Faculty of Health

School of Medicine

Admissions Overview
General Entry Requirements
A100
A104
International
The UCAS application
The Admissions Process
The Interview
Widening Participation
FAQs

Admissions Overview

Application routes

All applications must be submitted via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The deadline for submissions is 15th October 2013 for entry in September 2014 or deferred entry in September 2015.
There are two 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 nearly 2,000 applications for up to 129 places on this programme in 2013

A104 – the 6-year programme with health foundation year (HFY); there were over 140 applications for up to 10 places on this programme in 2013

All applications will be assessed on the basis of academic record and UCAS personal statement/reference. For guidance on the use of admissions/aptitude tests please see tabs on Entry requirements and A100 / A104.

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 2013 for entry in 2014

Introduction

Keele University School of Medicine seeks to train excellent clinicians with the ability to practise in any branch of medicine or surgery, and with the highest level of commitment to patient care and professionalism. The school provides both undergraduate (MBChB) and postgraduate (certificate, diploma, masters and doctoral level) programmes and works closely with the Science & Technology in Medicine and Primary Care & Health Sciences research institutes to provide research-based teaching and extensive opportunities for intercalated research degrees and postgraduate research. The MBChB programme has a strong emphasis on acquisition of knowledge and skills that will prepare graduates fully for their future roles as scholar & scientist, practitioner and professional, as defined by the General Medical Council in Tomorrow’s Doctors. A high level of integration throughout the programme ensures that students develop a thorough understanding of how biological, behavioural and social sciences underpin and inform medical practice and professional development, as well as how problems encountered in practice and profession drive further learning.

Principles of selection

The aim of our selection processes is to recruit students with the greatest potential to graduate as excellent clinicians. The medical school admissions team is tasked with selecting those applicants with the potential to be the best doctors, not simply those with the highest levels of prior academic attainment. 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, avoiding discrimination of any kind, and seeks to apply 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 while many of these specialties have historically been hospital-based, healthcare is moving towards a more community-centred model of delivery; consequently, doctors will increasingly be expected to deliver healthcare in a range of settings. It is important, therefore, that we recruit students with the potential to develop into the variety of different kinds of doctor who will be needed in the next generation.

The UCAS application and interview will be used to assess applicants’ academic and non-academic attributes. Applicants may be selected for interview on the basis of: (a) outstanding academic achievement; (b) evidence of excellent motivation, commitment, initiative, interpersonal skills (including team-working and communication) and work-life balance; (c) overcoming significant educational and/or socio-economic disadvantage to acquire appropriate qualifications and experience.

The selection process leading up to the offer of a place on the MBChB programme operates entirely independently of any fitness to practise or fitness for study considerations. Only when an applicant has reached the stage of qualifying for the offer of a place will issues relating to health, disability or criminal record be taken into account.

Selection process

Applications from home/EU students must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) by the deadline of 15^th October. While some exceptions to this requirement may be made for international students, late and/or direct applications will only be looked at once all on-time UCAS applications have been assessed. There is no guarantee, therefore, that any places will be available for international students who do not apply through UCAS by the 15^th October deadline.

All applications meeting the minimum academic requirements (including GCSE/level-2 qualifications, A-level or equivalent qualifications and UKCAT) are assessed in detail by both Admissions Tutors and Admissions Office staff. The highest-ranking applicants will be selected for interview. Typically, we receive approximately 2,000 applications each year. We have the resources to interview only approximately 500 of these. Therefore, only about 25% of applicants succeed in reaching the interview stage. It is vital that applicants make as strong a case for selection as possible in their UCAS personal statements, as the personal statement is a major factor in our selection. Details of the criteria on which applications are assessed are given elsewhere on this web page.

Candidates are assessed on the information provided in the UCAS application and the interview. No supplementary material (additional references, testimonials, etc.) will be considered unless we have specifically requested it. Any significant personal extenuating circumstances accounting for a non-standard academic record – e.g. more than two years between beginning and completing A-levels – must be declared in the reference or personal statement. If these circumstances might qualify to be taken into consideration we shall contact the applicant’s school, college or university to request supporting evidence.

It is expected that all applicants will have the following qualifications.

GCSE or equivalent in mathematics, English language and sciences as required by the 14-19 National Curriculum for England, Wales & Northern Ireland. Science qualifications must include sufficient content in physics, chemistry and biology. For home students this will correspond to GCSE physics, chemistry and biology (“triple-award”) or science/core science and additional science (“double award”). Qualifications in two single sciences (e.g. chemistry and biology) or one combined and one or two single sciences (e.g. core science, chemistry and biology) will not be accepted. These qualifications should have been achieved prior to applying.
At least three GCE A-levels or equivalent plus a fourth AS-level or equivalent (not including general studies, critical thinking or any key skills qualification). English, Welsh and Northern Irish applicants whose school’s policy is to enter students for alternative qualifications to the third A-level (e.g. Welsh baccalaureate) or fourth AS (e.g. extended project qualification [EPQ], etc.) will usually be permitted to offer these qualifications.

