School of Medicine

Explore this Section

• School of Medicine Home
• Virtual Tour
• Movies
• Undergraduate Medical Course
  • Applicants Area
  • Undergraduate Course Brochure
  • Course Information
  • Entry Routes & How to Apply
    • Admissions FAQs
  • International & IMU Students
  • Health Foundation Year for Medicine
  • UKCAT
  • Information for Schools & Colleges
  • Funding
  • Life Long Learning
• Postgraduate Taught Courses
• Research
• Staff Information
• News & Events
• Enquiries
• Facilities
• Anatomy
• Keele Prospectus
• Keele Campus
• Image Galleries
• Local Area
• Useful Links
• Student Support Services
• Keele Medical Society
• Ethics Committee
• Intranet

• Faculty of Health > 
• School of Medicine > 
• Undergraduate Medical Course > 
• Entry Routes & How to Apply

Entry Routes and How to Apply

How to apply

Overview
Entry requirements
International students
Admissions/aptitude tests
The UCAS application
The interview

Overview

Application routes

All applications must be submitted via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The deadline for submissions is 15th October 2011 for entry in September 2012 or deferred entry in September 2013.

There are three programmes at Keele leading to the award of the MBChB degree. Your application should include the institution code for Keele University (K12) plus the appropriate course code:

•    A100 – the standard 5-year programme; there were over 3,000 applications for 130 places on this programme in 2011
•    A101 – the 4-year graduate-entry programme; there were over 200 applications for up to 10 places on this programme in 2011
•    A104 – the 6-year programme with health foundation year (HFY); there were over 250 applications for up to 10 places on this programme in 2011

All applications will be assessed on the basis of academic record and UCAS personal statement/reference. The results of admissions/aptitude tests will be taken into account in different ways for the three programmes. Please see Entry requirements and Admissions/aptitude tests for details.

We reserve the right to reject applications that are incomplete. Any application submitted without a completed reference will be automatically rejected. Applicants are reminded that they are required to declare all qualifications that have been completed and certificated, including those that were failed, in their UCAS application. If you are found to have deliberately withheld information on qualifications we will cancel your application and inform UCAS.

Your application will be assessed only on the information provided in the UCAS application. We will not accept any additional supporting material (e.g. CVs, work portfolios, letters of recommendation) unless we have specifically requested it from the individual applicant. We will not alter decisions on the basis of telephone calls, e-mails or letters providing details that were not included in the original application. We will not discuss individual applications with anybody other than the applicant unless we have express written authorisation from the applicant to do so (see Feedback after application).

Admissions policy for applications submitted in 2011

Introduction

The Director for Undergraduate Medical Admissions is responsible for supervising the admissions process to ensure that it is free from discrimination of any kind. The policy is reviewed annually by the Admissions Committee.

Selection for Medical School implies selection for the medical profession. All medical school admissions teams are tasked with selecting those applicants with the potential to be the best doctors. We are guided by current thinking on what makes a good doctor, for example The Role of the Doctor Consensus Statement, agreed in 2008, outlines the unique combination of attributes and abilities doctors require. Keele University School of Medicine recognises the importance of a transparent and valid selection process and agrees with the Medical Schools Council’s Guiding Principles for the Admission of Medical Students, revised in 2010.

When taking the decision to embark on a career in medicine it is advisable to consider the range of different careers within the medical profession and the education and training these involve. The majority of UK graduates will go on to work as hospital doctors or in primary care for the NHS. Significantly, up to 50% of all UK graduates become general practitioners, providing comprehensive health care for the local community. There is a broad spectrum of careers across medical, surgical and other specialties, and it should be noted that whilst many of these specialties have historically been hospital based, healthcare is moving towards a more community centred model of delivery and consequently doctors will increasingly be expecting to deliver healthcare in a range of settings.

All applications meeting the minimum academic requirements (including UKCAT/GAMSAT assessment, as appropriate) will be assessed in detail by both the Admissions Tutors and the Admissions Manager. Applicants will then be short-listed for interview; no applicant will be offered a place without attending for interview.

The Admissions Process

The admissions process involves three phases - academic screen, shortlisting, and interviews.

Phase 1 - Academic Screen
•    All applications are checked to ensure that they meet the minimum academic requirement and given an overall academic score. Those not reaching the appropriate academic levels will not progress to the next phase of assessment.

Phase 2 – Shortlisting
The Admissions Tutors assess the personal statement and reference for:
•    Reasons for choosing medicine/changing to medicine
•    Experience in a caring role and/or role(s) contributing to the development of appropriate skills and understanding
•    Outside interests
•    Evidence of team-working
•    Communication skills
•    Determination/conscientiousness
•    Intellectual achievements and potential.
Applications are ranked on the basis of overall score.

Phase 3 – Interviews
It is our policy to interview the top 450 highest ranked applicants for entry to the 5-year course. Numbers for other courses will be in proportion to the number of places.
•    Applicants are called for interview on the basis of the standard scoring system used to shortlist applications by the Admissions Tutors. Any applicant rejected prior to the interview will have been assessed independently by at least two members of the Admissions Team.
•    Interviews are usually held at the School of Medicine building on the University Campus. Each candidate will have a similar structured interview. The panel of 3 interviewers is drawn from the university, hospital and local (lay) environments and they have undergone specific training for interviewing medical school applicants.
•    Interviews are likely to take place in blocks during the period November, December and February.
•    All interviewees will be sent an advice sheet, which explains in detail the interview procedure and format, with their interview invitation.
•    After the interview, applicants will receive the University's decision by post. Notification via UCAS including the conditions of the offer will be sent in due course. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a Visit Day.

