UCAT Medical Schools: A Complete Guide

If you're applying to study medicine in the UK, the UCAT will almost certainly be part of your application. It is now the sole medical admissions test used across UK medical schools — the BMAT was discontinued after October 2023, and all schools that previously used BMAT have since transitioned to UCAT.

This guide covers all UK medical schools that use UCAT, how they approach it in their selection process, and what that means for your application strategy.

UCAT Is Now Universal for UK Medicine

The biggest shift in UK medical admissions in recent years was the discontinuation of the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) after October 2023. Cambridge Assessment, which ran the BMAT, ended the exam after the 2023/24 cycle.

This means schools that once used BMAT — including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Lancaster, Brighton & Sussex, and Leeds — now all use UCAT. There is no longer a separate pathway for "BMAT schools" and "UCAT schools". If you're applying to UK medicine, you sit the UCAT.

The 2025+ UCAT Format

From 2025, the UCAT changed: Abstract Reasoning was removed, and the test now has three cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning) plus the Situational Judgement Test (SJT). Total cognitive score range: 900–2700. See our post on UCAT Test Structure for the full breakdown.

UK Medical Schools That Use UCAT

Former BMAT Schools Now Using UCAT

These schools recently transitioned from BMAT to UCAT. Some made the switch for 2024 entry, others for 2025 entry.

University of Oxford

Oxford switched from BMAT to UCAT from 2025 entry onwards. Oxford uses UCAT alongside GCSEs, weighting both equally, to shortlist candidates for interview. There is no hard UCAT minimum — it's the combined score from UCAT and GCSEs that determines whether you're invited to interview.

Oxford interviews are panel-style (not MMI), held in mid-December, in-person at Oxford. Each candidate has two panel interviews at two different colleges, each lasting 20–30 minutes, focused on scientific problem-solving, academic reasoning, and motivation for medicine. Oxford is one of the most academically demanding interviews in the UK.

Oxford is a realistic option for applicants with strong UCAT scores (typically 7th–9th decile+) and excellent academics (strong GCSEs and strong A-level predictions).

University of Cambridge

Cambridge switched from BMAT to UCAT from 2025 entry onwards. Cambridge uses the UCAT cognitive score only — the SJT is not used in Cambridge's selection process. There is no hard cut-off; UCAT is reviewed alongside academic record (GCSEs, A-level predictions) and other application components.

Cambridge interviews are panel-style, supervision-style interviews held in December, offered both in-person and online. Typically 1–2 panels of 2–3 interviewers each, lasting approximately 25 minutes per panel (35–50 minutes total). The style is interactive, academic, and problem-solving focused.

Cambridge suits applicants with exceptional academics and a willingness to engage with intellectually challenging interview questions. Because UCAT is considered in context (no hard cut-off), very strong academics can offset a slightly lower UCAT.

Imperial College London

Imperial switched from BMAT to UCAT from 2025 entry onwards. Imperial shortlists the top third of its applicants for interview, ranked by UCAT score. This means your UCAT score is the primary factor in determining whether you get an interview at Imperial.

Imperial interviews use an MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews) format — approximately 7 stations, in a hybrid format combining online asynchronous components and live interview. Interviews are held January–March.

Imperial accepts approximately 271 Home and 74 Overseas students per year (2026 entry). To be in the top third of Imperial applicants — who tend to be highly competitive — you'll generally need a strong UCAT (typically 8th–9th decile or above).

UCL (University College London)

UCL previously used BMAT and has transitioned to UCAT. UCL's medical school is one of the largest in the UK and uses UCAT alongside academic criteria for shortlisting. Always check the UCL Medical School admissions page for the current year's approach.

Lancaster University

Lancaster previously used BMAT and now uses UCAT. Lancaster shortlists candidates from the top ~7 deciles of UCAT scores who also have an SJT of Band 1, 2, or 3. Both conditions must be met — a high cognitive score with Band 4 SJT will not progress, and a Band 1 SJT with a bottom-decile cognitive score will not progress.

Lancaster interviews use an online MMI format via Microsoft Teams, with approximately 12–15 stations of about 5 minutes each, including a group/PBL task. Interviews are held January–February.

University of Leeds

Leeds previously used BMAT and has transitioned to UCAT. Leeds uses UCAT as part of its selection process alongside GCSEs and other academic criteria. Check the Leeds medical school admissions page for current details.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)

Brighton and Sussex Medical School previously used BMAT and has transitioned to UCAT. BSMS offers a distinctive curriculum and uses UCAT alongside GCSEs and other criteria. Check the BSMS admissions page for current details.