Applicants with qualifications from other countries will be assessed on a case-by-case basis but must have appropriate English, mathematics and science qualifications as outlined above. Equivalences to English, Welsh and Northern Irish qualifications will usually be decided on the basis of tables published by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC).

Applicants with honours degrees may have some of the above requirements waived, at the discretion of the admissions committee, subject to providing evidence that the specified subjects have been studied in sufficient depth – and passed at a suitably high standard – at university. However, the requirement for an appropriate English language qualification will not be waived under any circumstances.

The UCAS form must be completed fully and accurately. If a qualification is not declared in the UCAS application we will conclude that it has not been taken. Subsequent declaration of qualifications will not be accepted. If any discrepancy is found between the grades stated in the UCAS application and those stated on certificates, the application will be rejected and UCAS will be notified of the discrepancy. Any offer made will be conditional upon achieving specified grades in the qualifications declared as being undertaken at the time of application. Candidates may not change the qualifications they are undertaking without notifying UCAS and gaining permission from the School of Medicine.

Each application must be accompanied by a reference from a current or former educational institution. Any application that does not include a reference will be rejected. In general, any reference that is not from a current or former educational institution will be ignored. Applications from people who have not been engaged in some kind of formal study (school, college, undergraduate or postgraduate) in the previous 5 years will be scrutinised carefully to determine whether the applicant is likely to be suitable for university study. If the decision is favourable, a non-academic reference may be taken into consideration. It is strongly recommended that any applicant in this situation contact the School of Medicine before applying to discuss how her/his application would be viewed.

No applicant will be offered a place without attending for interview. Interviews mostly take place on the Keele University campus. When necessary – for example, when a large number of applicants from a particular geographical region have been selected for interview – a small number of interviews may be conducted at centres in other countries. The final decision on the offer of a place will be based exclusively on the applicant’s performance at interview.

Conditions of entry to the programme

Owing to the requirement to attend placements off campus from an early stage in the programme, students should have reached the age of 18 before commencing the course. Applicants whose 18^th birthday falls very soon after the beginning of the course (usually no more than 2 weeks) may be admitted at the discretion of the admissions committee. Successful applicants who are too young to join the course will be made a deferred offer for the following academic year.

Please note that entry to the degree programme does not guarantee graduation. Furthermore, graduation is only the first stage in acquiring the right to practise as a doctor in the UK. The following statement was issued by the Medical Schools Council in July 2012:

At the end of the undergraduate course you will receive your MBChB (or equivalent) degree, which is a primary medical qualification (PMQ). Holding a PMQ entitles you to provisional registration with the General Medical Council, subject only to its acceptance that there are no Fitness to Practise concerns that need consideration. Provisionally registered doctors can only practise in approved Foundation Year 1 posts: the law does not allow provisionally registered doctors to undertake any other type of work.

To obtain a Foundation Year 1 post you will need to apply during the final year of your undergraduate course through the UK Foundation Programme Office selection scheme, which allocates these posts to graduates on a competitive basis. So far, all suitably qualified UK graduates have found a place on the Foundation Year 1 programme, but this cannot be guaranteed, for instance if there were to be an increased number of competitive applications from non-UK graduates.

Successful completion of the Foundation Year 1 programme is normally achieved within 12 months and is marked by the award of a Certificate of Experience. You will then be eligible to apply for full registration with the General Medical Council. You need full registration with a licence to practise for unsupervised medical practice in the NHS or private practice in the UK.

Although this information is currently correct, students need to be aware that regulations in this area may change from time to time.

Disclosure and Barring Service

Medicine, along with some other university courses, is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will therefore be required to apply through the university for an enhanced-level disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Following a ruling in 2013 by the Court of Appeal, the offences that will show up on this disclosure have changed from those previously appearing on a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure. Applicants should find out whether any convictions, cautions, warnings or reprimands they have received will appear. Applicants must bring photographic identification to interview so that their identity can be confirmed for the purposes of DBS applications. 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.

Any offence on an applicant’s DBS disclosure must be discussed with a pre-admission fitness to practise panel prior to the confirmation of the offer of a place. It is in applicants’ own interest to declare any offences to the School of Medicine at the earliest possible opportunity in order to avoid multiple visits to the university.

The university follows the DBS code of practice in these issues (see https://www.gov.uk/ government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service) 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 offence on an applicant’s record. 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 GMC's website, where you can view the page on Medical Students – Professional Values and Fitness to Practise

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 Equality Act 2010 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 (2013). 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 should declare a history of mental or physical ill health, but this will not jeopardise a career in medicine unless the condition impinges on professional fitness to practise at any stage.

Applicants indicating a specific learning difficulty 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 and undergo a needs assessment. Any other adjustments will be considered in the light of fitness to practise requirements.

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. All students with declared disabilities will be offered an appointment with the School Disability Liaison Officer to discuss their needs.

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. The Disability Liaison Officer of the School is happy to discuss individual queries via the Admissions Office.

