Medicine (graduate-entry / accelerated)
Course overview
UCAS code: A101
Entrance requirements: See Admissions Requirements tab
Course duration: 4 years (BM BCh)
Other course requirements
Admissions tests: UCAT
Written Work: None
Admissions statistics*
Interviewed: 37%
Successful: 14%
Intake: 32
*3-year average 2022-24
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Unistats information for this course can be found at the bottom of the page
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
About the course
This page is about the four-year graduate-entry/accelerated medicine course (A101).
Visit the A100 page to find out about our standard-entry medical degree.
The four-year graduate-entry/ accelerated course (UCAS code A101 BMBCh4) is open to graduates who have a degree in an experimental science subject.
The course has a strong emphasis on the academic basis of medicine taught within a clinical context. We aim to produce doctors who are broadly educated in science and clinical practice, and whose clinical practice is informed by their scientific approach to medicine.
Fostering discussion-based learning within a small cohort, the programme builds upon the skills students have developed during their prior studies. It includes a thorough exploration and critical appraisal of both clinical and scientific literature, focusing on its application to clinical practice.
The first year integrates early clinical teaching in both hospital and community settings, giving students a solid foundation in clinical practice from the outset. Students also have the opportunity to explore personal interests through the Academic Special Interest Project and the Longitudinal Patient Case Study.
In addition to the teaching on the course, the college system provides weekly teaching from a college tutor (usually in groups of 2-4) in the early years. College tutors also provide strong pastoral support throughout the course.
This may be the right course for you, if you:
- have a strong academic record
- are interested in the scientific basis of clinical practice
- value the opportunity to pursue independently areas of interest
- are self-disciplined and able to plan your learning to manage the intensive curriculum delivered in an accelerated programme.
The first two years cover core medical science and clinical skills. In the first year the curriculum focuses on biomedical science taught within a clinical context which is combined with clinical teaching. In the second year, students continue with further core medical science, with increased time spent on clinical attachments.
The final two years are shared with the six-year course. Students are fully integrated into the clinical course by the end of the second year of the programme and take the same final exams as candidates on the six-year course.
Unistats information
Discover Uni course data provides applicants with Unistats statistics about undergraduate life at Oxford for a particular undergraduate course.
Please select 'see course data' to view the full Unistats data for Medicine (graduate entry).
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
Visit the Studying at Oxford section of this page for a more general insight into what studying here is likely to be like.
Medicine (graduate entry)
Structure of the graduate-entry/accelerated course (A101)
The First Year
The first year builds on students’ prior knowledge, covering essential core science for medicine, as well as fundamental clinical and consultation skills, such as history taking and clinical examination. Students will spend one full day each week on clinical placement. The aim of this year is to establish a strong foundation in medical science and clinical skills, while helping students understand the application of science in clinical practice and gain hands-on experience.
The Second Year
In the second year, students continue to develop their core science and clinical skills through university-based teaching and clinical placements. Early in the year, the Laboratory Medicine course introduces key disciplines such as microbiology, pathology, haematology, and immunology. As the year progresses, students participate in full-time clinical placements both in Oxford and at other hospitals in the region. By the end of the second year, students will have gained confidence in a broad range of clinical skills and developed foundational knowledge of common presentations and diseases.
The Third Year
In the third year, students are fully integrated into the standard clinical course. The year consists of rotations across various clinical specialties, including General Practice, Paediatrics, and Psychiatry. The goal of this year is to deepen clinical knowledge through specialist rotations focused on common clinical presentations. More details about this year of study can be found on the clinical course pages of the Medical Sciences Division website.
The Fourth Year
The final year is designed to prepare students for their professional lives after qualification. It includes further full-time placements in medical and surgical specialties, with students sitting their final exams in January and February. Throughout the year, there are opportunities for student-selected special study modules, where students can explore areas of particular clinical or academic interest. There is also an elective period, allowing students to spend time abroad or in settings outside Oxford. The last few months of the year are dedicated to a student assistantship, preparing students for their role as Foundation Doctors, and completing the preparing-for-practice course. You can read more about this year of study on the clinical course pages of the Medical Sciences Division website.
