Dundee Medical School Guide

The University of Dundee Medical School is a pioneer in Medical Education. Students are doctors from day one, and world-leading research flourishes, transforming lives locally and globally. Dundee Medical School is one of the top 2 medical schools in Scotland and second in the UK for Medicine (the Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).

University of Dundee Medical School Entry Requirements

Academic

A-level, GCE	AAA with either Chemistry or Biology and another science. A levels to be in the same sitting i.e. to be achieved in the same year, two years after GCSE. If not studied at A-level (A2), Biology or Chemistry required at grade 7/A at GCSE. If not studied at A-level (A2), Mathematics and English required at grade 6/B at GCSE. *A-Level General studies not accepted. *Achievement at GCSE and AS-level will also be taken into account.
IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma	37 points, including 6, 6, 6 at higher level; to include Chemistry or Biology and another science at Higher level (Mathematics is an acceptable science). Plus, three subjects at Standard Level with an average of grade 6, to include Biology or Chemistry (if not taken at Higher Level) at least to Standard level 6. Applicants are advised to supply previously certified grades from nationally recognised exams if their application is to be competitive.
SWAP – Scottish Wider Access Programme	AAA – Your grades have to include 80% in the key subjects. Dundee accepts the following access courses for this degree: Edinburgh College-Access to Medical Studies. Essential subjects: Biology (Level 6), Chemistry (Level 6), Mathematics (Level 6), Communications and Literature (Level 6), Cell Biology (Level 7), DNA and Genetics (Level 7), Biochemistry (Level 7), Organic chemistry (Level 7), Human Body: Structure and Function (Level 8), Preparation for Higher Education (HE)
Higher / Advanced Higher, SQA	AAABB – Essential subjects: Higher – either Chemistry or Biology and another science (mathematics is an acceptable science). The other three Higher can be your own choice and this choice of subjects will not influence the assessment. Higher must be in one sitting. If not studied at Higher, we also require biology or chemistry at grade A at National 5. If not studied at Higher, we also require mathematics and English at grade B at National 5. Achievement at Standard Grade/National 5 will also be taken into account. Standard offers may be conditional, based on three Advanced Highers / ‘crash’ Highers taken in 6th year, at BBB grades.

Admissions test

All applicants must sit the UCAT test in their year of application, unless certified exempt because there is no testing centre in their country.

There is no minimum cut-off score for the UCAT at the University of Dundee medical school.

Work Experience

The University of Dundee School of Medicine considers work experience to be evidence of a commitment to medicine and a willingness to work with people. While there is no specific requirement for the type or length of work experience, the school generally looks for two weeks or more. Work experience is very helpful during the interview process.

Personal Statement

The University of Dundee Medical School does not use a personal statement as a direct part of the selection process, but it’s still important to prepare to discuss it during the interview process.

Interview

Dundee Medical School carry out in-person interviews for home students and international students will be given the option of a remote interview. Face-to-face interviews will use the Multiple Mini Interviews style, MMI, involving moving from one station to another and meeting a different interviewer at each station. Each station will last 7 minutes in total (6-minute station with 1 minute reading time), and the rotation time for in-person interviews will be 30 seconds. Remote interviews will take the form of a panel interview, with the same panel interviewing for all stations. In both formats, you will discuss five scenarios during your interview.

Graduate Entry at the University of Dundee Medical School

• A minimum of an upper second class (2:1) Honours degree in a relevant Life Science subject. This should be the first degree obtained.
• Candidates with further or higher degrees must also meet this minimum requirement in their first degree.
• Previous academic attainment will also be taken into account.
• Up-to-date study skills are required.
• Applicants must have undertaken academic study in the last 3 years prior to entry on the medical programme.
• Acceptable academic study would include an undergraduate degree, a master’s, PhD or any qualification to SCQF Level 6 (with a minimum of 24 credits).
• An Open University 30-credit module would also be acceptable.
• Level 2 entry is not possible to this degree.

You must also have a satisfactory disclosure check before starting this course, in addition to an Overall IELTS Academic score of 7.0.

How many places are there for home and international students at The University of Dundee Medical School?

The University of Dundee website states that they have around 220 students each academic year, however, there is no specification about the spaces for home and international students.

University of Dundee Medical School Ranking?

