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Languages: Digital Resources (Y12 & 13)

Online versions of the talks normally given at the Modern Languages Open Day

Philosophy: Special Lecture Series (KS3-5)

The Faculty of Philosophy's special lecture series are for all audiences and take place throughout the academic year. Recordings of past lectures are all accessible here.

Theology Faculty Online Resources (KS3-5)

Faculty and external digital resources for those interested in studying theology at Oxford

Social Sciences

Law Faculty information Videos (Y12 & 13)

Information videos about studying Law at Oxford.

Archaeology Podcasts & Lecture Recordings (KS3-5)

Podcasts and recorded lectures featuring members of the School of Archaeology at Oxford.

Geography Resources for further reading (KS3-5)

Suggestions for super-curricula reading for those interested in Geography.

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Oxford University also suggest:

Essay Competitions - https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/teachers/academic-competitions-schools-and-colleges

Oxford University Digital Resource Hub - https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/increasing-access/ug-digital-resources

Staircase 12 (University College Oxford) Resources Hub - https://www.univ.ox.ac.uk/applying-to-univ/staircase12/

Trinity College Library Quad -  https://www.trinity.ox.ac.uk/library-quad#/

STEM

Oxford Online Maths Club - https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/outreach/oxford-online-maths-club

EMPower Oxford (Y10 & 11) - https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/engage/schools/secondary-schools/projects-and-mentoring/empower-oxford

EMPower Oxford.

COMPOS: Comprehensive Oxford Mathematics and Physics Online School (Y10-13) - https://compos.web.ox.ac.uk/

Oxford Sparks (KS3-5) - https://www.oxfordsparks.ox.ac.uk/

Oxford Material Sciences Virtual Outreach Videos (KS3-5)

Online resources about Materials Science, the department, and what it's like to study at Oxford.

Chemistry Faculty: Online Resources (KS3-5)

Super-curricula resources for those interested in Chemistry.

Chiral Chemistry Online Workshop (KS5)

https://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/chemistry-in-schools#tab-4663476

Physics: Online Taster Mornings & Masterclasses (Y12)

https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/engage/schools/secondary-schools/masterclasses-and-taster-mornings

https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/engage/schools/secondary-schools/masterclasses-and-taster-mornings

Futurum Science Careers (KS3-5)

A free online resource and magazine aimed at introducing teenagers to science careers

Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures and Events (KS3-5)

A large repository of recorded lectures aimed at a popular audience.

Oxford Mathematics Alphabet (KS3-5)

Members of the Oxford Mathematical Institute writing about engaging mathematical ideas and the latest research.

Museum of Natural History Online Learning Resources (KS4 & 5)

Learning resources produced by the Museum of Natural History Online.

Humanities

Ashmolean Museum Learning Resources (KS3-5)

Teachers' notes and activities, zoomable images and short films linked to curriculum themes and focussed around the Ashmolean’s collections.

History Faculty ‘Historia Lectures’ (Y12 & 13) - https://www.history.ox.ac.uk/historia-lectures

History Faculty Online History Skills Workshops (Y12 & 13)

-    https://www.history.ox.ac.uk/online-history-skills-workshops

Bodleian Libraries Digital Resources (KS3-5)

Digital learning resources to use in the Bodleian’s exhibitions and in the classroom.

Art History Videos (KS3-5)

Over 50 free films to support the teaching of Art History.

English Faculty Online Resources Pack (Y12 & 13) https://www.english.ox.ac.uk/teachers-conference-resources

Classics Faculty Online Resources Pack (KS3-5)

A series of online resources for students designed to allow them to explore their own interests in classis.

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University of Oxford Department of Physics

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Events for prospective students to Oxford’s Department of Physics; we run events throughout the year for students (year 10-13) who are interested in pursuing physics at University and want to find out more.

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Universities will usually ask that you have studied: one or two sciences at A Level (or equivalent) such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics or psychology

Work or volunteering experience in settings like an NHS trust, private clinic, care home, day care centre, school, or charity like St John Ambulance – virtual work experience may also help

Spoken to a nursing professional about their day-to-day work

Volunteering with a youth organisation such as Scouts or Guides to build your communication, team working and people skills

Online research into what’s involved, such as the Royal College of Nursing website, or the NHS-run Health Careers website or YouTube channel

A relevant EPQ would also support your application.

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/midwifery

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/nursing

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What is Read about studying Nursing and what it's like to be a nurse - to see if it could be the career path for you., what qualifications do you need and why study Read about studying Nursing and what it's like to be a nurse - to see if it could be the career path for you..

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Useful experience to have:

Good grades in maths at GCSE (or equivalent)

If you’re doing a combined degree, an A Level or equivalent in the additional subject

Work experience in any field of business. Or, volunteering with a social enterprise or any role involving teamwork

An online course or MOOC to stretch your skills and understanding of business

Expand your knowledge by reading books, relevant business magazines or journals online, and checking the websites of professional bodies

Attend summer schools, if eligible, such as the Sutton Trust or UNIQ

A subject / career based EPQ.

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/business-and-management-studies

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Other good subjects to have studied include:

Further maths, computer science, computer studies, ICT, economics, electronics, engineering, statistics, business studies or sciences (particularly physics)

Experience that would look good on your application:

Work experience or shadowing within a computing-related company

Volunteering to help people with computer skills or lessons

Involvement in related clubs, competitions or challenges

Knowledge of programming languages, making your own website or creating a small game

Finding out more about topics of interest through books, IT magazines online, videos like Computerphile YouTube series, or podcasts

STEM summer schools, if eligible, such as UNIQ or Sutton Trust

Also see - https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/information-technology-and-systems

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/computer-science

Super-Curricular

Discover Computer Science Programme (Y11)

Discover Computer Science is a sustained engagement programme for Black and Mixed-Black women led by Oxford’s Computer Science Department and Christ Church. It consists of four online sessions, with an in-person graduation day in Oxford.

The online sessions will offer students in-depth investigations of topic areas outside of the school curriculum, combining theory with interactive exploration. We aim to help students explore the world of Computer Science and hope to inspire them to continue their engagement with the subject.

The final day of the programme will be an in-person graduation day held in Oxford. The participants will be invited to bring a parent/carer to accompany them on the day. Sessions designed to support students in their progression to university – for example, in supporting A-Level choice – will also form part of the programme alongside the academic elements. There will also be a careers panel talk with Computer Science alumnae during the programme and a chance to meet current students.

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If you know which degree you want to study then this link allows you to look at specific subject / preparation recommended for Russell Group Universities.

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Click on a degree below to find out what subjects you may need to study at school or college.

This is not an exhaustive list of degrees and many universities will offer more options, such as joint honours, which means studying two subjects as one degree.

Informed Choices is only a guide, so please check individual universities' websites for detailed requirements. Before starting, you should read our terms of use.

More information on degree courses and universities can be found on the UCAS website.

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Click on a degree below to find out what subjects you may need to study at school or college. This is not an exhaustive list of degrees and many universities will offer more options, such as joint honours, which means studying two subjects as one degree.

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At university you can study languages from around the world, from French, German or Spanish, to Russian and Japanese.

There are also opportunities to study a language alongside a second subject as part of a joint honours degree.

Some courses will require you to have experience of that particular language. For others, experience studying a different language may be enough and you may be able to start a new language from scratch.

Joint language degrees (such as French and Spanish, for example) do not always require you to have studied both before you get to university. Check the subject requirements for individual courses carefully.

A subject based EPQ is excellent preparation.

Super-Curricular Opportunities

Languages: Digital Resources (Y12 & 13)

Online versions of the talks normally given at the Modern Languages Open Day

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Social sciences include anthropology, business, economics, (social/human) law, politics and sociology. These degrees involve the study of human society and social relationships.

The topics social scientists study vary a lot, which means that subject requirements vary a lot too. For example, maths may be considered good preparation for courses that involve frequent use of statistics, such as economics, but won’t be necessary for others.

For some social science degrees, such as geography, some universities may expect you to have taken the same subject at school, while others won’t.

Other courses have no requirements but may suggest subjects that could be useful.

A subject / career based EPQ is excellent preparation.

Specific subjects:

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/anthropology

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/economics

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/sociology

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/economics

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/anthropology

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/criminology

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/politics

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/sociology

Super-Curricular

Law Faculty information Videos (Y12 & 13)

Information videos about studying Law at Oxford.

Archaeology Podcasts & Lecture Recordings (KS3-5)

Podcasts and recorded lectures featuring members of the School of Archaeology at Oxford.

Philosophy: Special Lecture Series (KS3-5)

The Faculty of Philosophy's special lecture series are for all audiences and take place throughout the academic year. Recordings of past lectures are all accessible here.

Theology Faculty Online Resources (KS3-5)

Faculty and external digital resources for those interested in studying theology at Oxford

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CONTENTS

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying an Anthropology degree?

Anthropology examines the various ways that human beings occupy the world. There are two main branches of the area: social and biological.

Social anthropology - looks at how people live in the contemporary world. It observes what people today do, how they think and how they relate to each other. This helps explain a culture on its own terms and the historical, political, economic and ecological factors that shape it.

Biological anthropology - investigates how humans evolved to have such a diversity of cultures. It compares human behaviour with other primates and analyses archaeological and fossil records to see how life emerged.

Take a look at the university league table for Anthropology.

Undergraduate degree courses in Anthropology include:

Anthropology BA/BSc

The course will give a broad overview of the areas related to Anthropology. This includes the biological, cultural, linguistic and archaeological elements of the subject.

A BA (Bachelor of Arts) course will look more at the social sciences and humanities. A BSc (Bachelor of Science) course will have a more quantitative approach, and use scientific techniques to analyse data.

Search for Anthropology courses.

Archaeology and Anthropology BA

Are you interested in the remains and artefacts of past civilisations? You can choose an Anthropology course that also focuses on Archaeology. As well as the principles of Anthropology, you'll develop your archaeological knowledge and skills. For instance, how to examine archaeological evidence, and what cultural heritage management means.

Find Archaeology and Anthropology courses.

Forensic Anthropology BSc

You can tailor your course to the area of forensics. You'll gain an understanding of how anthropological methods can support the identifying and examining of human remains.

Search for Forensic Anthropology courses.

Other options

Many joint honours degrees are available to study. You could combine Anthropology with another subject, such as Law, Ancient History, Geography or a modern language.

Universities also often offer:

Integrated foundation year

Integrated master's year

Professional placements and research experiences

Study abroad opportunities:

Must have

Entry requirements for an Anthropology degree range from 104-165 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below.

A Levels: AAA-BCC

BTECs: D*D*D*-DDM

Scottish Highers: AAAAA-BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAB-AA)

International Baccalaureate: 38-30

Good to have

Biology at A Level (or equivalent), if your course has a biological or forensic focus

Work or volunteer experience in any capacity with diverse groups of people. This will build your interpersonal, observational and reflective skills

Identified topics of particular interest. You could start with the Discover Anthropology website (by the Royal Anthropological Institute)

Read into the subject - you'll be able to find reading lists on university websites

Attended a taster day such as the London Anthropology Day

Summer schools, if eligible, such as those run by UNIQ or the Sutton Trust

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

Anthropological research methods in action

Cultural representations, beliefs and practices

Evolution, variation and adaptation

Forensic human identification

Health, illness and society

Human physiology and pharmacology

Introductory anatomy

Kinship and religion

Landscape and ecology

Politics and economics

Social analysis and interpretation

Statistics and experimental design

The nature of archaeological and anthropological enquiry

Urbanism and society

See our list of the top 10 archaeological discoveries.

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module:

Essays

Exams

Fieldwork diaries or projects

Lab assessments on biological anthropology courses

Final-year independent research project or dissertation

Career-specific skills:

A deep understanding of human behaviour and society and the factors that influence them

Intercultural awareness and cultural sensitivity

Social and biological research skills and methodologies

Where relevant, archaeological skills such as fieldwork, artefact identification and analysis

Transferable skills:

Analytical and critical thinking

Collaboration

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organisation

Presentation

Problem solving

Research

Professional accreditation:

Degrees with a forensic focus may be accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Combinations with archaeology may be accredited by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

Anthropology graduates have an entry-level salary of £23,000-£27,500.

If you enter the Civil Service Fast Stream to train as a government social researcher, your starting salary will be around £31,000. Your skills could lead to work on diverse projects, from civil society and youth to transforming farm animal health and welfare. After a few years' experience, you could be paid £45,000-£55,000.

A forensic anthropologist could earn £40,000-£45,000 depending on experience and archaeological fieldwork skills. They often work in organisations that provide support to criminal justice services.

Read more about what graduates do and earn.

Anthropology graduates are well suited to work in many roles including:

Archaeologist

Charity worker

Conservation officer

Humanitarian aid worker

Journalist

Market researcher

Museum curator

Museum outreach assistant

Policy advisor

Public health coordinator

PR officer

Social worker

Solicitor

University lecturer

You can study Anthropology at postgraduate level if you have a first degree in a related subject. Graduates with a good undergraduate degree in social anthropology can often go straight into studying for a PhD. Other Anthropology graduates may study for a master's in public policy, international development or public health studies.

Examples of taught master's and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

If you're interested in what shapes society, or in biological development, you could consider:

Get in touch with our experts. Email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your questions about studying Anthropology. We'll be happy to hear from you!

GET STARTED

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What is If you're interested in people, their history and the way they work, Anthropology might be for you. Read our subject guide to find out more., what qualifications do you need and why study If you're interested in people, their history and the way they work, Anthropology might be for you.

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Many would like to see that you have studied the subject at A level.

A subject / career based EPQ could aid your personal statement.

Sometimes, universities want to see that you have built up your essay writing skills.

It’s always best to check individual university requirements carefully.

A subject / career based EPQ could aid your personal statement.

Specific subjects:

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/history

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/geography-and-environmental-science

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/theology-and-religious-studies

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/classics

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/geography

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/history

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/religion-and-theology

Super-Curricular Opportunities

shmolean Museum Learning Resources (KS3-5)

Teachers' notes and activities, zoomable images and short films linked to curriculum themes and focussed around the Ashmolean’s collections.

History Faculty ‘Historia Lectures’ (Y12 & 13)

Aimed at students currently studying for A levels or equivalent these lectures are designed to introduce you to new and engaging historical topics and periods. Lecture subjects are drawn from current DPhil candidate research.

Live sessions include an introductory lecture, Q&A and suggested reading materials to help you explore the topic further. Join the mailing list to receive weekly links to the live lectures throughout the Spring Term. The 2026 series will launch in January 2026.

Historia Lectures are recorded and we have an amazing archive of lectures available on our website as a resource for students. Explore past lectures via the links on this page and find your new favourite topic!

History Faculty Online History Skills Workshops (Y12 & 13)

Oxford University’s Faculty of History offers free online History Skills Workshops to state secondary school, sixth form and FE college pupils in years 12 & 13 from across the UK.

Bodleian Libraries Digital Resources (KS3-5)

Digital learning resources to use in the Bodleian’s exhibitions and in the classroom.

Art History Videos (KS3-5)

Over 50 free films to support the teaching of Art History.

Geography Resources for further reading (KS3-5)

Suggestions for super-curricula reading for those interested in Geography.

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Music, photography, art, dance, drama, film-making, design and fashion are all examples of creative arts degrees.

Studying similar subjects at school or college may be useful.

You should consider what other preparations can support your choice:

music performance grades,

an art portfolio

taking part in performances

watching live performances.

Many of these subjects require an audition, workshop or interview.

A subject / career based EPQ could aid your personal statement. Remember, your EPQ could be an artefact - a garment / composition / performance ...

Specific degree information:

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/art-and-design

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/drama-dance-and-cinematics

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/music

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/photography

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/music

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/drama

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/art

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/fashion-textiles-and-jewellery

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/dance

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CONTENTS

Any range or product of creative human activity can be defined as art. Most well associated are the visual arts, such as painting and sculpture.

The design is the preliminary planning, when the first seeds of what may become a great work of art are sown. Being taught to come up with the ideas are as important as the creation of the art itself.

Similar courses for Art & Design include:

From history to sculpture, theatre to fashion, there's a wide variety of different areas you can study in an Art & Design degree course. This diversity will keep you engaged, where an interesting course structure helps stretch your creative mind for fresh ideas.

The heritage of art in British culture is huge and distinct. Galleries can be found across the nation housing some of the UK's and the world's most cherished artists, such as J.M.W Turner, David Hockney and Tracy Emin. This accessibility to art gives you the resources to build ideas and excel in your own work.

Skills you'll develop during an Art & Design course include creative thinking, independence, problem solving, hand-eye coordination and communication.

Whether it be one term or a whole year, many universities offer the chance to study abroad as part of the course. This helps to further broaden your skills and knowledge, as well as giving you an opportunity to live and learn in a different culture.

The range of occupations graduates can enter into is vast. From illustration to TV production, teaching to museum curating, Art & Design may not be the low-vocational degree you originally thought.

If you have the skills and talent, an Art & Design degree can lead to a very exciting career. Particular job roles, as well as artist, include community worker, fashion designer, graphic designer, illustrator, textile manufacturer, advertising executive, multimedia worker and museum curator.

Several professional organisations, such as Arts Council England, offer specialised positions for Art & Design graduates.

