A-levels
Most standard offers, for entry to BSMS, are conditional on gaining three A grades at A-level (including Biology and Chemistry). For applicants with contextual data – see below for further information – we will accept AAB (including Biology and Chemistry). Please be reassured that while many students are advised to study Maths or Physics by their schools or colleges, we do not specify the nature of the third A-level subject*. We actively welcome applicants who study subjects outside of the mathematical and physical sciences, as we recognise their value in broadening academic horizons.
*Please note that we do not accept A-levels in General Studies, Critical Thinking or, if you are a non-speaker of English, an A-level in your original language of instruction.
UCAT
We use the UCAT, after assessing academic qualifications, to select for interview. For our 2026 entry admissions cycle, you must achieve an SJT Band score of 1, 2 or 3.
For 2025 entry applicants whose total UCAT score (excluding SJT) was in the 50th centile (or above) were invited to interview.
We then ranked all applicants according to their total score out of 3,600. Applicants achieving the scores outlined below were invited to interview.
- For home applicants with contextual data: 2,410 (Note: applicants entitled to guaranteed interviews are considered separately)
- For home applicants without contextual data: 2,560
- For overseas applicants: 2,730
UCAT may also be used as a final discriminator if needed after interview.
Find out more about UCAT resources >
read more about additional considerations >
Read more about Special considerations on the day >
Read more about test centre incidents >
BSMS will not consider any requests for Special Consideration that have not followed the procedures detailed on the UCAT website.
GCSEs
We require all applicants, without contextual data, to have obtained at least a grade 6/B in English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs.
For applicants with contextual data, we will accept English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs at a grade 5/C.
Please note we do not take any other GSCEs into consideration during our admissions process.
Widening participation and contextual data (for 2025 entry)
Greater diversity within the medical profession is a goal that benefits us all. BSMS is committed to seeking out talented people who have the potential to become tomorrow’s doctors but who may not have considered it as a possibility, thus enabling medicine to better reflect the patient population.
As well as assessing your academic profile, we will also be looking to see whether you meet two or more of our contextual data criteria. If you identify as meeting any two elements of the criteria below and are classified as being a home fee paying student, you will be eligible for contextual data admissions offer and will be considered separately from the wider applicant pool.
Contextual data criteria
- You live in a neighbourhood that has low participation into higher education (POLAR 4 quintile 1 or 2) or live in an area that falls within the lowest 20% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019.*
Check your POLAR4 quintile here >
Check your Index of Multiple Deprivation Decile here >
- You attended an 11–16 state school that performed below the national average according to Attainment 8.*
Check your school Attainment 8 score here >
You (or a parent or guardian) are in receipt of, or have been eligible for a means-tested benefit.**
See the document link below for examples of means-tested benefits that we would accept.
View our means-tested benefits here >
- You are (or have been) in receipt of a 16 to 19 bursary. Read more here > **
- You are (or have been) eligible for free school meals at any point between Year 9 and Year 13.**
- You are (or have been) eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP)**
If you are or have been in receipt of an eligible for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).**
Applicants that have been in local authority care will automatically be invited for interview subject to satisfying eligibility criteria which can be found here and academic criteria.
We welcome applications from students with disabilities. For information about available support please visit our student support pages here. If you would like to speak to a member of our student support team, please email outreach@bsms.ac.uk.
* This will be determined from the information you provide on your UCAS form.
** All applicants will be invited (via email) to upload any evidence of the above criteria after we receive your UCAS application.
If you have any queries as to whether or not you meet our contextual data criteria, you can email medadmissions@bsms.ac.uk.
Selection for interview
As part of our agenda to widen participation to medicine, we aim to reserve 30% of interviews for applicants with adjusted offers. To select for interview, we rank applicants based on their UCAT score, with top ranking candidates invited to interview. Applicants with contextual data are ranked separately from the wider applicant pool.
School leavers
A-levels
For applicants taking, or who have already obtained three A-levels, we require predicted, or achieved grades of at least AAB. This must include Biology and Chemistry. Please be reassured that while many students are advised to study Maths or Physics by their schools or colleges, we do not specify the nature of the third A-level subject*. We actively welcome applicants who study subjects outside of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences, as we recognise their value in broadening academic horizons.
*Please note that we do not except A-levels in General Studies, Critical Thinking or, if you are a non-speaker of English, an A-level in your original language of instruction.
A-levels and a Level 3 Extended BTEC Certificate
For applicants taking, or who have already obtained, two A-levels in Biology and Chemistry, as well as a Level 3 Extended BTEC Certificate, we require predicted, or obtained grades of at least AA in your A-levels and a Merit in your BTEC qualification.
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
We welcome candidates who have successfully completed an Extended Project, recognising the effort that they have expended and the valuable skills and knowledge that they will have gained. However the EPQ will not form part of any offers that we make.
International Baccalaureate
For applicants taking, or who have already obtained the International Baccalaureate (IB) we require a predicted, or obtained score of 35. This must include Higher Level Biology and Chemistry, both at a grade 6.
GCSEs
For all applicants meeting our two or more of the adjusted offer criteria, we require English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs at grade 5/C or above. These are the only two GCSEs we look at.