Established UCAT Schools

These schools used UCAT before the BMAT discontinued and continue to do so.

King's College London (KCL)

KCL uses UCAT alongside GCSEs, A-level predictions, personal statement, and reference for shortlisting. KCL interviews use an online MMI format, with approximately 7 stations (1 question per station, different staff member per station). Interviews run from November through May, making KCL one of the earlier schools to interview.

Keele University

Keele uses a combined scoring approach: UCAT score and personal statement are both scored out of 25, combined for a score out of 50. This makes Keele distinctive — the personal statement carries real weight, and a strong personal statement can compensate for a moderate UCAT.

Keele interviews are online MMI-style via Microsoft Teams: two 15-minute interviews, two interviewers each (four interviewers total). Keele accepts approximately 161 Home and 10 Overseas students per year (2026 entry). Interviews run December–April.

Hull York Medical School (HYMS)

HYMS uses GCSEs (up to 35 points) and UCAT (up to 35 points) for shortlisting, giving equal weight to academic record and UCAT performance. The interview format is a detailed MMI: for Home/EU students, in-person at Hull or York in January 2026, including a group exercise (up to 10 candidates) and mini-interview stations. Overseas candidates interview online via Zoom.

University of Bristol

Bristol uses UCAT as part of shortlisting alongside other academic criteria. Bristol interviews are an online MMI via Zoom: 6 stations of approximately 5 minutes each (about 30 minutes total), with 3 assessors per station. Bristol accepts approximately 160 Home and 25 International students per year. Interviews run December–February.

Other Medical Schools Using UCAT

The following medical schools also use UCAT as part of their admissions process. Each has its own weighting and approach — always check their individual admissions pages for the most current information:

- Aberdeen — uses UCAT alongside academic criteria; known for lower UCAT thresholds - Aston — uses UCAT; graduate-entry focus - Birmingham — uses UCAT; no strict minimum cut-off - Cardiff — uses UCAT - Dundee — uses UCAT - East Anglia (UEA) — uses UCAT - Edinburgh — uses UCAT - Exeter — uses UCAT - Glasgow — uses UCAT - Leicester — uses UCAT - Liverpool — uses UCAT - Manchester — uses UCAT - Newcastle — uses UCAT - Nottingham — uses UCAT - Plymouth (Peninsula) — uses UCAT - Queen Mary (QMUL) — uses UCAT - Queen's Belfast — uses UCAT - Sheffield — uses UCAT - Southampton — uses UCAT - St Andrews — uses UCAT - St George's — uses UCAT - Sunderland — uses UCAT

How to Choose Where to Apply

With UCAT now universal across UK medical schools, your UCAT score becomes one of the most important strategic variables in your application. Here's how to think about it:

If Your UCAT Is Excellent (9th–10th decile, 2220+)

Your UCAT score opens the most selective schools. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and other high-demand schools are realistic targets. Apply strategically but ambitiously.

If Your UCAT Is Very Good (8th–9th decile, 2100–2220)

You're competitive at a wide range of schools. Focus on building a strong overall application — your UCAT is an asset rather than a barrier.

If Your UCAT Is Good (7th–8th decile, 2010–2100)

Many schools are accessible. Some of the most UCAT-selective schools (like Imperial) may be harder to reach, but the majority of UK medical schools are within range.

If Your UCAT Is Average or Below (below 7th decile, under 2010)

Application strategy matters more. Focus on schools that weight UCAT alongside other factors (like Keele, with its personal statement scoring), schools without hard cut-offs (like Birmingham), and schools where your other strengths — GCSEs, personal statement, work experience — can carry more weight. See our post on Where to Apply with a Low UCAT Score for detailed guidance.

The SJT Across All Schools

Regardless of which schools you apply to, a Band 4 SJT is a significant problem. Many schools — even those without hard cognitive score cut-offs — will screen out Band 4 applicants. Aim for Band 1 or Band 2 as your target, and treat Band 3 as the minimum acceptable outcome.

How theMSAG Can Help

Navigating medical school choice requires understanding not just UCAT requirements but interview formats, curriculum styles, location preferences, and your overall application profile. theMSAG offers:

- Application strategy consultations — personalised advice on school selection based on your UCAT score and other factors - Our Live UCAT Course — helping you maximise your score before choosing where to apply - Our UCAT Question Bank — targeted practice for every section - Interview preparation — covering MMI and panel formats for every school type

Last verified by Dr Dibah Jiva — March 2026