Medicine and Surgery MBChB

Course overview

Learn, work and grow alongside clinical practitioners at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

Your journey to becoming a doctor starts here.

The Leeds MBChB prepares you to enter clinical practice as a confident, holistic doctor, equipped with rigorous scientific knowledge, practical clinical skills and a deep understanding of patient care.

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

What sets us apart is a seamless combination of outstanding academic learning and clinical practice. You’ll regularly interact with clinicians, patients and healthcare teams, gaining hands-on experience with placements from year one. Meaning you develop skills during practice, not just in the classroom.

Doctors and clinicians are integral to the Leeds teaching team. Actively working in a wide range of settings, they bring dynamic, real-world relevance to your learning with up-to-date insights from the front lines of healthcare.

The UK healthcare environment is rapidly evolving, and we prepare you to be an adaptable doctor, with a broad perspective on patient care and the confidence to lead change across sectors and specialisms.

“I personally really enjoyed the opportunity I had where a clinical educator was able to observe me carry out a history and exam with a patient on my ward. The one-to-one experience I received, with clear and instructive feedback from the clinical educator was invaluable to my learning experience.” Shiwei Ooi, MBChB Medicine and Surgery

Why study at Leeds

• Gain broad clinical knowledge across sectors and specialisms: You’ll have regular exposure to diverse healthcare settings and patient needs, including in hospitals across four NHS Hospital Trusts, in GP surgeries, NHS organisations and hospices, as well as through initiatives including our world-renowned Patient, Carer Community (PCC).

• Clinical placements from year one: Engage directly with patients and healthcare teams across the diverse West Yorkshire region, building core clinical skills, gaining a patient-centred mindset and the confidence to begin to define your own style as a future doctor.

• Learn and work alongside doctors and clinicians: You’ll be taught and mentored by active professionals, who provide valuable insight into the latest practices and exemplify the core attributes you’ll need as a doctor.

• Support for your future career: The course content meets the standards of the General Medical Council, alongside comprehensive preparation for the Medical Licensing Assessment. Personal tutors also support your development along the way.

• Tailor your learning to your interests: Get dedicated time throughout the programme to pursue topics and activities from a range of specialist areas, plus the opportunity to study a specialism in greater depth through our intercalation programme.

Gateway Year to Medicine

At Leeds, we believe that medical education should be accessible for all students. That’s why we’ve developed our Gateway Year to Medicine, a foundation course designed for students from widening participation backgrounds to develop the skills and scientific knowledge needed to progress to the five-year MBChB Medicine and Surgery.

Please note, if you apply for the Gateway Year to Medicine, you can’t also apply for the MBChB at the same time, and vice versa.

Accreditation

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

See Assessment in the ‘Course details and modules’ section for further information about the MLA.

Course details and modules

This degree offers a unique blend of science and practical skills that will set you up for a career where every day is different.

In the early years of the programme, you’ll be introduced to key aspects of professional practice, and explore the fundamentals of the human body, before progressing in later years to study pathology and the healthcare environment – applying your knowledge in real-world clinical settings.

Your final year consolidates your prior learning across all strands of the MBChB and prepares you for the transition to postgraduate foundation training.

By the end of your studies, you'll be able to demonstrate that you have met the Outcomes for Graduates as set by our regulatory body, the General Medical Council (GMC).

In each year you'll study four modules, which are aligned with the GMC Outcomes for Graduates:

• Fundamentals of Medicine – underpins your medical education with core science, clinical research and the wider forces that shape health.

• Clinical Practice – develops essential skills to carry out patient consultations, conduct clinical diagnosis and work within diverse health care settings.

• Professional Practice – supports you to become a practicing doctor, developing your professional identity, values and behaviours in line with GMC standards.

• Student Choice – dedicated time to explore topics that interest or challenge you.

Satisfactory progress must be achieved in all modules within each year of study for students to progress onto the next year. There are no optional modules.

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

Years 1 and 2

In your early years, you will focus on developing foundational clinical competence through early clinical placements and simulations. You'll begin understanding how biomedical knowledge, for example anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology, all contribute to patient care. You'll learn about the mechanisms of disease including the increasing role of genetic analysis in medicine. Study of clinical laboratory science will ensure that you understand the processes used to diagnose and monitor disease.

