Medicine clearing is another opportunity for students who want to study this discipline in the UK. Generally, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) allows students to apply for at most 5 universities at once. Some individuals may be unhappy with the offers they received or may have received none, so they can take the chance of clearing to aim for a more desirable university. The 2025 Medicine Clearing process opens on Thursday, 14 August 2025. The fierce competition in medical programs in the UK leaves very few medical schools available for supplementary admission. So, you are advised to prepare for the Medicine clearing in advance. This guide offers the necessary things you should know when applying for Medicine Clearing 2025.
What is Medicine Clearing?
Medicine Clearing is a special supplementary admission mechanism within the UK university admissions system (UCAS) for popular programs such as clinical medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. UCAS Clearing is a “second admission channel” established by UK universities for programs with remaining vacancies for the September intake. As a part of the UCAS Clearing, it typically opens in August following the release of A-Level results, offering final admission opportunities to medical applicants who have not met the original admission requirements or have not yet received an offer.
What is Medicine Clearing Eligibility?
You are eligible to apply for Medicine Clearing 2025 if you meet the following conditions.
- Submit your application after June 30
- You did not meet the conditions required for the admission offer you received
- You did not receive any offers
- You have declined your conditional offer in the application system
What are the Features of Medicine Clearing in UK?
Medicine clearing provides students who are not admitted with a precious opportunity, but the number of spots available is extremely limited and competition is fierce. According to the results of Medicine Clearing 2024, successful cases typically involve students who have grades close to the admission requirements and can act quickly. Below are the features of medicine clearing in the UK.
Fierce competition
Competition for medical programs in the UK is extremely fierce, with applicants typically achieving grades ranging from A*AA to AAA. The vast majority of medical schools fill their quotas during the regular admission phase, leaving very few schools and spots available for supplementary admission. According to statistics, only a handful of institutions may release a few spots each year due to students declining their offers.Grades restrictions
Some medical programs have score requirements for applicants, but if your scores are close to or meet the requirements, you can try contacting your preferred medical school directly to request a supplementary admission opportunity.
Confirmation calls
Unlike the online process for regular supplementary admissions, medical supplementary admissions often require students to proactively call the admissions office of their target institution to confirm availability in real-time and submit supplementary materials.Alternative options
Without securing a spot through supplementary admissions, many students choose to retake A-Level subjects and reapply to the discipline in the following year, or transfer to related fields such as biomedical sciences or pharmacy, with the intention of pursuing medicine through a graduate program later on.
Timeline of Medicine Clearing 2025
- General Clearing Opens: July 5th, 2025.
- Medicine Clearing Opens: Thursday, August 14th, 2025.
- A-level Results Day: Thursday, August 14th, 2025.
- Clearing Closes: October 20th, 2025.
UK Medicine Clearing Requirements 2025
Medicine Clearing requirements vary by UK university, so always check their official websites for detailed grade, subject, and entrance exam criteria. While specifics differ, most medical schools share the following two key requirements.
Academic Grades – Typically AAA-A*AA in A-Levels (usually including Chemistry/Biology).
UCAT or BMAT – Most universities require only one of these entrance exams (not both).
Universities Offering Medicine Clearing
While Medicine Clearing places are highly competitive, a handful of UK medical schools occasionally offer last-minute opportunities. Below are five universities that have historically participated in Medicine Clearing with varying entry requirements.
1. University of Aberdeen Medical School
GCSE: 6-9
A Levels: AAA
The University of Aberdeen currently has two campuses: the Old Aberdeen Campus and the Foresterhill Campus. The Medicine school is located in Foresterhill Campus. It is the first medical school in the UK, renowned for its outstanding teaching and research capabilities. The invention of insulin and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were both achieved by this institution. The medical program follows a traditional five-year medical education model, with a curriculum that emphasises the integration of theory and practice. It covers basic medicine, clinical medicine, and preventive medicine, with core courses including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, internal medicine, and surgery. Students can complete clinical internships at the state-of-the-art simulation medical centre and affiliated hospitals, gaining exposure to the cutting edge of modern clinical practice.