General Entry Requirements

Please note the following points regarding 2014 entry:

The standard offer for school-leavers will be 3 A-levels at grades 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.
GCSE requirements should be met before applying.
AS-level grades should be declared in the application.
We will not normally consider applications from anybody who is currently re-sitting A-levels, AS-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 2015 entry round. We will however consider a candidate who has already achieved the required grades but is 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.
We will not consider any applicant who is currently studying at university and is not due to graduate with an honours degree before August 2014.
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 website details 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 alone is not sufficient to qualify for selection for interview. All applicants must submit full personal statements and references.

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 2013 for 2014 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 medical grounds or 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. Please note that requests for exemption must be submitted to UKCAT by 20 Sepember 2013.

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. We would however encourage candidates to 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: for students with the highest level of academic achievement or highest-scoring personal statements, the UKCAT score will not be taken into account. Those applicants who narrowly miss achieving the required score for their UCAS application may receive further consideration on the basis of their UKCAT score. In these borderline cases, the required UKCAT score will depend upon the level of performance in the test among this group of applicants; however, it is unlikely that applicants with total UKCAT scores below 2,400 will be successful at this stage. 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 2013 entry had UKCAT total scores ranging from 1800 to 3120 (i.e. mean subtest scores of 450 to 780).

Please note that scores in the situational judgment test (SJT) section of UKCAT will not be used in making decisions for 2014 entry.

English Language Requirements

Applicants from the European Economic Area and overseas who do not offer 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 in International GCSE (IGCSE) First Language English, with a minimum of grade 2 in Paper 5 (optional Speaking & Listening component). IGCSE English will not be accepted without the Speaking & Listening component.

We do not normally accept Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) qualification, except in very unusual circumstances.

A100

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. All applicants to A100 must take the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) during the year in which they apply.

GCSE

Please note all GCSE requirements must be met prior to application, with the exception of applicants undertaking Access courses and GCSEs simultaneously.

We require a minimum of four GCSE subjects at grade A, not including short-course GCSEs. Mathematics, English Language, Biology, Chemistry and Physics 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 as an alternative to Biology, Chemistry and Physics. If Further Additional Science has been taken, this must also be passed at grade B. IGCSE double-award Science is also acceptable. Applied Science is not an acceptable GCSE.

Applicants who have taken Scottish Standard Grade/Intermediate Level 2 qualifications must have passed a broad range of subjects with a minimum of 4 subjects at grade A/1. English Language and Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics must be passed with a minimum of grade B/2. Any science subject not being offered at Higher or Advanced Higher level must have been passed at Standard/Intermediate Level 2.

All students from schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must have completed appropriate Level 2 science qualifications as defined by the Key Stage 4 National Curriculum. Combinations of subjects that do not fulfil these requirements (e.g. Science, Biology and Chemistry) will not be accepted, even if these were the only combinations offered by the school. "Multiple entry" at GCSE will be dealt with by looking only at the GCSEs that are necessary to fulfil our minimum academic requirements for the programme. Students whose schools have entered them for multiple qualifications in the same subjects (e.g. Science and/or Additional Science as well as Biology, Chemistry and Physics) will only have the minimum required subjects taken into account; the grades for the additional GCSEs will be ignored. Where students have been entered for the same qualification with more than one exam board in the same assessment period we shall take only the lower or lowest grade into account. Please be aware that you must declare all of the qualifications that you completed (see General Entry Requirements).

Applicants who have taken 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 and Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

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 (AAAB), no further AS requirements will apply. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will be accepted at grade B in place of the fourth AS.

A Level

A-levels in three subjects at grades of AAA or A*AB are required, including Biology or Chemistry plus another designated science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Maths/Further Maths) and a third rigorous academic subject. 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 within the three A Levels, although the other subject may be offered as a fourth AS level. For example, a student with A-levels in Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Further Maths would have one of the mathematics A-levels treated as the third A-level and the other as the fourth AS-level; however, a student with three A-levels in Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths would not fulfil the academic entry requirements, regardless of what subject the fourth AS-level was in. 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: Citizenship; Critical Thinking; General Studies; any AQA Applied A-level (Applied Art & Design; Applied Business; Applied ICT; Applied Leisure Studies; Applied Science; Applied Travel & Tourism; 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.

GCSE requirements must also be met.

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 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 grades should be equivalent to 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 Qualifications

Applicants who have taken Scottish Standard Grade/Intermediate Level 2 qualifications must have passed a broad range of subjects with a minimum of 4 subjects at grade A/1. English Language and Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics must be passed with a minimum of grade B/2. Any science subject not being offered at Higher or Advanced Higher level must have been passed at Standard/Intermediate Level 2.

Four subjects at Higher / Advanced Higher required at AAAB, to include two Science Advanced Highers (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths). Chemistry must be offered at Higher grade B as a minimum.

Scottish Baccalaureate (science)

Grades of AB required in 2 advanced highers (including chemistry or biology) plus AA in interdisciplinary project unit and 1 higher. Chemistry must be offered at higher if not taken at advanced higher.

