University of Exeter Medical School Guide

University of Exeter Medical School offers a five-year BMBS programme partnered with the NHS in Devon and Cornwall. Included within the curriculum are multiple opportunities to develop skills and professional attitudes that are needed throughout the medical career. Early clinical integration alongside fully immersive clinical placements in the later years is key to applying knowledge to real-life situations. This approach allows students to develop and refine their skills throughout their studies, therefore resulting in highly competent graduates. Furthermore, Exeter offers intercalation opportunities after the third year of the MBBS program.

Exeter is a campus-based environment, where students have easy access to all essential amenities. This includes accommodation, entertainment food, drink, shops, libraries, and lecture theatres. As well as this, medical students may also benefit from the state-of-the-art Research, Innovation, Learning and Development (RILD) training facility, that is directly involved in research. 

Exeter Medical School Entry Requirements 

Academic Requirements 

A Levels	A*AA including Biology/Human Biology or Chemistry. General Studies is not accepted.
T Levels	Not accepted
BTEC	D*DD. Applicants studying a BTEC Extended Diploma will also require GCE A-Level Biology anf Chemistry grade A
Access to HE Diploma	Pass the QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma with 30 L3 credits at Distinction and 15 L3 credits at Merit 15 L3 credits at Distinction in a Biology-related subject and 15 L3 credits at Distinction in a Chemistry-related subject
International Baccalaureate	38/766 points with HL 6 in Biology and Chemistry
GCSE	These are in addition to the Level 3 (A-Level) requirements.    GCSE English Language grade 6/B.

Admissions test 

The University of Exeter requires the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test). The University of Exeter does not use a cut-off score when inviting students to interview, however, applications are sorted according to academic profile and UCAT score to determine whether an applicant will receive an interview. A threshold score is set upon receipt of scores in November of the year of application. 

Work Experience 

Exeter states that work experience is not part of their standard entry requirements as they recognise it is difficult to attain sometimes and can lead to disadvantages. However, they also recognise that it can be valuable in demonstrating key skills and values. Applicants with or without work experience are welcome to apply. 

Interview 

Online MMI-style interview looking for non-academic qualities such as the communication skills, reflectiveness and empathy required to be a successful doctor. 

Interviews normally take place between December and January. 

Questions in the MMI format look for critical thinking and communication by displaying core skills. 

Widening Participation 

Exeter Medical School demonstrates its commitment to widening participation through various initiatives. Widening participation is taken into consideration when being awarded points for the Exeter score which is used for shortlisting for interviews.

Exeter Medical School also provides the opportunity to apply for various bursaries and scholarships to support your educational journey! 

Graduate Entry 

Non-direct school leavers are required to sit the GAMSAT. The GAMSAT cut-off score will vary each year depending on the number of applications received. Applicants are then awarded an Exeter score pertaining to the GAMSAT score. Home applicants are then ranked and approximately 700 applicants are interviewed, across both categories. All applicants must be in their final year of study on either the BSc/MSci (Hons) Medical Sciences, BSc Neuroscience, BSc Sports and Exercise Medical Sciences, or BSc Biomedical Sciences courses at the University of Exeter. Applicants will be required to have achieved any GCSE requirements including English Language GCSE or equivalent, in line with the advertised requirements at the point of application to study Medicine.

International Students Entry Requirements for University of Exeter Medical School

International applicants need to show that they have the required level of English language to study the course. This may require English language examinations. This is alongside the above academic requirements. 

How many places are there for home and international students at Exeter Medical School?

Annual intake differs each year. Please see the spreadsheet below for the number of offers and places – Admissions data for the BMBS programme (2017-2022)

Exeter Medical School Ranking 

Ranked Top 150 in the World for Clinical and Health by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.

Exeter Medical School Fees

The current fee status for home students at Exeter Medical School is £9,250 per annum. International student fees for Exeter Medical School are £47,500 per annum for 2024/2025. Exeter University offers funding support such as bursaries and scholarships for eligible students.

Home Students and International Students Acceptance Rate 

For 2022 entry, 693 applicants were invited to interview. 413 applicants were given an offer.  209 home students and 13 international students got into the MBBS program.

For 2021 entry, 574 applicants were invited to interview. 378 were given an offer. 

Course Structure at Exeter Medical School

During Year 1 you are introduced to modules based on the core biomedical and psychosocial concepts within clinical context. That involves the underpinning biological, social and clinical sciences of medicine combined with early clinical exposure. 

Year 2 focuses on further developing core knowledge from Year 1 in a more integrated and further contextualised manner. This also allows you to develop clinical skills due to an increased range of clinical skills teaching and placements. 

Year 3 focuses on commencing Clinical Pathways 1 at a secondary care NHS Trust site. This involves a series of hospital and community placements across Devon or Cornwall. 