Professional job: Usually needs a degree
Non-professional job: Doesn't usually need a degree

You may be selected based on your GCSE scores as well as your A Levels (or equivalent) in art- and design-related subjects. Some courses will ask for a foundation diploma in the subject area; others will include a foundation year as part of a longer undergraduate course.

Grades and other requirements can vary between institutions. Always confirm for the particular university/course you're interested in.

BA Art and Design

BA History, Communication and Curation

BSc Creative Technology

BA Fashion

Examples of modules in an Art & Design course:

History of Art

Fine Art

Sculpture

Fashion Design

Garden Art

Exhibitions

Media Studies

Graphic Design

Musical and Theatre Art

Study an Art & Design course and you'll primarily be assessed through coursework. Theory-based modules will be essay and coursework based, and in some cases, there may be presentations, written exams and practical observations.

Examples of taught MAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include MAs in Advertising, Animation, Arts Journalism, Design Management, Documentary, Games Design, Graphic Branding and Media Design, Illustration, Photography and Photojournalism.

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What is An Art & Design degree includes creating expressive artwork and the implementation of industry-changing designs., what qualifications do you need and why study An Art & Design degree includes creating expressive artwork and the implementation of industry-changing designs.. Our comprehensive guide will help with Key information including a subject description, assessment details and postgraduate and career prospects.

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Some top universities have more specific subject requirements. This section gives advice designed to keep your options open - some A level subject combinations will prevent you from being able to apply to some universities.

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Not sure what to do? Explore subjects, locations, universities, and colleges

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The Russell Group represents 24 research-intensive universities located in every region and nation of the UK.

Our universities share the ambition to change the world for the better. Anchored in their communities, Russell Group universities are global institutions with a vital role to play in cities and towns in every corner of the UK. Partnership is at the heart of our universities’ ethos. Working with schools, colleges, local authorities, the NHS, businesses and charities, our universities use their scale, research excellence and global links to provide solutions for real problems facing families, businesses and public services.

From achieving net zero, to reducing social inequalities and addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and from harnessing the power of AI safely to improving the NHS and finding new cures and treatments; Russell Group universities are working to deliver wide-ranging social, economic, cultural, health and environmental impacts.

Russell Group universities often have specific entry requirements and require higher grades.

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Find out more about the 24 members of the Russell Group

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Most courses specify at least a 4 in English language.

Many scientific courses also require the same for maths and science.

Preferred A levels - Biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics or psychology

A subject specific EPQ is a good idea.

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/psychology

Online work experience is available and would be useful to demonstrate your commitment and interest:

Clinical Psychology | Virtual Work Experience — Journey To Healthcare

Psychology Unveiled: Fields and History - Virtual Work Experience | Springpod

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CONTENTS

Looking for Clearing advice?

The Clearing concierge has the answers

Psychology is the study of the mind. It's an applied science that seeks to understand how people think and behave.

Psychologists attempt to understand how a person's cognitive functions impact their behaviour. You can study Psychology to become a clinical or chartered psychologist. Both roles require postgraduate training and certification.

Take a look at the university league table for Psychology.
Find out which universities are offering clearing places for Psychology.
Undergraduate degrees in Psychology are usually single honours. With joint honours, you can study it alongside another subject. Degree examples include:

Psychology BSc

Most undergraduate Psychology courses result in a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. Courses often include practical work, such as research projects and clinical experiences.

Search for Psychology courses.

Business & Psychology BSc

Combine the two disciplines to understand psychological theory in practical business situations. Specialised modules teach you areas like leadership styles, consumer behaviour and employee attitudes.

Find Business & Psychology courses.

Cognitive Science BSc

Cognitive Science brings together different fields related to human thinking. This includes linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, artificial intelligence and human-computer relations.

Search for Cognitive Science courses.

Other options

You'll also find Psychology on offer with various other subjects, such as modern languages or other social sciences.

Course options may include an integrated foundation year or a master's degree. Some universities offer accelerated programmes. Others provide professional placements or study abroad opportunities. January start dates are often available.

1. GO TO

2. Find a Psychology undergraduate degree

3. Types of undergraduate degrees

Typical entry requirements for a Psychology degree at university are between 104-156 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications and range of grades as follows:

A Levels: A*A*A*-BCC

BTECs: DDD-MMM

Scottish Highers: AAAAA-CCCCC (Advanced Highers: AAA)

International Baccalaureate: 42-30

Universities will usually ask that you've studied a science subject at Advanced or Higher level

Other good subjects to have studied include:

Biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics or psychology

Combined subjects may have their own requirements, e.g. A Level/Higher maths if studying computing science with psychology

General subjects may be excluded

Experience that would look good on your application:

Work experience or shadowing an occupation that may be relevant to your future career, such as in a school, university department (for research), care sector or business

Independent reading into the subject, or areas of research at your chosen uni

Online content, such as relevant MOOCS or courses, or the BPS website (British Psychological Society)

Summer schools, if available - check out the Sutton Trust or UNIQ

Other requirements for this subject include:

Interview and entry assessments may be required by some universities

Modules for courses in this subject may include:

Social psychology

Research methods in psychology

Developmental psychology

Cognitive processes in psychology

Issues in personality and individual differences

Evolutionary psychology

Behavioural psychology

See the top 10 universities for Psychology.

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following and will vary from module to module:

Case studies

Computational tests

Essays

Exams

Lab/research reports

Multiple choice

Poster presentations

Reflective accounts

A final-year dissertation or research proposal/project

Read about studying Psychology in London.

Psychology allows you to understand the principles of what makes people think and behave in the way they do. Reliant on scientific methods, the statistics involved are tricky to understand but worth it in the long run. You'll also be taught to think critically and gain a whole raft of skills useful for your future career.

Career-specific skills:

The knowledge and practical skills to study the workings of the mind, such as running experiments with human participants

A range of research methods, from qualitative to quantitative

Transferable skills:

Communication

Critical thinking

Data handling and analysis

IT literacy and numeracy

Organisation and project management

Presentation and report writing

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Time management

Professional accreditation:

Degrees may be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This means graduates may be eligible to become a graduate member of the BPS on completion of the required elements of study and achieving the required grades.

When I reflect on what I have already learnt about psychology, and myself, I realise that the impact my studies has had is huge. There are endless opportunities to be involved in amazing things and this is one of the parts I love most about the university.
Emma, Wrexham University

The shortcut to your uni shortlist

Make your university search faster and less stressful.
Get a personalised shortlist by selecting what matters to you.

GET STARTED

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What is A Psychology degree will give you incredible insight into human behaviour. It could lead to a career in law, social work, teaching, business and much more., what qualifications do you need and why study A Psychology degree will give you incredible insight into human behaviour.

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Universities will usually ask that you have studied: an A Level or Higher in biology, human biology or PE

GCSE English language, maths, science grade 4 / minimum of 8 GCSEs at grade 6

these depend on the university, the more prestigious the university, the higher the GCSE grades/the more you need at a higher grade

A masters enables faster promotions and access to higher bands

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/physiotherapist

Good to have

Shadowing or talking to a physiotherapist. Contact your local NHS service or try private clinics, sports clubs or charities that provide rehab support

Work experience in a hospital, health or physiotherapy clinic, sports clinic, or nursing home

For sports-related degrees, involvement with sports groups or clubs

Volunteering for organisations such as St John Ambulance, or St Andrew’s First Aid in Scotland

Independent reading into the subject, or areas of research at your chosen uni

Check out the website of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) or Physios in Sport

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/physiotherapy-physiology-and-pathology

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A levels Science / languages are preferable

GCSEs minimum of 5 at grade 4 (include English and maths)

Experience that would look good on your application:

Experience of working with typical client groups to build your interpersonal skills, such as volunteering in a school or nursery or with charities helping people with hearing or learning difficulties

Shadowing related occupations, such as an audiologist or a speech and language therapist

Independent research into the subject through reading, or accessing media produced by professional bodies like the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

A subject / career based EPQ can support your application.

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/speech-and-language-therapist

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Degrees in sciences, technology, engineering and maths are sometimes referred to as STEM degrees.

For these courses, universities often expect you to have studied specific subjects at school or college, or a specific combination of subjects. The sciences – chemistry, biology or physics – and maths, including further maths, are a good place to start.

While some courses want applicants who have focused on these sorts of subjects at sixth form or college, it’s worth bearing in mind that others may prefer applicants to have studied a variety of subjects. For example, one or two science subjects, plus art, English, music, history and/or a language.

Make sure you check specific course requirements carefully.

A subject / career based EPQ could aid your personal statement.

Specific science degree information:

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/chemistry#Whatdoyouneed

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/biological-sciences

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/biomedical-sciences

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/physics-and-astronomy

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/biology

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/chemistry

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/physics-and-astronomy

History of Science Museum Study Days and workshops (KS3, KS4 & KS5)

The History of Science Museum offers a wide range of interactive sessions, workshops and Study days for Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 students.

Schools’ Chemistry Conferences (KS4, KS5)

The Chemistry department’s schools' conferences are for students and their teachers interested in finding out more about the cutting edge research happening in the field of Chemistry. The conferences, usually held on the last Thursday in September, feature LIVE talks and Q&As with researchers from the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, and may include guests from other leading institutions across the globe. Find out more here.

Marie Curious Programme (KS3)

Marie Curious is a free one-day science event for girls aged 11-14, run by the Department of Physics. The event aims to build confidence in girls with an interest in science and fuel a passion for continuing to pursue STEM subjects at a higher level. The day provides an exciting opportunity for girls to meet likeminded individuals from other schools and participants are encouraged to work with new people at the event to get the most out of the day. Find out more here.

Earth Sciences School Workshops (KS3, KS4 & KS5)

The Earth Sciences Department offer a variety of exciting and immersive workshops for local primary and secondary schools. All of these workshops can be delivered in standard classrooms or science labs. These are available to book on a first-come-first-served basis for delivery between September and May.

Materials & Physics Day (Y10 & Y12)

Each year, the Physics and Materials Science Departments collaborate on a full day of workshops and talks aimed at Y10 & Y12 students. During this fun-filled yet instructive activity day, participants will be given the opportunity to carry out experiments in both departments and will learn more about these exciting subjects: Y 10  & Y 12

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A Guide to Studying Science at University

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Thinking about studying science at university, but not sure what it will be like or where to start? Take a look at our guide to find out more!

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English degree requires English literature and/or English language.

Sometimes, universities want to see that you have built up your essay writing skills. They will also want evidence that you read regularly and engage with complex texts.

Experience that would look good on your application:

Work experience with a publisher or advertising agency, communications department in a charity or university, in a library or archive, or shadowing an English teacher

Entering essay or other writing competitions, writing for student magazines or blogs

Reading a wide range of genres and types of literature covering different themes and time periods, and reflecting on your learning

Further reading on careers from the websites of professional bodies such as the Publishers Association or the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)

If eligible, summer schools run by the Sutton Trust or UNIQ

A subject / career based EPQ could aid your personal statement.

It’s always best to check individual university requirements carefully.

Also relevant - https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/subject-guide/creative-writing

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/english-language

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/english-literature-and-creative-writing

Essay Competitions (KS3-5)

There are numerous Essay Competitions run each year on different topics and subjects which provide the opportunity for students to have a focussed super-curricula activity that looks good on UCAS forms.

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Universities often expect you to have studied specific subjects at school or college, or a specific combination of subjects. The sciences – chemistry, biology or physics – and maths, including further maths, are a good place to start.

Other universities may prefer applicants to have studied a variety of subjects. For example, one or two science subjects, plus art, English, music, history and/or a language. Make sure you check specific course requirements carefully.

Not choosing A level 'further maths' can limit your university choices for mathematics degrees.

Some degrees require a maths admissions test, such as TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper), MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) or Advanced Extension Award (AEA)

Interview required by some universities

A subject / career based EPQ could aid your personal statement.

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/mathematics-and-statistics

Oxfordshire Mathematics Masterclasses (Y9, 10 & 11)

The Maths Institute’s mathematics masterclasses are designed to encourage, inspire and engage young people in the art and practice of mathematics. These highly interactive sessions introduce students to aspects or applications of Maths which are not usually covered in the school curriculum. The Mathematical Institute runs Mathematics Masterclasses for students from Years 9-11. Teachers at local state schools will receive a pack each October asking them to nominate students in Year 9 for the classes, which run on Saturdays in the spring (usually January to March. Participants are then invited back in Year 10 and Year 11. Find out more here.

‘It all adds up’ Maths Day (Y12)

A day-long Maths workshop open to all female and non-binary students at UK schools. The day is to inspire young women to continue with Maths education. Students in Year 12 should be studying Maths at A-level or equivalent. Find out more here.

Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures and Events (KS3-5)

A large repository of recorded lectures aimed at a popular audience.

Oxford Mathematics Alphabet (KS3-5)

Members of the Oxford Mathematical Institute writing about engaging mathematical ideas and the latest research.

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CONTENTS

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Mathematics degree?

Mathematics covers three main areas - maths, statistics and operational research.

Mathematicians are interested in numbers, shape, and space. They simplify complex problems, classify objects, and prove that certain phenomena must, can or can't happen.

Statistics is also driven by real-world problems. Statisticians examine data to help make predictions and decisions. This could be around drug efficacy or the likeliness of flooding, for instance.

Operational research (OR) is also known as management science. It is the analysis of decision-making processes. Some of its more well-known areas include game theory and the analysis of voting systems.

Take a look at the university league table for Mathematics.

Undergraduate degrees in Mathematics include single honours. You can also study it as a joint honours with a wide range of other subjects. Examples of degrees:

Mathematics BSc/BA/BMath

The BSc (Bachelor of Science) degree is the standard Mathematics degree. The BMath (Bachelor of Mathematics) is similar. The BA (Bachelor of Arts) has a more liberal arts focus, with a broader range of modules available.

Find Mathematics courses.

Actuarial Science and Mathematics BSc

These degree courses tend to combine the study of mathematics, statistics and business. They help you get ready to work as a professional actuary.

Search for Actuarial Science courses.

Applied Mathematics BSc

This degree helps you take theories of maths to apply them to real-world problems. Courses usually include plenty of computer and lab work. In the future, you could find work in fields like engineering, data analysis or technology.

Look through Applied Mathematics courses.

Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics (MORSE) BMorse/MMorse

This interdisciplinary degree equips you with a specialist skillset. It prepares you for work where you apply quantitative and analytical methods to solve complex issues. The BMorse is undergraduate, whereas the MMorse includes an integrated master's year.

Find MORSE courses.

Other options

There are many subject combinations you can study with maths. For instance:

Economics and Mathematics BSc

French and Mathematics BA

Mathematics and Philosophy BSc

Courses may include an integrated foundation year. Some offer opportunities for professional placements and studying abroad. Accelerated study and January start dates are often available too.

See the top 10 universities for Mathematics.

Must have

Entry requirements for a Mathematics degree range from 96-165 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below:

A Levels: A*A*A-CCC (Further Maths is sometimes an essential requirement)

BTECs: D*D*D*-MMM

Scottish Highers: AAAAA-BBBC (Advanced Highers: AAB-AA)

International Baccalaureate: 42-30

Universities will usually ask that you have studied: maths at A Level (or equivalent). Physics is also desirable.

Some degrees require a maths admissions test, such as TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper), MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) or Advanced Extension Award (AEA)

Interview required by some universities

Good to have

Research from books, journals, free lectures online, podcasts or the Maths Careers website (sponsored by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications) to identify areas of interest

Work experience in a finance-related role

Participating in competitions or challenges such as the Senior Mathematical Challenge

Volunteering to help teach a maths class or tutor a homework club

STEM Summer schools, if eligible, such as UNIQ or Sutton Trust

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

Algebraic and differential geometry

Classical mechanics of particles

Electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and fluid dynamics

General relativity

Geometry and dynamics

Mathematical biology

Mathematical philosophy

Multivariate calculus and mathematical models

Probability and statistics

The mathematics of machine learning

Theoretical and statistical mechanics

Vector spaces

Read about: what is STEM?

Assessment is mainly by written exam. Some modules may include a mixture of the following:

Essays

Exams

Poster presentation

Project report

Short written assignments

Mathematicians are needed in many professional contexts, from policymaking to medical research. Study the subject and your career could be involved in solving some of the world's many complex problems.

Career-specific skills:

Knowledge of the fundamentals of mathematics and topics that could include data science, quantum mechanics, computational modelling, mathematical ecology and epidemiology

Placements working in finance, statistics or modelling may be available on some courses

Transferable skills:

Communication

Creative problem solving

Decision making

Logical reasoning and analytical skills

Numeracy and IT skills

Presentation

Team working

Professional accreditation:

Degrees may be accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA). Accreditation leads towards Chartered Mathematician status (CMath)

Degrees with statistics may be accredited by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS)

Degrees with accountancy may offer accreditation with professional accountancy bodies. Accreditation leads to exemption from a range of professional accounting exams

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants to encourage access. It's worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply, and what it covers e.g., materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

Mathematics graduates can expect an entry-level salary of between £22,000-£32,000, depending on the sector you go into.