This university was ranked joint 1st alongside Glasgow for the Medicine rankings in the UK according to Complete University Guide 2021 rankings. This year, Dundee is ranked the best for Medicine in Scotland, and still second in the UK.

University of Dundee Medical School Fees?

Scottish students: £1,820 pa.

England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,250 per year of study.

International: £53,370 per year of study; made up of tuition fee of £43,370 and the £10,000 ACT Levy, a fee from the Scottish Government to cover teaching costs in NHS Scotland, payable after the start of your course.

University of Dundee Medical School Acceptance rate

Admissions statistics

Total applicants: 2306

Total number of places: 165

Total number of entrants: 176

Acceptance rate: 7.63%

University of Dundee Medical School Programmes

• Medicine – Gateway to Medicine MBChB: 1 year; Like to become a doctor but not sure if you have high enough grades? If you have a widening access background, we can help you make the best possible start.
• Medicine MBChB: 5 years; Be a confident, able doctor, prepared for practice, by developing a flexible, patient-centred style of care, underpinned by scientific and clinical knowledge.
• Scotgem MBChB: 4 years; Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine is designed to develop doctors interested in a career as a generalist practitioner within NHS Scotland.

University of Dundee Medical School Medicine course structure

In Level 1-3 (years) you will start with a Foundations of Medicine introductory block where you will cover the scientific principles that underpin human body function. Then you’ll move on to System-based teaching, looking at the body’s organ systems. Throughout your studies, you’ll build on your clinical skills in our Clinical Skills Centre (CSC) – a purpose-built simulation-based education facility that is made up of fully-equipped replica wards. This means that by the time you graduate, you’ll be able to complete important tasks, like taking a case history or a blood sample with confidence, accuracy, and efficiency. 

In Levels 4-5, you will engage in Clinical teaching, focusing on developing practical skills in preparation for your role as a junior doctor. Level 4 includes spending time in all clinical specialties taught earlier in the programme.  Attachments in level 5 include spending time as a Foundation Assistant working with the same clinical time for 8 weeks, shadowing and learning from the ward doctors.

Electives

During Level 5, you will have the opportunity to undertake an eight-week elective, which can be overseas – this is a period of clinical practice that you’ll organise and will allow you to focus on your own objectives.

University of Dundee Medical School Term Dates

Semester 1

Date	Event
9 September 2024-15 September 2024	Welcome week
16 September 2024-29 November 2024	Teaching (Weeks 1-11)
2 December 2024-13 December 2024	Examinations (Weeks 12-13)

Semester 2

Date	Event
6 January 2025-12 January 2025	Welcome
13 January 2025-28 March 2025	Teaching (Weeks 14-24)
	Vacation (3 weeks)
21 April 2025-16 May 2025	Examinations (Weeks 25-28)
7 July 2025-18 July 2025	Resit Examiantions

University of Dundee Medical School Hospitals

The majority of teaching takes place in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, which means that your studies are centred around life in a working National Health Service (NHS) hospital. This clinical exposure underpins your knowledge and ensures you develop into a well-rounded junior doctor, fully prepared to practice.

University of Dundee Medical School Interview Questions

Even though the scenarios in your interview will often be framed in a clinical or medical context, no prior medical knowledge is required to address them. Dundee wants to find out about your ability to think critically and flexibly, “on your feet” as it were.
Dundee is looking to assess your communication skills, your ability to work in a team, and your personal values. These are all hugely important in shaping the kind of doctor you will be, and Dundee places a lot of weight on them. Dundee seeks caring and hardworking individuals. They will also be interested in your work experience.

Example interview questions include:

1. Why do you want to come to Dundee to study medicine? It’s crucial to have an idea on why Dundee is suitable for you. Key things to consider: the course structure, teaching style, campus life and the city itself. Reading around the university website and posts by current and former students will give an insight of what it’s like to study at Dundee. Interviewers want you to be confident about why you want to come to Dundee.
2. What are three of the essential qualities of a doctor, and how have you demonstrated one of these? Reading these documents can offer a good idea about the qualities of a doctor:
   • ‘Outcomes for Graduates’
   • ‘Good Medical Practice’ documents from the General Medical Council (GMC)Examples of qualities include Compassion, Empathy, Communication, Leadership, and Teamwork, amongst many more! It is also good to know about the NHS values and how you can embody these. It is vital to reflect on your experiences and link it back to medicine. An essential part of any medical interview is showing a strong ability to reflect on your experiences and taking key lessons away.
3. What are your thoughts on the ongoing industrial action by Junior Doctors? An awareness of current issues in medicine is very important to have in the build-up to an interview. Reading news articles about ongoing issues such as the Junior Doctor strikes will help answer this question. Structure is very important to make your answer clear and concise. In your answer, always present the ‘for’ and ‘against’ sections of the argument, before coming to your own conclusion. Remember – they are not necessarily testing you on your conclusion, but your awareness of the subject and your logical reasoning.
4. Is it ever okay to discuss a patient case that you’ve seen in hospital with your colleagues? Confidentiality is a cornerstone of medical ethics. During your medical career, you will want to discuss your clinical experiences with your doctors and colleagues. It is important to respect the patients’ right to confidentiality when doing so. This is by making sure that you are not discussing any potentially identifying information. Also, by prevent any private conversations from being overheard.

Other examples of questions that may be asked include:

• Why would you like to study Medicine?
• What would you do if you didn’t get into Medical school this year round?
• Why a doctor and not a nurse?
• Who would you give this organ to?
• Why should patients trust you?

University of Dundee Medical School Summer School

Dundee run invitation-only summer schools for eligible candidates. If you are an eligible candidate and receive an offer, you will be offered a place on one of their pre-entry Access Summer Schools. These will help you prepare for university study and also offer an alternative way of qualifying for entry. Your offer will indicate if you have been invited to participate in Access Summer School or Online Summer School.

Life as a Medical student at the University of Dundee

As Dundee is quite a small city, it is easy to get used to the layout of the land and get to know your new home. There’s a strong nightlife in Dundee, with a couple of famous nightclubs, and according to Save the Student, it’s the cheapest night out in the UK. The city has many museums as well. Transport to and from the city is also easy, with lots of trains to Scotland, London, and the Northeast of England. In the city, there is also a good bus network, which is free for students under the age of 23!

DUSA hosts a broad range of student-led clubs and societies, so you can pursue your interests and make lifelong new friends. Dundee has over 40 sports clubs hosted by the Sports Union. By following this link, https://www.dundee.ac.uk/student-life/sport-societies, you can find the full list of Dundee’s sports and societies.

Intercalated degree at the University of Dundee Medical School

Dundee offers three intercalated degrees:

• Medical Education BMSc (Hons)
• Genetics, Cancer, and Personalised Medicine BMSc (Hons)
• Cardiovascular and Diabetes Medicine BMSc (Hons)

FAQ’s

How much of the University of Dundee Medical School is clinical vs pre-clinical?

The first 3 years of the programme are pre-clinical. Here, you focus on developing clinical skills and learning about the body’s systems. The final two years of the programme are clinical through clinical placements.

Does the University of Dundee Medical School offer scholarships?

Yes, Dundee offers the Dow Memorial Trust scholarship to Medical students. A bursary of £2000 per year for the first three years, and £2,500 per year for the 4th and 5th years. The school’s office pays the bursary directly each semester.

Support with getting into the University of Dundee Medical School

UCAT Tutoring

As Dundee uses the UCAT to select students for interviews, it is helpful to obtain a competitive score to increase your chances of selection. 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. Ultimately, getting a good UCAT tutor can potentially enhance your performance in the exam and improve your chances of gaining admission to Dundee Medical School.

Medicine Personal Statement Tutoring

For Dundee Medical School, your personal statement serves as a way to demonstrate your commitment to medicine, your understanding of the profession, and your relevant experiences, such as work placements, volunteering, extracurricular activities, or research. It allows you to articulate your interest in studying medicine at Dundee. Having an expert review your personal statement can be beneficial in securing your place at Dundee. You can also book a personal statement tutor who can guide you to write a genuine reflection of who you are and why you’re passionate about studying at Dundee.

Medicine Interview Tutoring

Entry into Dundee is competitive, with an acceptance rate of 11%. 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 Dundee. We recommend booking in with a medicine interview tutor at Dundee to get the most realistic preparation for the interview. An interview tutor can help you gain interview confidence, competence, and the knowledge base you need to stand out from the crowd.