You'll begin to develop an understanding of the broader context of healthcare. You'll explore key public health issues, such as health inequities, planetary health, global health and health systems and their impact on healthcare delivery and outcomes. You'll explore psychological and social factors in health and illness, gaining insight into diverse lived experiences. Additionally, you'll be introduced to research, evaluation, and quality improvement, embedding a commitment to evidence-based practice early on in your training.

In both classroom and real-world clinical settings, you'll develop communication, consultation, clinical reasoning and practical skills, spending time on placements in primary and secondary care. You'll begin applying ethical and legal principles to health care decisions and learn to identify patient safety and safeguarding concerns. Within the clinical setting you'll begin to understand and demonstrate how practical application of professional skills, including effective teamworking and reflective practice, improves patient safety and quality of care.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Fundamentals of Medicine 1

You'll develop an understanding of basic research skills, core biomedical principles, foundational sociological concepts and basic psychological models of health, illness and disease. Key components of wellness and health promotion will be explored alongside epidemiological fundamentals.

Clinical Practice 1

You'll develop awareness of healthcare delivery context, the clinical learning environment and the principles of patient-centred care. You'll begin to develop communication and clinical skills, and explore the theoretical basis of clinical reasoning and principles of safe prescribing.

Professional Practice 1

You'll be introduced to and begin to develop the core personal and professional values, attitudes and behaviours to train as a doctor along with developing an awareness of the socio-legal and ethical history of the healthcare- professional relationship.

Student Choice 1

You'll work with your tutor to begin a personal development plan, a personalised roadmap that helps you set goals, reflect on your progress, and capture achievements throughout your degree. You'll reflect on your transition to university life and begin a portfolio that will chart your journey from student to doctor.

Year 2 compulsory modules

Fundamentals of Medicine 2

You'll further develop research skills. You'll examine how social factors influence health, the interaction between psychological and medical conditions, the essentials of preventative interventions, and effective ways to communicate risk. Developing an insight into clinical laboratory science and how disease processes are diagnosed and monitored, you'll also learn about the mechanisms of disease including the utility of genetics in medicine. You'll further develop your knowledge of anatomy.

Clinical Practice 2

You'll develop communication, consultation, clinical reasoning and practical skills and put these into practice on clinical placements. You'll expand your understanding of safe prescribing and drug administration and be introduced to the clinical information systems used in practice.

Professional Practice 2

You'll understand and demonstrate the personal and professional values required for working with patients and in healthcare systems, including how practical application of professional skills and reflective practice improves patient safety and quality of care. Students will begin to develop their ethical reasoning skills through application of foundational principles to clinical cases.

Student Choice 2

You'll have opportunity to explore co-curricular learning experiences or dive deeper into elements of the curriculum that interest you.

Years 3 and 4

From your third year, learning moves predominantly to a clinical environment, with rotations across primary, secondary, private, and voluntary care settings. giving you experience of a wide range of clinical specialties. Working within healthcare teams and with real patients, and supported by simulation where appropriate, you'll build on your experiences from years 1 and 2, further strengthening your consultation, examination, clinical reasoning and management skills. You’ll have access to a broader range of patient presentations and conditions, including provision of emergency care and more complex presentations.

Integrating knowledge from the Fundamentals of Medicine strand, you'll learn to prescribe safely and accurately, recognise high-risk drugs and adverse reactions, and consider the clinical and social factors that influence safe prescribing. You'll advance your understanding of medicines management across acute, community and specialist settings, and learn to prescribe and administer drugs safely in both adults and children.

Tutor-guided peer-group meetings will encourage reflection and deeper learning from your clinical experiences and evaluate personal and professional values, skills, attitudes, and behaviours. You'll be supported to interpret ethical and legal principles that are relevant to healthcare decisions. In the Clinical Research and Scholarship theme, your skills will advance to enable you to design and implement a research, audit, or evaluation project.

