Studying medicine in the UK

PTE Author
PTE Author
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Reading time: 5 minutes

Are you interested in studying medicine in the UK?  You’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll learn about some of the best medical schools in the UK and what you need to apply. We’ll also explore tuition costs, visa requirements, and more. Ready? Let’s take a look:  

Why study medicine in the UK 

Medicine can be a competitive degree. But, studying it in the UK can prepare you to work and practice in one of the best healthcare systems in the world. According to a 2017 study by The Commonwealth Fund, the UK and its healthcare system ranked number one in overall performance, compared to 10 other high-income countries – including in things like care process and equity. The UK’s health service, called the NHS, is publicly funded.  

The UK also boasts world-class Research and Development (R&D), which the government actively invests in. For example, the UK hopes to raise funding for R&D to £22 billion a year by 2025. This means studying medicine in the UK can provide you with the opportunity to learn at state-of-the-art facilities, as well as help give you more access to research support and funding.   

Best medical schools in the UK  

The UK is home to some of the best universities in the world. In fact, according to the QS World University Rankins 2021, the UK boasts four of the top 10 best universities to study medicine worldwide – including University of Oxford (2), University of Cambridge (4), University College London (9) and Imperial College London (10).

There’s also University of Glasgow, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, and University of St Andrews in Scotland, as well as Queen Mary University of London in England, and Swansea University in Wales. All of these are listed within the top universities for medicine in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2021 rankings.

Of course, the best university for study will come down to one very important aspect: you. Be sure to do your research on each university, try to speak to current students, and discover what career options the choice will give you in the future. 

Types of medicine degrees 

Medicine degrees in the UK can take between 4-6 years to complete. Students applying to study medicine in the UK have four types of courses to choose from:  

  • Standard Entry Medicine– a bachelor’s degree in medicine 

  • Graduate Entry Medicine – a graduate degree in medicine

  • Medicine with a Preliminary Year – a bachelor’s degree in medicine that includes an extra first year, for students who didn’t take the necessary science courses in school

  • Medicine with a Gateway Year– similar to the course above, this is made for students who’ve had barriers to education and offers different entry requirements 

No matter which degree you choose, you’ll have to sit an admissions test. There are three different admissions tests in the UK, and which ones you take will depend on what institution you apply for. The tests are:   

  • The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) 

  • The BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test)

  • The GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) 

In addition to these tests, you’ll need to look at the admission requirements for each medical school you intend to apply for. These might include mandatory school courses, personal statements, or an interview to talk about work experience.  

The Medical Schools Council of the UK has an excellent in-depth guide to entry requirements for dozens of universities across the UK, as well as more information on the courses and tests we list above. You can also learn more on their website. 

Visas 

If you’re coming to the UK to study medicine, you’ll need a Student visa. To apply, you’ll need to be offered a spot at a university, have sufficient funds to support yourself, and prove you’re proficient in English. And, our computer-based English language test at PTE Academic is approved by the UK Home Office for all Student visas. You’ll have to demonstrate you’re at a B2 level or higher, depending on your university. 

After graduating, you might be able to apply for the Graduate route to stay in the UK to work (or look for work) for 2-3 years, depending on your degree.

Keep in mind: We aren’t immigration agents. For the latest information and official updates, please visit the GOV UK website. 

Costs 

Studying medicine in the UK for international students can be expensive. According to Save the Student, medical degrees in the UK can cost up to £64,652 per year – which is a lot more expensive than other degrees. On average, students spend about £795 on living costs each month in the UK. However, the average salary for nurses in the UK is over £35,000 per year. Doctors who are general practitioners can make between £60,455 to £91,228 per year.  

Learn more on our blog: Living expenses in the UK for international students 

Studying medicine in the UK can be incredibly rewarding. You’ll have the opportunity to learn at a world-class university, and perhaps even contribute to cutting-edge research. On top of this, you’ll get to explore the UK’s beautiful landscapes, history, culture – and immerse yourself in all the great things it has to offer.  

Learn more about PTE Academic UKVI, our English test recognized by the UK’s Home Office.

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    Applying for the EU Settlement Scheme: what you need to know to get British citizenship
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    At the beginning of this year, new Brexit-related rules went into effect in the UK and the EU.  They’ll have a big impact on immigration and travel – including on how people will be able to move to the UK to live, work and study. 

    If you’re an EU citizen—and started living in the UK before 2021—immigration rules won’t change for you until June. But after that, you might have to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in the country. 

    More than 4.3 million people have been approved for the scheme already. And, they’re on the path to receiving a British passport. With the EU Settlement Scheme, EU citizens can apply for British citizenship after 12 months. 

    In this blog, we’ll explore more about the scheme and how to apply for citizenship. We will also look at the English language requirements you’ll need to keep in mind as an EU citizen. 

    Keep in mind: We aren’t immigration agents. For the latest information and official updates, please visit the GOV UK website. 

    First, what is the EU Settlement Scheme?

    The EU Settlement Scheme is a program set up by the UK government. It allows EU, Swiss, and EEA citizens to keep living in the UK after June 2021. It’s free to apply, and once you do, you’ll be granted either: 

    • Settled status – You’ll get this if you’ve lived in the UK continuously for five years. You will be able to stay in the UK indefinitely provided you don’t leave the UK for 5 years consecutively.

