Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB

Course overview

Begin your journey to medicine with a dedicated Gateway Year to Medicine that empowers talented students from all backgrounds.

We believe that exceptional medical education should be accessible to all, regardless of background. Our Gateway Year to Medicine course is specifically designed for students from widening participation backgrounds who aspire to become doctors and make a real difference to the communities they serve.

At Leeds, you’ll be welcomed into our clinical community from day one – not just as a student, but as a future doctor.

The dedicated Gateway Year is the first stage of your medical degree pathway, providing the solid academic, professional and personal foundations needed to study MBChB Medicine and Surgery at Leeds. You’ll start your undergraduate studies in a small, supportive cohort, an ideal environment to gain confidence and a strong sense of belonging in our medical community.

We’ll help you develop important study skills, reflective practice and introduce you to learning alongside patients and carers.

On successful completion, you will progress automatically into Year 1 of the MBChB Medicine and Surgery degree. Full details can be found on the MBChB course page.

Why study at Leeds:

• A foundation year programme that opens the door to your medical degree: Created specifically for students who meet widening participation criteria, the Gateway Year opens doors to medical education for applicants who may not otherwise be able to access it.

• A supportive transition into university-level medical training: You’ll learn in a close-knit cohort with structured academic, pastoral and study‑skills support. The Gateway Year bridges the gap between school and university, helping you build confidence, independence and a sense of belonging in our medical student community.

• Learning aligned with the Leeds MBChB Medicine and Surgery degree: The modules you study will mirror the structure of the MBChB degree, supporting you to make a smooth and confident transition into year one.

• Our Commitment: We are committed to helping our students become doctors who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, and who bring empathy, cultural understanding and a broad perspective to patient care. The Gateway Year to Medicine is more than just a route into the MBChB; it is a year of transformation that equips you to thrive in one of the most rewarding careers in the world. Our widening participation criteria are based on the University of Leeds longstanding contextualised admissions scheme, Access to Leeds.

Progressing onto our MBChB course

After successfully completing your Gateway Year to Medicine, including reaching the required grades in assessments, you’ll progress to the five-year MBChB Medicine and Surgery undergraduate degree.

On the MBChB Medicine and Surgery you will:

• Learn from experienced professionals who directly inform the curriculum with their world-leading medical research.

• Work with patients to incrementally build your confidence and experience.

• Undertake clinical placements within our strong network, gaining experience across a wide range of primary and secondary healthcare environments, including hospitals, GP practices, hospices and community settings .

• Learn in dedicated teaching facilities in the newly refurbished School of Medicine, including the Medical Teaching Centre, Clinical Practice Centre, libraries and study spaces.

Accreditation

Our MBChB programme includes preparation for the General Medical Council (GMC) Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA). Successful completion of the five-year MBChB Medicine and Surgery degree (and meeting Fitness to Practice criteria) allows you to register provisionally with the GMC, the regulatory body for doctors in the UK. All graduating students are required to pass the MLA as part of the medical degree. After graduation, you'll apply for the two-year UK Foundation Programme before entering postgraduate training.

See Assessment for further information about the MLA.

Course details and modules

This programme offers a unique blend of science and practical skills that will set you up for a smooth transition to the MBChB Medicine and Surgery degree.

The Gateway Year to Medicine develops your understanding of the biomedical, psychological, and social sciences that underpin clinical practice. You’ll strengthen core study strategies, gain confidence in communicating with a wide range of people, and build appreciation of patient‑centred care and healthcare roles.

There are no optional modules. The programme is full-time.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

At Leeds, we use a variety of learning and teaching methods to inspire and train the next generation of doctors.

Alongside face-to-face teaching in the lecture theatre, you will regularly meet with tutors and fellow students in smaller group seminars to discuss and explore topics. With a focus on authentic case-based learning, you’ll engage with real scenarios.

You’ll also have access to high-quality online learning resources, including our exclusive community of virtual patients, and platforms to develop essential digital competencies for your career.

Your clinical skills training begins on the Medicine and Surgery MBChB and will take place in the clinical skills classrooms, through simulations in our on-campus Simulation Suite. In Years One to Five of the MBChB, you will take this experience through to real healthcare settings during clinical placements. You’ll be introduced to the management of real patients gradually, building your confidence, skills and behaviours at each stage of your training.