Feedback after application

Decisions on invitation to interview and offer of places are final. Unsuccessful applicants will inevitably be disappointed at not being offered a place. We will provide written general feedback on the basis of decisions at the time of notification that an application has been unsuccessful. However, owing to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to provide detailed individual feedback on unsuccessful applications. There is no obligation on members of the admissions staff to provide reasons why an application was unsuccessful, other than to indicate whether it was on the grounds of submitting an incomplete application, failing to fulfil the minimum academic entry criteria or achieving an application/interview score below the required threshold. Queries regarding admissions procedures must be submitted in writing by the applicant via post, not e-mail. We will not discuss applications with anybody other than the applicant (e.g. parents, teachers, members of parliament, etc.) without signed, written authorisation from the applicant.

Immunisation/Health Requirements

All applicants who are given an offer of a place must complete a satisfactory health questionnaire, which is sent out to applicants with the offer letter. All required immunisations will take place post registration through our Occupational Health Unit.

Students with particular blood-borne infections (e.g. HIV, hepatitis C, tuberculosis) are unable to undertake certain procedures with patients. Students who have – or suspect they may have – such infections must make this known to the Occupational Health Unit. Failure to reveal such infections is a serious probity issue.A blood-borne viral infection does not necessarily bar anyone from practising certain areas of medicine.

Students with Disabilities Applying for Medicine

If you have a disability and are thinking of applying to Keele School of Medicine, please contact the Admissions Manager for further advice prior to submitting your UCAS application, so that individual circumstances may be considered and support can be given. Applicants are advised to declare any special needs on the UCAS application form. Applications will then be considered in the usual way.

Keele University welcomes applications from disabled students and strives to provide an appropriate level of support to meet known individual needs. The University is committed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Act (2001) and any guidance issued by the Council of Heads of Medical Schools (Guiding Principles for the Admission of Medical Students, 2009) and the General Medical Council (GMC). We consider applications against the usual academic criteria. However we also take into account any limitations in accordance with the General Medical Council Fitness to practice requirement that students must meet the standards of competence, care and conduct as laid out in the GMC Good Medical Practice guide (2006). Anyone with a disability wishing to enter medical school is advised to read and reflect on this document.

All applicants holding an offer to study medicine must satisfactorily complete a health questionnaire as part of the condition of their offer to study medicine at Keele University. Applicants must declare a history of mental ill health, but this will not jeopardise a career in medicine unless the condition impinges on professional fitness to practise and is ongoing or likely to recur.

Applicants indicating dyslexia on their UCAS form who wish to register for extra time in written assessments should note that they will be expected to supply the University with a copy of their assessment by an educational psychologist.

If an application is of a sufficiently good standard, applicants will be invited to attend for interview. No candidate will be offered a place without interview. Following this, all successful applicants are sent a health questionnaire and the Occupational Health Unit may invite them to discuss how they manage their disability or condition and what coping strategies they have developed, so that a judgement can be reached regarding their fitness to practise.

Applicants should be aware that whilst appropriate measures can be taken to accommodate particular needs to enable them to study effectively in the theoretical and classroom components of the course, clinical practice placements may require alternative arrangements.
The School of Medicine reviews all students' general progress regularly and will discuss with them any support issues related to their disability or condition. We operate a health and conduct committee.If it appears that their condition compromises safety in a clinical setting or that it is unlikely that they will be able to meet the fitness to practise requirements for registration with the GMC, then this will be discussed with them as soon as possible and appropriate guidance and support will be offered. This may result in a referral to the University's Fitness to Practise Committee, and possibly to them being unable to remain on their current programme.

The School of Medicine has an excellent Student Support Service which offers advice and support to students with disabilities.

Criminal Record Checks

Medicine, along with some other university courses, is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1986. You should declare any criminal convictions on your UCAS application, regardless of whether they are "spent" under the terms of the Act. As detailed below, you will be required to obtain an enhanced level Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. As any conviction, caution, reprimand or warning will show up at this stage, you are advised to make us aware of these as early as possible.

If you apply and are offered a place on this degree programme, you will also be required to apply, through the university, for an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau. Students must bring their completed enhanced disclosure form to the interview together with photographic identification. Failure to supply photographic evidence on the day of the interview may result in you being required to revisit the university at a later date.

The university follows the CRB code of practice in these issues (see http://www.crb.gov.uk) and can provide a copy of this code on request. The University also has a policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, which will be made available to you should you wish to apply. Please note that having a criminal record is not necessarily a bar to obtaining a place on this course. However, deliberately withholding relevant details is likely to result in withdrawal of the offer of a place.

The school reserves the right to ask for further information about any criminal conviction. It may not be appropriate for the school to adopt a blanket position refusing to consider an applicant outright; that is potentially unfair and discriminatory. However, once detailed circumstances are known, an application can be judged against faculty-wide student fitness to practise criteria that would apply once a student is admitted to the school. These have recently been formulated and are thought to be fully compliant with the law and with professional regulatory standards. They include public interest arguments (e.g., relating to child protection and sex offences) whereby a student could be considered a risk to patients and/or the public (including students and staff). This policy document stands as a university-wide position.

More information about fitness to practise can be found on the GMCs website, where you can view the page on Medical Students – Professional Values and Fitness to Practise

Gap Years

The School of Medicine is happy to consider applications from those who want to defer their entry.If applying for deferred entry, we would expect applicants to show on their UCAS form how they intend to spend the year. If applicants decide that they wish to defer entry after they have already submitted their UCAS form, they must write to us to tell us of their change of intention, and at that stage they can outline their plans for the year. We would not usually consider requests to defer entry once examination results have been published.

Mature Applicants

Whilst we encourage applications from mature applicants; please note that that you should have experience of recent academic study (usually within the last 5 years). Those who have been out of education for a substantial period are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office for further advice. Please see entry criteria below.