Year 3 compulsory modules

Fundamentals of Medicine 3

You'll evaluate population-level healthcare while applying sociological and psychological frameworks to clinical cases, recognising how health behaviours and social contexts shape treatment outcomes and clinical decision-making.

Clinical Practice 3

You'll learn predominantly in a clinical environment consolidating communication and consultation skills in more complex presentations. You'll start to develop the skills of framing medical problems clearly and concisely, to enhance collaboration with colleagues and patients. Prescribing skills will advance to understanding higher risk prescribing situations.

Professional Practice 3

You'll learn to understand and differentiate between the types of teams in a variety of healthcare settings. You'll explore the professional values required for working with colleagues with an emphasis on self-awareness and professional boundaries. Building on ethical and legal foundations, you'll identify ethical issues on placement and explore these through facilitated discussion.

Student Choice 3

You'll explore a health problem in a service delivery setting, selecting an appropriate method of presentation. Your personal development plan expands, reflecting the skills gained from your wider life, showing how every experience contributes to your growth as a future doctor.

Year 4 compulsory modules

Fundamentals of Medicine 4

You'll integrate evidence-based public health principles to clinical care in a range of settings and integrate complex sociological and psychological knowledge with reflections on clinical experience.

Clinical Practice 4

Combining theoretical learning with experience from placement you'll develop communication and prescribing skills in specialist areas; you'll have the opportunity to practice specialist examinations and advance your clinical reasoning, using evidence-based management skills and decision aids.

Professional Practice 4

You'll further understand and develop your professional identity; you'll explore how to maintain and demonstrate competence within appropriate limits applying a strategic approach to personal and professional development including an understanding of personal learning needs assessment. You'll be supported to appraise ethical and legal principles that are relevant to health care decisions across diverse clinical settings.

Student Choice 4

Alongside your personal development plan, you'll apply scientific and research methods to design and implement a dissertation project in an area of medicine or medical science that interests you.

Year 5

Your final year marks the transition from medical student to qualified doctor. Your learning will be structured to ensure you graduate with the skills, knowledge, and professional behaviours required for safe, effective practice as a Foundation doctor.

Clinical rotations will continue to provide you with a diverse range of clinical experience. During these placements you'll gain a deep understanding of multi-professional collaborative care. Your final year is tailored to provide you with support and guidance; it aims to successfully prepare you for your future professional life and including your application to the UK Foundation Programme, which is the postgraduate training scheme for all newly qualified doctors in the UK.

The final year also includes an elective placement which provides you with an opportunity to focus on a specific area of medicine or explore other healthcare systems around the world.

Compulsory modules

Fundamentals of Medicine 5

You'll demonstrate readiness for independent practice through application of psychological and social principles, and the integration of population health principles to clinical judgement.

Clinical Practice 5

You'll practice advanced communication skills, and adaptive consultations leading to a holistic summary and management plan in line with evidence-based practice and established principles. You'll be able to confidently judge clinical severity and institute emergency treatment, including involving common and emergency drugs, and preparing for independent clinical practice.

Professional Practice 5

You'll bridge the transition to Foundation Year 1 and the associated change in professional responsibilities. You'll demonstrate and justify ethical practice in complex clinical environments.

Student Choice 5

You'll complete an elective placement which will provide you with an opportunity to focus on a specific area of medicine or explore other healthcare systems around the world.

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

At this time, the information on this course page is accurate. However, please be aware that the MBChB is currently under curricular review which will result in some changes to the course structure, as well as adjustments to assessments. We will keep all offer holders and current students informed of any alterations. Please note, these are considered minor changes by the GMC and will not alter the regulatory approval for this course.

Intercalation

Intercalation offers you the chance to earn an additional degree by studying a year-long intercalated course during your time at the University. An intercalated degree is a significant opportunity for self-development and investment in your future career. You may choose to intercalate for different reasons: to explore new subjects, to enhance existing skills and knowledge, or to prepare for your chosen career path, with these options being supported through your academic personal tutor.

We offer a broad range of intercalated courses that are designed to complement an array of career trajectories and match your interests. Whilst most of our students can find an internal course that matches their needs, some students elect to intercalate at another university or institution.