Academic requirements
First degree
The course is open to graduates with a 2.1 degree or above (or a GPA above 3.5) in applied and experimental science, including bioscience, chemistry, experimental physics and engineering.
Check the list of courses that are typically acceptable. If your degree is not listed, or if you are unsure whether it is acceptable, please follow the steps outlined on the Medical Sciences Division website.
A Levels (or equivalent)
In addition to your degree, you must also have passes at A-level of at least AAB with an A or A* in Chemistry (if you have taken A-levels within the last 5 years). One of these subjects must be Chemistry (unless you have a degree in Chemistry).
Applicants must also have one from Biology, Physics or Mathematics at A-level. Applicants with a degree in a subject other than bioscience must have a qualification in biology at GCSE or equivalent level.
Visit the Medical Sciences Division website for more information on selection criteria.
If English is not your first language you may also need to meet our English language requirements.
Applying
The application process for the graduate-entry/ accelerated medicine course (A101) is slightly different to those for the standard course. Please read this page carefully to ensure you take all the steps you need to make an application.
Visit the Medical Sciences Division website for more information about any of the application stages.
No student is admitted without interview. Successful candidates must meet our requirements for health and fitness to practise.
Applications for the accelerated, graduate-entry medicine course must be made both through UCAS (online) and direct to the University (on a supplementary form). This means applicants have two forms to complete.
Please note that we cannot consider applications that are incomplete. You must complete both a UCAS application and an Oxford application form by the deadline in order to apply.
UCAS form
- Your UCAS form should be completed online, and must list Oxford as one of your choices: the course code for the fast-track medical course is A101 (the course title is BMBCh4).
- You must complete your UCAS application by 6pm, 15 October 2025 for the course beginning in September 2026.
- If you wish to express a preference for a particular college, you should do so on your UCAS form.
Colleges
The following colleges accept applications for Graduate-entry Medicine.
College | Campus Code |
|---|---|
| Green-Templeton* | 5 |
| Harris-Manchester** | 6 |
| Magdalen | D |
| Pembroke | I |
| St. Anne's | K |
| St Catherine's | L |
| St Hugh's | R |
| St Peter's | T |
| Somerville | U |
| Worcester | Z |
*Green Templeton is a graduate-only college, which admits graduate-entry medical students and clinical medical students.
**Harris Manchester is a mature student only college, so applicants must be at least 21 years of age when they start their course.
University application form
Application forms for the University are available online, together with notes explaining how to complete your application. As part of completing this form you will have to provide:
- the names and positions of two referees, at least one of whom should be familiar with your most recent academic performance. These referees should not be the same as the referee on your UCAS application
All candidates must follow the application procedure as shown on our Applying to Oxford pages. The application form must be completed by 6pm on 15 October 2025.
Please be aware that your referees will need to provide their references by 6pm on 22 October 2025, in order to complete your application. We cannot consider applications that arrive after this date.
Admissions test
Test: | University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) |
|---|---|
Test date: | 7 July – 26 September 2025 (Applicants must create their own UCAT account and book a test date within this window. Please see our dedicated UCAT webpage for more information) |
Registration deadline: | 19 September 2025 (12 noon BST) |
All candidates must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) as part of their application.
Separate registration for this test is required and it is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that they are registered.
We strongly recommend making arrangements in plenty of time before the deadline. Please visit our UCAT webpage for further information.
Written work
You do not need to submit any written work when you apply for this course.
What are tutors looking for?
Visit the Medical Sciences Division website for more information about the selection criteria used.
Please note that competition to study Medicine at Oxford is particularly strong. There are approximately 40-45 places for accelerated/ graduate-entry medicine.
Application conditions
Oxford conforms to the UK Department of Health’s requirements regarding immunisation status and the GMC’s conditions on Fitness to Practise, and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Students may be refused entry to, or be removed from, the University’s Register of Medical Students on grounds that may be either academic or non-academic (for instance health or conduct).