As your career progresses, your average salary will depend on the field you've entered. You could have an income of £65,000 as an actuarial analyst with a few years' experience, or up to £200,000 as a chief actuary in a major insurance firm. If you become an operational researcher, you could earn from £40,000-£80,000 with experience.

Read more about what graduates do and earn.

Having specialist knowledge and skills will make you highly employable across many areas. Roles could include:

Actuary

Business analyst

Chartered accountant

Data scientist

Economist

Mathematical researcher

Mathematician

Radiation protection scientist

Statistician

Teacher

Trainee actuary

Graduates with a Mathematics degree need to complete teacher training such as a PGCE if they wish to become a teacher. Other postgraduate study offers the chance to specialise. Examples of postgraduate degrees include:

Applied Statistics and Datamining PGDip/MSc

Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing MSc

Mathematics DPhil/MPhil/PhD

Operational Research with Risk MSc

Pure Mathematics MSc

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

If you've got any questions about studying Mathematics, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We'll be happy to hear from you!

GET STARTED

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What is Are you good with numbers? Do you want to develop a skillset that's useful in various industries? Then a degree in Mathematics could be for you., what qualifications do you need and why study Are you good with numbers? Do you want to develop a skillset that's useful in various industries?

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For some subjects at Oxford and Cambridge, you will need to take additional admissions tests or submit extra work. You need to register for these tests between June and September. Additional requirements are often emailed directly to you, make sure that you continually check your email.

Any work that you submit should be marked by your teacher, it should also be about topics which you would be able to talk confidently about (including the context) at interview, consider submitting recent work.

Some colleges run preparatory webinars for specific admissions tests

You can find out more about work / admissions tests on the links below:

Cambridge - https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/admission-tests

Oxford - https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests

Additional Information for Oxford Admissions Tests

Admissions Tests

N.B. Check the University Admissions Tests site regularly for up-to-date information about which tests are running each year. Many Colleges also run their own online admissions test webinars each year. These will be advertised here, so it is worth checking between June and October each year.

General Information

For general information on the Oxford Admissions tests, including which subjects require applicants to sit a test, please see here. Please Note: If you the follow the links on this page, you can find test preparation and practice materials for individual tests.

Physics Admissions Test (PAT)

The Physics Department runs its own ‘Preparing for the PAT’ online course. For more details, look here.

MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test)

The Maths Institute has lots of bespoke practice materials, including revision flashcards, on its website. It also runs an MAT livestream from June to October each year – see here for more information .

MEI also run a free series of Study Days for Y12 students preparing for the MAT, TMUA and other problem-solving mathematics examinations – see here.

National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT)

The LNAT official website has a preparation guide for students. The website also has a section on ‘Hints and Tips’ for taking the exam.

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

The UCAT official website has a preparation guide for students. It also has a range of resources for Teachers related to the test, including a series of presentations and PowerPoints for use with students.

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Many applicants need to take a written or verbal test as part of their Cambridge application. Your test will be relevant to the subject you've applied for. We take your performance into account alongside the other elements of your application.

If you need to take a test for your course, you will either take it:

before we shortlist for interview. You need to be registered for this type of test in advance and you will take it at a test centre near you.

after you're invited to interview, if you are shortlisted for interview. You don't need to be registered for this type of assessment. The Cambridge College that interviews you will make arrangements for the test. They will provide you with details of when and how you will take your assessment. Find out more about College assessments.

Your assessment will test:

your skills (for example, your writing and language skills or mathematical problem-solving ability)

your subject knowledge

your understanding of topics related to your chosen course

You don't need to get every question right

We don't expect that you will answer every question correctly. The assessments are designed to challenge you.

Some strong applicants may not even complete the paper in the time given. On average, typical applicants to the most selective undergraduate courses will gain around half of the available marks. Almost no one gets full marks.

Find out which assessment you need to take

The table below will shows what type of assessment is required:

for each course for 2024 entry

for 2025 entry, where details have been confirmed. Details of College admissions assessments for 2025 entry will be confirmed in March 2024.

Click on the link in the table to find out more about your assessment and whether it is required at all Cambridge Colleges.

Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic

2024 entry: No admission assessment.

Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Land Economy

2024 entry: No admission assessment.

Law

2024 and 2025 entry: National Test for Law (LNAT)
You must register in advance for this test.

Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion

2024 entry: No admission assessment.

Further information

If you have any questions about our written assessments, please contact assessment@admin.cam.ac.uk.

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Admission tests and assessments | Undergraduate Study

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Find out more about the written test you’ll take when you apply to Cambridge. Learn which assessment you’ll take and when the test will be.

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https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/applying-to-uni/oxford-vs-cambridge

https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/choosing-university/oxford-or-cambridge

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If you're thinking of applying to Oxford or Cambridge (Oxbridge), explore our guide to see the similarities and differences between each university.

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Each university shortlists for interview in a different way.

Look carefully at the choices you make.

Go to open days.

Scottish / Welsh universities - make sure you look at key country context

Keele University - have specific requirements for your personal statement which they score.

Sheffield's interview advice: https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/undergraduate/medicine-admissions#interview-advice

Some useful resources to compare medical schools:

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/medicine

https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2024/sep/07/best-uk-universities-for-medicine-league-table

Remember you can only choose up to four medical schools, so many students use the fifth as a back up option, applying to related courses like bio-medical science which require lower grades. Consider what other course you’d be interested in taking instead of medicine.

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https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/dentistry

https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2023/sep/09/best-uk-universities-for-dentistry-league-table

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Your Privacy We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

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Check the specific entry requirements for the 4 universities you are applying to as they all vary slightly in what they require. Remember, your fifth choice must be for a different course.

For example, Liverpool requires 3 weeks work experience, 1 week has to be clinical i.e. in a practice  and 1 week has to be non-clinical e.g. lambing, milking or volunteering for the RSPCA. The clinical work experience is probably the toughest to find as a lot of veterinary practices won't take pre-university students so Liverpool also allow that one week to be filled by completing the virtual work experience MOOC.

Useful information about routes is available here - chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.bva.co.uk/media/4491/applying-to-study-veterinary-medicine.pdf

Rankings of universities are available on the these links:

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/veterinary-medicine

https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2023/sep/09/best-uk-universities-for-veterinary-science-league-table

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Choose your university based on the course they provide. Go check out law faculties at open days, each one tends to have a different ethos and focus. For example, the Liverpool law faculty has a strong focus on social justice and offer some less traditional modules like "Law and Social Justice".

Rank Tables

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/law

https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2024/sep/07/best-uk-universities-for-law-league-table

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Your Privacy

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The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

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These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can't identify you from these cookies.

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won't be tailored to your interests.

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Your Privacy We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

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Each university varies, you can check requirements on indicual websites or a summary is available here - https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/veterinary-medicine/veterinary-medicine-entry-requirements/

Most require 5 grade 7 or above GCSEs, some state subjects including English Language, Mathematics, and Science.

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Veterinary Medicine Entry Requirements – The Medic Portal

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Thinking of studying Veterinary Medicine? Find out what UK and international Veterinary Medicine entry requirements are!

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The minimum GCSE requirement for a Law degree is 5 GCSEs at grade 4+ including English Language and mathematics.

The top universities have additional requirements, up to grade 7+ at GCSE. Some universities score GCSE grades as part of their shortlisting process.

More information here - https://www.oxfordscholastica.com/blog/law-articles/which-gcses-do-you-need-to-become-a-lawyer/

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GCSE requirements vary between dental schools, generally speaking, they require:

at least grade 5 in English and Mathematics (some will accept a 4, some require 7+);

some require 6 or more GCSEs at grade 6+;

some ask for specific grades in science.

Full requirements can be seen here:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DSC-Entry-Requirements-entry-2025.pdf

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In addition to A-Level requirements, most medical schools require GCSEs of a particular standard in English, Maths and Sciences. Many of them state they will accept a minimum grade 6 in these subjects, but stress that successful applicants will typically achieve grades 7-9 at GCSE.

When you’re choosing a medical school, it’s important to find out their GCSE requirements so you can check that you meet the criteria. Before making any decisions with your application, make sure you check the university websites for specific details of their entry requirements.

General Information:

English Language - most state 6+ (a small minority will accept 4/5)

Maths - most state 6+ (a small minority will accept 4/5)

Science - this varies, those who state a grade state 6+ or some 7+.

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Oxford - If you are shortlisted, your performance in interviews will also be taken into account.

Higher grades at GCSE can help to make your application more competitive, and successful applicants typically have a high proportion of 7,8 and 9 grades. However, we do look at GCSE grades in context.

If you feel that you did less well in your GCSEs than you might otherwise have done because of extenuating circumstances, you may still be able to make a competitive application. Examples would include disruption caused by change of school or system, severe discontinuity of teachers, bereavement, and debilitating illness. https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/admission-requirements/uk-qualifications

Cambridge - There are no GCSE (or equivalent) requirements for entry to Cambridge. Our minimum offers are based on A levels and other Level 3 qualifications.

We will look at your GCSE results as an indicator of your academic performance. But this will be within the context of the performance of the school/college where you achieved your GCSEs. https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/accepted-qualifications

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The admissions process for 2022 is expected to run to the usual timeline with any changes due to COVID-19 highlighted in our applicant guide. For information about studying, researching, working and living in Oxford in the 2020-21 academic year, please see the University's COVID-19 RESPONSE website.

Specific subject requirements

In some subjects, particularly sciences, candidates are required to have studied certain subjects to at least A-level standard. If a candidate has studied an alternative course, tutors would require evidence that the course covers the same content as A-level to the appropriate standard. Please see the specific subject requirements on the individual course pages or in this summary table of admission requirements. Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved. See further information on how we use contextual data.

A-levels

Offers for students studying A-levels will range between A*A*A and AAA depending on the course. If a practical component forms part of any of your science A‐levels used to meet your offer, we expect you to pass it.

Each course page gives details of specific subject and grade requirements.
Providing that any specific subject requirements have been met, all A-levels are approved for admissions purposes, with the exception of General Studies. For the avoidance of doubt, Maths and Further Maths are viewed as separate A-Levels.
AS-levels and unit grades
We are aware that A-levels in England are no longer modular and that the majority of applicants with A-levels will therefore not have UMS marks or unit grades. If you have taken A-levels in Wales or Northern Ireland, or international A-levels, you can choose to disclose any unit grades you have achieved by the time you are making your application; however, these will not be taken into account during the admissions process. If you have completed (and cashed in) any standalone AS-levels by the time you are making your application, these can be listed as separate qualifications. However, conditional offers will be made on the basis of final A-level grades.
A-levels taken in or before Year 13
All courses at Oxford are academically rigorous. Tutors need to be convinced of your ability to manage an intense workload, so that you will be able to cope with the demands of studying here. If any student feels that studying three A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) at the same time would be too much work for them, we would encourage them to consider whether an Oxford degree is really the best choice. Where there are specific requirements for any course - including any requirement for A-levels to be taken together or at particular times - these will be clearly stated in the entrance requirements listed on the relevant course page.
Courses other than Medicine
The usual expectation is that candidates will complete the A-levels specified in their applications within a two year period. Where a candidate completes a relevant A-level before they apply, this will be taken into account; however, it is likely that offers will be made on the basis of three A-levels completed in year 13.

Students applying for an undergraduate course in Mathematics, Computer Science or Joint Honours courses (Maths and Statistics, Maths and Computer Science, Maths and Philosophy, Computer Science and Philosophy) can take the full Mathematics A-level in year 12 and continue with only two A-levels in their final year, providing one of them is Further Mathematics. Please see the FAQ section on the Mathematics Department's website.

Conditional offers for students applying to study Medicine are usually A*AA in three A-levels which must be completed in the same academic year. Neither Critical Thinking or General Studies are accepted towards meeting this requirement.

Applicants for Medicine are very welcome to take one or more of their A-levels early, and their grades will be taken into account along with all other aspects of their application. They will still need to study a further three A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) in their final year at school or college in order to meet Oxford's entrance requirements, and must be at least 18 years old at the start of the course in Oxford. Any conditional offer will be based upon these final three grades. An early Mathematics A-level will not be considered as part of meeting the entry requirements. This policy is designed to ensure that admissions tutors can assess applicants' ability to manage the workload of the course. Candidates for Medicine must also be must be at least 18 years old at the start of the course in Oxford

Access Courses

Access courses are usually one year of full-time study or two years' part-time study, and they are the equivalent of an A-level course. They aim to provide students with the qualifications needed to progress to Higher Education.

Some Access courses allow students to take one or two A-levels as part of the course. This option is strongly recommended for students who wish to apply to Oxford, especially for those courses which have specific subject requirements. (You can check the requirements on our course pages and in this summary table.) Conditional offers are likely to be for completion of the Access to HE diploma with all the level 3 credits at Distinction, and A or A* grades in any A-levels taken.

If you would like to discuss the suitability of your Access course for entry to Oxford University, please contact the subject department that you'd like to apply to for further information. (Contact details are on the course pages.) It would be helpful if you could provide a link to the syllabus for your particular Access course, on your university or college's website.

Age and Stage

The University supports the general principles of Age and Stage, whereby students are allowed to progress through their educational development and qualifications at an appropriate rate according to their ability. However, if students are entered early for examinations, the University would still expect students to achieve at the highest level. Poor performance could potentially have a negative effect on a future application.

Applied General qualifications (including BTECs)

The Department for Education is currently reforming vocational qualifications, and they are now classified as either Applied General or Technical qualifications. Applied General qualifications include BTECs, Cambridge Technical Diplomas, and UAL Diplomas.

Because of the academic nature of the undergraduate courses at Oxford, most of these qualifications would not be suitable for making a competitive application by themselves, though they could be considered if taken alongside A-Levels, depending on the course applied for (see below for courses that do accept some Applied General qualifications).

When considering applications, tutors would want to see evidence of learning and assessment that would provide the skills and knowledge the candidate would need for the course they are applying for. Candidates are therefore advised to include in their UCAS personal statement information on how their qualification has prepared them for the course they are applying to.

A D grade (distinction) in an Applied General qualification would be considered equivalent to an A at A-level, and a D* in a BTEC National would be considered equivalent to an A* at A-level.

Applicants interested in applying for Fine Art who are studying for a BTEC National Extended Diploma (BTEC) will be required to achieve DDD grades. As the Fine Art degree also includes a substantial history and theory component, BTEC applicants will be expected to have successfully completed a range of modules that include art history.

Please see the Medical Sciences website for details.
Biomedical Sciences
Please see the Medical Sciences website for details.
Engineering Science
BTEC National Extended Diploma with grades D*D*D or BTEC National Foundation Diploma with Grade D* and A-level grades A*A in Maths and Physics
Computer Science and Joint Schools
For students taking the BTEC National Extended Diploma in IT, a conditional offer will normally be: DDD in the Extended Diploma and A* in A-level Mathematics.

Students taking BTEC National Extended Diplomas in science or engineering, or the new Tech-level/Technical Level qualifications will also be considered, but the above requirements for A-level Mathematics still stand.

Degrees

Students applying for a second undergraduate degree would usually be expected to have a degree classification of 2:1 (or equivalent) or higher. The university should have a good academic reputation and selective entrance requirements. See further information on applying for a second undergraduate degree.

Extended Projects

Where applicants have undertaken the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), this will not be a condition of any offer but the University recognises that the EPQ will provide an applicant with the opportunity to develop research and academic skills relevant for study at Oxford. Candidates are encouraged to draw upon relevant EPQ experience when writing their personal statement.

Foundation Courses

Competition is very strong for places at Oxford. Although a foundation year course may be accepted in certain circumstances, we recommend taking different qualifications in order to make the strongest application. This is especially true if your chosen course has specific subject requirements. You can check these requirements on the course page. For a foundation year course to be accepted, you would need to make sure that the course covers the same content as any required A-levels to the appropriate standard. If it does not, you will need to take alternative qualifications. Examples of qualifications which Oxford commonly accepts are:

A-levels: A*A*A to AAA, depending on the course you are applying for.

International Baccalaureate: 38-40 points, including core points, and between 776 and 666 in the Higher Level subjects, depending on the course.

US qualifications: SAT with a total score of 1,470 (out of 1,600) or ACT with a score of at least 32 out of 36. You would also need Grade 5 in three or more Advanced Placement tests, or at least 700 in three or more SAT subject tests.

A-level courses are commonly available at Further Education Colleges in the UK. For information about institutions offering these qualifications internationally, you may wish to contact your local British Council or the International Baccalaureate Organisation, or the SAT College Board. If you would like further advice regarding your particular circumstances, please contact the relevant department. Contact details can be found on the course pages. Other international qualifications that would meet our entry requirements are listed on our international qualifications page.
University of Oxford Foundation Courses
The University of Oxford offers Foundation Certificates in English Language and Literature, and History, through its Department for Continuing Education. Students on these courses can apply to study a complete degree at any University, including here at Oxford University. If students do apply here to Oxford, they may apply for direct entry to year two of the relevant undergraduate course.

For further details please see the Continuing Education Department website, email ppcert@conted.ox.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1865 270369.
Art Foundation Courses
An Art Foundation course is not a prerequisite for applying to study Fine Art at Oxford, but is certainly recommended as a good preparation for taking Fine Art at degree level as it enables candidates to prepare a comprehensive portfolio of work which is a requirement for the admissions process. Most successful applicants to Oxford have completed an Art Foundation course.