You can do an intercalated course after years 2,3 or 4 of the programme.

Learning and teaching

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

Our Active Learning approach means you engage regularly with clinicians, patients and healthcare teams, and begin clinical placements from the start of year 1. This early, hands-on experience helps you understand how to apply theoretical knowledge from the outset and develop core clinical skills during practice, not just in the classroom.

You’ll be taught by doctors, clinicians and educators who bring expertise from across specialties and disciplines. Actively working in a wide range of settings, they bring dynamic, real-world relevance by embedding current insight directly into their teaching, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Alongside face-to-face teaching in the lecture theatre, laboratory and healthcare settings, 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 training is supported by active professionals who consistently supervise your learning journey, providing one-to-one mentoring from our on-campus Simulation Suite through to real healthcare settings. 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, the Medical Teaching Centre and our Skills and Simulation Suite, featuring the latest high-fidelity simulation technology, advanced ultrasound equipment and one-to-one supervision from NHS-trained experts.

Plus, at Leeds, you’ll have a huge amount of support from day one 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

Our assessments are relevant and authentic to the healthcare environment, and to your future career as a doctor. They are designed to test your knowledge, understanding, application and critical thinking.

The MBChB uses a variety of different assessment methods, which are designed to ensure that you have acquired the knowledge, behaviours and technical skills that are required by the General Medical Council (GMC), in order to graduate and gain your provisional registration license to enter the UK Foundation Programme.

Throughout the programme you'll be assessed using Single Best Answers (SBA), Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE), written assignments and presentations, and will compile an electronic portfolio of clinical assessments.

In your final year you will take the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA), a key national exam required to join the medical register. The MLA ensures all doctors in the UK have met a common threshold for safe practice.

We’re proud of our students’ high pass rate in the MLA. Throughout your medical training at Leeds you’ll become familiar with the assessment style, gaining the skills and confidence needed to succeed – not just in exams, but in your career.

Your assessments will also begin to prepare you for your future learning beyond graduation, for example the Annual Review of Competence Progression and Annual Appraisal that occurs in postgraduate training.

We’ll support you to make a smooth transition into clinical practice.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA including Chemistry and Biology.

Those taking a fourth A2 subject will not be at an advantage to those taking three. For the purposes of meeting our entry requirements, an A* cannot compensate for a B in another subject, so we will not accept A*A*B instead of AAA

• Certain combinations are not acceptable, specifically:
• Chemistry with Biology and Human Biology
• Chemistry with Biology and Sports Science
• Chemistry with Biology and Critical Thinking

EPQs are not considered within our scoring.

GCSE: A minimum of 6 GCSEs at grade 6 or above are required including Maths, English Language, Biology and Chemistry or Dual 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

As part of the student offer for our clinical programmes, an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate is required for students to undertake clinical placements as part of their studies within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. The certification process is undertaken on entry to the programme and repeated once every three years whilst they are still undertaking the same programme of study.

The Enhanced DBS certificate can only include background checks for time in the UK. Students who have been resident outside the UK will require a criminal record check from each relevant country

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.

Occupational Health Clearance

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. It is important that you notify us even if your symptoms are currently under control as we can ensure that you continue to be supported even if you are moving from different areas of the country.

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.

Further details can be found on https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/medicine-undergraduate/doc/occupational-health-requirements-students-applicants-faculty-medicine-health

HEOPS offers guidance on occupational health resources and health surveillance.

UCAT

All applicants for the MBChB course are required to take UCAT. This test must be taken in the year of application. We do not accept other aptitude tests instead, e.g. 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 statements

Applying for the MBChB course is very competitive. You need to make sure your application does you justice. 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

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

If you live in a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, we may be able to give priority to your application.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

If you live in a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, we may be able to give priority to your application.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Access to Leeds Submission

In order for us to give your application due consideration, we'll need you to submit your Access to Leeds (A2L) application at the same time as you submit your UCAS application.

Typical Access to Leeds Offer

GCSE

A minimum of 6 GCSEs at grade 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.

A levels

ABB. Chemistry and Biology must be taken with an A in either Chemistry or Biology.