2. University of Leeds Medical School
GCSE: 5-9
A Levels: AAA
The history of the University of Leeds can be traced back to the Leeds Medical School, which was founded in 1831. It later merged with the Yorkshire College of Science, which was established in 1874, and was officially granted royal charter status by King Edward VII of the United Kingdom in 1904, thereby becoming a university. The medical school is one of the most well-resourced medical schools in the UK, with extensive links to St. James’s University Hospital, and houses a range of state-of-the-art research laboratories in the fields of biomedical and physical sciences, food science, and engineering.
3. University of Leicester Medical School
GCSE: 6-9
A Levels: A*AA
The University of Leicester, founded in 1921, is a public comprehensive research university located in the Midlands of England, UK. The University of Leicester Medical School has trained a large number of professional doctors and nurses with strong professional ethics for the modern healthcare industry. The main building of the Medical School (The George Davies Centre) was completed in 2016 at a cost of £42 million, representing the largest investment in medical education and applied research by any university in the UK over the past decade. It is one of the best medical schools in the UK.
4. University of Buckingham Medical School
GCSE: ≥4
A Levels: ABB
The University of Buckingham Medical School is a unique medical school in the UK offering an accelerated MB ChB degree program, which can be completed in just 4.5 years (compared to the standard 5–6 years), making it ideal for students seeking to enter the medical field quickly. The school is distinguished by its small class sizes and early clinical practice, allowing students to engage with real-world cases at partner hospitals such as Milton Keynes University Hospital from their first year onwards. The medical school’s programs are primarily aimed at international students (EU/non-EU), with international students accounting for 75% of the student body.
5. University of Swansea Medical School
The Swansea University Medical School is one of the UK’s leading medical education institutions, with a strong reputation in the fields of cancer, neuroscience, and public health. The school offers a standard MBChB (Medical Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) program, which lasts five years. The curriculum emphasises early clinical practice and community medicine experience, with students completing internships at NHS hospitals and clinics across Wales. The Swansea Medical School is also renowned for its top-tier medical research in the UK, particularly as a key medical education hub in Wales. Graduates from the school achieve high pass rates in the UKMLA exams and enjoy promising career prospects.
UK Medicine Clearing University Ranking 2025
We have compiled UK Medicine Clearing University Ranking 2025 in one table. You can find the medical school rankings from four of the best sources.
| Title | Complete University Guide 2024 – Ranking | Complete University Guide 2024 /100 | Guardian 2024 Score /100 | The Times 2024 UK Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 18 | 95 | 100 | 25 |
| Barts And London | 16 | 95 | 82 | 10 |
| Birmingham | 19 | 95 | 65.4 | 11 |
| Brighton And Sussex | 26 | 94 | 82.4 | 64 |
| Bristol | 6 | 97 | 80.1 | 9 |
| Buckingham | 32 | 90 | 54.8 | NA |
| Cambridge | 1 | 100 | 99.3 | 2 |
| Cardiff | 11 | 96 | 78.4 | 23 |
| Dundee | 9 | 97 | 76.7 | 25 |
| Edinburgh | 8 | 97 | 89 | 6 |
| Exeter | 22 | 95 | 60.6 | 19 |
| Glasgow | 3 | 98 | 82.9 | 8 |
| Hull York | 21 | 95 | 78.1 | 43 |
| Imperial College London | 4 | 97 | 87.3 | 3 |
| Keele | 17 | 95 | 88.3 | 34 |
| Kings College London | 12 | 96 | 68.3 | 5 |
| Lancaster | 13 | 96 | 64.6 | 25 |
| Leeds | 25 | 94 | 69.2 | 19 |
| Leicester | 10 | 96 | 75.5 | 14 |
| Liverpool | 27 | 94 | 72.5 | 14 |
| Manchester | 20 | 95 | 61.8 | 7 |
| Newcastle | 23 | 95 | 74.1 | 13 |
| Norwich | 24 | 95 | 67.5 | 34 |
| Nottingham | 29 | 94 | 51.3 | 12 |
| Oxford | 2 | 98 | 84.8 | 1 |
| Plymouth | 31 | 94 | 66.7 | 56 |
| Queen’s University Belfast | 7 | 98 | 78.8 | 19 |
| Sheffield | 15 | 96 | 65.9 | 14 |
| Southampton | 30 | 94 | 62 | 14 |
| St Andrews | 14 | 96 | 93.3 | 31 |
| St George’s | 28 | 94 | 48.2 | 23 |
| UCL (University College London) | 5 | 97 | 79.2 | 4 |
| UCLAN | 33 | 88 | 36.2 | 64 |
How to Prepare for Medicine Clearing 2025?
