UCAT Requirements for Medical, Dental and Physician Associate Courses

UCAT scores are used in different ways depending on the university:

• Some use the UCAT only for interview selection, while others also use it for final selection.
• Some have strict minimum cut-off scores that vary from year to year, while others consider all UCAT scores.
• Some don't look at the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), while others have a minimum SJT band requirement or include it as part of the interview score.
  

Take a look at each programme's specific requirements below.

Think tactically.

If you don't have a high UCAT score, look for the medical or dental schools that don't use the UCAT as the sole criterion for interview selection. If you have a high score, maximise your chance of success by applying to medical schools that value it highly.

Learn more:

UCAT results: what is the average score and what is a good score?
How to get into medical school with a low UCAT score

Medical schools

University of Aberdeen

Anglia Ruskin University

Aston University

Bangor University

University of Birmingham

University of Bristol

Brunel University London

Cardiff University

University of Chester

University of Dundee

University of East Anglia

Edge Hill University

University of Edinburgh

University of Exeter

University of Glasgow

Hull York Medical School

Keele University

Kent and Medway Medical School

King's College London

University of Leeds

University of Leicester

University of Liverpool

University of Manchester

Newcastle University

University of Nottingham

University of Nottingham (Licoln Pathway)

Plymouth University

Queen Mary University of London

Queen's University Belfast

University of Sheffield

University of Southampton

University of St Andrews

St George's, University of London

University of Sunderland

University of Surrey

University of Warwick

University of Worcester

Dental schools

University of Aberdeen

University of Birmingham

University of Bristol

Cardiff University

University of Central Lancashire

University of Dundee

University of Glasgow

King's College London

University of Leeds

University of Liverpool

University of Manchester

Newcastle University

Plymouth University

Queen Mary University of London

Queen's University Belfast

University of Sheffield

Physician Associate Studies

Aston University

University of Manchester

St George's, University of London

Medical schools – UCAT requirements

University of Aberdeen

Your UCAT score will be considered alongside academic achievement for interview selection. There is no minimum UCAT cut-off score – your score is based on your overall UCAT performance compared with other applicants.

Those with a Band 4 in UCAT SJT are usually not considered.

Anglia Ruskin University

You'll be ranked by your UCAT score. A certain number of students will be invited to an interview, provided the main academic entry requirements are met.

Applicants with an SJT score of Band 4 will not be invited for interview.

Aston University

There are no specific score requirements for the UCAT as the score will be considered alongside all other entry requirements.

Bangor University

You will now be required to sit the UCAT for undergraduate and graduate entry in 2024.

There is no minimum threshold score.

University of Birmingham

There is no minimum UCAT cut-off score. Your total UCAT score from the four subtests (i.e. excluding the band result for SJT), will be ranked among those for all applicants. The scores will be segregated into deciles and an individual score will be allocated to each decile.

For example, the top 10% of applicants’ scores will be in the top decile and will receive a maximum score of 4.0 in this process. The band score for UCAT SJT will be used at the interview stage.

University of Bristol

Interview selection will be based on the combined score from all UCAT subtests, with the exception of SJT.

For 2023 entry, the final UCAT threshold score to be invited to interview was 2910. The number used as a threshold for interview is subject to change year-on-year.

Brunel University London

There is no minimum cut-off score, but applicants with a Band 4 in the SJT are automatically rejected.

Those with satisfactory personal statements and references will be ranked according to their total UCAT score. Applicants who rank highest will be invited to interview.

Cardiff University

There’s no minimum threshold score for undergraduate and graduate entry. However, your UCAT score may be used as part of the selection process.

University of Chester

You must meet the minimum threshold marks for graduate entry.

The overall threshold for UCAT is 2540, with a minimum score of 570 in the Verbal Reasoning section.

University of Dundee

There's no minimum cut-off score for UCAT. The lowest UCAT score accepted can vary year to year as this is dependent on the number and quality of applications. Also, Dundee's selection process is reviewed annually and may be subject to change.

The lowest UCAT scores of applicants who were invited to interview over the past three years is as follows:

• 2022/3 entry: 1940 (average UCAT 2691)
• 2021/2 entry: 2090 (average UCAT 2715)
• 2020/1 entry: 1480 (average UCAT 2628)

University of East Anglia

UEA does not have a cut-off score. A high score is advantageous but a low score won't disqualify you from being considered.

• The overall score is used to rank applicants for selection for interview.
• The overall score is used alongside the interview score to rank and select applicants.
• The SJT score is included within the interview score.