Foundation Degrees

Foundation degrees are usually two years of full-time study and would be acceptable in lieu of A-levels, provided that the degree covered the same content as any A-levels which are specifically required.

GCSEs

GCSEs will be taken in to account when we consider your application but they are just one aspect that we look at. GCSE results will be considered alongside your personal statement, academic reference, predicted grades and performance in any written work or written test required for your course. If you are shortlisted, your performance in interviews will also be taken into account.

Higher grades at GCSE can help to make your application more competitive, and successful applicants typically have a high proportion of A and A* grades or 7,8 and 9 grades. However, we do look at GCSE grades in context. Where possible, tutors will be made aware of the overall GCSE performance of the school or college where you studied. They will also have information on how you have performed compared with other Oxford applicants at similar schools. (See further information on how we use contextual data.) Tutors will also consider your achieved or predicted grades at A-level (or other equivalent qualifications), your personal statement, academic reference, and any written work or written tests required for your course. If your application is shortlisted, your performance at interview will also be taken in to account.

If you feel that you did less well in your GCSEs than you might otherwise have done, because of extenuating circumstances, you may still be able to make a competitive application. Examples would include disruption caused by change of school or system, severe discontinuity of teachers, bereavement, and debilitating illness. We take care to treat each application individually and would always take such mitigating circumstances into account, if they are brought to our attention. You may like to mention any such circumstances in your personal statement, and your referee should make sure to mention them clearly in their reference. If for any reason this is not possible, then we would advise you to contact the college you applied to (or are assigned to if making an open application) once they are likely to have received your application. This is likely to be around the end of October. If you are applying for Medicine, please follow the Medical School's mitigating circumstances guidance.

For those who were due to take GCSEs in 2020, we will take into account the difficult circumstances in which these grades were issued when we assess your application. Please follow our advice about personal statements and academic references which we update for each year of entry.

Tutors will want to see how you improve your academic performance after your GCSEs and that you do well in your A-levels or other equivalent qualifications.

Candidates do not need to take the English Baccalaureate to be able to apply to Oxford. We recommend that candidates take those GCSE subjects that they enjoy the most and are confident in achieving good grades in.

GCSE reforms

Oxford University is working to ensure that, where changes are being implemented to GCSEs, our admissions processes continue to ensure the fair and transparent assessment of students applying from a wide range of backgrounds. We will continue to review our policies as the qualifications become more established, in consultation with regulatory bodies, awarding bodies and schools.

We will consider the following grades to be equivalent:

This means that:

A*, 9 and 8 are all considered equivalent (with no higher weighting given to 9 over 8)

A and 7 are considered equivalent

C, C*, 5 and 4 are all considered equivalent (with no higher weighting given to C* or 5)

Higher National Diploma or Certificate (HND or HNC)

Applicants who are applying with HND or HNC qualifications will only be considered for entry to the first year of an Oxford degree. Candidates should ensure that their reference is given by a tutor from the HND or HNC course, and that they provide details of all their modules and grades in the UCAS application. The University will expect a candidate to be achieving at the Distinction level (grade A in Scotland).

International Baccalaureate

Students with the International Baccalaureate Diploma are our second largest group of applicants and students, after those with A-levels, and we welcome applicants with this qualification. We would expect students to achieve a total score of 38, 39 or 40 points, depending on the course, including core points, with 6s and 7s in the higher-level subjects. Each course page gives details of the specific requirements.
IB Maths Reforms
The Maths component of the IB is being revised. From 2019, with the first exams in 2021, IB students will be able to choose from:

Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL)

Applications and Interpretation (SL or HL)

All Oxford courses that state that they require Mathematics will accept both courses at HL, apart from Chemistry, who will require applicants to have taken either of the courses at HL, or the Analysis and Approaches course at SL, depending on what other subjects they are taking; please see the Chemistry course page for further information.

If courses state that they recommend Mathematics, either course will be acceptable.

For a full list of the subjects required or recommended by our courses, please look here.
IB Career-related Programme:
The University does not accept the IB Career-related Programme as it does not provide sufficient opportunity to develop the academic skills and knowledge necessary to make a competitive application.

International qualifications

Open University / YASS

Open University courses are usually studied by distance learning, with course work and examination elements. Students are awarded points according to the content of each course, and the points may count towards different qualifications from diplomas to complete degrees. A full degree would usually require 360 points: 120 at level 1 (equivalent to the first year of a degree at a conventional university), 120 at level 2 and 120 at level 3.

To apply to Oxford, students would need to have completed, or be studying for, at least 120 points at level 1, in appropriate subjects. We would expect students to be performing at the highest level, with at least pass grade 2.
YASS
Oxford University welcomes Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS) modules as extra qualifications that applicants may study to develop their knowledge of a particular subject, or to try something new. These YASS modules are offered by the Open University in Scotland, and students may find them useful in preparing for university study. Students who take these modules may wish to refer to them in their personal statements, to discuss what they have gained from this extra study.

However, as most students who are taking YASS modules are also studying for Advanced Highers or Scottish Highers (or other equivalent qualifications), offers will usually be made on the basis of those qualifications alone.

Other qualifications

Pre-U

Oxford University will continue to accept the Pre-U Diploma as a valid qualification for admissions purposes up to and beyond its withdrawal by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations*. Conditional offers are likely, as now, to vary between D2, D2, D3 and D3, D3, D3 depending on the subject. Each course page will detail the requirements necessary. For admission purposes D2 is considered to be equivalent to an A* grade at A-level and D3 to an A grade. Students may also take Pre-U principal subjects in place of A-levels.

*June 2022 will be the final examination for Latin, Classical Greek, Psychology, Russian and Italian. All other Cambridge Pre-U subjects will have a final examination in June 2023.

Professional qualifications

Professional qualifications would be taken in to account as part of an application, particularly where these provide evidence of recent academic study. Examples include areas such as law, personnel, and accountancy.

Scottish qualifications

We welcome the valuable skills developed by students studying within the Curriculum for Excellence and would usually expect AAAAB or AAAAA in Scottish Highers, supplemented by two or more Advanced Highers. Conditional offers will usually be for AAB if a student is able to take three Advanced Highers; where this is not possible then a student would be expected to achieve AA in two Advanced Highers, as well as an A grade in an additional Higher course taken in Year 6.

Oxford University welcomes Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS) modules as extra qualifications that Scottish applicants may study to develop their knowledge of a particular subject, or to try something new. See Open University above for further information.

Transfers

Oxford University does not accept transfer students, so if you wish to follow an undergraduate course here, then you would need to apply to start the course from the beginning.

Welsh qualifications

The University recognises that Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate will provide an applicant with the opportunity to develop research and academic skills relevant for study at Oxford, particularly through the independent research project. Candidates are encouraged to draw upon relevant Welsh Baccalaureate experience when writing the personal statement. However, the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced level Core Certificate will not form the basis of any offers. Conditional offers are likely to range between A*A*A and AAA at A-level, depending on the course. Each course page gives details of the specific requirements.

Vocational and Technical qualifications

Candidates with vocational qualifications equivalent to A-levels (including the new T-Levels) are welcome to apply, although candidates may need to take additional academic qualifications to make a competitive application.

Competition for places at Oxford University is extremely strong, and all courses are academic in nature. Even those courses with titles which might suggest a more vocational style of learning (eg Engineering Science, Law, Medicine, and Economics and Management) are strongly academic in their focus.

When reviewing applications, tutors look for evidence of each candidate's academic strengths and their ability to thrive throughout an Oxford course. Academic qualifications such as A-levels, the International Baccalaureate or any other academic equivalent are therefore strongly recommended as the best preparation for any course of study at Oxford.

We also recognise the achievements of students who hold vocational, professional or other qualifications, and these will be taken into account during the admissions procedure. One of the advantages of the admissions process at Oxford is that each application is considered individually, on its own merits. Tutors will review qualifications, the personal statement, the academic reference and predicted grades for any future examinations, as well as any written work that may be required.

Given the academic focus of all Oxford courses, candidates are unlikely to be able to make a competitive application if they have not studied academic courses to A-Level standard within the last two years, whatever other qualifications they may already have completed.

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In order to take up the offer of a place to study here, all applicants must meet the qualification requirements of their course. Many students who apply to Oxford are taking A-levels but we also accept a whole range of other equivalent qualifications.General entrance requirements for most UK qualifications are listed below; see our international qualifications page for details of other qualifications.Many successful candidates exceed the academic qualification requirements for their course.

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https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/veterinary-medicine

https://www.vetrecordjobs.com/myvetfuture/articles/

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What can I do with a veterinary medcine degree? | Prospects.ac.uk

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Take a look at what jobs, internships and courses you can do with a degree in veterinary medicine.

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https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/law

What does a career in law look like?

There are many careers you can pursue in law, each being completely different. The kind of activities you enjoy and the skills you have will influence which route is the most attractive for you. The main career types are listed below:

Barrister

These are the kinds of lawyers you see on TV arguing in court wearing wigs.

barristers are self-employed and choose their own work.

they often belong to a Chambers where they pay rent and get referred for work.

can involve a lot of travelling across the country and irregular working patterns.

involves lots of advocacy, public speaking and drafting court documents.

https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister.html

Solicitor

These lawyers do more of the behind-the-scenes work, they prepare a case and then instruct a barrister to present it in court.

solicitors can work for a private practice law practice (a business of lawyers) or in-house at other companies (e.g. for Google or the BBC).

solicitors aren't usually self-employed.

apprenticeships are available to qualify as a solicitor

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/becoming-a-solicitor/

Chartered Legal Executive

Performs essentially the same function as a solicitor.

you don't need a degree to qualify through this route, you just need to pass the CILEx exams

SQE Preparation Courses for Chartered Legal Executives | by QLTS School

Stages to becoming a lawyer

General information - https://www.lunariapartners.com/post/routes-to-qualification-in-the-uk

https://www.legalcheek.com/paths-to-becoming-a-lawyer/sixth-form-college-students/

1. To become either a solicitor or barrister, the first step is to complete a bachelor's degree in law. There is also the option to enrol in any degree and then complete the Graduate Diploma in Law which essentially converts any degree to a law degree course which takes 1-year full time study.

2. Following this you need to complete either the bar course (for barristers) or the Solicitors Qualifying Exams / Legal Practice Course (solicitors).

3. The final stage is to obtain pupillage (barristers) or training contract (solicitors). ). If you successfully obtain a training contract with a firm, they will usually fund the costs of the SQE / LPC. There are also a number of schemes / grants available for aspiring barristers.

Overall, the whole process takes around 7 years though there are plenty of other career routes available for law graduates including:

Legal Technologist

Legal Tech Sales

Legal Recruiter

Paralegal

Clerkship

Academia

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If you are looking to launch a career in law, there are several routes you can take towards qualification. By far the most common way is through obtaining an undergraduate degree, followed by the GDL and/or the LPC. However, alternative pathways have emerged in recent years. As such, in this blog, we will detail the different routes to legal qualification in the UK and the options open to you outside of training in private practice!The ‘Traditional’ Training Contract RouteBecoming a solicitor in

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https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/dental-team

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https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/medicine

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If you have a passion for improving people's lives, a career in medicine offers a career with purpose and many other fantastic benefits.

You can make a difference to a person's stay in hospital by taking time to explore their feelings

Read Tim's story

You can make a difference to a person's stay in hospital by taking time to explore their feelings

Read Tim's story

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If you have a passion for improving people's lives, a career in medicine offers a career with purpose and many other fantastic benefits.

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Some universities offer 'widening participation' mentoring schemes / summer schools which would be worth applying to:

https://www. undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/events/medicine-and-veterinary-medicine-student-mentorship-scheme

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/outreach/

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/schools-colleges/sixth-form-colleges/residential-summer-schools

A general guide is available here - https://www.vetrecordjobs.com/myvetfuture/article/overview-of-widening-participation-at-uk-veterinary-schools/

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Bristol is proud to be a university at the heart of the education community.

Our mission is to diversify the student body at the University of Bristol by empowering and supporting prospective students from underrepresented backgrounds to access university. We are working towards ambitious targets as set out in our Access and participation plan (PDF, 680kB). For a simplified version, see our Access and participation plan summary (PDF, 167kB). Our APP Impact report 2019-20 (PDF, 224kB) summarises our progress against the 2019-20 Access and Participation plan.

We work in collaboration with Schools, Colleges, educational charities, community organisations and with colleagues across the University on a diverse range of programmes and events. Read about our Civic Engagement (PDF, 288kB)

If you are a teacher and want to find out more about working with the University of Bristol, you can sign up to our schools and colleges newsletter.

In addition to outreach programmes we support prospective students from under represented backgrounds through the admissions system with our contextual offer scheme. Our contextual offer is a grade reduction of up to two grades below the standard entry requirements and is made to those from backgrounds who, generally, are less likely to come here. Once here, data shows that our contextual offer students achieve above average academically. If you complete one of our post 16 programmes you may be eligible for a guaranteed contextual offer. We work in collaboration with our colleagues in the Student Inclusion Team to ensure that students are supported to achieve their potential when they arrive at Bristol.

Schools and colleges newsletter

If you are a teacher and want to find out more about working with the University of Bristol, you can sign up to our schools and colleges newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter

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Bristol is proud to be a university at the heart of the education community. Our mission is to diversify the student body at the University of Bristol by empowering and supporting prospective students from underrepresented backgrounds to access university. We are working towards ambitious targets as set out in our Access and participation plan (PDF, 680kB).

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Veterinary schools either use MMIs or Panel Interviews. A summary of current practice is available here - https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/veterinary-medicine/veterinary-medicine-interviews/

MMI = Multiple Mini Interviews

Around 6-8 stations each testing a different element of your profile:

general interview questions,

communication skills (it's as much about the owners as the animals - can you convince an owner to follow a specific treatment pathway? Can you explain a medical condition to an owner?),

problem-solving abilities,

role-plays,

practical tasks,

ethics questions,

calculation stations,

motivation for veterinary medicine.

Each station is timed, usually up to 10 minutes;

May have preparatory material provided in advance;

Interviewers generally can’t show much emotion on their faces or give as many non-verbal cues.

Panel Interviews

Normally last between 15-40 minutes;

at least two interviewers (could be from university, nurse, Dr, current student etc) who will be scoring you independently;

question focused rather than task-based;

may ask you to elaborate and develop your answers;

longer than MMIs though may be broken into sections;

may have preparatory material provided in advance.

General Tips

Re-read your personal statement;

Make notes about what you have read / know / the profession / ethics. Read the 5 freedoms framework for animal welfare and use it to assess welfare and recommend improvements;

Research the veterinary school who are interviewing you - look at what they are looking for. Be familiar with how they teach and the structure of the course;

Express your ideas clearly and coherently. Be prepared to elaborate.

Explain your thought process out loud with reasoning.

State what you’ve learnt from an experience rather than just listing work experience, volunteering.

Keep up to date with veterinary medicine in the media, i.e., the news or any recent political changes.

Don’t over-rehearse or memorise answers word-for-word.

Link to ethics: 5 freedoms framework but don’t just list them without reasoning.

Communicate as clearly as possible even in role-plays or fake scenarios.

Dress smartly but still comfortably.

5 Top Tips

1. Be mindful of who’s interviewing you – for example, if it’s a nurse don’t discredit nursing as a profession.

2. Balance Confidence with humility – be reflective while maintaining confidence.

3. Read the room – pick up on non-verbal cues and body language.

4. Body language matters – don’t fiddle with your clothes, jewellery etc. Try and act as confidently as possible.

5. Authentic enthusiasm – give genuine reasoning and don’t try to memorise scripts for questions. Interviews vary annually.

Some possibilities:

you are shown a picture of an animal and asked to talk about your knowledge and explain your reasoning;

they are mainly looking for how you talk about animal welfare and your critical thinking/ applying knowledge from A level.

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Applying for Veterinary Medicine and received an interview offer? Preparation is key to getting into veterinary school! This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the necessary information on Veterinary Medicine interviews, the key skills that are assessed and preparation tips for you to ace your interview!

Preparing for Veterinary Medicine Interviews

Veterinary Medicine interviews vary depending on the university that you have applied to. These can be in the form of MMI (multiple mini interviews ) or panel interviews.

Interview Format

Researching the interview format and structure is vital to acing your interview. Both interview formats vary in their structure, therefore, understanding what questions may come up will help you prepare. With MMIs, you will be presented with different stations whilst a panel interview will be a more continuous interview with two or three interviewers.

Key Competencies

You will be assessed on different skills and competencies during your interview, such as communication skills, ethics, problem-solving abilities, and motivation. Interviewers will assess different aspects of the applicant's skills by stimulating different challenges that they may face during their time in veterinary school as well as during their career.

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Interview Process

Each veterinary school will have a different interview process, specific to that university. Researching the course structure, university lifestyle and examination procedures will help you to prepare effectively and give you a holistic understanding of the university that you are applying to.

There are currently 11 universities in the UK offering Veterinary Medicine as a course.

Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth conducts MMI interviews which will focus on work experience and the practical exposure that candidates have undertaken before applying.

