Edge Hill Medical School Guide

The Edge Hill University Medical School is one of the newest medical schools in the UK, formed in 2019. It is also the smallest medical school in the UK, offering only 30 places for new students each year.

Edge Hill University, located in Ormskirk, Lancashire, offers modern, state-of-the-art learning facilities. These include a simulation suite and clinical skills labs. All clinical placements take place in areas around the North West of England.

Edge Hill University Medical School offers 2 medical courses. The first is a five-year undergraduate course. Additionally, it provides a six-year Medicine with Foundation Year course. Edge Hill does not offer any graduate entry medicine courses. Below you will find details of the degree, academic and entrance exam requirements, interview process, and more.

EdgeHill Medical School Entry Requirements

Academic

A Levels	AAA. Must take Chemistry and Biology. If an applicant achieves an A* in Biology or Chemistry, the third A-Level subject can be at grade B. A levels in General Studies, Critical Reasoning, Citizenship and Key Skills are not accepted.
Scottish Highers	AAAAB. Must take Biology and Chemistry.
IB	36 points. Must achieve a grade 6 in Higher Level Biology, Chemistry, and one more subject. Grade 5 minimum in all Standard Level subjects.
Irish Leaving Certificate	Three higher level subjects at Grade H1. Must take Biology and Chemistry. Three subjects at grade H2. Must include English Language and Mathematics.
Bachelor’s Degree (graduates only)	D3D3D3 including Biology and Chemistry.
GCSEs	5 GCSEs at Grade B/6. Must include Chemistry, Biology, English Language, and Maths

You must also be 18 or above on the first day of the course which is typically mid September.

Admissions Test for Edge Hill Medical School

All applicants must take the UCAT Medical Admissions Test before their application. They must achieve scores in the relevant admissions cycle before the intended year of entry.

Applicants who meet the minimum academic criteria are ranked on their UCAT scores. A UCAT threshold will be set based on the number of interviews to be held that year. In 2023 the average UCAT score for students invited to interview was 2748.

Additionally, Edge Hill considers the Situational Judgement Test. A band 4 score in the Situational Judgement Test will be rejected without an interview. Edge Hill invites applicants who meet the UCAT threshold to interview.

In 2023:

• lowest UCAT invited to interview = 2610
• average UCAT invited to interview = 2748

For candidates who meet specific widening participation criteria, the UCAT threshold is extended. Also, it applies to applicants who completed the Edge Hill Widening Access to Medicine Programme.

Work Experience

Edge Hill University does not mandate specific work experience for entry into its medical program. However, gaining relevant experience – whether online or in person – can significantly strengthen your application. It demonstrates your commitment to the field and provides valuable insights into the realities of a career in medicine, helping your application to stand out.

Personal Statement

Although Edge Hill University does not specify the weighting of the personal statement in their admissions process, it remains crucial that your statement effectively conveys your passion and dedication for the course. It should be well-structured, clearly demonstrating how your skills and experiences will support your journey to becoming a doctor.

Interview Process

The Edge Hill University uses an MMI interview style, the interviews take place in January of the course year. There are eight stations, each lasting for seven minutes.

Interview Topics

• Motivation and understanding of the course
• Verbal communication skills
• Integrity/probity
• Teamwork/leadership
• Empathy and compassion
• Awareness of current health challenges
• Ethical awareness
• Awareness of self and others
• Prioritisation and decision-making
• Interpretation of data

A score will be given for performance at each station, and each individual score will be combined. Applicants will be ranked according to their overall MMI score and offers will be made to the top students.

If students are very closely ranked, the personal statement and references will be used to distinguish between these applicants.

Some example questions for Edge Hill are listed below with a brief answer guide below:

What is your motivation for studying medicine at Edge Hill?

This question has two core components: your reasons for studying medicine, and your reasons for choosing Edge Hill. For the motivation to study medicine, think about what sets the career of being a doctor apart from other careers and what steps you’ve taken to learn more about this (this is where you can talk about your work experience). It is also important in this question to consider what you like specifically about Edge Hill – the university website is the best resource to learn more about life at Edge Hill.

What are three problems that the NHS is facing right now?

Reading around the UK healthcare system and any challenges that it may be facing is a crucial part of interview prep. Some examples of challenges that the NHS faces are: Junior Doctor industrial action, Consultant industrial action, changes to the UKFPO job allocation, funding, postcode inequalities, job retention, and the prolonged effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Without using any gestures, please describe how to tie a pair of shoelaces

This question tests your verbal communication skills – it is surprisingly difficult to explain how to tie shoelaces without using any gestures! Clear, simple instructions are key to effectively communicating an abstract/complex task. Regularly checking that the interviewer has understood your previous instructions and is happy so far will be very helpful.

