Medicine

The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at University College London (UCL) is a comprehensive, rigorous, and innovative medical degree designed to prepare students for a successful career in healthcare. This program offers an in-depth understanding of the fundamental scientific principles underpinning medicine, combined with extensive practical training and clinical experience. Throughout the course, students engage with a diverse range of topics including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and microbiology, equipping them with a solid foundation in medical sciences. The curriculum emphasizes the development of clinical skills, communication abilities, and professionalism necessary for effective patient care. Taught at one of the leading medical schools, the program benefits from cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art laboratories, and close links with hospitals and healthcare providers across London. Students have opportunities for early patient contact, immersive clinical placements, and interprofessional learning, fostering teamwork and collaborative skills essential for modern medicine. UCL’s diverse student body and faculty create a vibrant academic environment that encourages inquiry, innovation, and a global perspective on health. The program aims to produce reflective, compassionate, and competent doctors who are prepared to meet the challenges of contemporary medicine and improve health outcomes locally and worldwide. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in clinical practice, research, teaching, or healthcare leadership, with many pursuing postgraduate training and specializations. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, ethics, and patient-centered care, the MBBS program at UCL prepares students to become not only skilled clinicians but also lifelong learners committed to advancing medical science and equity in healthcare.

In each year of your degree you will take a number of compulsory modules. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken through both formative and integrated summative methods.

Your degree will follow a six-year programme inclusive of an integrated BSc (except for graduate entrants with UK degrees) leading to the award of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
The MBBS programme aspires to educate the 'UCL Doctor': a highly competent and scientifically literate clinician who is equipped to practise patient-centred medicine in a constantly changing modern world and has a foundation in the basic medical and social sciences.

The MBBS at UCL is a six-year integrated programme of study. Each year is comprised of a number of themed integrated modules, focusing on:

Year 1: Fundamentals of Clinical Science 1
Year 2: Fundamentals of Clinical Science 2
Year 3: Integrated BSc
Year 4: Integrated Clinical Care
Year 5: The Life Cycle and Specialist Practice
Year 6: Preparation for Practice

Students who are already UK graduates are exempt from the integrated BSc and will move directly from year two to year four.

Clinical and Professional Practice (CPP) modules run 'vertically' across the entire MBBS programme.

There are 16 CPP modules organised into three groupings: Integrated Clinical and Professional Practice (including: Anatomy and Imaging, Cinical Skills and Practical Procedures, Pathological Sciences, Use of Medicines and Use of Evidence); Overarching Themes (including: Mental Health, Social Determinants of Health, Ethics and Law and Clinical Communication); and Student-centred Learning, Person-centred Learning. 

Students may choose Student Selected Components (SSCs) in years one, two and six and in the elective period in year six. SSCs allow students to pursue special interests and develop a range of generic skills. They include choices in science, research, the arts, and humanities and languages.

For highly motivated and especially able students there is the opportunity to obtain a PhD in addition to the BSc and MBBS degrees. A small number of students are selected each year for the MB PhD programme. Selection takes place during year four of the programme.

A levels

Grades

A*AA

Subjects

Biology and Chemistry required.

GCSEs

English Language and Mathematics at grade B. For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs

IB Diploma

Points

39

Subjects

A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects including Biology and Chemistry, each with minimum score 6. No score below 5.

The MBBS Medicine programme at University College London offers a comprehensive financial structure designed to accommodate both domestic and international students. For UK residents, the programme funding is primarily available through the Student Finance England scheme, which provides tuition fee loans that do not require repayment until after graduation when earning above a certain threshold. These loans cover the entire tuition fee, which, as of 2023, is approximately £9,250 per year. Additionally, students may be eligible for maintenance loans to support living costs, calculated based on living circumstances and household income. The maintenance loan can vary, but typically ranges from £8,000 to £12,000 annually, repayable after graduation.

International students are generally responsible for paying the full tuition fee upfront or via institutional payment plans, which can be arranged through the university. The tuition fee for international students for the 2023/24 academic year is approximately £39,300 per year. Some international students may access scholarships or bursaries designed specifically for international applicants, although these are limited and highly competitive.

Students are encouraged to explore additional financial support options, including external scholarships, grants, and sponsorships, some of which are institution-specific or offered through government programs of their home countries. The university also provides financial advice and bursary schemes to assist students facing financial hardship.

In addition to tuition fees, students should consider costs related to textbooks, supplies, travel, health insurance, and accommodation. The university recommends budgeting an additional £2,000–£3,000 per year for these expenses. Accommodation costs vary depending on the geographic area and type of housing, with university halls typically costing around £200–£300 per week, while private accommodation may be more expensive.

Funding for clinical years may include placement-specific allowances or stipends in some cases, but generally, students are expected to cover their costs through prior loans or personal funds. International students should also account for the possibility of higher-cost health insurance and visa application fees, which are important components of overall educational expenses.

University College London aims to provide transparent and accessible financial guidance through its dedicated student support services, helping applicants understand their options early in the application process. Applicants are advised to check the official UCL website regularly for the most current fee structures, scholarship opportunities, and funding policies, as these details are subject to change annually.

The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at University College London (UCL) is a comprehensive, rigorous programme designed to prepare students for a career in medicine. The program combines theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and clinical experience to ensure graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of modern healthcare. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and clinical medicine, along with integrated learning approaches that emphasize problem-solving and critical thinking.

Students participate in a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, small-group tutorials, case-based learning, and hands-on clinical placements. These placements occur in NHS hospitals and community settings across London, offering students diverse patient interactions and real-world medical experience from early stages of their training. The programme also emphasizes the importance of professionalism, ethics, communication skills, and teamwork, recognizing these as essential qualities of effective healthcare practitioners.

The UCL medical programme is designed to meet the standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC), and it incorporates GMC expected outcomes to ensure graduates are competent to practice medicine safely and effectively. The course duration is typically five years, with options for intercalated BSc degrees, allowing students to undertake additional research or specializations if desired. Throughout the course, students are supported by experienced faculty, including clinicians, researchers, and medical educators, who deliver lectures, supervise clinical practice, and provide mentorship.

UCL’s cutting-edge facilities, including simulation centres, teaching hospitals, and state-of-the-art research laboratories, support high-quality education and research. Moreover, the programme encourages interprofessional learning, global health perspectives, and the importance of lifelong learning, preparing students for future medical advances and diverse careers within the healthcare sector. Upon completing the MBBS at UCL, graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the GMC, which allows them to undertake the Foundation Year training, the next step towards becoming fully qualified doctors. This programme is highly competitive, attracting talented students from around the world who are committed to making a significant impact in the field of medicine.