Welsh Baccalaureate

We require a Pass in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma and two full science A-levels at grade A taken at a single sitting. A third AS must also be offered at grade 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.

GCSE requirements must also be met - see above.

European Baccalaureate

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

English Language requirements must also be met - please see General Entry 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. Three grade 6 passes at IB Higher Level and grades of 6, 6, 5 at Standard Level are required. Students holding an offer who achieve grade 4 or below in any subject, or grade 5 in more than one subject, will not have fulfilled the conditions of their offer; such students will be required to wait until the publication of A-level results before receiving a final decision. Higher Level subjects should include Chemistry or Biology, plus one from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths and a third rigorous subject. Any science not taken at the Higher Level must be offered at Standard Level grade 5 or GCSE grade B (or equivalent). Points awarded for the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge are not taken into account.

English Language (Language A) at Grade 6 is acceptable in lieu of GCSE English Language. Please see English Language Requirements under General 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. Chemistry and one other science are required at grade A. English, Maths and all sciences should be offered at junior certificate level grade B as a minimum.

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 will usually be required 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 must 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/2i honours 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 must 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 (usually 58 or higher); these applicants must also take the UKCAT. 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 (Distinction in all subjects) and
- Sussex Downs College (Distinction in all units).

Applications may occasionally be considered from students on other Access to Medicine programmes at the discretion of the Director of Admissions. Such applicants must have express permission to apply, and this will only be granted on the basis of exceptional circumstances detailed in a supporting letter from the College. If permission to apply has not been granted in advance, applications from students with (or undertaking) Access diplomas other than those listed above will be rejected automatically. Other Access to HE diplomas are not accepted for entry to A100 but may be considered for the Health Foundation Year. For details see the A104 tab.

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 unless there is evidence of substantial subsequent experience in a healthcare-based and/or academically challenging career. In any case, we will not consider applications from candidates who have undertaken an Access to Medicine diploma less than five years after completing A Levels, other level 3 qualifications or a degree. 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. For details see the A104 tab.

A104

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.

All students from schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must have completed appropriate Level 2 science qualifications as defined by the Key Stage 4 National Curriculum. Combinations of subjects that do not fulfil these requirements (e.g. Science, Biology and Chemistry) will not be accepted, even if these were the only combinations offered by the school. "Multiple entry" at GCSE will be dealt with by looking only at the GCSEs that are necessary to fulfil our minimum academic requirements for the programme. Students whose schools have entered them for multiple qualifications in the same subjects (e.g. Science and/or Additional Science as well as Biology, Chemistry and Physics) will only have the minimum required subjects taken into account; the grades for the additional GCSEs will be ignored. Where students have been entered for the same qualification with more than one exam board in the same assessment period we shall take only the lower or lowest grade into account. Please be aware that you must declare all of the qualifications that you completed (see General Entry Requirements).

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 and Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

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. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will be accepted at grade B in place of the fourth AS.

GCSE requirements must also be met.

A Level

Three A-levels at grades of AAA or A*AB are required. A-level combinations should not include Chemistry. 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. Students with A-levels in Biology and Maths or Biology and Physics are not eligible for this programme; such students would have to take AS-level Chemistry and apply for A100. 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 qualifications will not be taken into account in assessing academic ability.

GCSE requirements must also be met.

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 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 or equivalent to 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.

GCSE requirements must also be met.

Scottish Qualifications

Four subjects at Higher / Advanced Higher required at AAAB, with a minimum of two Advanced Highers. Chemistry must not have been taken. Biology is acceptable with three non-science subjects. Physics and Mathematics are acceptable with two non-science subjects.

Scottish Baccalaureate (languages, expressive arts or social sciences)

Grades of AB required in 2 advanced highers plus AA in interdisciplinary project unit and 1 higher. Must not include chemistry.

Welsh Baccalaureate

We require a Pass in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma and two full A-levels at grade A taken at a single sitting, Chemistry must not have been taken. A third AS must also be offered at grade B. Biology, Physics or Mathematics is acceptable along with a non-science subject.

GCSE requirements must also be met.

International Baccalaureate

English Language (Language A) at Grade 6 is acceptable in lieu of GCSE English Language. Please see English Language Requirements under General 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. English and Maths should be offered at junior certificate level grade C as a minimum as well as four grade As.

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. 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

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.

Please see the sections on A100 and A104 for specific subject requirements as well as the table below.

All applicants to the 5-year medicine degree (A100) or the Health Foundation Year (A104) must sit the UKCAT test in the year of application.

We advise you to contact the Admissions Office before applying giving as much detail as you can about exams that you have taken and are due to take overseas to ensure that they are acceptable.

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. See section on 'The UCAS application'

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. Candidates with uncertificated AS-levels should make sure this is stated in their personal statement or reference. 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).

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 in International GCSE (IGCSE) First Language English, with a minimum of grade 2 in Paper 5 (optional Speaking & Listening component). IGCSE English will not be accepted without the Speaking & Listening component.
Students with other English language qualifications may be required to undertake IELTS to fulfil the requirements of both the School of Medicine and the UK Borders Agency (UKBA).