We welcome general studies and critical thinking as a fourth A2, but they do not typically form part of our offer. Certain combinations are not acceptable, specifically:

• Biology and Human Biology or Sports Science plus Chemistry and another
• Mathematics and Further Mathematics or Statistics plus Chemistry and another

EPQs are not considered within our scoring.

Scottish Highers

AABBB at Higher level and BB at Advanced Higher level including B in Chemistry and Biology.

Irish Highers (leaving certificate)

H2H2H2H3H3H3, including Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.

IB

Overall score of 34 points overall, including 3 higher level subjects at minimum of grade 5, which must include Chemistry and Biology. If English and Maths are not offered at GCSE, these subjects must be offered with a mark of at least 5 at Standard level.

Cambridge Pre-U

Three Merits (M1) in 3 Principal Subjects, including Chemistry and Biology.

Alternative Entry Scheme for mature applicants

If you are a mature applicant and you don't have the required A Levels, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this you would be asked to write an essay.

Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.5 overall, with no less than 7.5 in Spoken English. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Fees

UK: £10,050

International: To be confirmed

The amount of tuition fees you pay is based on whether you are classified as a home (UK) or international student. Find out how we assess your fee status.   

Tuition fees for UK students 
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2026/27 are £9,790 and £10,050 for students starting in 2027/28.  

Subsequent years 
The UK government sets the maximum tuition fee caps that universities can charge UK students. This means your tuition fee in future academic years will reflect any changes set by the government.   

From 2028/29 onwards, tuition fees are likely to increase annually, at least in line with inflation, and may rise further if the government increases the fee cap.   

Tuition fees for international students 
The international fee applies for each year of full-time study and will remain the same for the duration of your course.    

Read more about tuition fees.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional cost information

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).

Programme related costs

• Placement travel (variable costs involved, some support available from the NHS).

• Lab coat (£25).

• Scrubs, although these are available for free to students meeting eligibility criteria through the Scrubs for Students scheme.

• Stethoscope (£170), although these are available for free to students meeting eligibility criteria through the Stethoscopes for Students scheme.

• Costs relating to phone or laptop for digital connectivity.

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.

Programme related costs

• Conference attendance registration and travel costs relating to specific project work (some funding may be available).

• BMA membership (£3 per month for optional student membership).

• Smartphone - students are likely to need a smartphone to access online learning on placement although alternatives may be found (some funding is available to support students meeting certain eligibility criteria).

• Subscriptions to exam question banks produced by third party organisations.

Elective costs for travel, accommodation and insurance.

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

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

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 Medicine and Surgery MBChB after this deadline, and it does not participate in UCAS Extra.

• Applying for the MBChB course 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

Applications from international students are subject to the same deadlines as UK applicants, therefore the School of Medicine will not consider any applications submitted after the 15th October deadline.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Discover more about being an international student at Leeds, including information about visas, immigration and funding.

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.

Interviews

For students applying for 2026 entry, face-to-face interviews for the MBChB course will take place on 4th, 5th and 6th January 2026. 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 Medicine and Surgery MBChB, 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.

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 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 also 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.

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 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

In year 5, 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 from day one. This early, hands-on experience in real-life healthcare settings will help you to understand how to apply theoretical knowledge from the outset, and develop your clinical skills in practice.

This active participation in the clinical environment fosters a sense of responsibility and a patient-centred mindset, helping you transition smoothly into the responsibilities of a foundation year doctor and beyond.

You'll benefit from our long-established partnerships with local teaching hospitals, acute hospitals, GP practices, hospices, NHS organisations, community, voluntary and private organisations. These relationships ensure you'll have a broad and comprehensive clinical experience in the large variety of healthcare settings where patients receive care to prevent and treat acute and long-term conditions.

Because we’re in Leeds, you’ll have regular exposure to diverse healthcare settings through placements during all years of study.

With clinical partnerships across the breadth of the city and region, you’ll access placements within urban, suburban and rural locations, and across a broad socio-demographic – an invaluable opportunity to gain experience of diverse patient needs.

The result is an adaptable doctor with a broad perspective on patient care, and the confidence to work across sectors and specialisms.