University of Bristol

Bristol currently does not hold interviews for the 5-year veterinary programme. Their selection process is based on academic and personal attributes. Their gateway programme will have an MMI interview as part of their selection process which will assess applicants on their communication skills, personal attributes, and academic capabilities.

University of Cambridge

Cambridge conducts panel interviews in the format of two 30-minute interviews on the same day. Their interviews assess motivation and passion to study veterinary medicine alongside problem-solving skills, mathematical concepts, and different veterinary cases.

University of Edinburgh

The Royal Dick School of Veterinary Sciences at Edinburgh assesses its candidates through MMI interviews which involve 7 stations (10 minutes each). Various aspects of the candidate's motivation and enthusiasm for veterinary medicine will be evaluated alongside work experience, data interpretation and ethical dilemmas that they may face in their career.

University of Glasgow

Glasgow's interview process is two 15-minute segments where candidates are asked to show their understanding of the veterinary profession, work-life balance, work experience, animal welfare and ethical understanding. Glasgow values practical skills which play a crucial part in the selection process.

University of Liverpool

Liverpool conducts online panel interviews which focus on problem-solving abilities and enthusiasm for studying veterinary medicine. Liverpool has a holistic approach to their selection process and all aspects (work experience, academic qualities, and commitment to the field) will be assessed together.

University of Nottingham

Nottingham conducts online panel interviews via MS teams. The interviews last around 30 minutes and focus mainly on candidates' insight into veterinary medicine and work experience. Interviewers will assess through an observation task where students will be given a short video to watch and analyse afterwards.

University of Surrey

Surrey's interviews are in MMI format and will assess the Day One Competencies highlighted by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The MMI will focus on communication, problem-solving and ethics and offers are given to the highest-scoring individuals.

Harper and Keele School

Harper & Keele conducts MMI interviews across eight stations. These will include ethical and communication discussions, practical tasks, and small online evaluations. Interviewers are assessing commitment and motivation to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and whether individuals will be able to navigate challenging situations throughout their time in veterinary school.

Royal Veterinary College

RVC conducts MMI-style interviews with each station focusing on different skills and challenges. RVC adopts a holistic approach to their selection process, ensuring that all aspects of candidates are interviewed and assessed (such as personal and academic attributes and work experience).

UClan

UClan assesses candidates through MMI interviews to understand their commitment to veterinary medicine. There are usually 6-10 stations that students will attend, and each will evaluate various skills such as teamwork, academic qualities, personal achievements, work experience and work-life balance.

Common Types of Veterinary Medicine Interviews:

MMI Interviews

Multiple Mini Interviews is a specific style of interviews where candidates circulate around different stations that assess various qualities and attributes. Each station will be marked individually by different assessors and given a total score for the entire circuit.

MMI stations may revolve around communication skills, ethical scenarios, work experience and academic attributes. Examples of MMI scenarios that you may receive:

Scenario 1

Role Play - Sammy's owner recently brought him from a breeder online Upon presentation, the owner states that Sammy has not been vaccinated because they are worried that it can cause seizures in pets. Your role is to explore why the owner is reluctant to vaccinate Sammy and advise them as well as you can.

Exemplar Answer: Showing empathy and understanding is vital to this scenario. Even if you do not agree with the owner's opinion, you should try not to let your feelings get involved. Remain impartial and explain the risks and benefits of vaccinations. Throughout the station, ensure to remain calm and professional and understand that ultimately it is the owner's decision. Finally, explore the reasons as to why the owner believes that vaccinations are bad and dissect this.

Inappropriate Answer: Do not frighten the client into vaccinating their pet as this would be inappropriate. Explain all the risks and benefits and allow the owner to come to their own decision. Secondly, do not make the owner feel bad for not having their pet vaccinated sooner. It is important not to judge. Explain the procedure as simply as you can without too much scientific terminology.

Panel Interviews

Panel Interviews is a format of interviews where you will be sat with 2-3 interviewers and posed with different questions based on your personal and professional attributes.

Here, the interviewers will assess you together in one interview, and a score will be given as part of your selection process. Example question of a panel interview:

Example 1

Work-Life Balance - what are the challenges associated with being a vet?

Example Structure: Like any profession, there are multiple challenges associated with veterinary medicine. Discussing the work-life balance and physical demands of the career is important as this will show the interviewers that you have a realistic view of being a vet. Veterinarians may also face multiple ethical dilemmas surrounding euthanasia, animal welfare and conflicting opinions with pet owners. Understanding that these dilemmas are ones you may face, as well as providing solutions will be key to boosting your interview answer.

Key Skills Assessed in Vet School Interviews

Some of the key skills assessed in both MMI and panel interviews are communication skills, problem-solving and critical thinking and having the knowledge of the veterinary profession. Each university will assess these skills differently alongside other points such as ethical dilemmas and professionalism.

Communication Skills - Communication is a vital skill to have as a veterinary student as well as a veterinary doctor. Being able to effectively communicate with your colleagues, peers and pet owners is important to building relationships and networks in your career.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking - As a veterinary student, you will face various problem-solving scenarios where critical thinking will be of utmost important. In preparation for this, universities will present you with stations or questions where you will be asked to dissect a scenario surrounding a challenging case.

Knowledge of the Veterinary Profession - Understanding the ins and outs of the veterinary profession will allow you to develop and progress your understanding of what the next five years and your future career will be like.

Animal handling and empathy - As a veterinarian, you will work closely with animals, so interviewers may assess your ability to handle and interact with animals in a calm and compassionate manner. Demonstrating empathy and understanding towards animals' needs and welfare is essential.

Teamwork and collaboration - Veterinary medicine often involves working in multidisciplinary teams. Interviewers may evaluate your ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively within a team, and demonstrate respect for others' perspectives and expertise.

Having this knowledge prior to the interview will allow you to be as prepared as possible for any questions that the interviewers may pose for you. It will also allow you to have a realistic understanding of what a career in veterinary medicine will be like and the challenges you may face.

Veterinary Medicine Interview Preparation Tips

Mock Interviews and Practice - the best way to prepare and practice for your interviews is through mock interviews and practice questions . Mock interviews will help to simulate what your interview day will be like and guide you through different questions and scenarios that you may face.

Reflecting on Personal Experiences and Skills - most veterinary universities will expect you to have conducted work experience to improve your skills and personal attributes. Reflecting on what you have learnt from these experiences will prepare you well for the interviews. Furthermore, you can discuss other skills that you have gained during your application process in your personal statement and interview to show interviewers how this has helped your motivation and understanding of the veterinary course.

Professionalism - Dress professionally for your interview! Wearing smart clothes (a blazer and a skirt or trousers) will allow you to come across as a professional candidate and boost your confidence in the interview as well.

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Veterinary Medicine: Interviews - The Medic Portal

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This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the necessary information on Veterinary Medicine interviews.

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You need to balance / show a range of elements in your personal statement. UCAS suggests:

Motivation: show what has motivated you to follow this career path. Be specific, and make it current or recent. What aspects are of special interest to you? Where do you hope the degree will lead? Reflect on what it is that’s driving you now, not something out-of-date.

Experience: provide some detailed evidence that shows you’re realistic and informed about the challenges you will face. Describe some of your experiences and observations, both of veterinary practice and from your wider animal experience. Get the balance right. They want you to show the breadth of your experience, but they want depth as well. Try to write briefly but reflectively about some of the highlights and what you learned from them. Also, try to include something that demonstrates your understanding of why interpersonal skills are crucial.

Academic interests and wider reading: give them a glimpse of your current academic and scientific interests, whether it’s from your studies, a project or issues you’ve come across in journals, books, blogs, events you’ve attended, and so on. If Cambridge is amongst your choices, it’s especially important to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and your passion for science.

Extra-curricular activities: demonstrate your resilience, initiative, self-motivation, compassion, or other relevant transferable skills. This could be through the contribution you have made to school, college, or community activities, volunteering, your part-time work, or any wider interests, personal achievements, or responsibilities. Again, be specific!

https://www.ucas.com/applying/applying-to-university/personal-statement-guides/personal-statement-advice-veterinary-medicine

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Personal statement advice: veterinary medicine

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The competition is tough for aspiring vets - so along with good grades, you'll need an impressive personal statement that sets you apart from the crowd. Here's how to do it.

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All universities require work experience prior to application. Some universities state very specific requirements, so check the universities that you are planning on applying to. You have to be able to evidence the work experience as well now so i would make sure you get a reference from the placement.

Possible sources of Work Experience Opportunities:

Local Veterinary Practices and Clinics

Local veterinary practices and clinics are an excellent starting point for work experience, as they often offer opportunities for observation, hands-on experience, and mentorship. Reach out to small practices near you, including general, small animal, and mixed practices, to gain a diverse range of experiences.

Supporting Animal Welfare at Shelters and Rescue Centres

Volunteering at animal shelters and rescue centres is another valuable opportunity for aspiring veterinarians. These placements expose you to various animal species, welfare issues, and the important role of veterinarians in the community. Contact local shelters and rescue centres to enquire about volunteering or work experience opportunities.

Exploring the World of Wildlife Medicine

Wildlife rehabilitation centres provide an opportunity to experience the unique challenges and rewards of wildlife medicine. These placements often involve working with injured or orphaned wildlife, providing exposure to various species and their specific medical needs. Reach out to local wildlife rehabilitation centres to explore potential work experience placements.

Large Animal and Farm Veterinary Medicine

Working with large animals, such as horses, cattle, or sheep, can provide a different perspective on the veterinary profession. Farm work experience placements offer a chance to observe and assist with the unique healthcare needs of large animals, as well as learn about preventative care and herd management. To find farm work experience opportunities, contact local farms, equine clinics, and large animal veterinary practices to discuss potential placements.

Abbatoir Veterinary Work Experience

Organising veterinary work experience at an abattoir provides a unique and valuable insight into a less common, yet important, aspect of the veterinary profession. Abattoirs, or slaughterhouses, play a significant role in ensuring animal welfare and food safety standards. To arrange work experience at an abattoir, you should start by researching local facilities and contacting them to express your interest in a placement. Be prepared to explain your motivation for pursuing this experience and how it will contribute to your overall understanding of veterinary medicine.

Keep in mind that the environment at an abattoir can be challenging and emotionally demanding, so it is important to approach this opportunity with maturity and an open mind. Gaining experience in an abattoir can help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the veterinary field and enhance your application for veterinary school.

Vet Work Experience at a Zoo

Organising work experience at a zoo offers a fantastic opportunity to learn about exotic animals and their care while also demonstrating your passion for wildlife and conservation. To arrange a placement at a zoo, begin by researching zoos in your area or those you're willing to travel to.

https://twycrosszoo.org/help/general-faqs/can-i-do-my-work-experience-at-twycross-zoo/

Online Veterinary Work Experience

Virtual placements offer the opportunity to learn about different aspects of the profession through online resources, case studies, and webinars. These experiences can complement your in-person placements and help you gain a broader understanding of the veterinary field. Some resources:

https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/veterinary-with-vets-for-pets/WEXP-0025

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/vet-school-application-support

https://vet.ed.ac.uk/education/moocs-overview

https://investin.org/products/young-vet-summer-experience-live-online?srsltid=AfmBOopIlbPInZ8q1MXHxP5Qtwb6DuuBAjWlEDgEfMdm2qUogqCMBA7A

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Veterinary with Vets for Pets | Springpod

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Care about the natural world? Explore veterinary careers, and find quizzes, activities, and insights from Vets for Pets.

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You need to show interest and passion for the subject, wider reading and exploration is essential.

Know about animal welfare, read and consider https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-are-the-five-freedoms-of-animal-welfare/

Read the code of professional conduct - https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/

Some further ideas:

Some suggested reading here - https://medium.com/@alessandrodidiano/5-must-read-books-for-aspiring-veterinarians-1-bonus-pick-bbdeeb25cd5e

British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS): https://bveds.com/

British Veterinary Association (BVA) - Applying to study veterinary medicine guide: https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/studying/undergraduate/outreach-and-schools-liaison/ teacheradvice

My Vet Future (secondary pupils): https://www.vetrecordjobs.com/myvetfuture/ vetfuture-secondary-school/

Sharing experiences of life at vet school: https://www.vetrecordjobs.com/ myvetfuture/article/sharing-experiences-life-at-vet-school-may-yean/?fbclid=IwAR1O 2QMe7Xsdzh59SpoRVRqFTQmPb1cFu-tORcJWTc8-t81CZ7c0bfyO4t8

AVS Getting into vet school guide: https://www.avsukireland.co.uk/getting-into-vetschool

Animal Aspirations: https://www.animalaspirations.com/

Vets in Diversity Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ show/5PJXgyA158BxX9Rh1KEvXG?si=34190fb4b8174b6c Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vets-in-diversity-podcast/ id1606209157

Vet Team in a Box | HE Unboxed | Loughborough University (lboro.ac.uk): www.liverpool.ac.uk/veterinary-science/engage-with-us/vet-team-in-a-box

In addition, complete the available MOOC (Massive Online Open Courses) as universities really value these, and applications are so competitive:

University of Nottingham - https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/vet/events/2021/free-mooc-foundations-of-science-for-undergraduate-degrees.aspx

University of Edinburgh - https://vet.ed.ac.uk/education/moocs-overview

Various providers - https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=veterinary&page=1&utm_medium=sem&utm_source=gg&utm_campaign=b2c_emea_x_multi_ftcof_career-academy_cx_dr_bau_gg_pmax_gc_gb_en_m_hyb_25-04_x&campaignid=22490486852&adgroupid=&device=c&keyword=&matchtype=&network=x&devicemodel=&creativeid=&assetgroupid=6571531540&targetid=&extensionid=&placement=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22483915359&gbraid=0AAAAADdKX6YMqGWQ_yeBFs0BsN0uakmG5&gclid=Cj0KCQjwss3DBhC3ARIsALdgYxMc92RfxLyD4z5sBPuoDwBqnr5SPUI48SwNGd4u28HZPEYJ2l90MFsaAtm8EALw_wcB

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/vet-school-application-support

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Free MOOC - Foundations of Science for Undergraduate Degrees - The University of Nottingham

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Develop the right skills for study and assessment in higher education while refreshing your core science knowledge.

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Subject you need to study. Most universities want Chemistry and Biology. You can check on individual univeristy websites, or a summary is available here - https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/veterinary-medicine/veterinary-medicine-entry-requirements/

Consider an EPQ alongside your studies, this develops many of the skills you need to apply and enables you to show your passion for the subject.

The UCAS page is a useful starting point:

https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/veterinary-science#getting-in-entry-requirements

Some universities have specific requirements:

https://www.vetschoolscouncil.ac.uk/applications/

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Thinking about studying veterinary science? Find out why you should study it, entry requirements, and what jobs you can do with a veterinary science degree.

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https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/find-out-more/widening-participation

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/increasing-access

https://oxfordsummercourses.com/

https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/access/shadowing/

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The University and its Colleges are committed to widening participation to higher education. Hundreds of outreach initiatives and events are run each year both in Cambridge and in schools and colleges across the UK.

Access and Participation Plans

Each year, the University of Cambridge sets out how it intends to attract and support students in applying to and studying at the University of Cambridge. Find out more

Outreach Projects

neaco

The Network for East Anglian Collaborative Outreach (neaco) delivers activities across East Anglia to help students in Years 9-13, with little or no experience of university, to explore the world of higher education. Find out more

(Pre-16 Team Projects)

Insight Discover

Insight Discover is a programme that students follow from Year 7 to Year 8, which aims to develop key academic skills to support them in their academic work. In addition, the programme introduces students to university and the options which are available to them in the future. Find out more

Insight Explore

Insight Explore is an academic programme which aims to develop participants interests and tackle the barriers many students face when applying to university. Find out more

Realise

The Realise project's aim is to encourage more young people in care to consider higher education. We run a large number of events ranging from science days to theatre days to give a taste of life as a student at Cambridge. Find out more

(Post-16 Team Projects)

HE+

HE+ is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge's Admissions Office and Colleges, and state schools/colleges across the UK. The University and schools in 20 regions collaborate to form regional consortia to support highly-able students from under-represented areas and backgrounds, and involves approximately 4,000 students in Year 12 each year. Find out more

Sutton Trust Summer Schools

Sutton Trust Summer Schools are free subject-specific residential courses for Year 12 students studying at state-maintained schools in the UK. The five-day summer schools in July and August allow students to explore their interest in one of 26 subjects and gain an insight into what it is like to live and study as a first-year undergraduate student at Cambridge. Find out more

Apply: Cambridge

Apply: Cambridge is a specialist and free programme designed to support highly able students from underrepresented backgrounds and areas to make successful applications to the University of Cambridge. We work with students every step of the way over a 6-month period, helping them navigate the process and effectively prepare for the Cambridge application. Find out more

STEM SMART

STEM SMART is a free, 17-month programme to support students in raising their attainment at school and develop their confidence to apply to study physical sciences and engineering at top universities. Find out more

Safeguarding

Safeguarding policies and procedures relating to widening participation events and programmes run by the Cambridge Admissions Office. Find out more

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The University and its Colleges are committed to widening participation to higher education. Hundreds of outreach initiatives and events are run each year both in Cambridge and in schools and colleges across the UK.