On campus you’ll access specialist facilities including our newly refurbished Health Sciences Library and the Medical Teaching Centre.Plus, at Leeds, you’ll have a huge amount of support to help you thrive in your academic and clinical studies. A combination of lecturers, specialist skills tutors, personal wellbeing tutors, student peer groups and professional clinicians will guide you in your journey, and help you develop into a confident, holistic doctor who is attuned to the evolving demands of healthcare.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

The Gateway Year to Medicine uses a variety of different assessment methods, which mirror those on the 5-year MBChB medical degree. They are designed to ensure that you have acquired the knowledge, behaviours and technical skills that are required by the General Medical Council (GMC), to graduate from the MBChB and gain your provisional registration license to enter the UK Foundation Programme.

You will experience different assessment types aligned with the different learning outcomes that are being assessed. This will include reflective practice, a key skill required throughout the programme and your ongoing career.

You will be assessed using Single Best Answers (SBA), written assignments and presentations, along with an electronic portfolio.

Entry requirements

A-level: BBC

Widening participation criteria for the Gateway Year to Medicine

Because this course is open only to Widening Participation applicants from the UK, in addition to the academic requirements specified below, further criteria must be met in order to be eligible. These can be found here.

Values based recruitment is carried out across our vocational programmes. Candidates who apply to more than one vocational course in the School of Medicine will only be considered for one course. Please note that if a candidate demonstrates motivation and insight for another non-School of Medicine vocational course e.g. nursing or dentistry they will be rejected without further consideration. Candidates therefore cannot apply to the Gateway Year to Medicine and Medicine programmes in the same application cycle.

Where possible, candidates who apply for multiple programmes within the School of Medicine will be informed that they must choose one course only.

This course is not open to international applicants.

Academic requirements

A-level: BBC including Chemistry or Biology at B grade. Physics or Maths must also be taken if Chemistry is not taken.

Certain combinations are not acceptable, specifically:

• Chemistry with Biology and Human Biology

• Chemistry with Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

Applicants who are studying both Chemistry and Biology, who are predicted ABB or greater with the A in Chemistry or Biology and also meet the Widening Participation criteria are not eligible to apply to A101 Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB and should apply via the Access to Leeds route to A100 Medicine and Surgery MBChB.

Applicants predicted ABB without the A in Chemistry or Biology, and applicants who are not taking both Chemistry and Biology A-levels, are not eligible to apply to A100 Medicine and Surgery MBChB. They should therefore apply to A101 Gateway Year to Medicine MBChB if they meet the Widening Participation criteria.

Candidates who have studied previous Access to HE Diploma or foundation courses will not be accepted onto this programme.

Graduate applicants will not be accepted onto this course.

A-level: Those taking a fourth A2 subject will not be at an advantage to those taking three. BTEC Level 3 Qualifications are not accepted in place of A-levels.

GCSE: A minimum of 6 GCSEs at grade C or above (or 4 or above) are required including Maths, English Language, Biology and Chemistry (or Dual Science/Double Science). Please note that applicants applying with these minimums are unlikely to be shortlisted to interview and that scoring is based on 8 GCSEs. All Level 2 qualifications must have been achieved by the time of application in order for the application to be considered. If the Level 2 English qualification is not integrated into the applicant’s Level 3 qualification the English Language requirements must be met at the point of application.

From 2026 entry onwards the School of Medicine at Leeds will accept one resit attempt per Level 3 (A2) and per Level 2 (GCSE) qualification without mitigating circumstances. Applications will only be considered from those undertaking a third attempt at an academic entry qualification where an applicant is able to provide suitable evidence of mitigating circumstances that prevented them from achieving the required grades on their second attempt.

Other course specific tests:

Evidence of Study

Applicants will need to show evidence of being within full-time education in the last 5 years.

DBS Checks

The University of Leeds is obliged to refuse admission to applicants for certain courses, which are regulated by national or statutory bodies, where an Enhanced DBS certificate or International Criminality check reveals prior criminal behaviour giving rise to concern for the protection of the public. Clinical placements cannot be attended by those who fail to comply with the clearance processes. 