Discuss a time when you demonstrated good teamwork skills. What was effective about your teamwork?

This question is testing your self-reflection as much as your teamwork skills. It is important to effectively communicate not only how you demonstrated the skill, but also why these skills helped you achieve your goal. Reflection is key here – what would you do differently? Why will these skills help you in a medical career?

Graduate Entry at Edge Hill Medical School

Edge Hill University Medical School offers 2 medical courses. The first is a five-year undergraduate course and the other is a six-year Medicine with Foundation Year course. Edge Hill does not offer any graduate entry medicine courses. Graduates may apply but they would be entering one of these two courses and would not have a different graduate entry specific course.

International Students Requirements For Edge Hill Medical School

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, are eligible to apply for this course. This course is not available to other international students.

Edge Hill accepts equivalents to UK A-levels, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) with 36 points and the Irish Leaving Certificate at Grade H1.

Applicants who do not have GCSE English must gain an IELTS of 7.5 overall for entry. IELTS cannot replace English GCSE for UK applicants.

International Applicants must still undertake the UCAT, the personal statement, and the same MMI interview.

Non-UK and non-Irish students need to obtain a Student Visa to study in the UK, the university will provide support in applying for a visa if an offer is made.

How Many Places Are There For Home and International Students?

Edge Hill’s MBChB programme has 30 places. Edge Hill University’s medical school does not currently accept international students. The places available are reserved exclusively for UK or Irish residents. Plans for an extra 20 students will bring the number to 50 for the year 2025, and further plans for another 13 will bring the total to 63 places in 2026.

Medical School Fees

As of 2024/2025, the UK Full-Time fees for Edge Hill University are £9250 a year.

Acceptance Rate

In 2022, 26% of students who interviewed for Edge Hill Medical School recieved an offer.

Edge Hill Medical School Course Structure

Year 1	The Person and the Community Life sciences and the human body Seven core system: endocrine, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital and neuroscience Public health and social science foundations
Year 2	Understanding Where and How People Recieve Health Care Patient care and understanding illness and wellbeing Increased clinical exposure in various settings, including general practice and hospital Completion of a community-related project
Year 3	Integrative Care Within Multi Disciplinary Teams Care for specific patient groups in hospital and community settings Increased clinical exposure is supported by consolidation weeks at the university Focus on developing clinical skills and interdisciplinary collaboration for person-centered care
Year 4	The Patient Journey – The Interface Between Primary and Secondary Care Clinical practice across various specialties Relationship between primary and secondary care Appropriate patient treatment settings in different circumstances
Year 5	Preparedness for Practice An apprentice year, preparing you for medical practice with student assistantships and a specialist placement Focus on acute medicine and gaining increasing clinical responsibility

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching Style

The Medicine degree programme at Edge Hill University has a diverse range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, practical science sessions, clinical skills training, and simulation exercises. The first two years feature a hybrid edicational approach with case-based and team-based learning to develop essential inquiry, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.

Throughout the program, students will typically attend classes four to five days a week, with placements in local healthcare settings within the North West of England. As clinical exposure grows, students will return to the Unioversity for consolidation weeks, focusing on public health, research methods, professionalism, and additional training, while also recieving support from their personal tutor.

Assessments

The Medicine Degree assessment methods include research projects, written assignments, OSCEs, and written exams, with additional evaluations of skills and professionalism during clinical placements and through a portfolio.

Starting from 2024, graduates will also need to pass the new national Medical Licensing Assessment, which includes a written test and a clinical and professional skills assessment, to obtain the degree and qualify for provisional registration with the General Medical Council.

Term Dates 2024/2025

Year 1

Induction week: 30/09/2024

Term 1: 07/10/2024 – 20/12/2024

Term 2: 06/01/2025 – 11/04/2025

Term 3: 28/04/2025 – 04/07/2025

Year 2

Term 1: 16/09/2024 – 20/12/2024

Term 2: 06/01/2025 – 11/04/2025

Term 3: 28/04/2025 – 27/06/2025

Year 3

Term 1: 09/09/2024 – 20/12/2024

Term 2: 06/01/2025 – 18/04/2025

Term 3: 28/04/2025 – 04/07/2025

Year 4

Term 1: 02/09/2024 – 20/12/2024

Term 2: 06/01/2025 – 18/04/2025

Term 3: 28/04/2025 – 01/08/2025

Year 5

Term 1: 09/09/2024 – 20/12/2024

Term 2: 06/01/2025 – 18/04/2025

Term 3: 28/04/2025 – 11/07/2025

Hospitals

Edge Hill University’s Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine has bases at several hospitals including:

• Aintree Universoty Hospital
• St James’ Manchester
• Alder Hey Childrens’ Hospital
• Wrightington Hospital

Edge Hill University also provides students with clinical placements at NHS hospitals and community health settings throughout the North West of England.