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Other events which may be of interest in the year before you apply (year 12 in the UK) include Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences, CU Masterclasses, the Cambridge Sixth Form Law Conference, the annual Law Faculty Open Day and King's Open Days. https://oxfordsummercourses.com/subjects/law

Students from backgrounds where there is little tradition of entry to Higher Education might like to think about applying for the Sutton Trust Summer Schools: https://pathwaysprogrammes.suttontrust.com/career-pathways/law

or CUSU Shadowing Scheme - https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/access/shadowing/

Some further schemes:

https://www.socialmobility.org.uk/student

https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/i-am-a-school-or-college-student/bar-placement-scheme.html

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Is a career at the Bar for you? The Bar Placement Scheme gives students the opportunity to spend up to 4 days shadowing a barrister in chambers and in court.

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https://dental-mentor.org/

https://www.medschools.ac.uk/for-students/further-support-with-your-application/msc-summer-schools/

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At Dental Mentor, we take pride in our extensive range of resources and our commitment to helping students on their application journey towards becoming a dentist and developing essential transferrable skills along the way. As part of our dedication, we organise numerous conferences and weekly events to provide valuable support.

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There are lots of opportunities to be involved in mentoring / preparatory workshops and summer schools. These have a broad range of benefits from additional resources and support to guaranteed interviews. Many of these require applications which we are happy to support you with in school:

https://www.in2medschool.com/ is a mentoring scheme that you can take part in throughout Year 12. You are matched with a current medical student and have the opportunity to access further events and materials.

https://pathwaysprogrammes.suttontrust.com/career-pathways/medicine?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22448929663&gbraid=0AAAAApnz-Uu7S_srloPDgjyt66h0FalZS&gclid=Cj0KCQjwss3DBhC3ARIsALdgYxOuzN5rPjZz1jXYJx73LQEuV0ISqvsWP9cVZA16VuC4eDGbKhIpjgcaAqEvEALw_wcB is a two year programme offering a broad range of support including in person events.

https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/work-experience-pre-employment-activity/access-medicine-professions

Medical Schools Council offers summer schools to Year 11 and 12 pupils

https://medicmentor.org/ is another mentoring scheme offering a range of support

Some universities run widening participation events which help to prepare you for medical school if you are from a disadvantaged background / minority group:

Brighton and Sussex -https://www.bsms.ac.uk/about/info-for-schools-teachers-parents/widening-participation-to-medicine.aspx

Birmingham - https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/pathways-to-birmingham/routes-to-the-professions

Hull York - https://www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/entry-requirements/contextual-admissions-and-widening-participation

Keele - https://www.keele.ac.uk/study/informationforschoolsandcolleges/wideningaccess/

Manchester - https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/widening-participation/

Leicester - https://le.ac.uk/courses/medicine-mbchb/2025

Plymouth - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/outreach/medicine-dentistry-biomedical-healthcare/peninsula-pathways-for-secondary-school-students

There are lots of other opportunities, many are included here - chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.rsm.ac.uk/media/5478484/access-schemes-across-the-uk-student-booklet.pdf

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United Kingdom's leading widening participation initiative

aimed at supporting the next generation of aspiring medics.

I am in school or College

Get in touch with one of our Mentors who can help you with your medical school application.

I am a
medical
student

Show your support by volunteering as a Mentor for In2MedSchool. Learn more here.

I am A qualified doctor

Be part of our Ambassador Scheme, which provides clinical attachments for our mentees.

our impact report is out!

The impact report highlights the activities that we have carried out and the impact that it has made to our target outreach group over the academic year of Sept 2021-August 2022. It covers the work that all of our different departments have achieved in this time period and the plans for the current academic year that we are in. Read our report here.

i want to help out

Get in touch with us on ways to contribute to In2MedSchool, or make a small contribution to us here.

What Do We Do?

In2MedSchool is a widening participation initiative.

We are a group of medical students and junior doctors helping underprivileged school children apply to study Medicine and related subjects at University.

​We have a free 1:1 mentoring scheme to support students aged 16 - 18 years old.
We also create events and resources to support people applying to higher education.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

In2MedSchool
Acceleration Programme

To give aspiring medical students the confidence and ambition to succeed with their educational aims and well as their lives.

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United Kingdom's Leading Widening Participation Initiative | In2MedSchool

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In2MedSchool is a widening participation initiative led by Medical Students and Doctors supporting the next generation of aspiring medics.

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Universities prefer science subjects for dentistry, with most stating chemistry as compulsory, and some listing chemistry and biology. The safest option to enable all dentistry courses to be open to you is to study chemistry, biology, and then a further science subject (mathematics or physics)

Consider an EPQ alongside your studies, this develops many of the skills you need to apply and enables you to show your passion for the subject, and to research an area of dentistry in depth.

You can check specific universities on their websites or here https://www.themedicportal.com/dentistry-entry-requirements/

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Understanding and knowing the dentistry entry requirements is important to ensure your success in admission into a dental university in the UK. Entry requirements can vary between dental schools, however, this article will provide a comprehensive overview of the undergraduate and postgraduate entry requirements for dentistry admission.

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Here is a comprehensive list of the dental schools in the UK that offer an undergraduate programme and their entry requirements .

University of Birmingham

Degree: 2:1 honours (science and related degrees)

A-Levels: AAA (including Chemistry and one other from Biology, Physics, or Mathematics)

Scottish Highers: AAAAA at Highers or AB Advanced Highers & AA Highers

GCSEs: 7 and above in Mathematics, English Language/Literature, 8 and above in Biology and Chemistry or dual award science

Personal Statement: Yes

University of Bristol

A Levels: AAA (Chemistry and or Biology/Physics/Mathematics)

Scottish Highers: AA (Chemistry and or Biology/Physics/Mathematics)

GCSEs: 7 or above in Mathematics, 4 or above in English

Personal Statement: Not used as selection criteria.

Cardiff University

A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)

Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including two sciences)

GCSEs: 7 or above in sciences, 6 in English Language.

Personal Statement: Yes

University of Dundee

Degree: 2:1 honours (Science and related degrees)

GCSEs: 7 or above in Biology, Chemistry, English and 6 or above in Mathematics.

University of Glasgow

GCSEs: 7 or above in 6 subjects

King's College London

Degree: 2:1 honours or 2:2 with a Master's degree for postgraduate entry

GCSEs: 6 or above in English Language and Mathematics

University of Leeds

Degree: 2:1 honours (science and related degrees)

GCSEs: 6 or above in Chemistry, Biology, English and Mathematics.

University of Liverpool

A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)

Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including Biology and Chemistry

GCSEs: 7 or above in 5 subjects, 6 or above in English Language, Maths and Science

Personal Statement: Yes

University of Manchester

A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)

Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including Biology and Chemistry

GCSEs: 7 or above in 7 subjects, 6 or above in English, Maths and two sciences.

Personal Statement: Online Form

Newcastle University

Degree: 2:1 honours (science and related degrees)

A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)

Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including Biology and Chemistry

Personal Statement: Yes

University of Plymouth

Degree: Not accepted, GAMSAT required

A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)

Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including Biology and Chemistry)

Personal Statement: Not scored.

Queen Mary, University of London

Degree: 2:1 honours (supporting science qualifications)

A Levels: A*AA (including Biology and Chemistry)

Personal Statement: Yes

Queen's University Belfast Dental School

A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)

GCSEs: Grading scale with a points-based system for the best 9 subjects

Personal Statement: Not scored.

University of Sheffield

Degree: 2:1 honours (Science and related degrees)

A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)

Scottish Highers: AAAAB (including Biology and Chemistry)

GCSEs: 7 or above in six GCSEs (including Maths, English Language and Science)

Personal Statement: Yes

Additional Requirements for Dental School Admission

Some dental schools require students to have a personal statement submitted to their UCAS application. The purpose of the personal statement is to allow the university to see your passion and commitment to dentistry.

In your personal statement, you can outline your work experience, any letters of recommendation, your motivation to study dentistry as well as any other experience you have taken on to aid your application. Not every university will score the personal statement as part of their admission criteria, however, many do take it into consideration.

Furthermore, all dental schools require students to attend an interview which will be scored as part of the admissions criteria. Interviews can be in the style of MMI (multiple mini-interviews) or panel interviews. Interviews will allow students the opportunity to showcase their skills, passion and motivation to study dentistry.

Some of the common interview questions:

1. What insight do you have into the field of dentistry?

2. Why would you like to be a dentist instead of a dental nurse?

3. What experience have you had relating to dentistry?

4. What are the key qualities that a dentist should possess?

5. What are the challenges that you can face in dentistry?

6. Why do you want to study dentistry?

7. How do you think dentistry can improve a patient's quality of life?

8. Have you read any recent articles that have interested you?

9. Describe an interesting development in dentistry.

10. What kind of impact do you hope to make in this field?

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Students may also have the opportunity to study dentistry as a postgraduate degree. This is when candidates would have completed a BSc (particularly, in the sciences) and want to carry out further education to complete the BDS programme. Below is a list of the universities that offer graduate entry dentistry:

University of Aberdeen

Degree: 2:1 honours (in health sciences or equivalent)

Personal Statement: Yes

Admissions Test: UCAT

University of Central Lancashire

Degree: 2:1 (Biomedical Degrees)

A Levels: 3 A Levels at a C or above (two science subjects)

Personal Statement: Yes

Admissions Test: UCAT

King's College London

Degree: 2:1 (Biosciences subject)

Personal Statement: Yes

Admissions Test: UCAT

King's College London: MBBS Graduates Only

Degree: MBBS

Personal Statement: Yes

Admissions Test: None

University of Leeds: Internal

Degree: 2:1 (Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy only)

Personal Statement: No

Admissions Test: None

Newcastle University

Degree: 2:1 (Biology or Chemistry based)

Personal Statement: Yes

Admissions Test: UCAT

Postgraduate Work Opportunities

After completing a dentistry degree, graduates have a wide range of opportunities to explore. You can choose from practising as a general dentist providing dental services, such as diagnostics and treatment of oral diseases. Some students can then go onto specialise and pursue a career in a complex field, such as orthodontics, oral surgery, and paediatric dentistry.

Dental graduates will have several accreditation requirements following their dentistry programme. All dentists will firstly have to register with the General Dental Council (GDC). Furthermore, dentists will have to complete a dental foundation training programme, working in an approved dental practice under supervision.

Finally, dentists will also have to participate in professional development and be required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of continuing professional development every few years.

Different countries will also have different requirements. For any dentists that would be interested in moving abroad, they will have to pass the regional licensing examination for that country.

Continuing Education and Specialisations

Carrying on education, licensing and specialisations is important to maintain the standard that this career requires. Lifelong learning is essential as the dental field is constantly evolving, meaning that dentists have to stay on top of the advancements, training, and certifications. This can also help graduates specialise in a variety of specialities , such as orthodontics, periodontics, maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, pathology, and public health.

After the dental foundation training programme, dentists can complete a speciality training programme which typically lasts from three to five years (depending on the speciality).

Dentists will also be required to complete the Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery which will involve sitting exams set by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons. Once the training programme is complete, students will receive a Certificate of Completion of Speciality Training, which allows them to practice in their chosen speciality.
Q: What is being a dentist like?
A: Dentistry can be challenging , not only as a profession but during the BDS programme as well. It is important to understand the realities of pursuing a career in dentistry. Dentistry involves the complex knowledge of human anatomy alongside various different pathologies and patient interaction. Dentistry also involves a high level of manual dexterity. It can also be a stressful degree with many deadlines and difficult situations! Carrying out work experience may help you see the realities of being a dentist!
Q: What skills would a dentist need?
A: Dentistry encompasses multiple skills that you will learn along the way such as:
Q: What type of work experience would I need?
A: Work experience is usually through shadowing in a dental setting which allows students to understand the daily job of a dentist. This can be through a dental practice or in a hospital. The experience will show universities that the student is dedicated and committed to pursuing dentistry.
Q: Can international students apply to UK dental schools?
A: Yes! International students are welcome to apply but may have additional requirements such as IELTS or TOEFL. More information can be found on individual university pages.

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Dentistry Entry Requirements - The Medic Portal

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Interested in applying for Dentistry in the UK? Find out below the dentistry entry requirements and future opportunities available for you!

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Interviews for law vary so make sure that you read information on your chosen university's websites.

Some include reading some pre-released material before being asked about it. Ensure that you are familiar with reading legal material.

Some other useful advice is here:

https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/stage/university-interviews/preparing-for-a-law-university-interview

https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/stage/university-interviews

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Preparing for a law university interview

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Not every university conducts interviews for their undergraduate law courses. In fact, those that do, such as Cambridge and Oxford, are in the minority. But if you get asked to an interview, what should you do?

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Universities will be looking for reasons why they should give you – out of hundreds of applicants – an interview.

Why have you chosen law over a different profession?

Show that you understand what a career in law is really like.

Show that you have a high level of commitment and resilience to see it through.

Include your wider reading and research in your personal statement:

what you have learnt;

make links between different elements;

do not just list everything you have read and done, reflect on what you have learnt / how you have developed your thinking;

include details of your work experience and what you have learnt.

Avoid being overly reliant on AI – universities have software to check whether AI has been used to draft applications.

Don't write what you think they want to hear, personal statements are personal to the individual. Each person's reason for wanting to apply to study law will be different.

Avoid cliches such as "the TV show Suits inspired me to want to study law".

Don't mention 'To Kill a Mockingbird' – a surprisingly large number of students reference this book in their application.

Do your research – law is such a varied topic, look online (complete virtual work experience) to see if a particular type of law appeals to you.

Try and get some experience shadowing a lawyer, reach out to chambers and companies. Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for volunteer opportunities.

Be passionate and highlight relevant experiences. These don't even need to be work experiences, the law touches people's lives every day.

Think about how other skills you have may translate to law. For example, do you play chess (strategy)? Do you play a team sport (communication)?

Some other useful resources:

https://www.ucas.com/applying/applying-university/personal-statement-guides/personal-statement-advice-law

https://www.law.ac.uk/resources/blog/personal-statements/

https://oxbridgeapplications.com/resource/law-example-personal-statement/

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Some universities have preferred subjects, many prefer English, mathematics, history, languages and science subjects. It is not necessary to study law at A level.

Consider an EPQ alongside your studies, this develops many of the skills you need to apply and enables you to show your passion for the subject.

UCAS have a useful pre-application guide - https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/law

The Guardian also has a useful guide: https://www.theguardian.com/law/series/student-guide

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Courses at universities and colleges in the UK range from LLB degrees that provide the skills and knowledge required to practice in law, to BA/BSc degrees that focus on law more as an academic subject. As with other academic courses, its possible to combine many different subjects together. Common combinations include law with business, management, criminology, accounting, policing and a modern foreign language.

Subject combinations and available course option include:

single, joint, and multiple subject combinations

full-time, part-time and flexible study options as well as courses with a placement (sandwich courses)

qualifications ranging from BA/BSc (Hons) and LLB degrees, through to HND, HNC and Foundation Certificates

A key consideration when choosing courses is whether or not you wish to pursue a law related career and choose to take a 'qualifying' law degree (LLB). Completion of an LLB degree will exempt you from the need to complete the Graduate Diploma in Law which non-law graduates have to complete if they wish to become a solicitor etc.

Are you considering an accelerated degree? Click here to read more about the possibility of completing your undergraduate course on a shorter timescale.

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Thinking about studying law? Find out why you should study it, entry requirements, and what jobs you can do with a law degree.

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Ideally, you should aim to get two weeks of work experience in a general dental practice. Many universities insist on work experience, if you struggle to arrange traditional dental work experience, don’t panic. Here are ways to demonstrate insight:

Take part in virtual dentistry programmes such as those offered by Observe GP or Dental Mentor

Volunteer in a care setting, food bank, pharmacy or charity shop — any role involving responsibility and communication

Attend dental school open days and speak to students or tutors

There are some online work experience options:

https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/dentistry-work-experience-with-mydentist/WEXP-00408

https://dental-mentor.org/university-hospitals-birmingham-trust-virtual-work-experience/

https://www.mydentist.co.uk/careers/about-mydentist/dental-work-experience-at-mydentist

Discover Dentistry | Clinical Dentistry | The University of Sheffield

Here is a summary of university expectations with regards to work experience:

https://bluepeanut.com/medical-school-blog/uk-dental-school-work-experience-requirements-a-guide-for-future-dentists#:~:text=While%20some%20universities%20require%20hands-on%20dental%20placements%2C%20others,work%20experience%20requirements%20for%20each%20UK%20dental%20school.

Another long term opportunity:

https://www.nhsconfed.org/

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Dentistry Work Experience with mydentist | Springpod

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Brighten your career prospects with a career in dentistry. Explore key roles, skills, and entry routes with mydentist.

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Dental schools either use MMIs or Panel Interviews.

MMI = Multiple Mini Interviews

Around 6-8 stations each testing a different element of your profile:

general interview questions,

role-plays,

ethics questions,

calculation stations,

motivation for medicine.

Each station is timed, usually up to 10 minutes;

May have preparatory material provided in advance;

Interviewers generally can’t show much emotion on their faces or give as many non-verbal cues.