    • Pre-settled status – You’ll get this if you’ve lived in the UK for less than five years. With pre-settled status, you’ll only be able to stay in the UK for another five years but can always apply for settled status later if you want to settle permanently. 

    With settled status, as we mentioned, you’ll also have the opportunity to apply for British citizenship. Although, many people have decided to apply for citizenship right away instead of going through the scheme – for example, if they have a British parent or spouse. 

    With citizenship, you’ll have the right to live permanently in the UK with a British passport, which means you’ll no longer be subject to immigration controls. You’ll also be able to work and study in the UK, sponsor your family members to migrate, access NHS healthcare, access public benefits and pensions  – and of course, vote in elections. 

    The Mayor of London’s website has a comprehensive FAQ on the EU Settlement Scheme. You can also find out more information on the official GOV UK page.

    How to apply for British citizenship 

    If you’re interested in applying for British citizenship, there are a few ways to do so. For example, you could be eligible if you: 

    • have a British civil partner or spouse;

    • were born in the UK;

    • have a British parent;

    • have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. 

    The requirements for citizenship are often different, depending on why you’re applying and how you’re eligible. But if you’re applying under the EU Settlement Scheme, in most circumstances you’ll have to show you: 

    • have been living in the UK for more than five years and will continue to do so;

    • are of good character;

    • have passed the Life in the UK Test, which consists of 24 questions on British traditions;

    • are knowledgeable in English, Welsh, or Gaelic. You will also need to take an approved English test for UK citizenship.

    Learn more about how to apply for British citizenship with the scheme here. 

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    How to study in Singapore
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    Asian students have long been drawn to Western universities. In fact, in 2018 and 2019, China sent more students to study in the UK than any other country. But now as Asian countries seek to attract more international students themselves, many learners are choosing to study closer to home instead.  

    After all, studying within the region offers plenty of benefits. Not only do Asian universities provide a world-class education at a more affordable price. But they are also “among the world’s best at enhancing their alumni’s job market prospects,” states the QS Graduate Employability Rankings. This is a big draw, considering a recent report found that 81% of respondents from eight Asian countries wanted to study at a foreign university to improve employment. 

    So, what are some of the top study abroad locations for Asian students? And what do learners need to keep in mind when choosing a destination? In this guide, we’ll focus on Singapore: 

    Singapore at a glance 

    Singapore is modern, sustainable, and multicultural. This makes it an attractive place to study for students from around the region. Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English are all recognized as official languages, although English is most commonly spoken. In fact, almost 40% of the population in Singapore speaks English at home.  

    Singapore invests heavily in human capital. For example, it spends more than 20% of its budget on education each year. It comes as no surprise, then, that Singapore’s education system is listed as one of the best in the world by OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). 

    Universities in Singapore 

    There are dozens of universities and colleges in Singapore. The two most popular universities are the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Both universities are ranked among the top 20 in the world. According to QS World University Rankings 2021, NUS holds the spot for 11. NTU is ranked number 13. About a quarter of learners at both universities are international students.  

    Even more, according to QS, NUS ranks number 24 for graduate employability.  

    To study at a Singaporean institution, you must apply directly through the admissions office. This is usually done at the beginning of the year. 

    If you’re a second language speaker or haven’t studied full-time at an English institution, you will also need to prove your English proficiency. PTE Academic is a computer-based language test that provides unbiased and secure results and can help you qualify for studying and migrating abroad.  

    Students wanting to attend a college in Singapore – including the Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE), the East Asia Institute of Management, and LASALLE College of the Arts – will need a PTE Academic score of 42. In general, universities look for a minimum PTE Academic score between 55 and 62. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what some popular universities require: 

    • National University of Singapore–62 

    • Nanyang Technological University– 55 

    • Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) – 62 

    However, students are strongly advised to always check with their own university or college to see exactly what PTE Academic score is needed.  

    Getting your visa 

    If you want to study in Singapore, you will need to have a Student Pass. To apply, you must already be accepted as a full-time student at an academic institution. With a Student Pass, you’ll be able to work up to 16 hours a week during the school term. However, you can only do this if you go to an approved institution.  

    Find out exactly how to apply for a Student Pass here.  

    Cost of living 

    Singapore is considered one of the best student cities in the world; it has great weather, a vibrant mix of cultures, and an excellent food scene. However, compared to other Asian countries, it is on the expensive side. International student tuition fees sit at about $18,700 USD a year. To get an idea about how much it costs to live in Singapore, check out the government’s cost of living calculator.  

    Financial aid 

    It’s important to keep in mind that Singapore does offer financial aid for citizens, permanent residents, and international students. The Ministry of Education provides these grants under The Tuition Grant Scheme.  

    The amount of money offered depends on the area of study and the status of each student in Singapore. This table is a good resource, showing what was available to students studying at NTU in 2020. You can see that for international students, the grants start at about $7,700 USD.   

    To accept a Tuition Grant, students who aren’t citizens must sign a Tuition Grant Agreement. This states that they will work in Singapore for a minimum of three years after graduation.  

    For more grant information, visit the Ministry of Education website.  

    Want to study in Singapore?

    With PTE Academic you can achieve your dreams.  

    Our unbiased English tests are trusted as proof of English proficiency by universities in Singapore –  and results are typically ready within 2 days. 

    Find out where you can take PTE Academic now.