As part of your application to study you are required to declare any criminal convictions in order that certain checks with the DBS can be undertaken. The University will send further instructions as part of the admissions process where such checks are required.

Occupational Health Clearance

Any offer of a place to study on this course is conditional upon a satisfactory confidential occupational health assessment. All students will complete a pre-registration screening questionnaire which allows our occupational health team at the University support you to meet your true potential on the programme despite any pre-existing health concerns you may have.

The process also allows our occupational health team to check your immunity requirements so we can ensure that both patients and you are protected and kept safe. This will involve understanding your immunisation record to date.

Additionally, for Medicine, Gateway Year to Medicine, Physician Associates, Midwifery Programmes, Dentistry (undergraduate and postgraduate) and Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, where you will be undertaking Exposure Prone Procedure (EPP) work during your training we will be screening for HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B surface antigen, in accordance with Department of Health regulations.

For students and applicants to the Faculty of Medicine and Health, please see our dedicated webpage for more information about Occupational Health.

HEOPS offers guidance on occupational health resources and health surveillance.

UCAT

All applicants for the MBChB and Gateway Year to Medicine course are required to take UCAT. This test must be taken in the year of application. We do not accept other aptitude tests instead, eg. BMAT or GAMSAT.

UCAT is a computer-based admissions test used by a consortium of UK and international universities to help select applicants for their medical and dental degree programmes. We strongly recommend you prepare for the test. There are many materials to help you, including on the UCAT website.

Work Experience

Clinical work experience is not generally a requirement for applying to medical school in any year. Further information on work experience can be found at www.medschools.ac.uk/studying-medicine/making-an-application/work-experience

Personal Statement

Although personal statements are not formally part of our shortlisting process, these form an essential part of your preparation for interview and it is therefore important that these are a clear and accurate reflection of how your skills and attributes make you an ideal candidate to study medicine.

Please read advice on personal statement and reference, non-academic achievements and personal qualities here.

UCAS reference

The School of Medicine requires that the referee be someone who knows the applicant academically from their most recent period of academic study and who can share supporting information relevant to the course that the applicant is applying for, along with any predicted grades for qualifications that the applicant is currently studying. References from paid and unpaid employment will not be accepted.

Alternative qualification

Fees

UK: £10,050

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Students will incur a direct cost for the following items:

Costs prior to admission

• UCAT (£70) although there is a full widening participation bursary available.

• Criminal record checks (£53 for home students, variable fee for overseas students).

Students may incur a direct cost for the following items:

Costs prior to admission

• Travel and hotel costs for students attending interview, although up to £100 bursary is available to ensure widening participation students can attend.

• Additional vaccines needed for elective travel. Vaccination costs to join the programme are not passed on to the student.

For programme related costs, see MBChB Medicine and Surgery.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your degree. Find out more and check your eligibility below:

• Scholarships for International students
• Scholarships for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your degree. Find out more and check your eligibility below:

• Scholarships for International students

• Scholarships for UK students

• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

Applying

The application closing date for medicine is earlier than for many other courses.

• All full-time undergraduate applications must be made through the UCAS website by 15 October of the year preceding entry. The School of Medicine does not accept applications for Gateway Year to Medicine after this deadline, and it does not participate in UCAS Extra.

• Applying for the Gateway Year to Medicine is very competitive. You need to make sure your application does you justice, so make sure you read this advice before you write yours.

International students

This course is not open to international applicants.

Selection process

A successful application passes through several stages before we make an offer.

We assess application forms against academic criteria, considering achieved and predicted grades, and the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) score, which provides an overall ranking used for shortlisting for interviews.

UCAT is a computer-based admissions test used by a consortium of UK and international universities to help select applicants for their medical and dental degree programmes. We strongly recommend candidates prepare for the test.

If you have mitigating circumstances, these must be included in your personal statement and academic reference at the point of application.

Find out more about UCAT.

Interviews

For students applying for 2026 entry, face-to-face interviews for the Gateway Year gateto Medicine course will take place on 5th, 6th and 7th January 2027. Overseas interviews will be carried out online. Using a multiple mini-interview format, we will further assess applicants’ non-academic qualities.

