Some UK medical schools offer 6 year programmes. These courses normally begin with 1 year of science-based teaching, after which you join the standard 5 year programme at the medical school. Alternatively, some courses spread the work of the normal degree over a longer period of time, to help people keep up with the course.

These courses are usually designed to widen access to medical profession. As a result, courses are either aimed at people from a particular part of the country, people from less advantaged backgrounds or those who do not have a scientific background.

Having more than one science A level or a degree in a scientific subject may make you ineligible for these courses. In contrast, some 6 year courses do require science qualifications so make sure you read through the criteria carefully.

Universities and Medical Schools Offering 6-Year Courses:
  Places Int Chances A levels Science Social Geog Grads Exam Updated
Bristol Places for overseas students not known for 2009 Percent of applicants getting an offer for 2009 entry is not known Applicants are required to achieve AAB at A2 Level or equivalent. Applicants must not have more than one lab based science at A-level. Those who have should consider applying to the standard 5 year degree in medicine. There are no socioeconomic criteria for this course There are no geographical criteria for this course No entrance exam This data was last updated in January 2009
Cardiff Places for overseas students not known for 2009 AAB at A level and C grade in a 4th AS subject required Only one of chemistry, biology or physics. Students who have taken more than one of these subjects will not be eligible for this course. A combination of GCE and VCE AS and A levels, plus Level 3 Key Skills qualifications may be accepted. General studies is not accepted. Maths and further maths or statistics are not accepted together. Critical thinking is only accepted at AS. There are no socioeconomic criteria for this course There are no geographical criteria for this course All applicants must sit the UKCAT This data was last updated in January 2009
Dundee Places for overseas students not known for 2009 Percent of applicants getting an offer - 2008 entry AAA required in non-science sunjects Non science subjects should be taken at A level or equivalent. There are no socioeconomic criteria for this course There are no geographical criteria for this course All applicants must sit the UKCAT This data was last updated in January 2009
East Anglia International students are not accepted onto this course Candidates need to be predicted or have achieved at least BCC at A Level. You do not need specific subjects to enter this course - science and non-science subjects are acceptable. Graduates are not accepted on this course. All applicants must sit the UKCAT This data was last updated in January 2009
Keele Up to 10 international students may be accepted on this course Percent of applicants getting an offer for 2009 entry is not known A Level grades AAB required in non science subjects (although applicants Students should not have studied A2 biology OR chemistry. There are no socioeconomic criteria for this course There are no geographical criteria for this course All applicants must sit the UKCAT This data was last updated in February 2009
King’s (KCL) The number of places on this course is not known for 2009 International students are not accepted onto this course Percent of applicants getting an offer for 2009 entry is not known CCC at A level and a C grade at a further AS level. A level requirements: Chemistry to at least AS level and one other science or mathematical subject at A level It is not known if there are any specific socioeconomic criteria for this course. Graduates are not accepted on this course. No: If you have started university and either left in your first year or after you have completed the first year then you could still be considered for the course. However, if you have started the second year or have completed the degree then you would no longer be considered for this course. All applicants must sit the UKCAT This data was last updated in February 2009
Liverpool The number of places on this course is not known for 2010 Places for overseas students not known for 2010 Percent of applicants getting an offer for 2009 entry is not known No specific A level requirements. There are no specific A level requirements for this course. It is not known if there are any specific socioeconomic criteria for this course. It is not known if there are any specific geographical criteria for this course. No entrance exam This data was last updated in July 2009
Manchester Percent of applicants getting an offer - 2008 entry ABB This course is designed for students who have not studied much science at A level. Therefore, you should have studied either three arts subjects, two arts and one science subject or one art and two sciences not including Chemistry. There are no socioeconomic criteria for this course There are no geographical criteria for this course All applicants must sit the UKCAT This data was last updated in January 2009
Nottingham It is unusual for us to consider international applicants (ie from outside of the EU) for the Foundation Year. The UK Government limits the total number of international students in Medical Schools to 7.5%. the great majority come into our 5-year programme A level requirements: These must include Biology and Chemistry, both at grade C or above at A2, and another subject at C or above at A2. There are no geographical criteria for this course Graduates are not accepted on this course. All applicants must sit the UKCAT This data was last updated in July 2009
Queens Belfast The number of places on this course is not known for 2010 Places for overseas students not known for 2010 Percent of applicants getting an offer for 2009 entry is not known     It is not known if there are any specific socioeconomic criteria for this course. It is not known if there are any specific geographical criteria for this course.     This data was last updated in July 2009
Sheffield AAB plus a minimum grade B in a 4th AS subject You should study four AS subjects and aim for a grade A and three Bs in any subjects. However, we remain flexible over AS results and place more emphasis on GCSE's and A2 levels. Our usual offer for subjects taken at A2 level is AAB. Please note that General Studies is not acceptable. Applicants should not have taken a combination of subjects that would make them eligible for the standard entry route. If students have taken chemistry and one other science at A2 they will not be eligible for the course and should apply to the A100 course. There are no socioeconomic criteria for this course There are no geographical criteria for this course All applicants must sit the UKCAT This data was last updated in February 2009
Southampton Percent of applicants getting an offer - 2008 entry A Level chemistry and biology/human biology at grade C or above, plus other subjects at A and/or AS level comparable to one grade C at A Level (or equivalent qualification) OR AS Level chemistry and biology/human biology at grade B or above, plus other subjects at A and/or AS level comparable to two grade Cs at A Level (or equivalent qualification) There are no geographical criteria for this course Graduates are not accepted on this course. All applicants must sit the UKCAT This data was last updated in February 2009
St. Georges Places for 2009 entry Percent of applicants getting an offer for 2009 entry is not known There are no specific minimum A level grades for this course Applicants must provide evidence of formal post-16 study; this can include professional qualifications and need not necessarily be in the sciences. We also need evidence of significant progression in a career path. It is not known if there are any specific socioeconomic criteria for this course. It is not known if there are any specific geographical criteria for this course. Graduates are not accepted on this course.   This data was last updated in February 2009