Top UK Universities for Medical Studies

A guide to top medical universities in the UK-

The best option for people seeking a lucrative career in medicine is to attend one of the top UK universities ranked for medical studies. The degree will give you many opportunities in your future job as a doctor, no matter which college or medical program you choose.

According to QS Rankings 2022, the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and UCL are the top medical universities in the UK. The best medical universities in the UK now have 9% more students enrolled than last year. In order to Medical Studies in the UK, there has been a 10% increase in the number of international candidates. One has the option to study different types of Medical degrees in UK:

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Specializations and Degree Offered

• 2-year degree in pre-clinical training
• 3-year degree at a specialized school or teaching hospital
• 6-year degree apart from the one mentioned above

The specialized programs provided by top UK medical Universities are included in the below-

• Anesthesia      
• Clinical oncology
• Clinical Radiology     
• Emergency medicine
• General Practice         
• Intensive care medicine
• Cardiology     
• Dermatology
• Medical oncology      
• Nuclear Medicine
• Gynecology and obstetrics     
• Ophthalmology
• Pediatrics       
• Pathology
• Psychiatry      
• Public Health
• Surgery           
• Neurology

The best UK universities ranking for medical studies

We will be discussing top UK Medical universities ranking that is known for its excellent medical programs

• Oxford
• Cambridge
• Swansea University
• Imperial College London
• University College London
• University of Glasgow
• University of Manchester
• Queen Mary, University of London
• University of Liverpool
• University of Southampton
• University of Leeds
• University of Sheffield
• Cardiff University
• University of York
• University of Warwick

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford enjoys a great reputation in the medical and scientific fields. The teaching methodology of this university is much similar to Cambridge, few students under each tutor results in better focus. The University of Oxford has different small colleges that are part of the main university.

The medical program is of 6 years, which entails of preclinical studies in the first 3 years and last 3 are dedicated to clinical placements. In the 3rd year of the program BA in medical is started. If students clear their preclinical years they enter into a BA degree program which then makes them eligible for clinical placements.

University of Oxford Rankings

• 5^th in Best Global Universities
• 1^st in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 1^st in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Agricultural Sciences
• Arts and Humanities
• Biology and Biochemistry
• Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology
• Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Cell Biology
• Chemistry
• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Energy and Fuels
• Engineering
• Environment/Ecology
• Gastroenterology and Hematology
• Geosciences
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Nano science and Nanotechnology
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Oncology
• Optics
• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics

University of Cambridge

Cambridge is one of the oldest universities in the UK that offers extensive programs in almost every discipline and falls among the top UK medical universities. Every year, hundreds of medical students graduate from this university ready to serve humanity. The concept of a small teaching group under great supervision brings out the best in every student. This teaching model is one of the best among all.

The University of Cambridge offers a full-time 6-year medicine program that involves a BA degree in its 3rd year, which is equivalent to the BSc degree. In the first three years, the program was more focused on preclinical studies. This learning experience gives a clear understanding of the fundamentals. By the 4th year, students are placed in clinical rotations in different hospitals for firsthand experience.

University of Cambridge Rankings

• 8^th in Best Global Universities
• 2^nd in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 2^nd in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Arts and Humanities
• Biology and Biochemistry
• Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology (tie)
• Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Cell Biology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Energy and Fuels
• Engineering
• Environment/Ecology
• Gastroenterology and Hematology
• Geosciences
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Nano science and Nanotechnology

Swansea University

Swansea University is not like the others, it welcomes medical students in its graduate program. The university was recognized as one of the ‘Top UK 30 of Research Excellence’ in 2014. They have maintained their standard in research until today and will continue to bring excellence. Swansea University enjoys the third position in the UK medical universities’ ranking for medical studies.

They offer a 4-year graduate medicine program. In the first two years, students are provided with different learning opportunities along with an internship. In the last two years, the students are placed in different clinical settings in accordance to their specialization interests. Furthermore, there are different masters and Ph.D. programs offered in the medical discipline.

Swansea University Rankings-

• 471^st in Best Global Universities
• 197^th in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 39^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Chemistry
• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environment/Ecology
• Materials Science
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics
• Plant and Animal Science
• Psychiatry/Psychology
• Social Sciences and Public Health

Imperial College London

Founded in 1907, Imperial College London is a public university. The university, which was formerly a college of the University of London, separated from the university in 2007. The institution, which focuses on science, has several campuses in and near London.

