Medical schools recognise that as a mature student you will have a higher degree of motivation and a more valuable breadth of life experience than undergraduates. This will be a valuable asset to University life. Whilst there is no upper age limit, practical considerations take into account the length of service you will be able to give to the National Health Service after you have graduated. It takes around 12 years to reach senior doctor level depending on which career path you choose to follow. Medicine is also an extremely competitive profession and you may have to be flexible and prepared to move area in order to take up a particular post if necessary. This is a serious consideration for mature applicants with family commitments.
An upper second-class Honours (2:1) degree is the usual requirements to apply to study medicine on an accelerated 4 year course. A Masters or Doctorate may override these requirements in certain cases. Degrees awarded outside of the
Entry to a medical degree programmes should be applied for via UCAS. You should contact your medical school directly if you have out of the ordinary qualifications as UCAS does not give advice in this area. Entrance to medical school may be also conditional on your taking entrance examinations such as BMAT or UKCAT to check your suitability to study medicine and having particular immunisations.
As a mature applicant you should give careful consideration to the financial implications of undertaking your medical studies. If you have received Local Education Authority funding in the past you will not be eligible for further tuition fee support. Throughout the first four years of your degree you will, however, be eligible to apply for a non-means tested student loan. Other routes are through sponsorship or bank loans, or you can contact BMA Charities who can provide funding for graduates studying medicine as a second degree.