Equal Opportunities

Keele University has adopted an equal opportunities policy which states that no student will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, gender (including gender realignment), marital status, sexuality, disability, religion, political belief, socio-economic background, parental status, age or trades union membership. The University is committed to a programme of action to ensure that this policy is fully effective.

Entry requirements

Please note the following points regarding 2012 entry:

•    The standard offer for school-leavers will be 360 UCAS tariff points from 3 A-levels (e.g. AAA or A*AB), with no grade below B, plus a minimum of grade B in the fourth AS. Requirements for other level-3 qualifications are indicated under the appropriate course headings below.
•    We will not consider applications from anybody who is currently re-sitting A-levels or other qualifications required for entry. If you are re-sitting your A-levels – or have taken three years to complete them - you must wait until you have your final grades before applying, i.e. you will not be eligible to apply before the 2013 entry round.
•    We will not consider any applicant who is currently studying at university and is not due to graduate with an honours degree before August 2012.
•    We will not consider any applicant who has been excluded from another medical course on academic, disciplinary or fitness to practise grounds, or who is in breach of financial or other obligations to another university.

The following are the minimum academic entry requirements for each programme. Any offer of a place will be conditional on fulfilment of these requirements. Please note, however, that fulfilment of the academic requirements is not sufficient to qualify for selection for interview. All applicants will be assessed on their personal statements and references. Even the very highest level of academic achievement will not compensate for a poor personal statement.

A100 – Standard 5-year programme

This programme is open to home/European Economic Area (EEA) and overseas students with appropriate school-leaving qualifications equivalent to UK A-levels. It is also open to graduates with honours degrees in subjects related to molecular bioscience and chemistry; graduates in other subjects may be considered under certain circumstances (see Honours Degrees, below). Students undertaking a recognised Access to Medicine diploma may also apply: please see Access to Medicine Diplomas, below, for details of the access programmes we recognise. Please note that all applicants to A100 must take the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) during the year in which they apply.

GCSE

Applicants must demonstrate a good level of achievement at GCSE and/or equivalent level-2 qualifications. We require a minimum of four subjects at grade A, not including short-course GCSEs. Mathematics, English Language and any science not taken at AS/A2 level must be passed at a minimum of grade B. GCSE Science/Core Science (including AQA Science A or Science B) plus Additional Science is acceptable; Applied Science is not an acceptable GCSE. IGCSE double-award Science is also acceptable.

Applicants who have taken Scottish Standard Grade/Intermediate Level 2 qualifications must have passed a broad range of subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, with a minimum of 4 subjects at top grade. Any science subject not being offered at Higher or Advanced Higher level must have been passed at Standard/Intermediate Level 2.

GNVQ Intermediate (Level 2) Science may be acceptable in lieu of science GCSEs if these are the only science qualifications offered by the school and the optional units include adequate coverage of subjects not taken at AS-level. Please contact the Admissions Manager with details of the units taken and grades achieved before applying. A minimum of merit must be achieved in all six units. An overall distinction will be counted as equivalent to two A grades at GCSE, so at least two GCSEs must also be passed at grade A. An overall merit will be counted as equivalent to two B grades at GCSE. GNVQ Intermediate ICT is acceptable in lieu of two GCSEs but this does not substitute for Mathematics or any science subjects. A minimum of merit must be achieved overall. Applicants who have taken other non-GCSE level-2 qualifications in ICT – e.g. OCR National, BTEC Level 2 Diploma or Certificate/Diploma in Digital Applications (CiDA/DiDA) – should contact the Admissions Office before applying to confirm that they fulfil the academic requirements. We will not usually accept DiDA Unit 5 (Games Authoring). Other level-2 diplomas and certificates will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Please contact the Admissions Office before applying if you have these qualifications.

The specific science requirements, as well as the 4 A-grade minimum, may be waived for applicants who have already achieved higher qualifications (A-level or degree) at the discretion of the Director of Admissions. However, all entrants to the course must have a minimum of grade B in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.

AS Level

Chemistry AS-level must be passed at a minimum of grade B if not taken at A2. If three A-levels have been achieved, a fourth AS is required at a minimum of grade B. If four A-levels have been achieved at the required grades, no further AS requirements will apply. If it is your school's or college's policy to enter students for the extended project qualification (EPQ) instead of a fourth AS-level, this should be stated in the reference. In this case, the EPQ will be taken into account in place of the AS.

A Level

360 UCAS tariff points are required from three A-levels, including Biology or Chemistry plus another designated science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Maths/Further Maths) and a third rigorous academic subject, with no less than a grade B in any subject. For example, grades of AAA or A*AB would be acceptable. There is no requirement for an A* or A grade to be achieved in a specific subject. Only one subject from a combination of Maths with Further Maths or Biology/Human Biology with Physical Education will be considered. If only two sciences are offered, the science subjects not offered at AS/A-level are required at GCSE grade B or above.

We require a minimum of three A-levels plus a fourth AS to be completed within two years. Applicants who have required more than two years to complete three A-levels must apply after completion of these qualifications. We will not consider applications from students currently in their third year of A-level study unless they have already achieved the required grades and are taking additional subjects. For example, an applicant with achieved grades of AAA but with only one science would be considered if currently taking an additional science A-level. Anyone who has not achieved the required A-levels within three years will not be considered.