Medical Schools Council Pathway Programme

The Pathway Programme is designed for Year 12 students from under-represented backgrounds interested in studying medicine. It includes a series of free events: an online activity day, an on-campus visit to Edge Hill University, and a residential summer school in early July.

The on-campus visit will offer insights into the medicine course, hands-on clinical skills experience, and sessions on student finance and life as a doctor. The online event will introduce students to partner universities, with opportunities to learn about their courses and admissions. The residential will feature case-based learning, mock MMIs, UCAT workshops, and campus visits to partner universities in the Northwest of England.

Who Can Apply?

To apply for the Pathway Programme, candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• In local authority care
• Estranged student
• Asylum seeker/refugee

Or meet at least two of the following:

• Attending a state school with below-average Attainment 8 or Progress 8 scores
• From a school with a high percentage of students recieving free school meals
• Living in an area with low higher education progression
• A young care, from a family without a university degree, or recieving means-tested financial support.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential to study medicine, interest in STEM subjects, and meet the minimum academic requirements. If the number of applications exceeds available places, additional weighting criteria will be applied.

Programme Dates

Campus Visit Day – 02/05/2024

Online Activity Session – 12/06/2024

Residential Summer School – 09/07/2024 – 12/07/2024

Life as a Student

Societies

Despite being a new medical school, Edge Hill have already founded their own Medical Society, providing plenty of additional academic opportunities. There are 60 other societies spanning a wide range of sports and activities

Local Area

Edge Hill is located in Ormskirk. Ormskirk is a small but beautiful town with all the conveneinces you need. The University is campus based with all facilities located together, making things easy to reach and giving the University a close-knit, community feel. While the town itself is small, Liverpool is a short trip away, making it ideal for weekend trips to the city.

Intercalated Degrees

Edge Hill University offer 3 to 4 fully funded Taught Masters or MRes intercalations with stipends starting in September, typically at the end of Year 3 of the Medical Program. These intercalations will last 12 months, concluding by August 2025, with each student recieving a stipend of £19162.

To be eligible, applicants must be Edge Hill medical students with no outstanding professional concerns and must have passed all summative assessments by the end of the academic year.

FAQS

How much of the course is clinical vs pre clinical?

The pre clinical phase is years 1 and 2, which have a primary focus on learning about the anatomy of the human body. Teaching methods include, lectures, seminars, practical sessions, and laboratory work.

In years 3, 4, and 5, clinical education becomes the main focus. Students engage in hands-on clinical training, including placements in hospitals, GP practices, and other healthcare settings.

Does Edge Hill offer scholarships?

Edge Hill Medical School offer a range of scholarships. Many scholarships are awarded automatically. There are some however, where you will need to be involved in an application or nomination process. You can find out more on the Dedicated Scholarship Pages.

Is it a good school?

According to Edge Hill University Students’ Union, the 2023 National Student Survey (NSS) found that 75% of respondents agreed that the University’s Students’ Union frepresented their academic interests which is above the national average.

Edge Hill Medical School in particular offers a strong foundation in medical sciences and clinical practice, providing students with many opportunities for personal and professional development. The school has a £14 million Faculty of Health and Social Care building that includes clinical skills facilities, teaching rooms, a lecture theatre, and social learning spaces.

Support with Getting In

MedicHut offers a wide range of resources to support you with your medical school application

UCAT Tutoring

UCAT tutoring by top 10% scorers.

Medicine Personal Statement Tutoring

Get expert support with your medical school personal statement. Tutors will help you every step of the way, whether you’re just starting off, stuck somewhere in the middle, or just want a bit of time to discuss your finished personal statement.

Medicine Interview Tutoring

Most prospective medical students have the aptitude to perform very well on written examinations, but when it comes to the medicine interview process, it’s very easy to succumb to pressure. Medicine interviews test a range of your skills, including your ability to communicate well, be confident and professional, and to deal with pressure. A personalised approach is the best way to prepare for your medical school interviews. The best way to prepare is to utilise MedicHut’s medicine interview tutoring programme and work one-to-one with on of our expert medicine interview tutors.