Queen’s University Belfast Medical School Guide

Belfast is the capital city and the largest city in Northern Ireland. It is the 10th largest primary urban area in the United Kingdom and the second largest city in Ireland. It is a city known for its historical significance, industrial roots, and contributions towards peace and reconciliation. Located in the centre of Belfast, Queen’s is an exciting place to study medicine. QUB’s course structure allows students to experience early clinical experience in a variety of hospitals, general practices and healthcare settings throughout Northern Ireland from first year onwards. Continue reading this article to learn more about the entry requirements, course structure, life as a medical student at Queen’s and how to get support to get into Queen’s University Medical School!

Medical school requirements

The selection process for medicine at Queen’s University Belfast involves 2 stages:

Stage 1 assesses cognitive ability – this takes into consideration previous academic performance and UCAT scores.

Stage 2 assesses non-cognitive ability – this is based on interview performance.

All applicants will be ranked at Stage 1 of the selection process, from this candidates will be selected for interview (Stage 2). Then a final decision about an offer will be made.

Academic Requirements

Subject	Grade	Other
GCSE	GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4 and either GCSE Physics minimum grade C/4 or GCSE. Double Award Science minimum grades CC/44 are required if these subjects are not offered at AS-level or A-level.	GCSE performance in the best 9 subjects are scored using a points based system.   If GCSE’s or equivalent qualifications weren’t undertaken then an academic score is calculated based on school reports
A Level	A*AA	Chemistry plus at least one other A-level from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics. If not offered at A-level, then Biology/Human Biology grade A as a 4th AS-level or grade B as a 5th AS-level.
Scottish Higher	ABBBB
Scottish Advanced Highers	AAA	A in Chemistry plus A in at least one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics. Three Advanced Highers are necessary unless applicants achieved five A grades in their Highers
IB	36 points	Must include Chemistry and Biology at Higher Level

GCSE requirements

In considering applications, GCSE performance in the best 9 subjects will be scored with 4 points awarded for an A* (grade 9 on the 9-1 grading scale), 3 points for an A (grades 7 and 8), 2 points for a B (grade 6) and 1 point for a C*/C (grades 4 and 5).

UCAT will be scored and used in conjunction with the GCSE score to rank for interview. AS-level performance, additional GCSE A grades and other factors may also be taken into account in borderline cases.

Admissions Test

Queen’s University requires that all applicants sit the UCAT. QUB does not use a cut off threshold for UCAT scores instead it has a banding system where the overall UCAT score is used to allocate a point out of 6. For 2024 entry the points were allocated as such:

Work experience

QUB understands that it can be difficult for candidates to have equal access to clinical work experience, especially throughout the COVID19 period, therefore it is not a requirement. Applicants are hence encouraged to read guidance given by the Medical Schools Council (MSC) on possible options including on-line experiences. Having work experience demonstrates that a student is committed and has an understanding what a career in medicine entails. Experiences from work experience can also be extremely beneficial when answering questions in an interview. 

Personal statement

Personal statements are not used as part of the selection process at QUB. However the general guidance that they state is that: there should be evidence of clear motivation towards a career in medicine, as well as evidence of commitment as to what the student has done to find out about medicine as a career.

Interview

Those who pass the stage 1 selection will be invited for an interview. The style of interview at Queen’s University Belfast is MMI (multiple-mini interviews) containing 7-9 mini stations. The themes of questioning in the interview will be based of the non-cognitive competencies of medicine:

• Empathy
• Problem-solving
• Moral Reasoning
• Communication Skills

Graduate entry at Queen’s University Belfast Medical School

Queen’s University Belfast does not specifically offer a separate 4 year graduate entry programme, however graduates with a degree who wish to pursue medicine at QUB can apply to the standard  5 year undergraduate program. 