The following subjects are not accepted at A-level for A100: General Studies; Critical Thinking; any AQA Applied A-level (Applied Art & Design; Applied Business; Applied ICT; Applied Science; Science in Society; Use of Mathematics); any Edexcel Applied A-Level (Applied Art & Design; Applied Business; Applied ICT; Engineering; Health & Social Care; Leisure Studies; Media; Performing Arts; Travel & Tourism); any OCR Applied A-Level (Applied Art & Design; Applied Business; Applied Health & Social Care; Applied ICT; Applied Leisure Studies; Applied Performing Arts; Applied Science; Applied Travel & Tourism); any WJEC Applied A-Level (Applied Business; Applied ICT; Applied Science). Key skills qualifications will not be taken into account in assessing academic ability.

Cambridge Pre-U

Candidates taking the Cambridge Pre-U diploma will be required to perform to a minimum of P1 standard in all components, including Global Perspectives and Independent Research (GPR). Principal subjects should be offered at a minimum of 360 UCAS tariff points (e.g. grades of D3 M1 M1 or D2 M1 M2), with Chemistry required at a minimum of M2. A second science (Biology, Mathematics or Physics) and a third subject should also be offered, with no grades below M2. Scores for Pre-U short courses in modern languages will not be taken into consideration.

Up to two A levels may be substituted for Pre-U principal subjects. A levels must be achieved at a minimum of grade B and the overall principal subject tariff should be greater than 360 (e.g. D2 A B). The usual subject and combination exclusions apply to A-level components.

The following combinations of subjects are not accepted: Biology and Sports Science; Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers

360 UCAS tariff points are required from three Advanced Highers, with no less than a B in any subject. Chemistry or Biology is essential, plus one subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths, plus one further rigorous academic subject if only two sciences are offered. Chemistry must be offered at Higher grade B as a minimum. Alternatively, students may offer two Advanced Highers plus one new Higher at grades AAA, subjects to include Chemistry at Advanced Higher plus one other science at Advanced Higher and a further rigorous subject.

Welsh Baccalaureate

We require 360 UCAS tariff points from the baccalaureate and two full A-levels taken at a single sitting. Students should pass the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma including two science A2-levels, with no grade below B. Chemistry or Biology is essential plus one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths. If Chemistry is not taken at A-level, it must be offered at AS-level, grade B minimum.

European Baccalaureate

Applicants must offer Maths ("5 hours" or "8 hours") plus at least one science option. The subjects must include Chemistry. Overall we require a final result of 78%.

Please see English Language Requirements if you do not have GCSE English grade B or above.

International Baccalaureate

Students undertaking the International Baccalaureate will be asked to achieve the IB Diploma with a score of at least 35 points from six academic subjects. Subjects should include Chemistry or Biology, plus one from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths and a third rigorous subject at Higher Level. Any science not taken at the Higher Level must be offered at Standard Level or GCSE (or equivalent). Three grade 6 passes at IB Higher Level and grades of 6, 6, 5 at Standard Level are normally required. Points awarded for the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge are not taken into account.

English Language at Grade 6 is acceptable in lieu of GCSE English Language. Please see English Language Requirements if you do not have either of these.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Students should offer at least five A1 or A2 grades at higher level, to include Biology and Chemistry, plus a sixth at a minimum of B1. Physics should have been studied at junior certificate level as a minimum. Chemistry and one other science are required at grade A.

Honours Degrees

For application to course A100, graduates must have an upper second-class (2i) honours degree or better in a discipline that includes a substantial molecular bioscience and/or chemistry content. Graduates are advised to submit a degree transcript including modules taken and grades awarded to the Admissions Office. Postgraduate qualifications (masters degrees, doctorates) will not be taken into consideration in lieu of a 2i. Graduates should have GCSE English Language and Maths at grade B or higher, together with GCSE grade B or higher in any science not studied to a higher level. Allowances will be made for graduates whose A-level grades do not meet the usual criteria. We reserve the right to request details from applicants about the content of their degree course if we have concerns about the A-level grades obtained in specific sciences (e.g. Chemistry).

Graduates with a 1^st/2ihonours degree in a discipline without a substantial molecular bioscience and/or chemistry content may also be considered on the basis of their science A-levels and would need to meet the standard A-level criteria. Graduates should have GCSE English Language and Maths at grade B or better, together with GCSE grade B or better in any science not studied to a higher level. Those applicants requesting consideration of qualifications equivalent to the sciences at A-level should note that they must provide this information to the Admissions Office at the same time they submit their UCAS application.

Applicants with a 1^st/2i honours degree in a non-science subject may be considered for the A100 course if they have taken the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) and achieved a good score in section III; these applicants must also take the UKCAT. If you wish to be considered for both A100 and A101, each course will need a separate entry on your UCAS application. Allowances will be made for graduates whose A-level grades do not meet the usual criteria, as long as sufficient evidence of academic ability in the sciences is demonstrated.

Access to Medicine Diplomas

The Access to Medicine courses we recognise are those from: College of West Anglia (Distinction in all units), Manchester College (Distinction in all subjects), Stafford College/New College Telford (Distinction in all subjects) and Sussex Downs College (Distinction in all units). Please note that Access to Medicine diplomas only provide evidence of the required academic ability; they are not a substitute for evidence of the non-academic attributes that we look for in the personal statement and interview. Students undertaking an Access to Medicine course should seek advice on how to maximise their chances of making a successful application.

We will not accept applications from those who have done an Access to Medicine course after achieving below 2i in a previous degree. We will not consider applications from candidates who have undertaken an Access to Medicine diploma less than five years after completing A Levels or other level 3 qualifications with grades below our usual requirements. Access programmes provide an opportunity for people who have not previously had the chance to take the required academic qualifications. They are not a “back door” for people with poor A-level grades or degree class, and we will not consider applicants who treat them as such. People with qualifications at an appropriate level but in the wrong subjects should apply for our health foundation year.