Further information on how to prepare for interviews can be found on the Medical Schools Council website.

Offers

The decision to make an offer after interview depends entirely on performance at interview, not on predicted or achieved academic performance, or UCAT scores.

Unfortunately, because of the nature and volume of applications and interviews, we are unable to provide specific individual feedback.

Waitlists

The School of Medicine does not usually enter Clearing for Gateway Year to Medicine, however this is subject to change. If places become available through Clearing this will be advertised via the University of Leeds Clearing Listings.

However, the School of Medicine does usually operate a waitlist for those applicants who narrowly missed out on an offer at the interview stage and are eligible to be waitlisted. The admissions team will be in contact with those invited to join our waitlist after the UCAS Decision deadline in June.

Important information

Candidates who apply to more than one vocational course in the School of Medicine will only be considered for one course.

Please note that if a candidate demonstrates motivation and insight for another non-School of Medicine vocational course (eg nursing or dentistry) they will be rejected without further consideration.

Where possible, candidates who apply for multiple programmes within the School of Medicine will be informed that they must choose one course only.

Values-based recruitment is carried out across our vocational programmes.

Gap year

We welcome applications from applicants who are intending to undertake a gap year. Please use the personal statement section of the UCAS application form to explain your reasons for taking a gap year. You may normally apply for deferred entry for one academic year only. If you wish to make a deferral request after you have submitted your UCAS application, this can only be considered until the time that you make your firm and insurance choices on UCAS.

Appeals and Complaints

Please see the latest School of Medicine Admissions Appeals and Complaints Procedure.

Admissions policy

Admissions Policy for Clinical and Practice Courses in the Faculty of Medicine and Health 2026-27

This course is taught by

School of Medicine

Contact us

School of Medicine Undergraduate Admissions Team

Email: ugmadmissions@leeds.ac.uk

Career opportunities

Doctors are one of the 350 careers within the NHS, and there are over 50 different specialties to choose from.

As a medical graduate, you’ll be ready to take your next steps to become a qualified medical practitioner. A wide range of careers will be open to you, not only within clinical practice, but also in areas such as medical research or healthcare leadership. And if you choose to pursue a clinical career, there are many opportunities to specialise in a particular field of medicine or pursue general practice.

Qualified medics can be found working in many areas related to medicine, such as in international aid, medical journalism, medical research and education. As a qualified doctor, you will also find there are opportunities outside of medicine, such as in law and the pharmaceutical industry.

Our School of Medicine is a major centre for education and cutting-edge international research, enabling us to be agile in the changing healthcare landscape and therefore ensuring that you'll be well prepared for your future career.

As part of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, you'll benefit from an environment where students can learn directly from world-leading experts resulting in excellent outcomes for our graduates.

We offer higher degrees by research and taught postgraduate programmes with a rich variety of student experience, from basic discovery science through to applied healthcare research across our School. Find out more about our postgraduate study opportunities via this link.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our medical students benefit from specialist careers support from a dedicated Careers Coordinator.

Throughout your MBChB degree, you’ll have opportunities for self-reflection, to think about the different career routes open to you as a medical graduate and the skills you’ll need to get into your chosen job.

You’ll develop your own personal development plan and portfolio of learning. This is designed to integrate with your lifelong learning in medicine after you graduate and will be supported by your academic personal tutor and clinical supervisors throughout your medical degree.

The Leeds MBChB gives you plenty of opportunities to reflect on your learning, development, discovery, and achievement during your time at university.

Study abroad and work placements

There are no study abroad opportunities within the Gateway Year to Medicine year. However, in year 5 of the MBChB, you can choose to spend your six-week elective abroad.

This elective focuses on developing wider clinical experience or carrying out a specific project abroad.

Previous students have worked in health centres, charities, universities and hospitals across different continents, ranging from world-leading research institutes to isolated units delivering healthcare in developing countries. Countries have included Australia, Samoa, China, Italy, Nepal, Japan and Tanzania.

Clinical placements

Clinical placements are integrated into your teaching on the MBChB Medicine and Surgery degree.

Read more on the MBChB course page.