Fitness to Practise advice and support: General Medical Council and University of Oxford Occupational Health Service.
Please note that students must have reached their 18th birthday on or before the first day of full term in the first year of this course.
Careers
A vast array of speciality training pathways is available after obtaining a medical qualification, ranging from General Practice or emergency medicine through obstetrics or ophthalmology to paediatrics or psychiatry, and many graduates of the course will combine a clinical career with wider interests in either research, education or leadership.
Although most will stay in clinical practice, a small number will follow a career outside of medicine, perhaps in the pharmaceutical industry or solely in academia.
The programme offers career discussion, guidance and support throughout, and students are given the opportunity to meet with faculty to discuss career aspirations.
Graduates will mostly end up practicing in the UK, however a small number will look to undertake clinical practice abroad in the US, Europe or elsewhere.
BM BCh graduates are entitled to provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) with a licence to practise, subject to demonstrating to the GMC that their fitness to practise is not impaired.
Hannah is a graduate of the course who is currently in postgraduate training. Prior to studying on the programme, she had studied Veterinary Sciences. She says:
‘It was a privilege to study on the graduate-entry medicine (GEM) course at Oxford. A combination of the course’s small cohort with diverse backgrounds and the collegiate system enables extremely high quality and interactive learning on a very well organised course. I really appreciated that the pre-clinical section is ‘tailor-made’ for the GEM students (not always the case on GEM courses) and includes clinical exposure and dedicated research.
Beyond the core, students are encouraged to work on personal interests with course directors, lecturers or wider university faculty, who readily advocate for you to explore avenues beyond the minimum expectations – whether it is research, education or something else including non-clinical. For example, I am extremely grateful for the support I received from the course leads to begin integration of Education for Sustainable Healthcare into the curriculum and encouragement for my work internationally in this space.
There is no doubt GEM at Oxford is intense and wouldn’t necessarily suit everyone but from my point of view I can’t imagine a GEM course that would have inspired me to achieve as much as I did, alongside loving the course and making friends for life. The course leads are still mentoring me in my next career steps.’
We don't want anyone who has the academic ability to get a place to study here to be held back by their financial circumstances. To meet that aim, Oxford offers one of the most generous financial support packages available for UK students and this may be supplemented by support from your college.
Fees for the graduate-entry/ accelerated course (A101)
These annual fees are for full-time students who begin this undergraduate course here in 2025.
Year 1 students:
Fee status | Pre-clinical course fees |
|---|---|
| Home | £9,535 |
| Overseas | £46,600 |
Pre-clinical fees are charged in year 1 of the graduate-entry/ accelerated course (A101), although there are clinical elements of study throughout the course.
Fees for the later years have not yet been confirmed but please note that these may be different from the pre-clinical fees. Clinical fees are charged in years 2 to 4 of the graduate-entry/ accelerated course (A101). As a guide, these are the annual fees for students who will complete the pre-clinical stage of their course and progress to the clinical years in 2025.
Year 2, 3 and 4 students:
Fee status | Clinical annual course fees |
|---|---|
| Home | £9,535 |
| Overseas | £61,560 |
Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.
For more information please refer to our course fees page. Fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on likely increases to fees and charges.
Living costs
Living costs at Oxford might be less than you’d expect, as our world-class resources and college provision can help keep costs down.
Living costs for the academic year starting in 2025 are estimated to be between £1,425 and £2,035 for each month you are in Oxford. Please refer to the ‘Additional Fees and charges’ section below for information about the extended terms which apply for each year of the course in order to estimate your living costs.
For further details please visit our living costs webpage.
Financial support
Home | Visit our Funding for UK medical students page for comprehensive funding information. |
Islands | Islands students are entitled to different support to that of students from the rest of the UK. Please refer the links below for information on the support to you available from your funding agency: |
Overseas | Please refer to the 'Other Scholarships' section of our Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships page. |
Additional Fees and Charges Information for Medicine
Graduate Entry Medicine (A101)
The Graduate-entry Medicine course has extended terms. This means that you will need to budget for slightly higher living costs in all years, but especially in Years 2-4, as you will be required to be in Oxford for longer than the standard term.