We do not normally accept Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) qualification, except in very unusual circumstances.

Details on the international recognition of medical schools is available from http://www.faimer.org/resources/imed.html and http://avicenna.ku.dk/database/medicine

More details on life for international and IMU students at Keele is available from http://www.keele.ac.uk/health/schoolofmedicine/undergraduatemedicalcourse/internationalimustudents/

International & EU Entry criteria

The UCAS application

It may be necessary for us to request additional information if there are gaps in your education and/or employment record. You will be given a deadline for responding to such a request. Failure to reply by the deadline will result in the rejection of your application.

Your application will be assessed only on the information provided in the UCAS application. This will be used to select candidates for interview. Offers of places will be made solely on the basis of performance at interview.

All applications are first read by our Admissions Team to ensure that you meet the minimum academic requirements. If you do not meet these your application will be rejected at this initial stage. If academic requirements are met, applications will be given an academic score and passed to our Admissions Tutors. Applicants with the highest academic scores - based on achieved grades at GCSE and AS-level (and A-level if these have already been completed) - will be invited for interview. The threshold academic score will be set to include up to 100 applicants; this threshold will therefore depend upon the levels of academic achievement of the students applying this year. Typically, applicants reaching interview on this basis will have achieved four grade As at AS-level and a large number of A* grades (usually seven) at GCSE. For 2013 entry, 80 applicants were selected for interview on this basis.

The remaining 400+ interviews will be allocated on the basis of evidence of non-adademic attributes. Admissions Tutors will pay particular attention to your personal statement and to the reference from your school/college. 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 assess your UCAS application for information on the following areas:

Understanding of the role of a doctor
Examples of regular hands-on caring work experience
Depth of experience in a role involving personal interaction
Reflection on what was learnt from these experiences
Initiative/enterprise
Work/life balance
Working in teams
Communication (particularly outside your peer group)
Quality of written application
Exceptional circumstances

If you address each of the first eight points in turn, using the guidance below, you are more likely to score highly enough to be invited to interview. If you have a very low score for any aspect of your application, which can easily occur if you fail to address the area, 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

The personal statement should be approached in the same way as a job application. You should use it to provide evidence that you meet the "person specification", i.e. that you possess the required characteristics of a trainee doctor. You should follow the golden rule: show, don't tell. Don't tell us what you think you're good at; give us examples of things you've done that show what you're good at. Please note that we assess applications on the principle that observation does not constitute experience. You should therefore avoid giving us a great deal of detail about time spent shadowing doctors. We are interested in what you have done and what qualities you have demonstrated, not what you have watched somebody else do. Furthermore, we are not able or willing to "read between the lines": vague statements will not gain marks. Unless you tell us specifically what you have done we cannot determine whether it was a relevant or useful experience and therefore cannot give any marks. As space is limited it is advisable not to include anything in your personal statement that does not address these points unless it is required by another university to which you are applying.

Understanding of the role of a doctor

Your personal statement should make clear what you understand the role of a doctor to be and why this is the role you wish to undertake as a career. You must be explicit about what you have done to help you understand the role of a doctor. This could include shadowing, talking to doctors or learning from your own - or close friends' or relatives' - experiences of being a patient. Use these experiences to explain why you want to be a doctor. The remainder of your statement should provide evidence that you possess the attributes (values, characteristics and skills) to make you a successful doctor.

Work and voluntary experience

It is beneficial 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 and/or volunteering can take many forms, from helping elderly members of the community with shopping, through to helping in a hospice, or working with disadvantaged children. Applicants who find it necessary to undertake paid employment may use examples from their interactions with people at work. We are not looking for medically related work experience, such as shadowing a GP or consultant, although this type of experience might be useful for finding out what being a doctor involves. It is direct, hands-on experience of helping ill, disabled, distressed or disadvantaged people that is most valuable. Other valuable experiences might include dealing with challenging people or situations, or going above and beyond your basic duties to help someone in a retail, customer service or catering environment. It is vital that you provide examples from these experiences that demonstrate the values, characteristics and skills required by a good doctor. Claiming to possess these attributes without providing evidence will not gain you any credit. Most credit will be given to applicants whose interactions go beyond conversations and making cups of tea.

Whatever examples you choose to write about, it is important that you tell us how long and how regularly you have been involved in the activity, why you chose to undertake it, what your responsibilities were/are and, most importantly, what you have gained from it.

In simple terms, you must tell us exactly what tasks you have undertaken in your various roles, how much time you spent on them and what you learned from doing them. For example, "During the last six months I spent one morning a week in a care home, where I took responsibility for feeding three elderly residents. I learned that it takes a long time: one of the residents would not co-operate without a lot of coaxing and another had difficulty swallowing following a stroke, so I learned to feed very slowly. I can now share experiences with the families and other carers in order to improve the feeding experience of the residents." This is only an example. In other examples you might be able to demonstrate the benefits of your intervention to the recipient, such as progress made by a child with reading difficulties as a result of work you have done with him.

