How to Study MBBS in the United Kingdom

Although medical school admissions in the UK are among the most demanding worldwide, thousands of international students are accepted each year. One of the best places for overseas students to study in the UK. One of the world's largest and oldest clusters of educational institutions is commonly recognized in the United Kingdom.

In the UK, the MBBS program is the one with the highest admission requirements. Medical universities in the UK claim the second-highest Nobel prize in medicine. However, one of the selective programs available to students in medicine. Numerous students worldwide have been drawn to it by its high-caliber research programs, diverse culture, and professional training. Every year, more international students move to the United States.

That is to say, the most challenging course for international students to get into in the UK is medicine. But compared to other colleges around the world, the medical universities in the United Kingdom offer higher-quality education. Therefore, choosing to study MBBS in the United Kingdom is a wise choice if you have clear-cut professional goals in medicine. It will help you have a prosperous career in medicine.

For more information about overseas students studying MBBS in the UK, continue reading. However, we will go over everything you need to know about studying MBBS in the UK in great depth in this article. The prerequisites, cost, and availability of scholarships for overseas students pursuing MBBS programs in the UK.

What is an MBBS Degree?

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Latin: Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae; abbreviated in many ways, most commonly MBBS, but also MB ChB, BMBS, MB BCh, MB BChir, and BM BCh), is the primary medical degree awarded by medical schools in countries that follow the tradition of the United Kingdom.

The MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is a professional undergraduate degree, meaning the curriculum's focus is to prepare you for a career in medicine. Moreover, the historical degree nomenclature states they are two separate undergraduate degrees. In practice, however, they are combined and conferred and may also be awarded at graduate-level medical schools.

During an MBBS, students approach various subjects, such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Microbiology, and many others. It usually takes 4-6 years to graduate with an MBBS degree. Furthermore, in countries that follow the tradition of continental Europe or the system in the United States, the equivalent medical degree is awarded as Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) —the latter in the United States only.

Study MBBS in the United Kingdom

In the UK, MBBS refers to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery program, also known as MB ChB or MB BCh, at several UK universities. In the United Kingdom, the MBBS program lasts 5–6 years. Most British medicine programs include a six to twelve-week elective phase that gives students the chance to pursue coursework at institutions other than their home medical university.

Additionally, many students take advantage of this chance to learn about another culture and understand how different countries view and practice medicine. Finally, whatever country you choose to work in after finishing the course, you will have the opportunity to earn a great wage because of the prestigious British degree in your name. In the UK, graduates with medical degrees earn between £21,000 and £47,000 annually.

Studying MBBS in the United Kingdom is also an excellent choice for students because it is one of the top nations for education. More than 45 of the top 600 medical universities in the world are located in the UK (QS News Ranking 2020). It is a rewarding job choice as well. In the UK, doctors earn an average wage 67% higher than those in other health and medical occupations. Additionally, as the need for doctors has increased, so has their pay scale, providing students with a wide range of employment options to consider.

Best Medical Schools to Study MBBS in the United Kingdom

According to Times Higher Education rankings 2022, these are the best universities where you can study MBBS in the United Kingdom.

• University of Oxford
• Imperial College London
• University of Cambridge
• University College London (UCL)
• King's College London
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• Queen Mary University of London
• University of Manchester
• University of Bristol

Cheapest MBBS in the UK

Moreover, now that we know about some of the top universities that offer MBBS in the UK. How about we also check out the cheapest MBBS in the UK:

• University of Aberdeen
• University of Birmingham
• Swansea University Medical College
• University of Bristol
• University of Manchester
• King's College London
• University of Dundee

Costs of Studying MBBS in the UK

Furthermore, the cost of studying in the UK might vary depending on your lifestyle and place of residence. However, apart from the tuition fee, you must pay one-time charges costing around £900. The one-time Pre-arrival includes expenses incurred in:

• IELTS Registration
• TOEFL Registration
• NEET Fees
• Application Fees
• Visa Application Fees

Moreover, here are the annual tuition fees of top medical schools offering MBBS in the United Kingdom for international students:

The location, your daily spending, and your lifestyle may all have an impact on the cost of living, as well. For example, London has a slightly higher cost of living than comparable cities. As a result, the average monthly cost of living can range from £820 outside of London to £1,020 inside of London.

You can choose from various off-campus housing alternatives, including hostels, apartments, and flats. In the UK, a night's lodging typically costs £400. Because of the excellent standard of living in the UK, you shouldn't worry about the cleanliness and quality of the accommodations. The monthly expenses cover food, gas, electricity, and transportation expenses.

MBBS Requirements in the United Kingdom

If you want to study medicine, you will need to enroll at a medical school, which is often part of a university, but will have strong links to local hospitals and medical practices.

