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Applying to Medical School in London

Applying to Medical School in London

By Kire Stojkovski M.D
Editor Published 03 May 2023
Time to read 9 min

London is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in the world, and it is known to have the best medical schools in the UK. So, if you plan to relocate to London to take up a medicine course, or to advance your medical career, you are in the right place. In this article, we are going to review the top five best medical schools to study in London, and the best courses taught.

The details we provide in this article are legit and verified by universities’ websites as of 2018. However, due to the constant changes that happen in learning institutions, the information may have changed in one way or the other.

Which are the best medical schools in London, and how do you apply?

1. Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry

Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry also referred to as Barts, is a well-known university located in London, England. This school was founded in conjunction with the Queen Mary University of London and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital ( one of the oldest hospitals in London).

The school overview

Some of the distinct features that make Barts stand out from other universities are the curriculum system and the building structure. The school has a beautiful mid-century structure art designs buildings. The schools have an extensive library ( Whitechapel), which was initially a church. Regarding the school curriculum, the students get to interact and learn how to deal with patients from the early stages of their courses.

The curriculum structure

Traditionally, a medicine course at Barts takes five years to complete ( undergraduate). In the five years, the students are guided through different curriculum teachings, which include; problem-based solving, various medical teaching method options, and even practical lessons, to name a few. The five learning years are divided into two curriculum phases which are;

Year 1 to year 2:

The two years are more of introducing the students to the medical world. Some of the major topics covered in the two years include; body systems and the mechanisms of the disease. The students may start by meeting patients suffering from various diseases.

Year 3 to year 5

This is the last phase of the course where students get to choose the area or field of medical practice they want to focus on. The students also get a clinical attachment in different hospitals based on their area of specialization.

Other benefits

At Barts, you have the opportunity to study medicine at Malta, and take up an undergraduate course as well.

2. Imperial College in London

This college stands to be the most famous medical school in London, and a stream of medical schools forms it. The college has a wide variety of hospitals that spread across the Northern and Western parts of London. The largest imperial college branch is situated at South Kensington close to Hyde and the Royal Albert Hall. The students from the main campus attend medical institutions to other areas, including hammersmith and Paddington, located in the North and West parts of London.

Accomplishments

One of Imperial’s hospitals (St. Mary’s Hospital) was featured on BBC in 2017 as one of the best medical facilities in London.

The curriculum system

The curriculum medical undergraduate at Imperial College takes six years to complete as divided into four phases;

Year 1 to year 2

During this period, the students are equipped with basic medical knowledge and skills. The students also get to visit the patients at the clinics to learn about different health conditions. The curriculum includes; lecture lessons, anatomy dissections, and workshop-based problem-solving.

Year 3

In the third year, the students get clinical attachments on different health centers, including GP surgeries and the teaching hospitals. Note that the students continue to learn, which is sometimes done online.

Year 4

This year, the students undertake a compulsory undergraduate course concerning medical science or management BSc.

Year 5 to year 6

At the final phase, the students get the clinical attachment concerning multiple medical fields ranging from gynecology, radiotherapy, and others.

3. King’s College London

One of the outstanding traits of the King’s College London is that this medical learning institution is made up of three busy teaching hospitals in the UK. These hospitals are the Guy’s Hospital in London Bridge, St Thomas hospital, and Westminster and King’s College hospital situated at Denmark Hill.

The curriculum system

At King’s Collection or GKT College, the medical courses take five years to complete with the curriculum divided into three phases as follows;

Year 1

This is the first year of education, where the students get equipped with the necessary foundation skills and knowledge of medicine. The teachings include learning about biometrical science, population science, and clinical practices.

Year 2 to year 3

Learning about 2 and 3 years involves clinical practices. The teachings revolve around the human life cycle and about pathological processes. At this stage, the students get to interact with various patients to learn how to offer different care concerning biomedical and population sciences.

Year 4 to year 5

During this period, the students get involved with actual clinical practices where they come up with practical projects with health solutions related to different diseases.

Special offers at King’s College

The King’s collection college offers an extensive curriculum system of 6 years for students who do not have the actual pass mark to study the medicine course. So, such students take two years to learn the medical basis, unlike the qualified candidates who take one year.

4. St. George’s University of London

This university is located at Tooting and is well known for specializing in medical education and training related to health science education, and training in research. The leading university is related to St George’s Hospital, which is ranked among the top best teaching hospitals in the UK. While still undertaking the medical course at St. George’s University, the students also go for attachment to south London and SE England.

The curriculum structure

The curriculum system is divided into five different phases, and it takes five years to complete a medical course at St. George’s University.

Year 1 to year 2

This is the introductory part where the students learn the basics of clinical science and patient contact.

Year 3

In the third year, the students go for a six weeks attachment on different medical fields, which include; medicine, surgery, and primary care, and GP.

Year 4

The students get more attachments in various medical areas like pediatrics, O and G, Psychiatry, and general medicine.

Year 5

This is the last phase of medical education, and the students get further attachments to prepare them for employment.

5. University College London

This is the most accessible medical school to locate in London as it situated in an open and easy to access area, at the center of Bloomsbury. It takes six years to get an undergraduate degree from UCL University. The teachings include; the standard procedures which involve; lectures, group activity projects, and dissections.

The curriculum system

The curriculum system is divided into six phases of learning which are;

Year 1 to year 2

The students learn the necessary fundamental details about clinical sciences.

Year 3

The students join the undergraduate curriculum process.

Year 4

The students attend the clinical attachments and learn about clinical care procedures and how to treat and care for the sick.

Year 5

The teachings involve learning the life cycle and particular medical practice.

Year 6

The students go for an attachment for preparation for work.

The requirements to study medicine per university

1. GCSE requirements

  • Bart and the London

The students have to have a pass of AAA and BBB in Biology/Human biology, chemistry or two sciences, English languages, mathematics, or statistics.

  • Imperial college

The minimum entry grade is B in English and mathematics.

  • St George’s University

The students must have got a grade B and above in English, mathematics, and two/ three sciences.

  • University College London

Minimum pass of B in English languages, mathematics, Minimum C in foreign languages for Uk students.

The A-Level Requirements

The A level requirements

  • Barts and London

A+ AA in chemistry/ biology with one extra A in physics or mathematics.

  • Imperial College London

A+ AA in biology /Chemistry

  • King’s collection College London:

A+AA In chemistry and Biology

  • St George’s College

AAA in Chemistry and biology or human biology

  • University College London

A+ AA in Chemistry and Biology

The exam scores for admission

  • Barts University

The students who want to join Barts and London must score above the 3rd decile as a minimum score in the ULCAT. The pass mark is included after weighing the overall score for the academic and the UKCAT.

At Imperial College, they use to cut off scores from BMAT and the interview scores.

  • King’s Collection College

They don’t use the cut off scores in the admission process. They set up several candidates to call for interview per academic year.

  • St. George’s UKCAT

Around 500 and above students are invited per section. The students are after that selected from the conducted interviews.

  • University College London

The candidates for admission are selected during the interview as they don’t consult cut a score cut.

Conclusion

The requirements for admission and the teaching system change every academic year in the medical universities of London. Therefore, make sure to check the websites of these schools to keep up with the current curriculum system and the admission requirements. Otherwise, check out the above reviewed medical schools to select the dearest school to join.

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