Published on August 10, 2023
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University of Sheffield Medical School Guide
Overview of the University of Sheffield Medical School
Sheffield Medical School is the medical school in the University of Sheffield in South Yorkshire. It was an independent school until it merged with The University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health in the late 1800s.
Sheffield Medical School offers two medicine programmes – the usual 5 year undergrad course which is split into 4 phases, as well as a fast track option for postgraduate students from widening participation backgrounds. This enters them straight into phase 2 of the course following a 6 week introductory module. Continue reading this article to learn more about the course structure for Medicine at the University of Sheffield, as well as entry requirements, interview process, life as a student, and more!
Academic Requirements for Medicine at Sheffield
A Levels | AAA (including Chemistry or Biology and a second science* + a pass in the practical element of all science A Levels) |
A Levels + additional qualifications | AAB (including Chemistry or Biology and a second science) + A in a relevant EPQ (must be taken in the same sitting as A Levels) |
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels | A + AA in Chemistry or Biology and a second science |
Scottish Highers + 2 Advanced Highers | AAAAB + AA in Chemistry or Biology and a second science |
IB | 36 – 6 in three Higher Level subjects (including Chemistry or Biology and a second science) and 4 in Standard Level subjects |
Alongside this, at least 5 GCSEs at grade 7 are required, with a grade 6 in Maths, English Language, and sciences.
Access Sheffield
Access Sheffield allows students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to receive a contextual offer to study Medicine at the University of Sheffield. The following are the entry requirements for this route of entry:
A Levels | AAB (including Chemistry or Biology at grade A and a second science* + a pass in the practical element of all science A Levels) |
A Levels + additional qualifications | AAB (including Chemistry or Biology at grade A and a second science) + A in a relevant EPQ (must be taken in the same sitting as A Levels) |
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels | B + AA in Chemistry or Biology and a second science |
Scottish Highers + 2 Advanced Highers | AAABB + AB, including A in Chemistry or Biology and B in a second science |
IB | 34 – 6 in Higher Level Chemistry of Biology, + 6, 5 in two other subjects including a second science, and 4 in all Standard Level subjects |
*Science subjects include Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and Psychology
Alongside this, at least 5 GCSEs at grade 7 are required, with a grade 6 in Maths, English Language, and sciences.
Graduate Entry for Sheffield Medical School
This allows students from widening participation backgrounds with a life sciences degree the opportunity to go straight to phase 2 of Medicine at the University of Sheffield and graduate within 4 years. The entry requirements for this route of entry are the following:
A Levels | BBB (including Chemistry or Biology + a 2.1 in a life sciences degree) |
IB | 32 – 5 in 3 Higher Level subjects including Chemistry or Biology + a 2.1 in a life sciences degree |
*Life sciences include Biomedical Science, Clinical Science, and Dentistry
UCAT/BMAT For Sheffield Medical School
Sheffield uses the UCAT test for their entry to medicine applications. Using the UCAT, Sheffield medical school ranks applicants in order to determine who is invited for a medicine interview.
Sheffield Medicine UCAT Cut Off
For 2021 entry, the minimum UCAT score needed for interview invite at the University of Sheffield medical school was 2780 for home students and 2710 for international applicants.
Medical School Ranking
The Complete University Guide ranks The University of Sheffield Medical School as the 15th overall best school to study medicine in in the UK. Comparatively, The Guardian currently ranks it as the 25th, and Times Higher Education has it tied at 16th place alongside a few other universities.
It’s important to keep in mind that university rankings are subjective and can be based on different criteria. Rankings can be a factor when deciding which medical schools you apply for, but make sure to have a holistic approach when making your decisions and consider which universities you would thrive in the most.
Home Students and International Students at Sheffield
Sheffield Medical School offers around 300 places total, with 18 of those places being reserved for their international applicants.
The University of Sheffield Medical School Fees
The current fee status for home students at The University of Sheffield Medical School is £9,250 per annum. International student fees for Sheffield Medical School are £39,950 per annum. The University of Sheffield offers funding support such as bursaries and scholarships for eligible students.
Sheffield Medical School Course Structure
Phase 1 | Year 1 Systems based pre-clinical teaching covering the body systems through lectures, practicals, classes, and tutorials. |
Phase 2 | Year 2 – December of Year 3 Lectures and clinical experience. |
Phase 3 | January of Year 3 – Year 4 Clinically based. Includes both study and clinical experience covering primary and secondary care. |
Phase 4 | Year 5 Preparing for clinical practice post-graduation. Includes a series of lectures which aid in consolidating knowledge, followed by two longitudinal integrated placements in different hospitals and clinical areas. |
Sheffield Medicine Interview Process
The University of Sheffield Medical School operates with MMI style interviews for their selection process. This include 8 stations, each being 8 minutes long.
The topics for MMI stations at Sheffield often relate to the following:
- Knowledge of Sheffield as a city
- Medicine in a wider context
- Good medical practice
- Attitudes and values
- The candidate as a person
- Communication skills
- Ethics
- Information processing
Interviews for medicine at Sheffield use the score an applicant received in their UCAT SJT as the ninth station of the MMI interview.
The overall score achieved is used to rank applicant to decide who will receive an offer from Sheffield Medical School.