Edge Hill University

If you meet the minimum academic requirements, you'll be ranked by your UCAT score. A UCAT threshold will be set depending on the number of interviews to be held. If you meet this threshold, you'll be invited to interview.

The UCAT threshold may differ from year to year as it is dependent on the scores achieved by those who apply in each admissions cycle. Anyone with Band 4 in the SJT will be automatically rejected.

University of Edinburgh

You must meet a minimum UCAT score of 2470 for 2024 entry. Those who score a Band 4 in the SJT will not be considered.

Once all scores are received they are ranked. The cohort is divided into deciles (ten equal groups) and then allocated a score. Edinburgh also allocates a score to your Situational Judgement banding.

The points are added to your academic score to contribute towards your final ranking for shortlisting and possible invitation to an assessment day. Your scores may be looked at again when final decisions are made and there are applicants with the same ranked score but limited places.

University of Exeter

Applications will be weighted to create an Exeter score: 25% UCAT and 75% academic attainment.

A threshold Exeter score will be set each year – if you achieve above this score you'll be invited to interview.

University of Glasgow

If you meet all the entry requirements, your UCAT score will be used later in the admissions cycle to determine whether you receive an interview.

Hull York Medical School

You're awarded points based on your total UCAT score and SJT band as part of the ranking process for interview selection.

Up to 40 points are awarded based on your total UCAT decile and up to 15 points depending on the SJT band achieved. Band 4 is not accepted.

Keele University

A total UCAT score below 2280 or with an SJT score in Band 4 will not be considered.

Shortlisting for interview is based on a combination of UCAT scores and the UCAS personal statement.

Kent and Medway Medical School

Kent and Medway operated a selection threshold of total UCAT score 2470 or above and UCAT SJT Band 3 or above in 2022-3.

KMMS does not necessarily commit to the same or similar threshold for selection for 2024 entry.

King's College London

King’s does not have a threshold UCAT score in any particular year for both undergraduate and graduate entry.

The overall UCAT score averaged across the four subtests is given more consideration than the individual subtest scores. The Situational Judgement Test is also taken into account when shortlisting.

University of Leeds

You will now be required to take the UCAT (as opposed to the BMAT).

Leeds is a new addition for the 2023–2024 admissions cycle, so there is no threshold information currently available.

University of Leicester

UCAT will form 50% of the pre-interview score (less for Access candidates). Applicants with Band 4 in the SJT will be automatically rejected pre-interview. Points will be awarded by the total UCAT score using a specific scoring sequence.

Applicants with a total score in the bottom two deciles of the results will typically be rejected (for 2022/3 entry this would have been less than or equal to a total UCAT score of 2250).

University of Liverpool

The overall UCAT score will be used (not individual subtest scores) for ranking applicants. You'll need to score within Band 1–3 in the Situational Judgement Test for the application to be processed.

Those with the most competitive admissions test scores are assessed to determine which meet/exceed minimum academic criteria. The highest ranked applicants are then invited to interview.

University of Manchester

The UCAT threshold is based on the standard of scores received for that year. Applicants who achieve Band 3 or 4 in the SJT will not be considered. If you meet the UCAT threshold, and achieve Band 1 or 2 in the SJT, you will likely be invited to interview (as long as you meet the minimum academic requirements).

If the number of highly scoring applicants exceeds the number of interview slots available, applicants will be ranked according to UCAT total score and SJT band.

Newcastle University

You must meet the UCAT threshold to be invited to an interview. The UCAT threshold depends on the number of applicants, and the average score of those who apply.

For undergraduate entry, the threshold for 2023 was 2820 and for 2022 it was 2800. For graduate entry, the threshold for 2023 was 2930 and for 2022 it was 3010.

University of Nottingham

There isn't a fixed score for interview selection. If you meet the academic entry requirements, each of your UCAT raw scores are used in the scoring and selection process.

A combination of UCAT and GCSE scoring is then used to select applicants for interview. The threshold for interview varies year by year and cannot be predicted in advance.

University of Nottingham (Lincoln Pathway)

There's no fixed UCAT threshold score for interview selection. However, if you achieve Band 4 for SJT, you won't be selected for an interview. Interviews are offered based on the university's scoring system – the percentage threshold varies from year to year.

If you meet the course entry requirements and have completed the Nottingham Pathways Programme, Nottingham Potential Summer School, Nottingham Sutton Trust Summer School, or Lincoln Medical School Summer School, you'll be considered for interview without having to go through the UCAT/GCSE scoring stage (you'll still have to sit the UCAT and achieve Band 1–3 for SJT).