Panel Interviews

Normally last between 15-40 minutes;

at least two interviewers (could be from university, nurse, Dr, current student etc) who will be scoring you independently;

question focused rather than task-based;

may ask you to elaborate and develop your answers;

longer than MMIs though may be broken into sections;

may have preparatory material provided in advance.

General Tips:

Express your ideas clearly and coherently

Explain your thought process out loud with reasoning

Always state what you’ve learnt from an experience rather than just listing work experience, volunteering, etc

Keep up to date with medicine in the media, i.e., the news or any recent political changes

Don’t over-rehearse or memorise answers word-for-word

Link to ethics pillars and NHS values but don’t just list them without reasoning

Communicate as clearly as possible even in role-plays or fake scenarios

Dress smart but still comfortably

5 Top Tips

1. Be mindful of who’s interviewing you – for example, if it’s a nurse don’t discredit nursing as a profession.

2. Balance Confidence with humility – be reflective while maintaining confidence.

3. Read the room – pick up on non-verbal cues and body language.

4. Body language matters – don’t fiddle with your clothes, jewellery, etc, and try and act as confidently as possible.

5. Authentic enthusiasm – give genuine reasoning and don’t try to memorise scripts for questions.

There are lots of websites / books (some in the sixth form library) with practise questions and role plays for you to practise.

There are lots of online sources of information, including:

https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/dentistry/dentistry-interviews/

Dentistry panel interviews: https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/dentistry/dentistry-interviews/dentistry-panel-interviews/

Dentistry MMI with questions: https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/dentistry/dentistry-interviews/dentistry-mmis/

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Once you've applied to Dental Schools through UCAS, the Schools who are interested in you as a candidate will send you an interview offer. This interview is your opportunity to showcase your personal attributes and skills that are relevant to becoming a Dentist, and also to demonstrate your enthusiasm for studying Dentistry at the university in question.
When Are Dentistry Interview Offers Sent?
The interview season for Dentistry can start as early as November and runs to March.
When Will I Know The Outcome?
Some Dental Schools will let you know if you've been successful within a couple of weeks of your interview, while others will wait until late March when they have interviewed all candidates.

Types of Dentistry Interview

There are two main types of interview for Dentistry:

The key difference is that MMIs require you to work your way through a series of short stations, with a variety of questions and tasks to complete. In a traditional/panel interview, you will have a longer conversation with a panel of interviewers.

Due to Covid restrictions, many Dental Schools have been conducting online interviews. You'll find more information about what each Dental School is planning for their interviews this year on the university's website and/or in your invitation to interview.

School-by-School Interview Details

We've reviewed each Dental School to bring you the latest information about their interview process. Where these details are available online, we've included how Schools are interviewing for 2022 entry, when interviews are likely to be held, and criteria that the School will be evaluating.
While we do our best to regularly review and update this page, circumstances can change quickly Aberdeen University so please check with your chosen university before making any final decisions.
The interview format is usually an MMI, with 7 stations lasting around 90 mins altogether.

Aberdeen University mentions criteria including:
Barts (Queen Mary University of London)

Work experience

Understanding of Dentistry issues

Problem solving and analytical skills

Enthusiasm, interest and motivation to study Dentistry

Manual dexterity skills

Candidates will typically have a traditional/panel interview. These will be online for 2022 entry, held between January and March.

Barts (Queen Mary University of London) mentions criteria including:
Birmingham University

Motivation and realistic approach to Dentistry as a career

Initiative, resilience and maturity

Teamwork

Organisation and problem solving abilities

Likely contribution to university life

The interview format is usually an MMI with 5-10 stations, taking place in February.

Birmingham University mentions criteria including:
Bristol University

Motivation for Dentistry

Empathy and self-insight

Manual dexterity

Ethical reasoning

Leadership

Candidates will typically have a traditional/panel interview between December and February, lasting around 20 minutes.
Cardiff University
Bristol University has previously asked candidates to prepare certain tasks in advance, e.g. a matchbox task and a 'tell me how' task.

The interview format is usually an MMI consisting of 10 stations.
Dundee University
No further details about dates/criteria are available on the Cardiff University website.

Candidates will typically have a traditional/panel interview, lasting around 40 minutes. These will be online for 2022 entry between December and January.

Dundee University mentions criteria including:
Glasgow University

Personal values

Ability to think critically and flexibly on your feet

Work experience

Teamwork

The interview format is usually an MMI with 7 stations, lasting around 45 mins altogether and taking place in February.
King's College London
Glasgow University mentions criteria including:

The interview format is usually an MMI with 5-8 stations.

King's College London mentions criteria including:
Leeds University

Understanding and motivation for Dentistry

Case study

Science knowledge

Key values and qualities, e.g. teamwork, communication, interpersonal skills

The interview format is usually an MMI, held in February.
Liverpool University
No further details about stations/criteria are available on the Leeds University website.

The interview format is usually an MMI.
Manchester University
No further details about dates/criteria are available on the Liverpool University website.

The interview format is usually an MMI with 4-5 stations, held between January and February.
Newcastle University
Manchester University mentions criteria including:

Candidates will typically have a traditional/panel interview, lasting around 20 minutes and taking place between December and January.
Plymouth University
Newcastle University mentions criteria including:

The interview format is usually an MMI with 5 stations, lasting around 55 mins altogether and held from January.

Plymouth University mentions criteria including:
Sheffield University

Integrity, veracity and honesty

Motivation and commitment

Empathy

Teamwork

Ability to deal with stress appropriately

Knowing your limitations, strengths and weakness

Insight into the responsibilities of a Dentist

Candidates will typically have a traditional/panel interview lasting around 15/20 mins. These will be online for 2022 entry, held between February and March.
Queen's University Belfast
Sheffield University mentions criteria including:

The interview format is usually an MMI, held between December and March.
University of Central Lancashire
Queen's University Belfast mentions criteria including:

The interview format is usually an MMI, taking place in December.

University of Central Lancashire mentions criteria including:

Knowledge of dentistry

Ethics and professionalism

Teamwork

Dentistry Interview Tips

Follow these tips to ensure you're prepared for your Dentistry interview:

Practise possible Dentistry interview questions

Research the Dental School and the course you're applying for

Familiarise yourself with Dentistry/healthcare hot topics that you should know about

Keep up to date with Dentistry/healthcare-related news

Learn a bit about common dental conditions

Get to know General Dental Council (GDC) standards and guidelines

If necessary, practise tasks to improve/demonstrate your manual dexterity skills

Get some Dentistry tutoring for one-to-one guidance and feedback

Book your place on our Dentistry MMI Circuits

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Once you've applied to Dental Schools through UCAS, the Schools who are interested in you as a candidate will send you an interview offer. This interview is your opportunity to showcase your personal attributes and skills that are relevant to becoming a Dentist, and also to demonstrate your enthusiasm for studying Dentistry at the university in question.

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Universities will be looking for reasons why they should give you – out of hundreds of applicants – an interview. Why have you chosen dentistry over a different healthcare profession? Show that you understand what a career in dentistry is really like, and that you have a high level of commitment and resilience to see it through.

Include your wider reading and research in your personal statement and what you have learnt, make links between different elements, do not just list everything you have read and done. Include details of your work experience and what you have learnt.

Dentistry Examples

https://medify.co/admissions-guide/personal-statement-examples-dentistry

https://6med.co.uk/personal-statement/guides/examples/kcl-saif/

https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/dentistry/dentistry-personal-statement/

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Dentistry Personal Statement – The Medic Portal

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Learn how to write a great Dentistry personal statement at The Medic Portal! Follow our step-by-step guide on how to write each section & get it reviewed!

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Whilst specific subjects vary, if you are not sure where you would like to apply yet, choose Chemistry, Biology, and a further science subject as this combination gives you access to all medical schools. (Some medical schools classify psychology as a science, some do not).

Nearly all medical schools ask for Chemistry and / or Biology.

Some medical schools will accept any third subject.

Consider an EPQ alongside your studies, this develops many of the skills you need to apply and enables you to show your passion for the subject.

YOU NEED TO CHECK early in Year 12 in case your choices close a preferred university.

UCAS provide a useful pre-application guide: https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/dentistry

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Dentistry Subject Guide | Why Study Dentistry At Uni? | UCAS

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Thinking about studying dentistry? Find out why you should study it, entry requirements, and what jobs you can do with a dentistry degree.

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It doesn't matter which college you apply to. You might think about:

not all colleges offer all courses - you need to check;

location;

modern or traditional buildings;

atmosphere;

accommodation types;

cohort size (Cambridge colleges take between 100 and 200);

the size of your subject;

facilities;

what the college says about themselves;

whether they have experts in your subject;

financial support (varies between colleges though all entitled to Oxford and Cambridge bursary).

If you genuinely do not mind, then you can make an open application.

College choice does not impact your chances - there is a reallocation system if you are a good candidate but your college is full. (At Oxford in 2024, 27.7% of candidates were given offers at a different college from that they applied to).

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You MUST register for and sit the UCAT prior to applying to dentistry via the UCAT website https://www.ucat.ac.uk/ You must sit UCAT in 2026 for 2027 entry etc. If you reapply the following year, then you must resit.

Full UCAT practice exams: https://www.ucat.ac.uk/prepare/practice-tests/

There is lots of information on the website. The main tip is to practise, practise, practise - the more you complete questions, the more familiar you will become with the structures. There are lots of questions online, some apps which you can buy, and books in the sixth form library.

A particularly popular resource (fee payable) is https://medify.co/ucat

Many universities rank candidates by UCAT score, it is critical that you give yourself sufficient time to prepare.

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All applicants have to take the aptitude test. You will need to register and book this - LNAT | The Law National Aptitude Test https://lnat.ac.uk/

There are lots of sample papers on the website and available from various other sources. You need to practise to familiarise yourself with the format of the test. Make sure you leave yourself adequate time to prepare.

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You MUST register for and sit the UCAT prior to applying to medical school via the UCAT website https://www.ucat.ac.uk/ You must sit UCAT in 2026 for 2027 entry etc. If you reapply the following year, then you must resit.

Full UCAT practice exams: https://www.ucat.ac.uk/prepare/practice-tests/

There is lots of information on the website. The main tip is to practise, practise, practise - the more you complete questions, the more familiar you will become with the structures. There are lots of questions online, some apps which you can buy, and books in the sixth form library.

A particularly popular resource (fee payable) is https://medify.co/ucat

Many universities rank candidates by UCAT score, it is critical that you give yourself sufficient time to prepare.

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The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions test, used by a consortium of UK and International Universities to help select applicants for their medical and dental degree programmes.

It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as the UCAS application and academic qualifications. It is also your opportunity to stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your aptitude for a demanding programme of study.

The UCAT is a computer-based test, delivered in Pearson VUE test centres throughout the UK and worldwide.

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About the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) | UCAT Consortium

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The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions test, used by a consortium of UK and International Universities to help select applicants for their medical and dental degree programmes.

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Medical schools either use MMIs or Panel Interviews.

MMI = Multiple Mini Interviews

Around 6-8 stations each testing a different element of your profile:

general interview questions,

role-plays,

ethics questions,

calculation stations,

motivation for medicine.

Each station is timed, usually up to 10 minutes;

May have preparatory material provided in advance;

Interviewers generally can’t show much emotion on their faces or give as many non-verbal cues.

Panel Interviews

Normally last between 15-40 minutes;

at least two interviewers (could be from university, nurse, Dr, current student etc) who will be scoring you independently;

question focused rather than task-based;

may ask you to elaborate and develop your answers;

longer than MMIs though may be broken into sections;

may have preparatory material provided in advance.

General Tips

Re-read your personal statement;

Make notes about what you have read / know / the profession / ethics;

Research the medical school who are interviewing you - look at what they are looking for. Some have student person specifications. Be familiar with how they teach and the structure of the course;

Express your ideas clearly and coherently. Be prepared to elaborate.

Explain your thought process out loud with reasoning.

State what you’ve learnt from an experience rather than just listing work experience, volunteering.

Keep up to date with medicine in the media, i.e., the news or any recent political changes.

Don’t over-rehearse or memorise answers word-for-word.

Link to ethics pillars and NHS values but don’t just list them without reasoning.

Communicate as clearly as possible even in role-plays or fake scenarios.

Dress smartly but still comfortably.

5 Top Tips

1. Be mindful of who’s interviewing you – for example, if it’s a nurse don’t discredit nursing as a profession.

2. Balance Confidence with humility – be reflective while maintaining confidence.

3. Read the room – pick up on non-verbal cues and body language.

4. Body language matters – don’t fiddle with your clothes, jewellery etc. Try and act as confidently as possible.

5. Authentic enthusiasm – give genuine reasoning and don’t try to memorise scripts for questions.

Resources

There are lots of websites / books (some in the sixth form library) with questions and role plays for you to practise. Here are some that are available online:

https://www.theukcatpeople.co.uk/application-guide/interview/280-medical-school-practice-interview-questions?srsltid=AfmBOorx49-xmIwnSPqdAEEh8CtjwyEOnIur6TnI08tiajPejFolUseL

https://www.theukcatpeople.co.uk/post/mmi-roleplay-stations-questions-medicine-interview-questions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI6J7v6nTmE&list=PLyKimHgVa5zw16moNTch3hQU8zR2fw96Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VnxdASUpos&list=PLlpY9nokMkHSjH7iT6Ut6hLOq_bX9o9xz

Uni specific med interview tips: https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/medical-school-interview/school-by-school-interview-tips/keele-medicine-interview/

A website which enables you to film yourself answering questions and engage with peer feedback - https://app.interviews.ninja/

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MMI Roleplay Stations 2025: The Ultimate Interview Guide

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Master MMI roleplays with our expert tips! Learn key strategies, practice scenarios, and ace your medical school interview stations.

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You need relevant work experience to apply for medicine. There are many ways that you can achieve this. A balance of different types places you in the strongest position and shows the broadest range of skills:

long term placement (one hour a week in a care home or with disabled adults);

short term placements at a hospital or GP surgery;

https://www.geh.nhs.uk/about-us/people-and-workforce/work-experience-george-eliot-hospital

https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/where-careers-grow/work-experience/

online courses / work experience:

https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience

https://doctorslive.co.uk/traumalive/

https://bsmsoutreach.thinkific.com/courses/VWE#:~:text=This%20course%20provides%20a%20%27virtual%27%20work%20experience%20for,of%20the%20challenges%20and%20wider%20issues%20doctors%20face.

https://hiow350careers.nhs.uk/virtual-work-experience/

https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/hospital-virtual-work-experience-with-staffordshire-and-stoke-on-trent-ics/WEXP-00039

Try using this concept to help reflect on work experience: https://productive.fish/blog/gibbs-reflective-cycle/

There is an opportunity to get involved in health research through Cochrane Crowd making a real difference to access to health research for all. Sign up here - https://crowd.cochrane.org/

Another long term opportunity:

https://www.nhsconfed.org/

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Work Experience at George Eliot Hospital :: George Eliot Hospital

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Work Experience is a fantastic way of learning more about the hundreds of career options available to you through the NHS and gaining experience in order to make career choices whether you are at college, applying to University, or seeking experience prior to gaining employment.

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It doesn't matter which section different elements of your experience go into on your statement. You will not be penalised, there is no 'wrong' section.

Admission Tutors are interested in your thoughts, not your skills (these are too vague). You need to show that you can read as this is a critical component of education at Oxford or Cambridge. You need to be able to (and enjoy) read / digest lots of complex information. Pay careful attentions to accuracy in literacy. Be genuine, sincere, passionate. Write in first person in your own voice. Try to grab the reader with the start. DO NOT write about the same thing in more than one box.

You can also include relevant experiences / leadership / hobbies / work, but these should only be around 1/4 of your personal statement. The super-curricular should be 3/4.

Section 1 - The super-curricular element is the MOST important. You need to reflect on what you have done and state what you learnt from reading / watching not just write a list of things that you have done. Show the breadth of your reading and make links between elements of your learning: maybe watching a video lead you to something else ... maybe something in your course lead you to ... (I read x which made me think ... this challenged y... Link different things together rather than chunking into a list. Show some depth to your thinking (depth over breadth).

Section 2 - You might include: a crafted narrative around your A level choices linking them to your aspirations / EPQ / Projects / a piece of work which inspired you and lead you to something else. Try to show that you have taken academic initiative and found out about new ideas / entered competitions / visited significant places.

How did it change your view / ideas?

What did you learn?

Do you agree / disagree?

Both universities have pages to support you:

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/ucas-personal-statement

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/ucas-application

Your personal statement may be used as a starter for discussion in your interview. Be familiar with it.

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Writing your personal statement | Undergraduate Study

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Writing your UCAS personal statement? Find out what to include in your personal statement if you’re applying to Cambridge.

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Oxford and Cambridge universities want you to develop your own thinking and research in your chosen subject. You need to show enthusiasm and passion for your chosen subject, alongside the ability to read independently and be academically curious. They are also keen that you involve yourself in any available local projects linked to your interests.

Consider an EPQ alongside your studies which will enable you to develop these skills and expand your subject knowledge outside of subject specifications.

