We expect our students to become compassionate practitioners who are really in touch with their patients and committed to the core values of the NHS. You must possess the abilities, the commitment and the personal qualities necessary to become an excellent doctor.
In assessing your application, we will look for evidence of:
- academic achievement and potential
- a realistic attitude to medical training and clinical practice
- a commitment to quality of care, compassion and improving lives
- the ability to communicate and work effectively in a team for the benefit of patients
- the ability to appreciate other people’s point of view
- an appreciation of the need to treat people with respect and dignity
- a willingness to accept responsibility.
Admissions process
Our linear, step-by-step process can be seen in the simple infographic below.
Please note: at no point in our Admissions process do we read or use applicants' personal statements.
For 2024 admission cycle
Your application must be submitted through the UCAS system at ucas.ac.uk
This allows a maximum of four applications to UK medical schools. Applications must have reached UCAS by 6pm on 16 October 2023.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS >
In 2022, the total number of applicants and the breakdown into home/international:
Total: 2,260
Home: 1,868
Overseas: 392
The total number of interviews and the breakdown into home/international:
Total: 611
Home: 540
Overseas: 71
The total number of offers made and the breakdown into home/international:
Total: 348
Home: 317
Overseas: 31
Widening participation and contextual data
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 > *Once downloaded, please refer to column F for your IMD Decile.
- 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 Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)**
- You are (or have been) eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP)**
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 advice pages here. If you would like to speak to a member of our student advice 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.
Find out more about admissions offers for applicants with contextual data >