Academic requirements for graduate students:

The minimum A-level threshold (or equivalent in other qualifications) is either ABB/AAC at first attempt. Academic performance from the current degree will be taken into account, graduates typically need to have obtained at least a 2:1 in their first degree to be considered for entry. The degree can be in any discipline, but those with science or healthcare-related degrees may have a stronger foundation for the medical course.

International Students Entry Requirements for Queen’s University Belfast Medical School

Queen’s University Belfast provides in-depth specific entry requirements based on which country you reside in, which can be found on their website. QUB has an IELTS requirement of 7.5 overall, with a minimum of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening and 6.5 in Reading and Writing, or an equivalent acceptable qualification. 

Queen’s University Belfast also has an INTO Queen’s programme for students that do not meet the required academic or English language requirements. This acts as a 1 year foundation programme to help prepare international students to study at Queen’s. 

How many places are there for home and international students at Queen’s University Belfast Medical School

For the 2024 entry there are 236 places available for home students and 26 places for international students.

Queen’s University Belfast Medical School Ranking

Queen’s University Belfast is ranked 7th in the UK for medicine by the Complete University Guide 2024 and 13th in the UK by the Guardian 2024.

It’s important to keep in mind that university rankings are subjective and can be based on different criteria. These rankings must only be one of your deciding factors. It is important to have a holistic approach when making your decisions and consider which universities you would thrive in the most.

Queen’s University Belfast Medical School Fees

For 2024 entry NI and ROI students will pay £4,750 per annum, England, Scotland or Wales students will pay £9,250 per year and international students will have a yearly fees of £36,900.

Queen’s University Belfast Medical School Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate for Queen’s university Belfast’s medicine programme is usually low due to the high level of competition. For undergraduate medicine courses in the UK, acceptance rates generally range from 10% to 20%, with Queen’s University Belfast falling on the lower end of this spectrum. The number of places offered to home students for 2024 entry is 236, and 26 places allocated for international applicants. The ratio of offers to interview for home students is roughly 1 in 3 chance of offer. 

Queen’s University Belfast Medicine Course Structure

Queen’s Medical School has a five-year degree. It is one of the few medical schools that still offers cadaveric dissection. Clinical placements start from 1st year and most clinical teaching is then done in clinical environments from the third year.

In Years 1 and 2 the scientific grounding of medical practice is covered. Teaching of basic science subjects is integrated with clinical skills training which is taught through clinical simulation and practice with patients.

In Year 3 there is more clinical focus with students having an option at the end of this year to take a year out to study for an intercalated degree.

In Years 4 and 5 there is more immersion into practice and preparation for clinical practice. There is more experience in child health, reproductive health, mental health, cancer, general practice, and Ageing and Health. There is a chance to undertake an assistantship in the fifth year where students can complete tasks done by a Foundation Doctor.

Queen’s University Belfast Medical School Teaching Style

Queen’s has a case based learning approach, with teaching methods that include lectures, seminars, clinical placements, practicals, simulation and interprofessional learning. All students will be assigned to a reflective personal tutor This is to support students in the completion of the reflective practice elements of the course, mentor students during their undergraduate career and to signpost for any academic, financial or wellbeing issues. 

Queen’s University Belfast Medical School Term Dates

The term dates for medical students tend to vary based on the year of study. However, in the first year the academic year spans from mid September to the end of May. 

Queen’s University Belfast Medical School Hospitals

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) medicine students are allocated to several hospitals across Northern Ireland for their clinical placements. The main teaching hospitals affiliated with QUB include:

• Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
• Belfast City Hospital
• Mater Infirmorum, Belfast
• Ulster Hospital, Dundonald
• Craigavon Area Hospital

Queen’s University Belfast Medical School Elective

At Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), the elective is a significant component of the Medicine program, typically undertaken by students in their final year of study. The elective provides an opportunity for students to gain clinical experience in a medical field or geographical location of their choice, which can be either within the UK or internationally. The elective placement is usually between 6-8 weeks. 

