. We do not consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview.
The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all our applicants.
2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) as the format for our interviews.
Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course
3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.

None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received and performance in the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) influence the threshold for interview selection.

Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details of these requirements, support for health issues and inclusion of students with disabilities can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page on the University of Plymouth website.

Additional entry requirements

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
Health Checks
Interview
Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
This test can be taken if your current suite of qualifications do not meet those published for school leavers or it has been more than five years since achieving them.
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
This test must be taken by direct school leavers, i.e. those whose school leaving qualifications are within 2 years but have not entered onto the second year of a degree programme

English language requirements

All teaching at our School is in English, so if English is not your first language and you do not have a GCSE or IGCSE pass at grade A in English language, you must have one of the following qualifications: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band 7.5 or above with at least 7.0 in each of the speaking and listening sections, taken within 12 months prior to entry IB score of 6 in English B at the standard level.

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 use a points-based system to consider contextual applications. We assign either 1 or 2 points to our contextual markers, and we expect applicants to meet at least 5 points in total.
You must provide evidence of the contextual markers that are not related to your home postcode or school performance by sending documents to us via our applicant portal at the point of application.
Please review the Apply section and then the Widening Access sub-heading on our course page for further information.

Learn more on the University of Plymouth 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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees

  • Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
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