There is no value in writing something along the lines of "Working in an elderly care home for 6 months showed me the importance of respecting each resident as an individual." You must explain how it taught you this and how you put this lesson into practice (in this case, how you demonstrated respect for residents as individuals).

You should be aware that we might request confirmation from the host organisation of any work experience detailed in your application.

Interests and extracurricular activities

Medicine can be a rewarding career, but it can also be challenging, frustrating and distressing. Success depends upon the doctor's ability to keep up to date with developments, cope with uncertainty and respond rapidly to change. At the same time, it is important that a doctor's work does not dominate her/his life to the exclusion of everything else. You should provide evidence of your ability to interact with the wider world and make your own choices and decisions. This may include examples of leadership, responsibility, enterprise and/or initiative, which might involve activities in the community, workplace or school/college/university. You should also provide evidence of a healthy work-life balance to demonstrate your ability to cope with multiple - and possibly conflicting - demands on your time. Extracurricular activities within community organisations, churches, sports clubs, bands, etc., are all equally valuable but there should be some demonstration of how you relax and find time to do things you enjoy, rather than a long list of worthy causes and achievements. We are aware that different kinds of opportunities are open to different people - e.g. that not everybody can play sport regularly or travel independently - and will look at all kinds of activities.

Therefore we will give credit to applicants who show that they have successfully achieved something over and above academic success through using their own initiative. Credit can only be given to students who write clearly about their own contribution. Credit may be given for setting up clubs/societies, organising fund-raising, community activities, awards/prizes, evidence of achievement in a previous career, etc. If your efforts were successful, remember to provide evidence for this as well. For example, "While in my AS year I found a number of other students were interested in photography, so I set up a club that meets twice a term. I organised outside speakers and competitions to be judged by the school governors. There is now a thriving club with about 20 regular attenders."

We also give credit to applicants who have been able to demonstrate commitment outside of the school/academic environment in any area that interests them. This might relate to charitable work as well as sport, music or hobbies. No credit will be given for simply listing interests. Commitment may be demonstrated by passing exams or tests (e.g. music grades), completing significant challenges (e.g. three- or five-peaks challenge), undertaking significant roles or participating in significant events. Do tell us how much time and effort has gone into this, otherwise we cannot give extra credit for activities that required an exceptional level of commitment.

Communication and team-working

Doctors must be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of groups of people on a variety of levels. Experience in communicating with different groups, including those with significant communication barriers, is highly valuable. Credit can only be given to applicants who give an example of a task they have undertaken in which they have demonstrated good communication skills. This does not have to be limited to public speaking but ideally will be with people outside the applicant's own peer group. Most credit will be given to applicants who can demonstrate that the communication was effective, e.g. from feedback they received or an outcome from the communication example.

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. Credit can only be given to applicants who give an example of how they contributed to the work of a team, either as a leader or as a team member. Most credit will be given to applicants who provide a credible statement about the outcome of their contribution to the team. For example, applicants will not gain credit for stating that they passed a Duke of Edinburgh award; however, they are likely to gain credit if they can give an example of how they worked as part of a team during a DoE exercise.

Presentation and style

Applications will be assessed for the quality of the writing. Careless errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation will affect your overall score, so please consider carefully how you have presented your personal statement. Including unnecessary abbreviations, acronyms or technical details (e.g. listing the names of the operations you observed in a hospital shadowing period) is likely to lower your score.

Exceptional circumstances

Make sure you tell us if you have made any exceptional achievements or had to overcome exceptional difficulties. It is helpful if these statements are backed up by your referee.

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 (e.g. work experience in a caring role). 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

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 and responsibility

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. Direct evidence of caring is likely to come from the personal statement, but the reference might add details of activities through which you have raised money for - or awareness of the plight of - less advantaged individuals or groups. It is an advantage if your referee can provide examples of your willingness to take on responsibility and ability to deal with it.

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 welcome.

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. Examples that involve leadership skills are particularly valuable, although part of successful teamworking is the recognition that everyone can't be the leader.

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 Admissions Process

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

Phase 1 - Academic Screen and Score

All applications are checked to ensure that they meet the minimum academic requirement and given an overall academic score.

Phase 2 – Shortlisting

Shortlisting for interview is based mainly on the UCAS personal statement and reference. However, applicants with exceptionally high levels of academic achievement are also selected for interview.

Academic performance is assessed on the basis of achieved qualifications. If you have already completed your A levels, International Baccalaureate or Advanced Highers, this assessment will be based primarily on your final grades. If you are currently studying for these qualifications, the assessment will be based on qualifications already completed (GCSEs, AS levels, Standards and Highers, etc.) Please note that if you are an A level student currently in year 13 and have not aggregated ("cashed in") your AS level units at the end of year 12 you will not be allocated an academic achievement score. If this applies to you, you will be assessed only on your personal statement and reference. You are reminded that you must declare all certificated qualifications in your UCAS application.