Plymouth University

UCAT results will be used alongside A-levels and GCSEs for interview selection.

The UCAT threshold is influenced by overall applicant performance in the UCAT and the number and quality of applications received. The threshold for 2023 was 2680 and for 2022 it was 2610.

Queen Mary University of London

Interview selection is based on a weighted score compared to other applicants who apply in the same year. This may be comprised of your UCAT score and academic performance (UCAS tariff of predicted or achieved qualifications for undergraduates, and weighted scoring of degree for graduates).

You will not be offered an interview if you obtained a total UCAT score below the fourth decile, and SJT Band 4 will not be considered.

Queen's University Belfast

UCAT will be scored and used in conjunction with a GCSE score to rank for interview.

UCAT will be scored using your overall results from the VR, QR, AR and DM sections. Applicants can obtain up to a maximum of six additional points.

SJT results can be used to inform decisions on borderline applicants who have achieved a similar academic score or a similar score at interview.

University of Sheffield

In addition to the academic requirements, you must have achieved a minimum UCAT score (2440 for both undergraduates and graduates), to be given further consideration. The SJT is only considered for those who are invited to attend a multiple mini-interview (MMI).

If you meet or exceed both the minimum academic requirements and the minimum UCAT requirement, you will be ranked based on your UCAT score to determine who is invited to attend an MMI.

University of Southampton

For both undergraduate and graduate entry, applicants will be ranked by UCAT score to determine who should be invited to a selection day.

The score required for interview varies year on year, so it's not possible to provide an indication.

University of St Andrews

If you meet the minimum requirements (strong academic record, positive reference, relevant, medically related work experience), you'll be ranked on the basis of your UCAT global score. In recent years, the lowest score for applicants selected to interview has been around 2400.

Those ranked in the top 500 or so will be given an interview. Where applicants have the same interview score, the global UCAT score will be used to differentiate between them.

St George's, University of London

Both the UCAT section scores (minimum of 500 in each section) and the overall cut-off score (calculated every year) must be met to be considered. UCAT results are used to select applicants invited to interview and may be used to rank a post-interview waiting list.

For 2024 entry, SJT banding scores will be considered in decision making. The UCAT overall cut-off score for the 2023 cycle was 2630.

University of Sunderland

Your UCAT score must be within the top eight deciles of the cohort and your SJT must be within Bands 1–3.

Shortlisting for interview is based on academic requirements, an interview selection tool, and your UCAT score. 

University of Surrey

You'll be required to undertake the UCAT and a values-based interview for graduate entry. Offers will be based on the advertised entry criteria.

Please note, University of Surrey Medical School will be accepting applications for students starting in spring 2024.

University of Warwick

The total UCAT score required varies year on year and is dependent on the UCAT performance of applicants. SJT bands are not used as part of the admissions process.

You must achieve at least the overall mean score of all test-takers on the Verbal Reasoning subtest (likely to be around 600 points for 2024 entry). There isn't a minimum total UCAT score, as scores are combined with previous academic achievements in the selection process.

For 2023 entry, the lowest UCAT score for an applicant with an undergraduate degree who was invited for an interview was 2580.

University of Worcester

You'll be required to pass UCAT to a requisite level. If shortlisted, you will be invited to sit the Casper Situational Judgement Test and attend two panel interviews.

Dental schools – UCAT requirements

University of Aberdeen

A minimum UCAT cut-off score is not used. A score is allocated based on your overall UCAT performance, compared with all other applicants (academic – 60%, UCAT – 40%). The SJT will not be scored, but it may be used in offer making when there are applicants with similar scores.

For 2023 entry, the lowest UCAT scores invited to interview were 2110 (home students), and 2460 (rest of the UK).

University of Birmingham

There is no minimum UCAT cut-off score. Your UCAT results, excluding the band result for the SJT, will be used if your application meets the criteria for academic and non-academic requirements.

The band score for the SJT will not be used at any stage, although this may change in the future.

University of Bristol

The combined score from all UCAT subtests, with the exception of Situational Judgement, will be used to select applicants for interview.

For 2023 entry, the final UCAT threshold score to be invited to interview was 2850. However, this threshold may change year to year.

Cardiff University

Points will be attributed to the total UCAT score and SJT score during the scoring process. There is no minimum cut-off for UCAT and SJT scores.

Where applicants have the same score, priority will typically be given based on UCAT score.

University of Central Lancashire

All applicants for 2024 entry onwards are required to sit the UCAT before you apply. Your UCAT score will be utilised to rank your application prior to interview.