Moreover, checking the eligibility criteria for MBBS in the United Kingdom. Therefore, you carefully assess the following points for ease of your admission process:

• The candidate should be 18 years old before applying to the MBBS program.
• To initially study MBBS, students will need AAA grades, with either Chemistry or Biology a requirement.
• For international students wishing to study medicine at the undergraduate level, an IELTS score of no less than 6.5 across all four categories - reading, writing, speaking, and listening – with an overall 7.0 score is generally required at most universities.
• Moreover, medical colleges in the UK conduct the tests like the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) or BioMedical Admission Test (BMAT) as per the college or university.

UK Medical Entrance Exam

However, as mentioned above, medical schools in the UK conduct entrance tests like the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) or BioMedical Admission Test (BMAT) as per the college or university. Therefore, to study MBBS in the UK, you will have to provide NEET/UKCAT/BMAT/GMAT scores. Below are the minimum scores required for MBBS in the United Kingdom for international students:

• UKCAT:  650
• BMAT:  4.5 – 5.0
• GAMSAT:  60 – 66
• NEET:  50 percentile

United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test

The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is part of the selection process of some UK medical and dental schools. It is conducted by medical universities in the UK through UCAS to offer admission to candidates. It is an online test designed to test cognitive abilities, attitudes, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. In addition, there are four reasoning tests and a situational judgment test.

• Verbal Reasoning. Assesses ability to think logically about written information and arrive at a reasoned conclusion: 21 minutes, with 11 passages to read and 44 questions.
• Quantitative reasoning. Assesses ability to solve numerical problems: 24 minutes, nine tables, charts, graphs, etc., as information and 36 questions.
• Abstract reasoning. Assesses ability to infer relationships from information by convergent and divergent thinking: 13 minutes and 55 questions.
• Decision Analysis. Assesses ability to deal with various forms of information to infer relationships, make informed judgments, and decide on an appropriate response: 32 minutes, one scenario full of information, and 28 questions (basic calculator provided)
• Situational Judgement. Measures your responses in situations and your grasp of medical ethics: 27 minutes and 67 questions on 20 scenarios.

The test is taken at your local test center, with each subtest in a multiple-choice format. Past papers are not available, but there are specimen questions on the UCAT website. In addition, applicants must take the UCAT at the following universities.

Study MBBS in the UK: Admission

Here are the basics steps for the admission process for the MBBS course in the UK:

It would help to decide which college and course best suit your needs. First, "Select Your University" will assist you in selecting medical schools in the UK. Then, after conducting an investigation and analysis, gather your original documents that have been legally certified. Finally, you must submit your application to the universities between 1 September and 30 June if you are from a non-EU country (per semester). Submit your application by 15 January if you are from an EU nation. Here are some general papers you could require:

• Academic transcription or proof of your previous academic
• A certificate that you received from the previous institution
• Photocopy of IELTS/UKCAT/BMAT scores
• Copy of a valid passport
• Certificate of English proficiency test – IELTS/TOEFL/C1 Advanced
• A personal statement that illustrates why you're coming to the UK.
• Reference letter(s)
• CV (if required)
• Bachelor's Degree (If your course needs it)
• Copy of your previous visa (if you have one)
• Proof of financial ability
• Statement of Purpose

Then, sign up and register on the UCAS website to fill out and submit your application form. Note: all applicants need to apply through the UCAS portal. If you are done with the above steps, it's time to relax because, like every good thing, evaluating your profile will take some time.

After confirmation of admission, apply for the immigration process. Then, visit the British embassy in your country after receiving an invitation letter. Inform the date of arrival to medical university in the UK. University will send an official representative to pick up the student from the airport.

Scholarships to Study MBBS in the UK

Universities in the UK provide a range of scholarships to international students. You might therefore apply for one of the MBBS scholarships in the UK to relieve some of your financial hardship. All scholarships and fee waivers are granted under exceptional academic standing or extracurricular accomplishments. The following are scholarships that award money or fee waivers and are provided by various universities.

• Chevening Scholarship: £18,000
• Global Health Future Leaders: Scholarship £2,500
• Hulk York Medical School International: Scholarship £8,737
• Imperial College Faculty of Medicine: Scholarship of £1,000
• Rhodes Scholarship: £15,141

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the ability to specialize is made possible by the degree's high demand. The UK's MBBS doctor income makes the rush worthwhile. In the United Kingdom, MBBS doctors and physicians earn an average salary of 276,000 GBP. However, the payment varies a little bit depending on the position and specialty.

You can apply to one of the best schools in the UK if you enjoy the difficulties and benefits of being a medical professional. Or, if it suits your circumstances, you might pursue your ambition and locate a medical school abroad. Additionally, after finishing their MBBS in the UK, students can pursue an MD/MS with a concentration of their choice.