Admissions Tutors assess your UCAS application for information on the following areas:

Understanding of the role of a doctor
Examples of regular hands-on caring work experience
Depth of experience in a role involving personal interaction
Reflection on what was learnt from these experiences
Initiative/enterprise
Work/life balance
Working in teams
Communication (particularly outside your peer group)
Quality of written application
Exceptional circumstances

Up to 100 applicants with the highest levels of academic achievement are invited for interview. The remaining 400+ interview invitations are made on the basis of the personal statement and reference.

For more details, please read 'The UCAS Application' Tab

Phase 3 – Interviews

It is our policy to interview approximately 500 applicants for entry to the 5-year course. Numbers for the health foundation year will be in proportion to the number of places.

Applicants are called for interview on the basis of the standard scoring systems used to shortlist applications by the Admissions Tutors.
Interviews are usually held at the School of Medicine building on the University Campus. Each candidate will have a similar structured multiple mini-interview. The interviewers are 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 December, January February and March.
After the interview, applicants will receive the University's decision via UCAS. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a Visit Day http://www.keele.ac.uk/visiting/visitdaysforapplicants/.

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 only able to provide more detailed feedback after the admissions process is complete (after Easter). 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.

Anyone wishing to make a formal appeal should refer to the Appeals Policy: http://www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/undergraduatestudy/howtoapply/admissionsfaqs/admissionspolicies/

The Interview

The interview

Our selection process requires candidates to be interviewed before any offer can be made. Approximately 500 applicants will meet the criteria for an interview. Interview decisions will be communicated via UCAS track.

Our interviews take the form of multiple mini interviews (MMIs), where candidates undertake a series of short interview stations. The stations will examine a range of skills and aptitudes. The format of stations may vary from a 1:1 traditional interview through to a role play. Interviews are scheduled to take place in late December, January, February and March. More detailed information will be available to candidates invited for interview.

Post Interview

There may be a delay before we can confirm the outcome of your interview. We anticipate that the earliest date we will be able to confirm a decision is February. Some candidates may be placed on a waiting/hold list as their performance at interview was close to our offer threshold. However, all final decisions will be submitted by the 31^st March UCAS deadline.

Successful candidates will be sent a letter confirming their offer of a place, together with a health questionnaire. All offers made are conditional and may include both academic conditions and health and Disclosure and Barring Service clearances. In February and March we offer a number of Visit Days for those holding offers. This enables candidates to view all the university facilities and talk to staff and students before making their final UCAS decisions. http://www.keele.ac.uk/visiting/visitdaysforapplicants/

Anyone wishing to make a formal appeal should refer to the Appeals Policy: http://www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/undergraduatestudy/howtoapply/admissionsfaqs/admissionspolicies/

Widening Participation

Keele University School of Medicine is committed to widening participation. Widening participation schemes are designed to increase the numbers of successful applications to medical school from students with educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, e.g. those attending a school that has a below average performance level, or those whose parents or carers did not attend university. For students considering an application to Keele there are a number of initiatives designed to help them at different stages in their school life. Most of these initiatives are available through the students’ school, particularly if the school is a member of Keelelink.

At key stage 3/4 (Year 9, 10 & 11) students can benefit from taking part in the Keelelink eMentoring scheme where they will be matched a current Keele Student, via a secure online website. An eMentor can support students with exploring their options, helping to develop study skills and help them to find out more about University life.

At key stage 5 (Years12) prospective medical students can benefit from taking part in Progression to Medicine. Progression to Medicine is an exciting opportunity that provides young people with direct access to Medicine professionals, academics and undergraduate students; providing HE information, experiences and specialist application and interview support.

There will be a scheduled programme of events throughout the year which will be complemented by ongoing eMentoring (which can be continued through to Year 13), with both students and professionals where possible.

Applicants to Keele Medical School who have completed the Progression to Medicine scheme will be prioritised for interview and if successful will be awarded one grade reduction in each of two A-level subjects, with no grade below a B in any subject. A student offered the standard offer of AAA or A*AB will be admitted with ABB on completing this course successfully.

This is an exclusive programme restricted to learners that have the ability to meet the grade requirements for courses in Medicine. Learners will have to meet HEFCE’s Widening Participation requirements in order to be eligible for this.

If students do not meet the requirements to take part in Progression to Medicine they can still take part in the Keelelink eMentoring Scheme to be matched with a current student who can support them with their application and answer any questions they may have about university.

For further information about the above outreach projects please email outreach@keele.ac.uk.

To provide candidates with an insight into medicine and valuable advice regarding the application, the Medical School runs a Medicine Careers Day entitled “So you want to be a doctor?” in March, and a Medical Summer School in July, in conjunction with the Healthcare Careers and Skills Academy at University Hospital of North Staffordshire. The academy can also help organise work experience.

This year will see the continuatin of the student- led initiative, Keele MedPath. This project aims to promote medicine in the local young community, raise aspirations in under represented groups, and giving prospective students the tools and support they needed to apply to medicine.

