Medicine and dentistry · 2027 and 2028 entry
Applying to medicine and dentistry with the IB
When to apply, which UCAT to sit, which IB subjects and scores each school asks for, how interviews work, how many places go to international students, what it costs and what happens after the degree, in the UK, Singapore and Australia. Every fact comes from the schools' and test bodies' own pages.
Updated regularlyLast updated 25 October 2026
This guide is updated whenever new official data comes out. Bookmark it and check back.
15 OctUK deadline for medicine and dentistryGrade 12 · up to four medicine choices
1,918average UCAT UK score in 2026out of 2,700 · the top 10% scored 2,250 or more
6 yearspublic service for non-citizen NUS and NTU doctorsafter the first year · dentistry: 5 years
Feb 2028earliest Australian start for May 2027 IB studentsUNSW, Monash and Sydney offer on final results only
In short
Six things to know
Three different calendars
UK schools take applications on predicted grades by 15 October of Grade 12, and NUS from December to February. NTU and the Australian schools wait for final results, so a May candidate starts at NTU in August of the following year and in Australia the following February.
One test, two versions
UCAT UK (July to September) serves the UK, NUS and NTU; UCAT ANZ (July to August) serves Australia and New Zealand. You can sit only one of them, once, in a year, and the result lasts one cycle. Monash uses the ISAT and Sydney its own assessment.
HL Chemistry comes first
HL Chemistry is asked for almost everywhere, and HL Chemistry with HL Biology meets the HL rules of every UK and Singapore medical school here. IB Maths AA or AI is accepted almost everywhere; Cambridge recommends AA, and NUS's SAT and AP route needs AP Calculus BC.
Grades open the door; the UCAT and interview decide
Above the academic minimum, most UK schools rank or cut by UCAT: for 2026 entry Imperial, UCL and Bristol set overseas thresholds of 2,270 to 2,310, above that year's top 10%. Interviews are MMIs or panels, mostly online for international applicants.
Few places, high fees
Cambridge has 22 overseas places, UCL and Queen Mary 24, Manchester up to 28, and dentistry often 3 or 4. A year costs about £38,300 to £70,554 in the UK, S$84,550 to S$91,250 in Singapore with the Tuition Grant, and A$95,500 to A$109,328 in Australia.
Where you train shapes what follows
The UK now gives its own graduates of any nationality priority for Foundation training. Singapore's places come with 6 years of public service for non-citizens (5 in dentistry). Australia does not guarantee internships to international graduates.
Side by side
Three countries compared
The broad rules for a student sitting the IB in May. The sections below give each school's details.
| UK | Singapore | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When you apply | By 15 October of Grade 12, with predicted grades | NUS: 16 December to 17 February of Grade 12, with predicted grades. NTU: final results only, so May candidates apply the following October to March | Offers on final results only, so May candidates start the following February |
| Admissions test | UCAT (UK), sat July to September before applying | NUS Medicine: UCAT, or SAT/ACT with Writing plus AP. NUS Dentistry: SAT/ACT plus AP. NTU: UCAT | UCAT ANZ at most schools; ISAT at Monash; Sydney sets its own assessment |
| IB subjects | HL Chemistry almost everywhere, usually with HL Biology | Pass in HL Chemistry and HL Biology or Physics | Fewer rules: Monash asks for Chemistry, UNSW only recommends it |
| IB score | 36 to 42 for medicine, 32 to 38 for dentistry | No published minimum; the cut-off depends on each year's applicants | From 33 (Adelaide, guidance only) to 45 (Sydney) |
| Interview | MMI or panel, mostly online for international applicants | NUS Medicine: in-person Focused Skills Assessment. NTU: eight one-to-one interviews. NUS Dentistry: dexterity test, then MMI | Online at every school here that interviews |
| International places | Few: usually 14 to 28 in medicine (Imperial 74), 3 to 4 in dentistry | NUS states no quota; NTU gives Singaporeans priority | About 10 (Sydney) to about 100 (UQ) |
| Fee a year, international | About £38,300 to £70,554; clinical years cost more at some schools | S$84,550 to S$91,250 with the Tuition Grant | About A$95,500 to A$109,328 (less in the bachelor years of double degrees) |
| After graduating | UK graduates of any nationality now get priority for Foundation training | Non-citizens serve 6 years in public healthcare (5 in dentistry) | Internships are not guaranteed for international graduates |
Ranges cover the schools in this guide, for 2027 entry. Imperial's 74 overseas places come from its answers to information requests for 2026.