Queen’s University Belfast Medical School Interview Format

The interview format at QUB is MMI (multiple mini interview) style, consisting of between 7-9 stations. The themes assessed at these stations are:

• Empathy
• Problem-solving
• Moral Reasoning
• Communication Skills

Medical school interview questions

Here are some types of questions that you might encounter at QUB interview:

• What makes you suitable for a career in medicine?
• How do you see the role of a doctor evolving in the next 10 years?
• You witness a colleague making a mistake in patient care. How would you handle this situation?
• How would you break bad news to a patient or their family?
• Why do you think empathy is important in medicine?
• Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision under pressure.

Life as a medical student at Queen’s University Belfast

Your timetable will usually be half a day with some days being slightly longer. This therefore gives you plenty of time to review content and get up to activities outside of Medicine. Northern Ireland may not have been where you previously lived, so considering it could involve moving to another country. Northern Ireland has a lot to offer including sensational scenery, good nightlife and good food spots – what more could you want! It is also a small country meaning that you aren’t far from a beach, forest, or mountain. 

Societies and Clubs at Queen’s University Belfast:

QUB has over 200 student societies and clubs catering to various interests, including academic, cultural, political, and recreational activities. Whether you’re into sports, debating, music, drama, or gaming, there’s likely a society for you. The medical society is particularly popular, which has organised social events, academic talks and networking opportunities. 

Intercalated degree at Queen’s University Belfast:

There are opportunities to intercalate in either BSc or MSc degrees at QUB usually done after a student’s 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of studies. Taking an intercalated degree allows students to gain in-depth knowledge in a specific area of interest. Intercalating often involves a research component, which helps students develop critical research skills.

Pros	Cons
Cadaveric dissection	A plethora of medical societies
Unique nature of Northern Ireland	There are lots of contact hours which can be intense
Plethora of medical societies

FAQs

How Much of the QUB Medicine Course is Clinical vs Preclinical?

Years one and two are pre-clinical, meaning it provides the foundations for practice. Giving insight on the scientific knowledge required. Third year has more clinical focus, with both classroom based teaching and clinical exposure through clerkships in hospitals throughout Northern Ireland. During fourth and fifth year students will have integrated teaching in both primary and secondary care settings, setting students up in preparation to become practising doctors. 

Does QUB Offer Medicine Scholarships? 

Yes, QUB offers a range of scholarships for international students to help fund their studies. QUB also has departmental scholarships such as the Armagh Tigers Diabetes Research Scholarship and the MacQuitty Experimental Medicine Scholarship. 

Is Queen’s University Belfast a Good Medical School? 

Queen’s University Belfast is an extremely good university and their medicine course ranks highly. It is ideal for all medical students however, it depends on what your priorities are when selecting a medical school. It is best to visit the university on their open days to gain a realistic insight of the place and speak to the friendly staff!

Support with Getting Into Queen’s University, Belfast Medical School 

UCAT Tutoring 

As Queen’s University Belfast Medical School has competitive entry requirements, it’s a good idea to get a UCAT tutor to help you exceed the UCAT threshold. When looking for a good tutor, it’s wise to consider someone who has recently achieved an excellent UCAT score themselves and who has experience with tutoring. Your tutor should be able to assess your strengths and weaknesses to focus your lesson time on improving the areas you need improvement in.

Medicine Personal Statement Tutoring 

Whilst Queen’s does not score the personal statement as part of the selection process, it is an important part of the application as students can demonstrate their passion and commitment for a career in medicine. MedicHut provides personal statement tutoring from successful students. 

Medicine Interview Tutoring

A large part of the admissions process is the MMI, which you’ll need to thoroughly prepare for if you’re serious about getting into Queen’s University Belfast. We recommend booking in with a medicine interview tutor with experience of the Queen’s University Belfast medicine interview style to get the most realistic preparation for the interview. An interview tutor can help you to gain interview confidence, competence, and the knowledge-base you need to stand out from the crowd.