Subject overview

Guaranteed interviews for applicants for medicine

Two competitive schemes are available for applicants who might ultimately wish to study medicine at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and who fulfil the criteria below. These schemes are not transfers into BSMS but an opportunity to obtain a guaranteed interview if you meet the criteria.

Graduates applying to study medicine at BSMS will be required to take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). However, those qualifying for the Guaranteed Interview Scheme for entry after Year 3 will be exempt from this.

If you are accepted for entry into BSMS, the standard offer for entry after Year 1 will be a 70 per cent (weighted by module credit) average overall for Year 1. For entry after Year 3, the standard offer will be 65 per cent (weighted by module credit) in the examinations contributing to your overall degree classification. 

For entry after Year 1 at Sussex

Academic requirements

• GCSE grade B or equivalent in Mathematics and English
• if English is not your first language, an overall IELTS score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in all sections
• AAA at A level, all obtained in one sitting, plus a B at AS level. Both Chemistry and Biology are to be passed at A level with grade A; neither General Studies nor Critical Thinking are acceptable as an A or AS level subject
• if you have passed the International Baccalaureate, the required level is 36 overall with grade 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and Biology
• excellent Term 1 class-attendance record
• a 70 per cent (weighted by module credit) average (overall) for Term 1 modules or, if not available, evidence of high levels of attainment on all assessed work to date in Year 1, or a strongly supportive statement from your academic advisor.

Other requirements

• you have taken the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) in the previous summer
• you have made a UCAS application to BSMS (A100) Medicine by 15 October
• you have the specified level of professional experience within the previous 12 months and completed by February of Year 1.*

*Professional experience requirements

You will be expected to have undertaken a prolonged period of work in one or more healthcare settings, typically once a week over a six-month period in the 12 months leading up to the application. This could be a paid post or volunteer work in a hospital, a care home, the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, etc. You should be able to demonstrate learning from these experiences. 

For entry after Year 3 at Sussex

Academic requirements

• GCSE grade B or equivalent in Mathematics and English
• if English is not your first language, an overall IELTS score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in all sections
• a 70 per cent (weighted by module credit) average (overall) across Year 2.

Other requirements

• you have taken the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) in the previous summer
• you have made a UCAS application to BSMS (A100) Medicine by 15 October
• you have the specified level of professional experience within the previous 12 months and completed by October of Year 3*
• excellent record for class attendance and assignment submission by deadline.

*Professional experience requirements

You will be expected to have undertaken a prolonged period of work in one or more healthcare settings, typically once a week over a six-month period in the 12 months leading up to the application. This could be a paid post or volunteer work in a hospital, a care home, the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, etc. You should be able to demonstrate learning from these experiences. 

Programme content

The foundation year is taught at Chichester College.

This four-year course is designed for those who want to study the biological sciences at a top-rated university but lack the qualifications necessary for direct entry to one of our other degree courses. Typical entrants include those with non-science A levels, mature students, overseas applicants and students whose science A level performance fell below expectations. 

The foundation year is specifically designed for the needs of students who will subsequently transfer to one of the degree courses offered by the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex. Introductory modules in biology and chemistry each make up 40 per cent of the study content. Practical work is an important element of these modules. The remaining 20 per cent of time is split between mathematics and study skills, including IT. 

Teaching is by means of lectures, tutorials, classroom discussions and exercise classes. Small-group teaching is emphasised throughout. All modules run in parallel throughout the year and assessment is by coursework and exams. 

After successful completion of the foundation year you are guaranteed a place on one of the following BSc courses at the University of Sussex: Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science, Ecology and Environment, or Neuroscience. Other BSc courses may also be available. Your final overall pass mark will determine which BSc course you can progress to.

Entry requirements

Sussex welcomes applications from students of all ages who show evidence of the academic maturity and broad educational background that suggests readiness to study at degree level. For most students, this will mean formal public examinations; details of some of the most common qualifications we accept are shown below. If you are an overseas student, refer to Applicants from outside the UK.

All teaching at Sussex is in the English language. If your first language is not English, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

A level

Typical offer: BCC

Specific entry requirements: Some science is desirable, but good grades in non-science subjects will be considered. GCSE (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English, with at least grade C in each, are also required.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer: 28 points overall

For more information refer to International Baccalaureate.

Other qualifications

Access to HE Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

Specific entry requirements: Access applicants welcomed (although the foundation is itself an alternative to taking an Access to HE Diploma in Science). The foundation may be suited to applicants who took an Access to HE Diploma which lacked sufficient Level 3 credit in science or was in a non-science area, where the applicant now wishes to change discipline. GCSE (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English, grade C, also required.

For more information refer to Access to HE Diploma.

Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass with grade B or C in the Diploma and C in the Additional and Specialist Learning

Specific entry requirements: Ideally the Additional and Specialist Learning would be a science A-level. GCSE (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English, with at least grade C in each, are also required.

For more information refer to Advanced Diploma.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Typical offer: DMM

Specific entry requirements: GCSE (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English, with at least grade C in each, are also required.

For more information refer to BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer: 70% overall

For more information refer to European Baccalaureate.

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level)

Typical offer: BBCCCC

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Typical offer: BBBCC

Specific entry requirements: Applicants will also need Maths and English at Standard Grade, grade 1 or 2.

For more information refer to Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers.

Related subjects

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Medicine
• Neuroscience

Fees and funding

Fees

Home/EU students: £9,000¹
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £9,000²
Overseas students: £13,000^3,4

¹ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
² The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
³ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
⁴The foundation year only is charged at the lower fee rate of £13,000. Subsequent years are charged at the higher rate of £16,200.

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Careers and profiles

Career opportunities

Our graduates are well placed to compete for graduate medical school entry. You may also move to postgraduate study leading to academic and applied medical research in the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, universities and research institutes, or to a career in nutrition, paramedical work, management of clinical trials and medical laboratory sciences and other professions allied to medicine.

Careers and employability

For employers, it’s not so much what you know, but what you can do with your knowledge that counts. The experience and skills you’ll acquire during and beyond your studies will make you an attractive prospect. Initiatives such as SussexPlus, delivered by the Careers and Employability Centre, help you turn your skills to your career advantage. It’s good to know that 94 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study (Which? University).

Contact our School

School of Life Sciences

The School of Life Sciences provides an exciting and attractive environment for learning and research, with a thriving international community of students and academics.

Visit us

Campus tours

We offer weekly guided campus tours.

Mature students at Sussex: information sessions

If you are 21 or over, and thinking about starting an undergraduate degree at Sussex, you may want to attend one of our mature student information sessions. Running between October and December, they include guidance on how to approach your application, finance and welfare advice, plus a guided campus tour with one of our current mature students.

Self-guided visits

If you are unable to make any of the visit opportunities listed, drop in Monday to Friday year round and collect a self-guided tour pack from Sussex House reception.