UK Medical School Rankings 2024/25

Medical school rankings can help you choose the right medical school based on various metrics, such as student satisfaction, research output, and career prospects. In this article, we’ll explore the 2024 and 2025 ranking tables for UK and international medical schools, breaking down what they mean and answering key questions to guide you in making an informed decision.

UK Medical School Rankings Table 2025

The Times UK Medical School Rankings Table 2025 provides a comprehensive guide to help you evaluate and select the best medical schools in the UK. These rankings are based on a variety of factors, including academic reputation, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate employability. Institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge consistently lead the rankings in the top 10, celebrated for their rigorous academic environments and excellence in medical research. Other highly regarded schools, such as the University of Dundee, the University of Glasgow, Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh, also maintain strong positions due to their innovative teaching methods and clinical training facilities.

Medical School	Subject Ranking	Overall Rank	Total Score
University of Oxford	1	3	100
University of Dundee	2	36	97.7
University of Glasgow	3	16	97.2
Imperial College London	4	6	96.9
University of Leicester	5	27*	96.4
University of St Andrews	6	2	96.1
University of Cambridge	7*	4	95.6
University of Edinburgh	7*	17*	95.6
University of Bristol	9	11	95.3
University of Aberdeen	10	15	95.1
Queen’s University, Belfast	11	26	95
University College London	12	7	93.4
Cardiff University	13	32	91.9
Queen Mary University of London	14	39	91.8
Lancaster University	15	12	91.3
Hull-York Medical School	16	n/a	90
Keele University	17*	57*	89.8
University of Exeter	17*	13	89.8
Swansea University	19	37	89.5
Newcastle University	20	30*	88.9
University of Manchester	21	27*	88.6
King’s College London	22*	24*	87.9
University of Birmingham	22*	22	87.9
University of East Anglia	24*	33	87.1
University of Sunderland	24*	105*	87.1
University of Sheffield	26	14	86.7
University of Leeds	27	29	86.6
St George’s, University of London	28	69	86
University of Southampton	29	19	85.7
Aston University	30	35	85.3
University of Liverpool	31	23	84.6
University of Sussex	32	38	84.3
Anglia Ruskin University	33	130	82.4
University of Plymouth	34	70	81.7
University of Warwick	35	9	81.5
University of Nottingham	36	30*	80.4
University of Brighton	37	71	77.6
University of Central Lancashire	38	96	75.2
University of Buckingham	39	114	69.1

For students exploring their options, the rankings are a valuable resource for understanding each university’s strengths and unique offerings. Alongside rankings, students should consider factors such as location, tuition fees, and the required admission test type. Whether you’re aiming for top-tier institutions or looking for schools with broader entry pathways, these rankings can provide critical insights to guide your application process.

How are the medical school ranking scores calculated?

Ranking organizations like The Guardian, QS World University Rankings, The Central University Guide and Times Higher Education use a variety of metrics, each weighted differently. Let’s break down the common components:

Teaching Quality

• Measured through student satisfaction surveys, focusing on the quality of lectures, accessibility of academic staff, and resources provided.
• Heavily weighted in UK rankings (e.g., National Student Survey data).

Research Excellence

• Assesses the volume, quality, and global impact of research output.
• The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a key source for UK rankings, grading universities on their ability to contribute to advancements in medicine.

Graduate Employability

• Tracks the percentage of graduates securing employment or further training within 6–12 months of finishing medical school.
• Indicates how well a school prepares students for real-world clinical practice.

Entry Standards

• This looks at the average grades of incoming students (e.g., A-levels, IB, or equivalent).
• Higher entry requirements often reflect a competitive admissions process but don’t always guarantee superior outcomes.

Student-to-Staff Ratio

• A lower ratio means students are likely to receive more individual attention, improving learning quality.

Institutional Reputation

• Based on peer reviews from academics and employers worldwide, highlighting global prestige.

By combining these metrics, ranking bodies create scores that help students compare medical schools comprehensively

What do the different metrics mean?

• Research Excellence: Measures the quality and impact of medical research conducted by the school. High scores in this metric show the school’s contribution to advancing medical knowledge, which can indicate better access to cutting-edge developments for students.
• Teaching Quality: Assessed via surveys on course content, accessibility of resources, and faculty support.
• Student Experience: Includes extracurricular opportunities, access to diverse clinical placements, and overall campus life, giving a snapshot of daily life at the institution.
• Graduate Employability: Tracks how quickly graduates enter the workforce or secure further training.
• Facilities and Resources: Evaluates access to state-of-the-art labs, libraries, and clinical environments.
• International Outlook: Reflects diversity among faculty and students, as well as collaboration with global institutions.

Understanding these metrics helps you prioritize what matters most to your education and career goals.

For students exploring their options, the rankings are a valuable resource for understanding each university’s strengths and unique offerings. Alongside rankings, students should consider factors such as location, tuition fees, and the required admission test type. Whether you’re aiming for top-tier institutions or looking for schools with broader entry pathways, these rankings can provide critical insights to guide your application process.

UK Medical School Rankings 2024

Below is the link to the 2024 Medical School Ranking UK Table for The Guardian, showcasing top universities based on teaching quality, research, and student satisfaction:

The Guardian: Best Universities for Medicine

International Medical School Ranking

The international rankings consider factors like global reputation and research output. Below is the link to the  International Medical School Ranking Table for the QS World University Rankings for Medicine, 2024

QS World University Rankings for Medicine, 2024

How should prospective students use medical school rankings when choosing a school?

Rankings are a helpful starting point but should not be the sole factor in your decision. Consider:

• Visit Open Days: Get a feel for the campus, teaching facilities, and clinical placement opportunities.
• Evaluate Your Priorities: If research matters most, prioritize schools with high research scores; if teaching quality is key, focus on student satisfaction metrics.
• Consider Location: Factor in cost of living, proximity to family, and access to extracurricular activities.

Specifically, you may want to think about :

• Your preferred teaching style (e.g., problem-based vs. traditional learning).
• Location and campus life
• Access to clinical placements in hospitals or healthcare systems

Remember, your personal goals and preferences are just as important as the numbers.

How accurate and reliable are medical school rankings?

While rankings provide a broad overview, they are not absolute indicators of a school’s quality- they just provide a snapshot.

There may be:

• Differences in methodologies across ranking bodies.
• Over-reliance on subjective metrics, like student satisfaction.
• Underrepresentation of factors like cultural fit or support services.

Always supplement rankings with your own research.

Do medical school rankings account for regional differences in healthcare systems?

Most rankings don’t directly address these differences. For instance:

• UK schools emphasize training for the NHS, including teamwork in public healthcare.
• US schools focus on private practice and insurance-based care.
• Schools in Europe or Asia may cater to region-specific needs, such as tropical medicine or rural healthcare delivery.

If you plan to work internationally, consider schools with global partnerships or an international curriculum.

Are medical school rankings updated annually?

Yes, most ranking bodies update their lists annually to reflect the latest data on research output, teaching quality, and student feedback. Keep an eye on reputable sources like The Guardian or QS Rankings for yearly updates.

Medical School Application Support

If you need help navigating medical school applications or preparing for interviews, check out our Medical School Strategic Application Support.  We’ve got you covered when you need help making these important decisions! Rankings are a great tool, but your ideal medical school depends on personal preferences and career goals. Choose wisely, and good luck on your medical journey!