University of Dundee

Selection for interview will be based on academic achievement and UCAT score. There is no minimum cut-off score.

University of Glasgow

For applicants who meet the criteria, the UCAT score is used to select the required number for interview. The score considered for interview changes every year as the performance of each cohort varies and is not released by Glasgow during the application cycle.

The cut-off scores for previous years is as follows:

• 2023 entry: 2290
• 2022 entry: 2570
• 2021 entry: 2600

King's College London

The overall UCAT score averaged across the four subtests is given more consideration than the individual subtest scores, and the Situational Judgement Test is also taken into account when shortlisting.

For undergraduate entry, you'll be ranked based on GCSE/IGCSE performance, UCAT score and contextual information. For graduate entry, you'll be ranked based on your UCAT score. The rest of your application will then be reviewed (academic achievement, personal statement, reference).

University of Leeds

You will now be required to take the UCAT (as opposed to the BMAT) for undergraduate entry.

Leeds is a new addition for the 2023–2024 admissions cycle, so there is no threshold information currently available.

University of Liverpool

There’s no UCAT cut-off score as UCAT scores will be considered along with the personal statement and academic achievement.

Applicants with an SJT score of Band 4 are unlikely to be considered.

University of Manchester

Applicants will be ranked according to the overall UCAT score. Other information may also be used in the selection process, such as academic achievement.

Applicants who achieve Band 4 in the SJT will not be considered. Those with SJT Band 3 are welcome to apply, but priority will be given to applicants in Bands 1 and 2.

Newcastle University

The UCAT threshold is different each year as it depends on the number of applicants and the average score of applicants. The 2023 entry cut-off was 2790.

While the UCAT score is usually the main criteria used to shortlist for interview, it's not the only criteria.

Plymouth University

UCAT test results will be used alongside A-levels and GCSEs to select for interview.

The UCAT threshold score can change each year as it's influenced by overall candidate performance in the UCAT and the number and quality of applications received.

The cut-off scores for previous years is as follows:

• 2023 entry: 2650
• 2022 entry: 2510
• 2021 entry: 2290

Queen Mary University of London

Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of a weighted score compared to other applicants who apply in the same year. This may be comprised of your UCAT score and UCAS tariff of entry qualifications (predicted or achieved).

You will not be offered an interview if you obtained a total UCAT score below the fourth decile or if you scored an SJT Band 4.

It is not possible to predict what the threshold will be in any individual year.

Queen's University Belfast

Your UCAT will be scored and used in conjunction with an academic score to rank for interview.

UCAT scoring is based on the overall results from four papers, and applicants can obtain up to a maximum of 6 additional points.

GCSEs will be scored using a points system and this will be added to the UCAT score. You'll then be ranked on the combined GCSE/UCAT scores – the threshold required for an interview varies from year to year and cannot be predicted.

The threshold for previous years is as follows:

• 2023 entry: 37 points and above
• 2022 entry: 33 points and above
• 2021 entry: 33 points and above

University of Sheffield

The UCAT is used in conjunction with an existing selection procedure to identify applicants with potential for success at undergraduate level.

The UCAT cut-off scores for previous years is as follows:

• 2022 entry: 2690
• 2021 entry: 2690
• 2020 entry: 2570

Physician Associate Studies – UCAT requirements

Aston University

UCAT became a requirement for 2024 entry.

All candidates who meet the UCAT and prescribed entry criteria, including predicted degree classification, will be shortlisted for a first stage online interview.

University of Manchester

Manchester have been incorporating UCAT into their selection process from the 2022/23 admissions cycle.

Applicants who have taken the UCAT and achieved a total score in the top third of test takers (and Band 1 or 2 in the SJT) will be automatically selected for interview (subject to meeting all criteria).

Applicants with a Band 4 SJT will not be considered. Applications are welcomed from those who did did not sit the UCAT, which will be shortlisted following the university's normal process.

St George's, University of London

Both the section scores and the overall cut-off score must be met. You'll need a minimum score of 500 in each individual section, and a minimum overall UCAT score which is calculated every year.

UCAT results are used for interview selection and may also be used for a post-interview waiting list.

Learn more about UCAT preparation to maximise your chances of success, and familiarise yourself with plan B medical school options, in case you don't get the result you hoped for.

If you need help preparing for the UCAT, check out our UCAT Online Course. It features a huge bank of 20,000+ questions, 24 unique full mock exams, 40+ mini-mock exams, 50+ hours of video tutorials, and performance feedback. We've also upgraded our UCAT mock exams 13-24 and revised our practice question bank to enrich your preparation journey.