Visit the likely range of living costs for an additional month in Oxford.
- Year 1 – 30 weeks
- Year 2 – 40 weeks
- Year 3 – 48 weeks
- Year 4 – 48 weeks, including 10 weeks elective study
View Funding for UK/EU Medical Students for more information about fees and funding for this course.
Elective study
Each final year student has a period of 10 weeks for elective study within the overall 48 weeks of the course. (This is year 4 for A101 students.)
Your elective study may be conducted in Oxford, elsewhere in the UK, or anywhere in the world provided the content of the placement is appropriate experience for medicine.
A student who stays in Oxford for their elective would be expected to incur no additional costs apart from their living costs. Many students opt to travel outside the UK in which case the additional cost is on average around £3,000 but may be lower or higher depending on location.
There are opportunities to apply for additional financial support which varies but is usually around £300 to £500 towards travel costs. Colleges may also provide support towards elective costs.
Contextual information
Unistats course data from Discover Uni provides applicants with statistics about a particular undergraduate course at Oxford. For a more holistic insight into what studying here is likely to be like, please view the information below and explore our website more widely.
The Oxford tutorial
College tutorials are central to teaching at Oxford. Typically, they take place in your college and are led by your academic tutor(s) who teach as well as do their own research. Students will also receive teaching in a variety of other ways, depending on the course. This will include lectures and classes, and may include laboratory work and fieldwork. However, tutorials offer a level of personalised attention from academic experts unavailable at most universities.
During tutorials (normally lasting an hour), college subject tutors will give you and one or two tutorial partners feedback on prepared work and cover a topic in depth. The other student(s) in your tutorials will typically be doing the same course as you and covering the same topic. Such regular and rigorous academic discussion develops and facilitates learning in a way that isn’t possible through lectures alone. Tutorials also allow for close progress monitoring so tutors can quickly provide additional support if necessary.
Read more about tutorials and an Oxford education
College life
Our colleges are at the heart of Oxford’s reputation as one of the best universities in the world.
- At Oxford, everyone is a member of a college as well as their subject department(s) and the University. Students therefore have both the benefits of belonging to a large, renowned institution and to a small and friendly academic community. Each college or hall is made up of academic and support staff, and students. Colleges provide a safe, supportive environment leaving you free to focus on your studies, enjoy time with friends and make the most of the huge variety of opportunities.
- Each college has a unique character, but generally their facilities are similar. Each one, large or small, will have the following essential facilities:
- Porters’ lodge (a staffed entrance and reception)
- Dining hall
- Lending library (often open 24/7 in term time)
- Student accommodation
- Tutors’ teaching rooms
- Chapel and/or music rooms
- Laundry
- Green spaces
- Common room (known as the JCR).
- All first-year students are offered college accommodation either on the main site of their college or in a nearby college annexe. This means that your neighbours will also be ‘freshers’ and new to life at Oxford. This accommodation is guaranteed, so you don’t need to worry about finding somewhere to live after accepting a place here, all of this is organised for you before you arrive.
- All colleges offer at least one further year of accommodation and some offer it for the entire duration of your degree. You may choose to take up the option to live in your college for the whole of your time at Oxford, or you might decide to arrange your own accommodation after your first year – perhaps because you want to live with friends from other colleges.
- While college academic tutors primarily support your academic development, you can also ask their advice on other things. Lots of other college staff including welfare officers help students settle in and are available to offer guidance on practical or health matters. Current students also actively support students in earlier years, sometimes as part of a college ‘family’ or as peer supporters trained by the University’s Counselling Service.
Read the Medical Schools Council's advice on gaining relevant experience in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic
FIND OUT MORE
- Look at the programme specification
- View the course structure
- Visit the Medical Sciences Division website
Our 2025 undergraduate Open Days will be held on 2 and 3 July and 19 September.
Register to find out more about our upcoming Open Days.
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