How you develop your knowledge will be subject specific. Here are some potential sources of further reading which previous applicants have signposted in their applications:

https://isaacphysics.org/

https://myheplus.com/

https://oxplore.org/

https://nrich.maths.org/

https://www.futurelearn.com/sign-in

https://www.jstor.org/

https://www.bmj.com/

https://www.ted.com/

https://scholar.google.com/

Journals / books / magazines

Lectures - https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on?see-all

You can also demonstrate deeper subject engagement through MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), many of these provide a certificate at the end of a course and will also signpost further study. There are thousands available so it's worth exploring. Some are short (an hour) and some are designed to last weeks. Have a look at https://www.mooc-list.com/

https://www.mooc.org/

https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=mooc

Academic competitions are another great way to show your subject passion and to stretch yourself. Your subject teachers are likely to know about opportunities. Some are listed here:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/teachers/academic-competitions-schools-and-colleges

https://www.mindsunderground.com/oxbridge-competitions/overview.

Further examples are UKMT Maths Challenge or Chemistry Olympiad.

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Isaac Physics is a project designed to offer support and activities in physics problem solving to teachers and students from GCSE level through to university.

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Work experience, including talking to legal professionals is incredibly beneficial.

Contact local law firms asking whether you would be able to shadow them.

Contact professionals asking whether you can have a conversation about their work. Make a LinkedIn account, connect with people to gain an insight. Not everyone will reply but you never know. Join societies for aspiring lawyers.

There is also open access to courtrooms where you can sit and watch from the gallery (https://magistrates.judiciary.uk/inside-our-courts/visiting-a-court/)

Finding a court / case near you can be done online to enable you to plan your visit - https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/warwick-combined-court

Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for volunteer opportunities.

There are virtual / online law work experience opportunities, many of which are free. Have a look at:

https://www.theforage.com/simulations?careers=law

Many law firms offer their own virtual work experience, so research areas of law that you are interested in. here are some examples:

https://kennedyslaw.com/en/careers-at-kennedys/early-careers/virtual-work-experience/

https://www.brownejacobson.com/careers/future-lawyers/virtual-work-experience

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/careers/early-talent/england/virtual-work-experience#1

https://www.twobirds.com/en/careers/united-kingdom/early-careers/virtual-experience-programme

https://www.slaughterandmay.com/careers/early-careers/work-experience-opportunities/

https://www.whitecase.com/careers/locations/uk/early-careers/our-offer/virtual-learning-programme

https://jobs.cliffordchance.com/gvi-global

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A good law student has a broad awareness of current global affairs, political, moral and legal issues. One of the best ways to prepare is to regularly read from reliably objective sources, especially legal news:

https://www.theguardian.com/law

https://theconversation.com/uk

https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/

https://thestudentlawyer.com/

https://www.supremecourt.uk/

Another useful piece of advice is to read about areas of law that you are interested in. For example:

https://assets-learning.parliament.uk/uploads/2019/12/How-it-Works-booklet.pdf

https://ukhumanrightsblog.com/

https://charonqc.wordpress.com/

Law Schools value oracy skills, get involved in presenting / debating / mooting / mock trials:

https://debatemate.org/

https://www.lse.ac.uk/law/mooting/mooting

https://www.youngcitizens.org/programmes/mock-trials/

https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/Features/08042025-Mooting-opportunities-for-students-202526

Some engagement with podcasts would be useful as well. The University of Leicester recommends:

The Law Show – which introduces many issues you will learn about on your degree - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tgy1

Moral Maze - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qk11

It’s The Law - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p03m0bgv

A Law Unto Themselves - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/b04cgjb5

You and the Law - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p03ghkz3

Political Thinking - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04z203l

Thinking Allowed – this covers many topics so pick what interests you - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qy05/episodes/player

Better Human - A human rights podcast with Adam Wagner (available from iTunes)

The Law In Action - Radio 4 podcast series (available from BBC Sounds)

Law Pod UK - Practising barristers cover developments across civil and public law in the UK including medical law, climate change, and issues with AI.

Nothing But The Truth - this podcast will tell you all you want to know, with honest insights into life at the Bar.

Combatting Terrorists’ Online Activities – In this episode the focus is research into counterterrorism, including terrorists’ use of the internet, particularly cyberterrorism and online propaganda and radicalisation.

How Do We Prove Human Rights Violations - In this episode of Exploring Global Problems, the focus is child poverty, environmental human rights, and how social media evidence can be used for accountability for mass human rights violations.

Some useful youtube links:

Justice: What’s the Right thing to Do? Lectures about the morality of murder from Harvard University

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdfcR-8hEY

We need to talk about an injustice by Bryan Stevenson, grandson of Rosa Parkes or the “Just Mercy” book and film based on his work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2tOp7OxyQ8

Toby Eccles: Invest in social change | TED Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/toby_eccles_invest_in_social_change

Some useful reading:

ATH Smith, Glanville Williams: Learning the Law (17th edition, Sweet and Maxwell 2020)

I Moore, C Newberry-Jones, The Successful Law Student (2nd Edition, Oxford 2022)

A Bradney, F. Cownie, J. Masson, A. Neal and D. Newell, How to Study Law (8th edition, Sweet and Maxwell 2021)

A Lester, Five Ideas to Fight For (Oneworld Publications, 2016)

T Bingham, The Rule of Law (Penguin, 2011)

The Secret Barrister, Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken (Picador, 2019)

G Robertson, Crimes Against Humanity: The Struggle For Global Justice (Penguin, 2024)

Letters to a Law Student (Nicholas McBride, 2017)
Covering information that prospective law students need to know before starting their studies, providing a useful guide to those considering a law degree and helping you prepare for your first year of study.

The Secret Barrister (The Secret Barrister, 2018)
A book about a junior barrister specialising in criminal law, which aims to provide an accessible explanation of our criminal justice system and how it works for future solicitors and barristers.

What about Law? Studying Law at University (Catherine Barnard, 2011)
A short, accessible 'taster' of law as an academic subject, designed to help you decide whether law is the right choice for you at university.

If you hope to be a barrister, these resources are useful:

https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/starting-at-the-bar-your-essential-guide.html

https://pupillageandhowtogetit.com/

Useful Blogs:

https://davidallengreen.com/

You can also complete MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses), mostly free of charge, and many issue a certificate for completition: https://www.mooc-list.com/categories/law

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If you're applying to Oxbridge, preparing for your interviews are crucial. They want to know how you learn, how you respond to hints and tips / whether you have the academic potential that they are looking for, whether you learn well being taught in a specific way. Both universities offer advice on their website:

Oxford - https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/interviews

Cambridge - https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/after/cambridge-interviews

Preparing

Know your taught subject content. You need to revise all content from your A levels prior to the interview as they are interested in how you can make links. (Do not worry about content that you have not been taught yet, this does not disadvantage you.)

Practice discussing your subject beyond the curriculum, you will be asked about things / texts / content that you have never seen before. Be ready to think aloud and tackle unfamiliar problems. Apply knowledge that you already have to new stimuli / problems.

Revise your personal statement and re-read any other work you have sent to the university. You will be asked questions based on your personal statement: academic areas / topics that you have said you are interested in / texts you say you have engaged with.

Join debate clubs or academic societies to develop your analytical thinking and communication skills.

The Interview

Questions will start simply to warm you up / settle you.

They will then go deeper, interviewers are not testing what you have prepared, they are testing spontaneous thought.

You also need to show that you:

take on approaches;

take on feedback;

take a different perspective;

have passion for / interest in the subject;

understand the world through your subject lens.

You don't have to ask questions at the end, whether you do or not will not make a difference.

Some subject specific possibilities:

Biochem - why are you interested? Then problems to solve

Sciences - problems to solve

History - extract / source / topic (from PS)

Mock interviews from Cambridge to watch

English - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZoJ9QIlcKo

Biology - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGiTyIpUXew

Oxford Interview Preparation support

The University has a clear guide on the process of applying, alongside steps for making sure applications are competitive, on its central admissions hub.

Individual Colleges also often run their own interview workshops. These will be advertised here, so it is worth checking between June and November each year.

Grading

At both universities, interviews are graded. The Cambridge grading system is:

10 - exceptional

9 - very strong

8 - strong

7 - good

6 - satisfactory

5 - not satisfactory

1-4 - unsatisfactory

Typical offers are made between 6.5 and 8. Candidates rarely achieve 9/10.

Oxford University

Interviews

The University has a clear guide on the process of applying, alongside steps for making sure applications are competitive, on its central admissions hub.

Individual Colleges also often run their own interview workshops. These will be advertised here, so it is worth checking between June and November each year.

Physics Mock Interview Pack for Teachers

The Physics department has created its own preparation guide for interviews.

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How to prepare for your OXBRIDGE INTERVIEW | Top tips from an Oxford Admissions Tutor!

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You need to understand what the dentistry profession involves. Make sure that you know about some areas that you are interested in, and have dental knowledge and prove that you really care about the subject.

Online learning platforms offer free courses (MOOCs) giving insights into different aspects of dentistry.

https://www.mooc-list.com/tags/dentistry

Read news or dental journals about developments in dentistry or the NHS. See if you can talk to dental professionals – not just dentists – about their experiences.

Some suggested reading is available here - https://www.theukcatpeople.co.uk/post/best-books-for-dentistry-application-uk?srsltid=AfmBOortvVq4-z-BqvkQecfS9UrEtjdgvdNyVrOF9noseu8t77gq-Si6

Certain websites are essential, and you need to keep up to date with them:

https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/?contentTypes=newsPage

https://www.gdc-uk.org/news-blogs

https://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/fundamental-standards

And current affairs linked to health and dentistry:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/health

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health

https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/

https://cgdent.uk/

Talk about what you’ve learned in your application or interview, and how it’s influenced or motivated you.

It is also a good idea to read some published, peer reviewed, articles in areas that you are interested in:

https://www.jstor.org/

https://scholar.google.co.uk/

You can also search any online university library and select the 'open access' option to find papers available to you.

A company who offer a conference to support you:

Dental Mentor – Making a Difference - https://dental-mentor.org/

Another long term opportunity:

https://www.nhsconfed.org/

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We advise you to prepare for the UCAT using the free official practice materials which have been developed by the UCAT Consortium. We believe that all everyone should have access to free preparation materials to support their test preparation. The resources and advice below have been produced by ourselves using feedback from previous high-scoring candidates.

We recommend you startby looking atthe UCAT Preparation Plan video which provides a suggested approach and timetable for preparing for your test.

Please also read the essentialPractice Tipsbefore you go any further with your preparation. These relate to important test features such as the onscreen calculator, keyboard shortcuts and note taking, and should be familiar with this information before sitting your test. you

You can now start your preparation using the resourcesbelow, we recommend you view these resources before moving on to the Practice Tests.

This tutorial illustrates all the functions used in our computer-based test including how to answer questions, call the calculator, move from screen to screen, and also how to utilise the flag and review function.

Guides for sitting the UCAT at a test centre or the UCAT Online at home are now available. These provide candidates with detailed guidance on each option available and will help candidates make an informed decision about how they wish to sit the test this year.

Important note - this information is currently being updated for 2021.

The official UCAT YouTube channel has a number of videos to support preparation. High-scoring, former UCAT candidates share advice on their preparations for the test, plus a selection of University Admissions Tutors share their thoughts on the use of the test. There are also videos showing what to expect in a Pearson VUE test centre and a playlist of videos from our member universities.

Thisinteractive tutorial includes advice on how to approach the test, an overview of each of the different question types within the UCAT, as well as giving useful strategies on how to approach and answer questions in all five subtests .

Schools/Colleges can use our 2021 Presentation for advising prospective candidates about the 2021 UCAT or running a UCAT overview session at their own institution, however please be advised that due to the COVID-19 situation this information is subject to change.

You can also read helpful advice from past high-scoring candidates on our Candidate Advice Page and also on our Instagram@ucatofficial.

The UCAT Team are on Instagram @ucatofficialand Twitter @ucatofficial more FREE practice questions and answers every week, plus lotsof extraadvice, top tips and reminders throughout the test cycle.

Resources for Teachers and Advisors

We have also produced a UCAT 2021 Information leaflet that schools, colleges, universities, and Widening Participation organisations can share with their students / applicants.

Commercial Preparation Materials

Candidates should be aware that whilst there are many commercial companies publishing books and offering coaching for our tests, the UCAT Consortium does not work with any of these companies or endorse the use of their materials. Taking advantage of these opportunities can cost candidates a great deal of money and we would advise you to be sceptical about claims they can help you do well in the test by coaching.

Commercial organisations will be using questions that are not necessarily of the standard you will encounter in the UCAT and this may distort your performance whilst practising. Screen views may be different and commercial organisations are unlikely to include the new question types, which you may encounter in your test. They may also not replicate the UCAT scoring and banding accurately and may give misleading indicators of your anticipated UCAT score.

There is also lots of advice available for free on the web regarding approaches to the test and many sources of free practice questions. However, unless the material has been published very recently it is unlikely to include the correct test content, test questions, etc.

We therefore strongly advise candidates to use the officialpractice materials on our website, and to be cautious about using resources from any commercial providers, as these are not affiliated with UCAT in any way.

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We advise you to prepare for the UCAT using the free official practice materials which have been developed by the UCAT Consortium. We believe that all everyone should have access to free preparation materials to support their test preparation. The resources and advice below have been produced by ourselves using feedback from previous high-scoring candidates.

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Many medical schools will not read your personal statement, though it is valuable preparation for interview. For this reason, it is worth looking carefully at any you apply for who will and then you can tailor your statement to their requirements. You might consider:

why you want to study medicine;

how you developed / what you learnt from your work experience;

super-curricular work.

Some further useful resources:

https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/applying/anatomy-of-ps

https://medify.co/admissions-guide/personal-statement-examples-medicine

https://www.theukcatpeople.co.uk/application-guide/medicine/successful-medicine-personal-statement-examples?srsltid=AfmBOorzxjlMLta3L6ZYnz6wyVYfrcepGtff-m3pnBB9s6XQEHlxO2nc

Example personal statements:

https://www.blackstonetutors.com/personal-statement/5-great-personal-statement-examples-that-will-inspire-you/

https://universitycompare.com/personal-statement-examples/medicine

https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/personal-statement/medicine-personal-statement-examples/

https://medify.co/admissions-guide/personal-statement-examples-medicine

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How to Write the Perfect UCAS Personal Statement | Applying to UK University

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You need to be ready to demonstrate an understanding of what the medical profession involves, including ethics, challenges and the current climate. There are some core documents which you need to have read:

https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance-and-curricula/guidance/student-professionalism-and-ftp/achieving-good-medical-practice

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

https://www.england.nhs.uk/6cs/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2015/03/introducing-the-6cs.pdf

https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/good-medical-practice

You need to read around the profession and keep up with the latest developments. Read and watch the news - follow any cases which have themes of medicine, ethics, patients, illnesses / diseases / vaccinations / treatments. Be prepared to give both the facts and your own opinions about the cases:

Some suggested read are available here - https://www.themedicportal.com/blog/books-to-read-before-your-med-school-interview/

https://www.bmj.com/

https://www.theguardian.com/society/health

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health

https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/

It is also a good idea to read some published, peer reviewed, articles in areas that you are interested in:

https://www.jstor.org/

https://scholar.google.com/

You can also search any online university library and select the 'open access' option to find papers available to you.

You can also demonstrate deeper subject engagement through MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), many of these provide a certificate at the end of a course and will also signpost further study. There are thousands available so it's worth exploring. Some are short (an hour) and some are designed to last weeks. Have a look at

https://www.mooc.org/

https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=mooc

https://www.mooc-list.com/tags/medicine

Some universities provide an advised reading list:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.sgul.ac.uk/study/widening-participation/documents/medicine-reading-list.pdf

https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/applying/reading

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.bsms.ac.uk/_pdf/about/reading-list-2023.pdf

https://kmms.ac.uk/kmms-pre-arrival-reading-list-2/

https://www.lucy.cam.ac.uk/blog/books-medical-students-must-read

A company who offer a conference to support you:

Medic Mentor - https://medicmentor.org/

Another long term opportunity:

https://www.nhsconfed.org/

STEP into OxMed Introduction to Medicine Series (KS3-5)

A series of recorded online talks run by medical students, doctors and scientists. Covering life as a doctor, patient experiences, medical specialties and more.

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Some subjects are far more competitive than others; your subject choice impacts your chances of getting an Oxbridge offer so consider it carefully.

Your A-level choices are crucial for most subjects at Oxford and Cambridge. CHECK THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS as early as possible.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/

https://www.cam.ac.uk/

Consider an EPQ alongside your studies, this develops many of the skills with Oxford and Cambridge are looking for alongside developing your subject knowledge outside of the A level specification. Many Oxford and Cambridge courses like applicants to have an EPQ.

If you are not yet sure about what you want to study, traditional 'facilitating subjects' like Mathematics, Sciences, History, or English Literature are good choices. Ensure your choices align with your desired course requirements. For example, aspiring medics should take Chemistry and Biology, while Engineering applicants should focus on Maths and Physics.

UCAS provide a useful pre-application guide - https://www.ucas.com/connect/blogs/oxbridge-application-tips

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Oxford University provides world-class research and education to benefit society on a local, regional, national and global scale.