The institution has four academic divisions with a concentration on business, engineering, medical, and the natural sciences. The academic year at Imperial is divided into three terms: fall, spring, and summer. English is used as the main language of instruction. The Data Science Institute, the Institute of Global Health Innovation, and the Centre for Hedge Fund Research are a few of the university’s research centers and organizations.

Imperial College London Rankings-

• 20^th in Best Global Universities
• 4^th in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 4^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Biology and Biochemistry
• Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology
• Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Energy and Fuels
• Engineering
• Gastroenterology and Hematology
• Geosciences
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Nano science and Nanotechnology
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Oncology
• Optics
• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Physical Chemistry

University College London

Founded in 1826, University College London, also known as UCL, is a public university. It was the third institution to be founded in England after the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

Undergraduate first-years are guaranteed housing on campus. There are three terms in the academic year at UCL, and English is the medium of instruction.

University College London Rankings-

• 16^th in Best Global Universities
• 3^rd in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 3^rd in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Arts and Humanities
• Biology and Biochemistry
• Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology
• Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Cell Biology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Engineering
• Environment/Ecology
• Gastroenterology and Hematology
• Geosciences
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Nano science and Nanotechnology
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Oncology
• Optics
• Pharmacology and Toxicology

University of Glasgow

A top 100 institution in the world, Glasgow offers one of the most diverse selections of medical programs in the UK. The University, which was founded in 1451, is renowned worldwide for its groundbreaking research and has influenced philosophers like Adam Smith and prominent scientist Lord Kelvin.

Glasgow is the third-largest city in the UK and one of the best student cities in the world. It was ranked among the top ten cities in the world in a 2019 Time Out survey. Glasgow was rated as the friendliest and most affordable city between Berlin and Paris.

University of Glasgow Rankings:

• 84^th in Best Global Universities
• 26^th in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 8^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Arts and Humanities
• Biology and Biochemistry
• Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Cell Biology
• Chemistry
• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Engineering
• Environment/Ecology 
• Geosciences
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Materials Science
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Oncology
• Optics
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics

University of Manchester

The University of Manchester, one of the biggest medical universities in the UK, has 40,000 students. It belongs to the Russell Group and is among the top 30 universities in the world.

University of Manchester Rankings-

• 58^th in Best Global Universities
• 16^th in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 7^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology
• Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Cell Biology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Energy and Fuels
• Engineering
• Environment/Ecology
• Geosciences
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Nano science and Nanotechnology
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Oncology
• Pharmacology and Toxicology

University of Liverpool

On the list of the top global universities, the University of Liverpool is rated 155. Schools are rated based on how well they perform against a set of generally recognized measures of quality.

One of the top medical research universities in the UK, the University of Liverpool has an annual revenue of £420 million, including $150 million for scholarly endeavors.

Liverpool is a member of the exclusive Russell Group, which unites the top medical research universities in the UK, and is considered among the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide.

University of Liverpool Rankings

• 155^th in Best Global Universities
• 58^th in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 18^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Arts and Humanities
• Biology and Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Chemistry
• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Engineering
• Environment/Ecology
• Gastroenterology and Hematology
• Geosciences
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Microbiology Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Oncology

University of Southampton

On the list of the top global universities, the University of Southampton is rated 97. Schools are ranked based on how well they perform against a number of generally recognized indicators of quality.

We are a Russell Group founding member and a research-intensive university. The University of Southampton was established in 1862 as the Hartley Institution, and Queen Elizabeth II bestowed a royal charter on it in 1952 as one of her first formal acts as a monarch.

There are currently five campuses for the university in Southampton, one in Winchester, and one in Malaysia. We are proud of our diverse, lively, and hospitable community, which is home to over 21,000 students from more than 130 different countries.

University of Southampton Rankings

• 97^th in Best Global Universities
• 37^th in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 11^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Nano science and Nanotechnology
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Oncology
• Optics
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics
• Plant and Animal Science
• Psychiatry/Psychology
• Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Social Sciences and Public Health
• Space Science
• Surgery

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds, founded in 1904, is one of the biggest higher education institutions in the UK. It has more than 39,000 students, including 9,000 international ones from more than 170 nations.

With a global network of approximately 270,000 alumni from over 190 countries, including 6 Nobel laureates, Leeds is the top 40 most international institution in the world (Times Higher Education 2019). The university has welcomed international students for over 100 years.

University of Leeds Rankings

• 149^th in Best Global Universities
• 55^th in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 16^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Food Science and Technology
• Gastroenterology and Hematology
• Geosciences
• Materials Science
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Oncology
• Optics
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics
• Plant and Animal Science
• Psychiatry/Psychology
• Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging
• Social Sciences and Public Health
• Surgery

University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is a research institution with a distinguished reputation that is situated in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. The University is one of the 24 top UK medical institutions for research and instruction. It is a red-brick institution and a member of the Russell Group.