A101 – 4-year graduate-entry programme

This programme is open to home/European Economic Area (EEA) students with an honours degree at 2i level or higher in any discipline. All applicants to A101 must take the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) during the two years preceding application and achieve a threshold score (see GAMSAT, below). Applicants with a degree class below 2i or with a GAMSAT score below the threshold will not be considered. Applicants fulfilling these requirements will have their personal statements/references scored and ranked (see The UCAS application, below); selection for interview will be dependent on these rankings. Achievement of the GAMSAT threshold score does not guarantee an interview.

If you wish to be considered for both A101 and A100/A104, each course will need a separate entry on your UCAS application. Under these circumstances you would also need to take UKCAT.

Please note that overseas students (those who are not resident in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for tuition fee purposes) are not eligible to apply for this course.

GCSE

Applicants for A101 must have a minimum of grade C in English Language and Mathematics to fulfil the university’s matriculation requirements.

Honours Degree

An honours degree at 2i level or equivalent is the minimum requirement. The degree may be in any discipline, as evidence of scientific aptitude will be determined from the GAMSAT performance. No applicant will be considered without a minimum of a 2i: neither a high GAMSAT score nor any subsequent degree (postgraduate certificate/diploma, masters, doctorate, etc.) will compensate for a bachelor degree class below 2i.

A104 – 6-year programme with health foundation year

This programme is open to home/European Economic Area (EEA) and overseas students with appropriate school-leaving qualifications equivalent to UK A-levels but without significant post-GCSE study of science. It is also open to graduates with honours degrees in subjects with no significant bioscience or chemistry content. Students with other level 3 qualifications or undertaking a recognised Access to HE diploma may also apply. Please note that all applicants to A104 must take the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) during the year in which they apply. See UKCAT for details.

GCSE

Applicants must demonstrate a good level of achievement at GCSE and/or equivalent level-2 qualifications. We normally require a minimum of four subjects at grade A, not including short-course GCSEs, although this can be waived at the discretion of the Director of Admissions for students who have taken level 3 qualifications other than A-levels. Mathematics and English Language must be passed at a minimum of grade C.

Applicants who have taken Scottish Standard Grade/Intermediate Level 2 qualifications must have passed a broad range of subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, with a minimum of 4 subjects at top grade.

Other level-2 qualifications may be considered. Please contact the Admissions Office before applying to confirm that your qualifications are acceptable.

The 4 A-grade minimum, may be waived for applicants who have already achieved higher qualifications (A-level or degree). However, all entrants to the course must have a minimum of grade C in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.

AS Level

If three A-levels have been taken, a fourth AS is required at a minimum of grade B. If four A-levels have been achieved at the required grades, no further AS requirements will apply. Chemistry must not be offered. If it is your school's or college's policy to enter students for the extended project qualification (EPQ) instead of a fourth AS-level, this should be stated in the reference. In this case, the EPQ will be taken into account in place of the AS.

A Level

360 UCAS tariff points are required from three A-levels.For example, grades of AAA or A*AB would be acceptable. A-level combinations should not include Chemistry beyond GCSE level. A-level Biology is acceptable if combined with non-science A-levels. If Biology is offered at AS or A2-level, it must be at grade B or above. The combination of Maths and Physics is acceptable with another non-science subject. Applied Sciences is accepted.

We require a minimum of three A-levels plus a fourth AS to be scheduled to be completed within two years. Applicants who have required more than two years to complete three A-levels must apply after completion of these qualifications. We will not consider applications from students currently in their third year of A-level study unless they have already achieved our academic requirements. Anyone who has not achieved the required A-levels within three years will not be considered.

The following subjects are not accepted at A-level for A104: General Studies; Critical Thinking; Key Skills.

Cambridge Pre-U

Candidates taking the Cambridge Pre-U diploma will be required to perform to a minimum of P1 standard in all components, including Global Perspectives and Independent Research (GPR). Principal subjects should be offered at a minimum of 360 UCAS tariff points (e.g. grades of D3 M1 M1 or D2 M1 M2). Chemistry must not have been taken. Scores for Pre-U short courses in modern languages will not be taken into consideration.

Up to two A levels may be substituted for Pre-U principal subjects. A levels must be achieved at a minimum of grade B and the overall principal subject tariff should be greater than 360 (e.g. D2 A B). The usual subject and combination exclusions apply to A-level components.

The following combinations of subjects are not accepted:Biology and any other science, including Sports Science; the combination of Mathematics and Further Mathematics; Physics and Mathematics with any other science, including Sports Science.

Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers

360 UCAS tariff points are required from three Advanced Highers, with no less than a B in any subject. Chemistry must not have been taken. Biology is acceptable with two non-science subjects. Physics and Mathematics are acceptable with a third non-science subject.

Welsh Baccalaureate

We require 360 UCAS tariff points from the baccalaureate and two full A-levels taken at a single sitting. Students should pass the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma including two A-levels, with no grade below B. Chemistry must not have been taken. Biology, Physics or Mathematics is acceptable along with a non-science subject.

International Baccalaureate

Students undertaking the International Baccalaureate will be asked to achieve the IB Diploma with a score of at least 35 points from six academic subjects. Subjects must not include Chemistry at Higher Level. Three grade 6 passes at IB Higher Level and grades of 6, 6, 5 at Standard Level are normally required. Points awarded for the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge are not taken into account.

English Language at Grade 6 is acceptable in lieu of GCSE English Language. Please see English Language Requirements if you do not have either of these.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Students should offer at least five A1 or A2 grades at higher level, plus a sixth at a minimum of B1. Biology and Chemistry in combination are not accepted. However Biology will be accepted in combination with non science subjects at grade A.