Year 4 builds on Year 3 by undertaking Clinical Pathways 2 through an increasing range of clinical specialities. 

Year 5 focuses on ensuring you are fully prepared to enter clinical practice upon graduation. As a result, the majority of time is spent on placement with a focus on analysing and evaluating patients’ conditions and to suggest forms of clinical management. You will also undertake an SSE (Student-Selected Elective) that can involve clinical or research placements or a combination of both. It can also involve seeing medicine in action abroad. 

Year 1:

• Core biomedical and psychosocial concepts within clinical context 
• Clinical placement experiences 
• Clinical skills training 

Year 2:

• Core biomedical, psychological, sociological and population health knowledge 
• Increased range of clinical skills and placements 

Year 3:

• Clinical Pathways 1 at a secondary care NHS Trust Site
• Patient-centred learning rotating through a series of hospital and community placements 

Year 4:

• Clinical Pathways 2 further increases your clinical knowledge and skills
• Increasing range of clinical specialities 

Year 5:

• Develop your own clinical practice in preparation for graduation 
• Series of apprenticeship attachments 
• SSE – student-selected elective 

Term Dates 

For the 2024-2025 academic year term dates are as shown below: 

Year 1: 09/09/2024-09/06/2025                  

Year 2: 16/09/2024-23/06/2025

Year 3: 02/09/2024-09/06/2025

Year 4: 02/09/2024-09/06/2025

Year 5: 26/08/2024-09/06/2025

Source

Exeter Medical School Hospitals 

Exeter Medical School is based at 2 campuses: Truro and St Luke’s.

• Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital 
• Wonford Hospital 
• Royal Cornwall Hospital 

Exeter Medical School Elective 

Exeter Medical School recognises the importance of both abroad and UK electives and offers the opportunity to do so. This gives a chance to medical students to experience and benefit from learning at different hospitals and medical institutions around the world. 

University of Exeter Medical School Interview Format and Questions

Online MMI style interview, that consisted of 4 stations in 2024 entry.
Interview criteria state that they typically look for non-academic qualities such as the communication skills, reflectiveness and empathy required to be a successful doctor. 

Interviews normally take place between December and January. 

Questions in the MMI format look for critical thinking and communication by displaying core skills.

Life as a Medical Student at Exeter Medical School 

The University of Exeter provides multiple student-shared blogs of their experiences at various points of the medical degree which you can access via the hyperlink. With an engaging and forward thinking curriculum, students benefit from a small group learning approach as well as early clinical experience. The state of the art facilities and multitude of links with nearby hospital provide plenty of opportunities to develop clinical skills within real world practice. Although based on two campuses during clinical years, the close knit community fostors collaboration and support. Exeter’s scenic campus and student-friendly city allows a great balance between an enriching environment and a chance to decompress from studies!

Intercalated Degree at Exeter Medical School 

Exeter offers a multitude of intercalation opportunities between the third and fourth years of the MBBS program. Students are provided with the opportunity to choose from various highly regarded Master’s courses as well as Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts. Examples include a Master of Clinical Education, a Masters in Health Data Science, a BSc in Intercalated Biosciences and more. This allows students to delve deeper into specific areas of interest within medicine before starting the fourth year whilst obtaining an additional degree. 

FAQs 

Does the University of Exeter Offer a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree?

Yes! The University of Exeter offers the chance to intercalate with the opportunity to take a year out to complete either a Bachelor’s degree or a Masters’ degree between years 3 and 4!

How much of the University of Exeter Medicine Course is Clinical vs Preclinical?

The University of Exeter course structure provides a great balance between clinical and preclinical education. From Year 1 you will be introduced to clinical placement experiences allowing you to apply the biomedical and psychosocial concepts from teaching. 

Does the University of Exeter Offer Medicine Scholarships?

Yes! Exeter offers multiple routes into Medicine including scholarships and other bursaries. 

Is the University of Exeter a Good Medical School?

The University of Exeter is currently ranked 153rd in the latest (2024) QS World University Rankings with The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 ranking Exeter as 11th in the UK.

Support with Getting Into the University of Exeter Medical School 

UCAT Tutoring 

As Exeter prioritises the use of the UCAT to rank students for interviews and offers, it is really beneficial to aim for a competitive UCAT score. At MedicHut we provide different packages and UCAT tutoring that helps students improve by targetting strengths and weaknesses through our UCAT Masterclass and 1-1 tutoring services. 

Medicine Interview Tutoring 

Once achieving an interview for Exeter, it’s vital to perform competitively to ensure a higher chance of receiving an offer! Interview tutors can help practice the MMI interview style and make sure you are confident and feeling prepared ahead of your interview. At MedicHut we provide a range of different interview tutoring services including the opportunity to have a tutor specific to your desired university.