The University of Sheffield is a prestigious research center with a well-known international reputation for achievement, initiative, and excellence. It is home to world-class research facilities, including The Diamond, a state-of-the-art learning environment that cost £82 million and was built to give all students a cutting-edge education and useful skills.

University of Sheffield Rankings

• 135^th in Best Global Universities
• 51^st in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 14^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Energy and Fuels
• Engineering
• Environment/Ecology
• Surgery
• Clinical Medicine

Cardiff University

Cardiff University, which was founded in 1883, is the only Russell Group university in Wales and has a distinguished academic reputation around the world. The most current Research Excellence Framework placed it in the top 5 UK universities for research quality and impact (REF 2014).

Cardiff University offers a lot to offer, including a large selection of degree programs and a high likelihood of finding employment once you graduate.

Cardiff University Rankings

• 166^th in Best Global Universities
• 64^th in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 22^nd in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Oncology
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics
• Plant and Animal Science
• Psychiatry/Psychology
• Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Social Sciences and Public Health
• Space Science

University of York

One of the top universities in the world for groundbreaking and inspirational research is the University of York. The focus on teaching and research quality at York University, a high-performing, research-intensive Russell Group institution, has led to consistently high rankings in the UK and a first-rate reputation internationally.

The University of York is ranked 24th overall in the UK and in the top 100 globally for arts and humanities, social sciences, and international viewpoint in the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

University of Warwick Rankings

• 144^th in Best Global Universities
• 53^rd in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 15^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Arts and Humanities
• Biology and Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Clinical Medicine
• Computer Science
• Economics and Business
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Engineering
• Environment/Ecology
• Geosciences
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics
• Plant and Animal Science
• Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Social Sciences and Public Health

University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is a top university with the highest standards in education and research, and was founded on audacity, creativity, and collaboration. Over 26,500 students from more than 150 nations are welcomed on their campus in Coventry.

They consistently appear in lists of the best medical universities in the UK and around the world, and the 2014 Research Excellence Framework ranked us seventh among UK research universities, so you’ll be learning alongside professors who are on the cutting edge of new ideas.

Warwick continually makes investments in its campus amenities and student services. You will receive first-rate assistance, including assistance in finding housing, career guidance, free counselling, and health services.

University of Warwick Rankings

• 144^th in Best Global Universities
• 53^rd in Best Global Universities in Europe
• 15^th in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

Best subjects-

• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics
• Plant and Animal Science
• Polymer Science
• Psychiatry/Psychology
• Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Social Sciences and Public Health
• Space Science

Entry Requirements for UK Medical Universities

Entrance criteria for undergraduate medicine-

The A100 medicine program or the A104 medicine with foundation year are generally the two main course options for students enrolling to medical universities in the UK.

UCAS Medical Programs

Commonplace medicine (UCAS code: A100)

Standard admission medical school lasts, on average, five years, but occasionally six. It may go by several acronyms, such as MBBS or MBChB, but they all lead to the same thing: a bachelor’s degree in medicine.

• International Baccalaureate: 37 points, including chemistry and another science subject.
• A-level: AAA, including chemistry and one other science, such as math, physics, biology, or psychology.
• IELTS: 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any one component.

Entry-level graduate medical (UCAS Code: A101)

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree already in hand are welcome to apply for graduate entry medicine. Not all universities, but the majority, demand that the prior degree be in the medical field. Most often, it is a four-year accelerated degree, but some universities offer a five-year program instead.

• International Baccalaureate: 37 points.
• A-level: AAA.
• IELTS: 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any one component.

Medicine with a first-year period (UCAS code: A104)

This program is either a five-year Standard Entry Medicine program plus an additional year at the beginning, making it a six-year program, or the first year may be taken independently as a one-year program. It also goes by names like “Medicine with a Foundation Year.”

• International Baccalaureate: 34 points.
• A-level: AAA.
• IELTS: 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any one component.

Medicine with a gateway year (UCAS code: A108)

• International Baccalaureate: 32 points.
• A-level: BBC at A level to include Chemistry. Grade B must be achieved in a science subject.
• IELTS: 7.5 overall, with no lower than 7.0 in any one component.

For more information about the application process and eligibility criteria, visit their official websites. To learn more about medical university admissions in the UK and which universities rank top in medical studies, reach out to us for help.

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