Advanced Diploma

The advanced diploma is acceptable for entry to A104. The Progression Diploma must be grade A or A* and Additional Specialist Learning must be an A-level in any subject except Chemistry. The A-level must be passed at grade A or A*.

Access to HE Diploma

A science or non-science Access to HE diploma is acceptable, plus substantial work experience. We will not accept applications from those who have done an Access course after achieving below 2i in a previous degree. We will not consider applications from candidates who have undertaken an Access diploma soon (less than five years) after completing A Levels or other level 3 qualifications with grades below our usual requirements. Access programmes provide an opportunity for people who have not previously had the chance to take the required academic qualifications. They are not a “back door” for people with poor A-level grades or degree class, and we will not consider applicants who treat them as such. Eligibility is subject to satisfactory grades (i.e. Distinctions) or transcripts of marks of greater than 70% in all modules. All Access to HE courses must be 60 credits at level 3.

BTEC Extended and BTEC National Diploma

The BTEC National Diploma in any subject is acceptable. Three Distinctions must be achieved.

BTEC National Certificate

The BTEC National Certificate is acceptable in lieu of two A-levels. Two Distinctions must be achieved plus one A-level at a minimum of grade A.

BTEC National Award

The BTEC National Certificate is acceptable in lieu of one A-level. A Distinction must be achieved plus two A-levels at a minimum of grade A.

Higher National Diploma (HND)/Higher National Certificate (HNC)

These qualifications will be considered subject to achievement of marks greater than 70%.

Diploma in HE

A Diploma in HE is acceptable if achieved after two years’ full-time study (or a proportionate period of part-time study), subject to a transcript of marks above 70%.

Foundation Degree

A Foundation Degree is acceptable, subject to average module marks of at least 70%.

Ordinary (non-Honours) Degree

Graduates who entered an Ordinary Degree programme will be considered, subject to marks greater than 70%. Graduates who failed to graduate with honours from an Honours Degree programme will not be considered.

Honours Degrees

Graduates with at least a 2.1 honours degree in a non-science subject can be considered for the Health Foundation Year provided they did not take sciences to A-level standard or higher. Students with Health Degrees such as Physiotherapy or Nursing, without Chemistry at A or AS level, should apply for this entry route. Allowances will be made for graduates whose A-level grades do not meet the usual entry criteria.However, all entrants must have a minimum of GCSE grade C in English Language and Mathematics.

For students offering qualifications other than those listed above, please send a full academic history to the Admissions Office.

International students

Applications to the A100 and A104 programmes from students resident outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland for tuition fees purposes are welcomed. However, you should be aware that we have a strict quota for numbers of overseas students. Overseas students are not eligible to apply for the A101 programme.

Please see the sections on A100 and A104 for specific subject requirements. The following table gives examples of qualifications that are accepted. If your country is not included in this list, please contact the Admissions Office before applying. Please note, however, that fulfilment of the academic requirements is not sufficient to qualify for selection for interview. All applicants will be assessed on their personal statements and references. Even the very highest level of academic achievement will not compensate for a poor personal statement.

English Language Requirements

EEA and other overseas applicants not offering GCSE English Language at the required grade must have one of the following:
•    Grade B or above in the Certificate of Proficiency or Advanced Certificate in English offered by the University of Cambridge under the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programme
•    International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) with a minimum average score of 7, with not less than 7 in any one component taken at the same sitting
•    Grade B or above in International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
We do not normally accept Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) qualification, except in very unusual circumstances.

Admissions/aptitude tests

UKCAT

All applicants for courses A100 and A104 must take the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) in the year of application (i.e. in 2011 for 2012 entry). Details of the test, along with fully timed practice tests, are available at http://www.ukcat.ac.uk. Please note the test dates and ensure that you are able to complete the test within the range of dates. No allowance will be made for inability to take the test (or poor performance) owing to illness, family circumstances, etc. We recommend that you book a test date early in the season, as this will allow you to cancel and arrange a later date if you feel unwell or distressed on the first date. Please note that you cannot take the test more than once in a single calendar year.

If you require extra time for the test owing to a specific disability (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dysorthographia or working memory deficit) you should register for the special educational needs test (UKCATSEN). If you have taken this version of the test you must provide us with a report from a licensed medical practitioner or registered educational psychologist, signed and dated within the last three years, that shows your eligibility for the extra time provision. This will be requested if you are invited for interview.

If you are eligible for exemption from UKCAT on the grounds that you are normally resident in a country with no test centres, you must obtain an official exemption number from UKCAT. Details of the procedure for obtaining an exemption number are available on the UKCAT web site.

UKCAT is not a test of knowledge. It is a test of cognitive abilities in the areas of verbal, numerical, abstract and interpretative reasoning. For this reason, it is not possible to prepare specifically for the questions that will come up in the test. Neither UKCAT nor Keele University endorse or recommend any commercially available test preparation materials or courses. You should take both of the timed practice tests on the UKCAT website to get used to the style of questions and to prepare for the time pressure of the test.

Keele uses UKCAT results only in borderline cases. Those applicants who narrowly miss achieving the required score for their UCAS application will receive further consideration (usually in the form of second-marking) if they have a total UKCAT score in the top 50% nationally. Applicants holding offers who narrowly miss achieving the required grades in their A-levels (or equivalent level-3 qualification) may receive further consideration if there are places available. In these circumstances, the factors taken into consideration in allocating remaining places will include interview score and UKCAT score.

Applicants receiving offers for 2011 entry had UKCAT total scores ranging from 1,990 to 3,100.

GAMSAT

All applicants for course A101 must take the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT) within the two years preceding their application. For students applying for 2012 entry, GAMSAT results must be available by December 2011. While GAMSAT may be taken in the UK, Ireland, the USA or Australia, the test must be taken before the deadline for applications: i.e. applicants for 2012 entry cannot use the result from a test taken in March 2012. Please note that GAMSAT may be taken twice within the same year.