Preparing for Medicine Clearing 2025 requires strategy and quick action. With limited places available, you need to research which universities have places and their requirements, contact universities early, keep an eye on your target universities and stay flexible. Here’s how to maximise your chances of securing a last-minute spot.
- Step 1: Research and Prepare
Before Medicine Clearing 2025 begins, research universities and the requirements of applications. Make a list of potential options with all the details.
- Step 2: Contact Universities
Once Medicine Clearing 2025 opens, contact universities directly to inquire about available Medicine places. Be prepared with your UCAS ID, A-level results, and personal statement.
- Step 3: Be Flexible
Consider alternative Medicine Clearing courses or universities that may not have been your initial choices. Once your target school have no places, you can choose another one to hand your application.
- Step 4: Prepare for Phone Interviews
Be prepared to discuss your qualifications, experiences, and motivations in Medicine Clearing.
- Step 5: Act Promptly
Medicine Clearing 2025 operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so act promptly if you find a suitable vacancy.
Where to Get Help with Medicine Clearing?
If you encounter some difficulties when applying for the Medicine Clearing, there are several channels available to seek professional advice and information.
- UCAS call centre – 0371 468 0468
The UCAS official Clearing hotline and online customer service system are the most direct channels for professional support in the Medicine Clearing process. Their team of advisors can answer all kinds of questions you may have.
The Admissions Office of the Target Medical College
When you wish to apply for a medical program, you can contact the admissions office of your target medical school to obtain the latest information on available spots, such as the admission teams of King’s College London or the University of Manchester.
- Teachers and Careers Advisors
The teachers at your high school are also important resources. They have extensive experience and possess more knowledge than you in the medicine clearing process.
- Social Media
You can look through forums like Student Rooms or Quora to find some extra information about Medicine Clearing and find some like-minded students who may have similar problems you may have, so you can discuss with him or her. Or you can pay attention to the official accounts of UCSA or the universities you are interested in to find useful answers.
- Professional educational institution
If you need more support in the process of Medicine Clearing, you can find a professional medicine agency like The Medic Portal to get strategic advice and other additional services.
What If You don’t Get a Place in Medicine Clearing?
If you are unfortunate to miss the place of Medicine Clearing, do not be desperate. Ask yourself what you really want. There are still some ways you can choose for your future career.
1. Take a Gap Year: Use the time to boost your UCAS application and to improve grades for your application in the next year.
2. Consider Alternative Degrees: you can choose other degrees like Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, Dentistry, or Nursing for the bachelor’s degree, and then study Medicine in the Master’s degree.
3. Study Abroad: Some EU or Asian universities also offer Medicine in English, if you can accept to study away from your home.
Conclusion
Medicine Clearing is one of the most important ways for students who want to study in UK medicine schools. This guide covers everything you need to know – from how Medicine Clearing works and strategic application tips to a curated list of participating medical schools. Arm yourself with this essential information to navigate Medicine Clearing 2025 successfully and secure your place in medical education.
FAQ
Most UK medical schools will require a B grade in mathematics, English language, and a science like biology or chemistry. Always check the requirements for each specific school before applying for Medicine Clearing.
According to the applicant-to-place ratios of UK universities, the easiest universities to get into for medicine in the UK are as follows.
- Cardiff University – 4 applicants per place.
- ScotGEM(Scotland’s Graduate Entry Medicine) – 5.6 applicants per place.
- University of Oxford – 6 applicants per place.
- University of Nottingham – 7 applicants per place.
- Swansea University – 9 applicants per place.
The University of Cambridge’s medical school is the hardest to get into in the UK, with applicants required to meet A*A*A grades.
Students can search for vacancies on results day, call universities, and add a Clearing choice in UCAS Hub if accepted.
Biomedical Science, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Healthcare allow students to transfer to medicine in the UK. For example, the University of Bristol allows its students majoring in Dentistry to transfer to MBChB after they finish the first-year courses, if they meet the requirements.
