Studying Medicine Abroad: What You Need to Know
Applying to medical school is a challenging process no matter where you do it. If studying abroad is on your radar, it's worth knowing upfront that most universities cap the number of international places they offer each year, which makes competition for those spots especially fierce. On the flip side, the benefits are real: international recognition of your degree, and a genuinely multicultural learning environment alongside peers from all over the world. Studying medicine overseas can be a great way to see more of the world, meet new people, and build a medical career on an international footing.
That said, there are some important things worth understanding before you apply abroad. This article walks through the key entry pathways for the UK, the USA, and Ireland, so you can make an informed decision.
Studying Medicine in the UK
Medicine in the UK is available at undergraduate level, meaning you can start straight after high school. The UK is home to some of the most well-regarded medical schools in the world, Oxford and Cambridge among them, alongside dozens of other universities offering medicine, dentistry, and nursing degrees.
Applications go through UCAS, the UK's central undergraduate admissions service. You're limited to four medical school choices through UCAS, so it's worth researching each program thoroughly before deciding where to apply.
Typical entry requirements:
- Physics, Biology and Chemistry at the required level (commonly three A-grades at A-level or the equivalent)
- English language proficiency, typically an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher (check each school's accepted tests, as this varies)
- The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test), depending on the school
- A medical interview
Requirements do vary between schools, so always double-check the specifics directly on each university's website before applying.
UCAT vs. BMAT
Most UK medical schools use the UCAT, including Aberdeen, Queen Mary, University of London, and the University of Manchester. A smaller group uses the BMAT instead, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, Brighton and Sussex, Leeds, and Lancaster. Always confirm which test a given university actually requires before you start preparing.
The Medical Interview
Most UK universities conduct interviews remotely, by video call or phone, though a handful ask international applicants to travel to the UK in person if they're offered an interview slot.
Studying Medicine in the USA
Medicine in the US works differently to the UK or Australia. There's no direct-entry undergraduate pathway. Instead, you complete a four-year pre-med degree, typically in biology, chemistry, or neuroscience, before applying to medical school as a postgraduate. That degree is designed to prepare you for the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test), a required step for admission.
Typical entry requirements:
- A four-year pre-med degree, usually in biology, chemistry, or neuroscience
- A strong MCAT score
- A medical interview, usually in MMI format
Requirements vary between schools, so check directly with each one before committing to a particular set of prerequisites.
The Pre-Med Degree
Before applying anywhere in the US, you'll need a completed four-year bachelor's degree covering the prerequisite coursework each school requires. This usually includes core science subjects like biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry, and sometimes humanities or maths requirements too. It's worth researching each target school's specific prerequisites before you even choose your undergraduate subjects, since retrofitting missing requirements later is far harder.
The MCAT
The MCAT is a multiple-choice exam required by most US and Canadian medical schools. It assesses critical thinking, problem-solving, writing, and your grasp of core scientific concepts. Your MCAT score plays a major role in your overall competitiveness. It shares a similar purpose to the GAMSAT, though unlike the GAMSAT, it can be sat multiple times within the same year.
Applying as an International Student
Once you've completed your degree and MCAT, the next step is applying. As an international applicant, you're often at a natural disadvantage compared to domestic students, since publicly funded colleges are generally required to direct state funding toward in-state residents. Private universities avoid this issue, though they typically come with a higher price tag.
The interview process itself is broadly similar to Australia and the UK. Most schools that offer you an interview will use the MMI format, though a smaller number still run traditional panel interviews.
A note on GAMSAT acceptance: a small number of international medicine programs, including Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's international medical program and the American University of the Caribbean, accept GAMSAT scores as part of admission. Requirements and available pathways change, so confirm current details directly with the specific program before relying on this.
A Rough Timeline
Exact dates shift from cycle to cycle, so treat this as a general shape rather than a fixed calendar.
Studying Medicine in Ireland
Ireland is one of the few countries offering both undergraduate and graduate entry pathways into medicine. Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork, and the National University of Ireland Galway all run both undergraduate and postgraduate programs open to international students.
Entry requirements vary by institution, but all Irish medical schools require the HPAT (Health Professions Admissions Test), typically alongside strong results in science subjects at the relevant national level.
Common requirements across Irish medical schools:
- Physics, Biology and Chemistry at the required subject level
- English, Mathematics, and a third language at the required subject level
- A qualifying HPAT score
The HPAT
The HPAT is broadly similar in spirit to the UCAT. It assesses problem-solving, logical reasoning and interpersonal understanding through a multiple-choice format, run across roughly two and a half hours and split into three sections:
- Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving
- Interpersonal Understanding
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
Applying Through the CAO
Applications to Irish medical schools go through the Central Applications Office (CAO), which processes all Irish university applications. Medicine falls under the CAO's "restricted" course category, meaning earlier deadlines apply, so make sure you're aware of the relevant dates well in advance.
Registering with the CAO involves setting up your account, paying the application fee, and entering your personal details. Once registered, you'll receive a CAO number, which you'll use to submit your qualifications and school information. You'll also generally need to post physical copies of your exam results (photocopies only, never originals), with detailed instructions provided once your application is underway.
Where to Next?
We hope this gives you a clearer starting point for exploring medicine abroad. If you're preparing for the UCAT as part of your application, or considering the GAMSAT as an alternative pathway, Fraser's has a range of free resources to help you get moving in the right direction.
Related Articles
- A Roadmap to UCAT Study — A solid starting point for structuring your UCAT preparation.
- What Is the UK GAMSAT? — How UK GAMSAT scoring compares to the Australian exam.
- Getting Started on GAMSAT Prep: 5 Key Things to Know — Foundational guidance for building a GAMSAT study plan.
- Can International Students Get Into Medical School in Australia? — A closer look at Australian pathways, if you're weighing that option alongside studying abroad.
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