GAMSAT runs on only one date each year in the UK. For 2012 entry, UK applicants should take the test on 16th September 2011. If you have already sat the test in another country during March 2011, you may use the result from this test.

GAMSAT is a test of knowledge as well as reasoning and writing skills. Advice on preparing for the test is available at http://www.gamsatuk.org.

For 2011 entry, the required GAMSAT scores for consideration of applications were either overall weighted score of 58 with a minimum of 55 in section III and no section score below 50 or overall weighted score of 55 with a minimum of 58 in section III and no section score below 50.

Applicants receiving offers for 2011 entry had GAMSAT weighted total scores ranging from 60 to 79.

The UCAS application

All applications are first read by our Admissions Team. If your application does not meet minimum academic requirements it will be rejected at this initial stage. If academic requirements are met, applications will be passed to our Admissions Tutors. They will pay particular attention to your personal statement and to the reference from your school/college. The purpose of this assessment is to identify candidates for interview. It is not possible to be offered a place without interview. Please don't send in extra information or portfolios of work unless we contact you directly to request it. In the interests of fairness to all candidates, we will only assess what is included in your UCAS application form.
Admissions Tutors look at your UCAS form for information on the following areas:
•    Reasons for choosing a career in medicine
•    Regular work experience in a caring role
•    Interests and leisure activities
•    Evidence of teamwork
•    Communication skills
•    Determination/conscientiousness
•    Intellectual achievements and potential

These aspects are scored - some are given more weighting than others - and a total score is compiled.

If you have a very low score for any aspect of your application, you are unlikely to be called for interview. The threshold score above which students are called for interview varies from year to year depending upon the quality and quantity of applications that year.

You should ensure that this information is given to the person who will complete your reference. Both you and your referee should address each aspect outlined above. Referees should be aware that we expect to see more than a record of academic achievement. References indicating your strengths in the areas listed above are much more valuable than simple “school report”-style references.

Personal statement

Reasons for choosing a career in medicine

This may appear obvious to you. It is not obvious to us. The Director of Admissions and Admissions Tutors have not met you and know nothing about you. It is vital that you tell us why you wish to be a doctor. Do not be afraid of apparently "trite" comments such as a desire to help people or a desire to care, although these should be supported by examples of things you have done that were motivated by that desire. There is no correct answer to this question but not to address it at all would significantly weaken any application.

Work experience in a caring role

We believe that it is helpful to undertake long-term, hands-on work experience in a caring role, so that you are aware of what a career in caring for people may involve. Work experience can take many forms, from helping elderly members of the community with shopping, through to volunteering in a hospice, or working with disadvantaged children. You'll need to tell us how long and how regularly you have been involved in the activity and, most importantly, what you have gained from it. We are not necessarily looking for medically related work experience, such as shadowing a GP or consultant, although this type of experience may be useful in addition to your hands-on involvement in a caring role. You should be aware that we may request confirmation from the host organisation of the work experience detailed on your application.

Interests and leisure activities

Medicine is about being able to communicate. Good communication calls for you to have some shared life experiences and empathy with others. Hence if you are totally absorbed in your studies to the exclusion of almost all else, you are less likely to make a good doctor. Tell us about your interests and hobbies. Tell us why you pursue them. How long have you been involved? Have you achieved any outside recognition (e.g. awards, certificates, etc.). Do you coach or lead people in your hobby?

In any medical career it is vital that you retain a work-life balance, and so it is important that in your personal statement you reflect on your outside interests that help you relax from the stresses of work. We are aware that some students may have more opportunities than others to pursue a wide range of interests. We are not so much concerned with exactly what you do in your spare time, but that you have some spare time and that you do something with it that you are enthusiastic about.

Communication and team-working

Doctors must be able to communicate effectively on a variety of levels. Experience in communicating with different groups, including those with significant communication barriers, is highly valuable. Some evidence of ability to communicate with people outside your peer group is essential. Medicine involves working within teams and it is vital that potential doctors understand how teams work, and how their own role would contribute to the overall effectiveness of the team. Examples of team-working may be taken from a wide variety of experiences both in and out of school/college/university.

Presentation and style

Applications will be marked down for careless errors of grammar and spelling, so please consider carefully how you have presented your personal statement.

Reference

Your reference is likely to be written by your head teacher, college principal, head of year or form tutor. Applicants who are not currently in school or college should approach an academic supervisor whenever possible: a "character reference" is not sufficient. We do, however, want to know what the writer of the reference thinks about you as a whole person, not merely about your academic achievements and potential. Please ensure that whoever is writing the reference sees a copy of these guidelines.

The areas in which we require information are:

Commitment to medicine

While the length of time that you have been committed to a medical career may be relevant here, it is not the only factor. Equally important are the steps that you have taken to confirm this commitment (work experience in a caring role - see above, and talking to a range of medical professionals). Work experience in other areas which has convinced you that those areas are not the right careers for you could even be mentioned here. Some insight into your awareness of the realities, advantages and disadvantages of a medical career would be useful.

Staying power/perseverance

This could equally be titled "commitment to academic study". While we are obviously interested in whether you work at an appropriate level of intensity, complete work on time and are reliable, some insight into your interest and enthusiasm for the subject would also be useful. 'Late developers' should not be disadvantaged by this process. We are keen to hear about students who have blossomed in their interest and commitment relatively late in their school career or as a graduate or other later applicant.

Communication skills

The ability to communicate is essential to the practice of medicine. However, communication is not merely about articulation and vocabulary but is also about listening. Thus whilst we are interested in students' contributions to class discussion and extracurricular activity, we would be very pleased to hear about how you relate to others, in particular the less gifted students or younger students, and how well you accept criticism.