The medical school also participates in four university open days per year.

FAQs

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.

How do I contact you?

Please get in touch with our admissions team
Our address is: Keele University, School of Medicine, Admissions Office, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG. Telephone 01782 733632.

What courses are available?

5 Year MBChB degree (Course Code A100)
We offer a five year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme (MBChB) which is awarded by Keele University.

Graduate applicants may apply for the A100 programme or for the Health Foundation Year for Medicine (A104) depending upon their qualifications. Applicants with a non-science degree and an acceptable GAMSAT score may also apply for the A100 course, but should note that this route also requires the UKCAT test.

Health Foundation Year for Medicine (6 Year MBChB - Course Code A104)
The Health Foundation Year for Medicine is a transfer course that offers an opportunity for progression to the Medicine principal programme upon successful completion. It is designed for those who have not studied the requisite science subjects to A level. The modules studied include Chemistry, Human Biology, Communication Skills, Mathematics and Information & Communications Technology (ICT).

Applications will not be considered from those who have applied for direct entry into medicine and have been unsuccessful.

For further information, please contact the Foundation Year Office: http://www.keele.ac.uk/foundationyear

What are the entry requirements?

Further information can be found on the 'General Entry Requirements', 'A100' and 'A104' Tabs.

Do you use AS-level grades when assessing applications?

From 2012, achieved AS grades will be taken into account when assessing applicants' academic performance. In addition, 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. An EPQ will be considered in place of the fourth AS.

Applicants are reminded that all qualifications that have been completed must be declared in the UCAS application. If we find that an applicant has deliberately withheld AS grades, her/his application will be cancelled and she/he will be reported to UCAS.

Do you consider the new A* at A-level?

We are not yet taking A* grades into account when marking applications.

Is it a requirement that I have Chemistry A-level at grade A?

No. At Advanced Level we require grades AAA/A*AB including biology or chemistry plus another science subject and a third rigorous subject, with no less than a grade B in any subject. A fourth AS Level at grade B or above is also required. Chemistry as a minimum must be offered at AS Level grade B.

Can I re-apply?

If you were unsuccessful at interview we would not encourage you to re-apply the following year. However, those applicants who did not reach the interview threshold may submit a further application. We would suggest that those re-applying review their personal statement beforehand.

Can I transfer from another Medical School?

Transfers from other medical schools are not considered under any circumstances. Students who have failed assessments in medical degree programmes elsewhere or been excluded on fitness to practise grounds will not be considered: no extenuating circumstances will be taken into account and we will not enter into discussion with candidates about the grounds for their exclusion.

We also do not consider applications from students on degree courses in other subjects who wish to transfer before completing their degree.

Will extenuating circumstances for lower exam grades/degree classifications be taken into consideration?

We do not make allowances for this as applicants should report all extenuating circumstances to the relevant examination board at the time of the examinations.

What are the age restrictions?

Because of the clinical work which students will be involved in from an early stage in the course, applicants need to be at least 18 by the start of the course in the year in which they join Year 1 of the MBChB programme. Usually a deferred entry place for the following year may be offered to students who will not be old enough at that time. There are no upper age limits. Students at the School of Medicine come from a wide age range and have a variety of previous work and study experiences. We feel that having such a variety of students benefits everyone at the School.

Faculty of Health

School of Medicine

Explore this Section

Admissions Overview

Application routes

Admissions policy for applications submitted in 2013 for entry in 2014

Introduction

Principles of selection

Selection process

Conditions of entry to the programme

Disclosure and Barring Service

Students with Disabilities Applying for Medicine

General Entry Requirements

Admissions/aptitude tests

UKCAT

English Language Requirements

A100

A100 – Standard 5-year programme

GCSE

AS Level and Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

A Level

Cambridge Pre-U

Scottish Qualifications

Scottish Baccalaureate (science)

Welsh Baccalaureate

European Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate

Irish Leaving Certificate

Honours Degrees

Access to Medicine Diplomas

A104

A104 – 6-year programme with health foundation year

GCSE

AS Level and Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

A Level

Cambridge Pre-U

Scottish Qualifications

Scottish Baccalaureate (languages, expressive arts or social sciences)

Welsh Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate

Irish Leaving Certificate

Advanced Diploma

Access to HE Diploma

BTEC Extended and BTEC National Diploma

BTEC National Certificate

BTEC National Award

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

Diploma in HE

Foundation Degree

Ordinary (non-Honours) Degree

Honours Degrees

International

English Language Requirements

The UCAS application

The UCAS application

Personal statement

Understanding of the role of a doctor

Work and voluntary experience

Interests and extracurricular activities

Communication and team-working

Presentation and style

Exceptional circumstances

Reference

Commitment to medicine

Staying power/perseverance

Communication skills

Humanity, humility and responsibility

Intellectual potential

Teamwork

Mitigating Circumstances

The Admissions Process

The Admissions Process

Feedback after application

The Interview

The interview

Post Interview

Widening Participation

Widening Participation

FAQs

Gap Years