Graduate and Access Students
Admissions offer for graduate applicants with contextual data
Applicants currently studying for, or who already have a degree may also be eligible for a contextual data offer. Applicants will be eligible if they met two or more of the contextual criteria whilst they were studying GCSEs or A-levels, or who currently meet two of the criteria. For eligible applicants, we require English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSE at grade 5/C or above. Please note we do not alter our grade requirements for degree qualifications.
Admissions offer for Access student applicants with contextual data
Applicants currently studying for, or who already have an BSMS recognised access qualification (see here for list of recognised access courses) may also be eligible for a contextual data offer. Applicants will be eligible if they met two or more of the contextual criteria whilst they were studying GCSEs or A-levels, or who currently meet two of the criteria. For eligible applicants, we require English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSE at grade 5/C or above. Please note we do not alter our grade requirements for access course qualifications.
Applicants scoring above our minimum requirements, will not have any advantage in our admissions process. Once we see that applicants have been predicted, or have achieved the minimum academic requirements, they move on to the next stage of our admissions process.
Widening participation and adjusted offer (2026 entry)
Greater diversity within the medical profession is a goal that benefits us all. BSMS is committed to seeking out talented people who have the potential to become tomorrow’s doctors but who may not have considered it as a possibility, thus enabling medicine to better reflect the patient population.
As well as assessing your academic profile, we will also be looking to see whether you meet our adjusted offers criteria. If you identify as meeting at least one criterion from three different sections below and are classified as being a home fee paying student, you will be eligible for contextual data admissions offer and will be considered separately from the wider applicant pool.
Adjusted offer criteria
Applicants must meet at least one criterion from three different sections:
GEOGRAPHICAL:
You live in a neighbourhood that has low participation into higher education:
EDUCATIONAL:
HOUSEHOLD:
INDIVIDUAL:
- If you are or have been in receipt of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).**
- You are (or have been) eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). **
- You are or have been a young carer during secondary school or post 16 education, this must be validated by your Head Teacher and/or your Local Authority.**
CARE LEAVERS:
Applicants that have been in local authority care for a period of at least 3-months during secondary and/or post 16 education will automatically be invited for interview subject to satisfying academic criteria. More details can be found here.
We welcome applications from students with disabilities. For information about available support please visit our student support pages here. If you would like to speak to a member of our student support team, please email outreach@bsms.ac.uk.
* This will be determined from the information you provide on your UCAS form.
** All applicants will be invited (via email) to upload any evidence of the above criteria after we receive your UCAS application.
If you have any queries as to whether or not you meet our contextual data criteria, you can email medadmissions@bsms.ac.uk.
Selection for interview
As part of our agenda to widen participation to medicine, we aim to reserve 30% of interviews for applicants with contextual data. To select for interview, applicants scoring a SJT band 1, 2 or 3 are ranked according to their UCAT score with top ranking candidates invited to interview. Applicants with adjusted offers are ranked separately from the wider applicant pool.
School leavers
A-levels
For applicants taking, or who have already obtained three A-levels, we require predicted, or achieved grades of at least AAB. This must include Biology and Chemistry. Please be reassured that while many students are advised to study Maths or Physics by their schools or colleges, we do not specify the nature of the third A-level subject*. We actively welcome applicants who study subjects outside of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences, as we recognise their value in broadening academic horizons.
*Please note that we do not except A-levels in General Studies, Critical Thinking or, if you are a non-speaker of English, an A-level in your original language of instruction.
A-levels and a Level 3 Extended BTEC Certificate
For applicants taking, or who have already obtained, two A-levels in Biology and Chemistry, as well as a Level 3 Extended BTEC Certificate, we require predicted, or obtained grades of at least AA in your A-levels and a Merit in your BTEC qualification.
International Baccalaureate
For applicants taking, or who have already obtained the International Baccalaureate (IB) we require a predicted, or obtained score of 35. This must include Higher Level Biology and Chemistry, both at a grade 5.
GCSEs
For all applicants meeting one criterion from three different sections of our adjusted offer criteria, we require English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSEs at grade 5/C or above. These are the only two GCSEs we look at.
Graduate and Access Students
Adjusted offers for graduate applicants
Applicants currently studying for, or who already have a degree may also be eligible for an adjusted offer. Applicants will be eligible if they meet at least one criterion from three different sections whilst they were studying GCSEs or A-levels, or who currently meet the criteria. For eligible applicants, we require English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSE at grade 5/C or above. Please note we do not alter our grade requirements for degree qualifications.
Adjusted offers for access student applicants
Applicants currently studying for, or who already have an BSMS recognised access qualification (see here for list of recognised access courses) may also be eligible for an adjusted offer. Applicants will be eligible if they meet at least one criterion from three different sections whilst they were studying GCSEs or A-levels, or who currently meet two of the criteria. For eligible applicants, we require English (Language or Literature) and Maths GCSE at grade 5/C or above. Please note we do not alter our grade requirements for access course qualifications.
Applicants scoring above our minimum requirements, will not have any advantage in our admissions process. Once we see that applicants have been predicted, or have achieved the minimum academic requirements, they move on to the next stage of our admissions process.