Humanity/Humility

There is clearly some overlap here with "communication" but information in this section should primarily deal with how the referee feels about your ability to care and empathise (is there practical evidence of this?), and how you see yourself in the school and wider community or in the case of later applicants in the workplace or in higher education.

Intellectual potential

This is not only evidenced by your GCSE grades and achieved or predicted A-level grades or degrees. It is important for the referee to tell us about "late academic developers" e.g. the student who achieves the bare minimum GCSE grade A passes but is likely to blossom at A-level and beyond. Other evidence of intellectual potential beyond merely the ability to pass exams is important here.

Leadership qualities

These may be displayed within the school or in the wider community. Appointment as a prefect or sports team leader is an example. We are aware that not all schools operate a prefect system. Being a prefect of course does not necessarily imply good leadership skills, and further evidence for such skills should be offered in this section. The opinion of the referee is important. Where a school or college has had little opportunity to assess this area we would encourage the referee to obtain independent information from other sources.

Teamwork

These skills may be demonstrated either within or outside school. We recognise that not all students have sporting aptitudes but participating in sport is not the only way in which students can excel in this area. Social and charity involvement would be relevant here as would membership of choirs, orchestras etc. The ability to work as a member of a team in class practices, field trips, hikes, expeditions etc. will also be important. Once again we recognise that not all schools and colleges will have equal opportunity to assess teamwork skills and therefore where such opportunities do not exist within school, we strongly encourage the referee to obtain independent information from other sources.

Mitigating Circumstances

We strongly recommend that in addition to all the above sections, any mitigating circumstances which may affect not only academic performance but any aspect of the information contained within the UCAS form should be included in the referee's report.If you experience any extenuating circumstances at the time of your examinations, your school or college should report this immediately to the relevant examination boards so that any allowances can be made. If we consider that extenuating circumstances brought up in the reference should be taken into account formally in the assessment of your application, we shall write to your referee to request further details. Please do not send such details unsolicited.

The interview

Shortlisted candidates will be called for interview. No candidate will be offered a place without an interview. On the day of the interview you will have an opportunity to meet medical students informally and to tour the School of Medicine. For 2011 entry, we interviewed around 20% of applicants selected by ranking of UCAS application forms. It is expected that a similar proportion will be interviewed for 2012 entry.

The interview itself is a formal process, although we try to make it as friendly as we can. Each interview lasts 20 minutes. The interview panel comprises one academic, one clinician and one lay person. Only one of these panellists will have seen your personal statement. The interview provides a fresh look at you, with no preconceptions based on the written application. You will not have the opportunity to ask questions of the interviewers. Any questions that you have can be raised during the remainder of the day with members of staff or current medical students.
The interview is not a test of your academic knowledge. You will not be asked questions directly related to your current or previous studies. The pre-interview screening process operated by the School of Medicine (based on academic grading, personal statement and school/college reference) will already have assured that all candidates called to interview are of sufficient academic calibre. The purpose of the interview is to meet you and assess you as a whole person.

The interviewers will expect you to be nervous and will of course make allowances for this. In most cases, outward signs of nervousness evaporate within two or three minutes of starting the interview.

The interview panel, in addition to forming an overall impression of you, will be assessing in particular the following areas:

•    Ability to communicate. Communication skills are essential to almost all aspects of medicine. We expect you to be able to express your ideas clearly and coherently and to be able to follow a reasoned argument. Candidates who give spontaneous yet well-thought-out answers to questions are more likely to impress the interviewers than those who give obviously rehearsed and "coached" responses. There are clearly some questions which schools and students will anticipate (see below) but during the course of the interview there will be other questions which cannot be anticipated by the students.
•    Why do you wish to be a doctor? This is an obvious though vital question. It is also the question to which candidates most frequently reply with a coached and rehearsed answer. This is not to say that rehearsed answers would entirely rule you out of consideration, however they are clearly not as impressive as answers which are spontaneous and show genuine flair and enthusiasm for the subject.
•    Do you have genuine outside interests? You can expect to be asked at some length about your hobbies and interests, and other non-academic pursuits. This may include activities mentioned on your personal statement. Thus you are advised to be careful when compiling your personal statement and not to include a list of 'hobbies' with which you have only a passing interest, merely to compile a list. Interviewers themselves have a wide range of interests, which often include many of those mentioned by candidates! The panel is not at all concerned as to exactly what your outside interests are. They just want to assess whether you are able to talk about them with some degree of knowledge and enthusiasm.
•    Previous relevant experience. Any experience in a caring role will clearly be a topic raised by the interviewers. This role need not be in a medical environment. The interview is an opportunity for you to relate not only the facts and details of your role but also your emotional response to it, what it has taught you, and what you have gained from it.
•    Matters of topical interest. You will not be expected to have detailed knowledge of medical matters. However, the panel will feel it reasonable to expect you to have an intelligent layperson's view on many issues of current interest, particularly those with a social, ethical or legal dimension related to health. It is not your views or opinions that the panel is interested in, but how coherently you express and discuss those views.

You will not be asked questions relating to your gender, sexuality, age, marital or parental status, race, religion, or social or educational background.

At the end of the interview after you have left the room, the panel will discuss your merits for approximately five minutes. You will not be informed of the decision of the panel on the day of the interview. You will receive the University's decision via UCAS and via personal letter. If you have not already satisfied the academic requirements for entry, your offer will be conditional upon your achievement of the appropriate standard in forthcoming examinations.

After completing the interview, please don't discuss your interview in front of any other visitors in the waiting room or reception area. Any overheard remarks may give an advantage to others waiting to enter an interview.