The UCAT
The UCAT: one test, two versions
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is a two-hour computer test of thinking and judgement, not of science knowledge. UCAT UK is used by UK schools and by NUS and NTU; UCAT ANZ by Australian and New Zealand schools. The questions and timings are the same; dates, fees and SJT scoring differ.
Four subtests
| Subtest | Questions | Minutes | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 44 | 22 | 300–900 |
| Decision Making | 35 | 37 | 300–900 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 36 | 26 | 300–900 |
| Situational Judgement | 69 | 26 | UCAT UK: Bands 1–4 · UCAT ANZ: 300–900 |
Each subtest has one and a half to two minutes of instructions on top. An on-screen calculator is available in Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning, and there is no negative marking. Abstract Reasoning was dropped in 2025, so the total of the three thinking subtests is now out of 2,700; older figures out of 3,600 cannot be compared.
UCAT UK and UCAT ANZ, 2026 sitting
| UCAT UK | UCAT ANZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Used by | UK medical and dental schools, plus NUS and NTU | Australian and New Zealand schools (Monash and Sydney use other tests for international applicants) |
| Booking, 2026 | Registration from 20 May, booking from 23 June, deadline 16 September | Booking from 3 March, deadline 15 May (late booking to 5 June, extra fee) |
| Test window, 2026 | 13 July to 24 September, at test centres | 1 July to 5 August, at test centres |
| Fee, 2026 | £115 outside the UK (£70 in the UK) | A$405 outside Australia and New Zealand (A$335 inside) |
| Results | Score report on the test day; universities receive scores in early November | Score report within 24 hours; universities receive scores in early September |
| SJT score | Bands 1 to 4 (Band 1 highest) | 300 to 900, like the other subtests |
| Results valid for | 2027 entry, or deferred 2028 entry | 2027 entry only |
| Next sitting | UCAT 2027 dates (for 2028 entry) are due in March 2027 | UCAT ANZ 2027 dates are not out yet |
What the scores looked like in 2026
Total of the three thinking subtests (900 to 2,700). UCAT UK 2026: 42,359 tests, mean 1,918. UCAT ANZ 2026: 17,341 candidates, mean 1,964.
| Percentile | UCAT UK 2026 | UCAT ANZ 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | 1,590 | 1,610 |
| 20th | 1,700 | 1,720 |
| 30th | 1,780 | 1,800 |
| 40th | 1,850 | 1,880 |
| 50th | 1,920 | 1,950 |
| 60th | 1,980 | 2,040 |
| 70th | 2,050 | 2,120 |
| 80th | 2,140 | 2,220 |
| 90th | 2,250 | 2,340 |
| Mean | 1,918 | 1,964 |
For comparison: Edinburgh's minimum for 2027 entry is 1,850, and Queen Mary asks for the 4th decile or above (1,850 in UCAT 2026). For 2026 entry, after UCAT 2025, when the 90th percentile was 2,220, the overseas thresholds were 2,310 at Imperial, 2,300 at UCL and 2,270 at Bristol.
Which UCAT to sit, and when
- Applying to the UK and NUS
- UCAT UK in the summer before Grade 12 (July to September). The same score goes to NUS by 17 February.
- Applying to NTU after results
- NTU counts only a UCAT sat in the 12 months before applying, so a May candidate sits it again in the summer after the exams. UCAT ANZ is accepted if you also apply in Australia or New Zealand.
- Applying to Australia
- UCAT ANZ (July to August) in the year you apply, which for a May candidate is usually the summer after the exams. Monash wants the ISAT instead; UNSW takes either.
- The UK and Australia in the same year
- Sit UCAT ANZ: UK schools (and NUS and NTU) accept its results through a form, but Australian schools do not accept UCAT UK.
Rules to know
- One sitting a year, and never UCAT UK and UCAT ANZ in the same year; sitting more than once counts as misconduct. Retaking in a later year carries no penalty.
- Results count for one cycle only: UCAT 2026 is for 2027 entry (or deferred 2028 entry in the UK). A gap-year applicant sits it again.
- UCAT ANZ results can be sent to UK schools, NUS and NTU through a results-collection form (by 22 October in 2026); UCAT UK results are not accepted in Australia.
- UCAT ANZ is open only to students in or after their final school year.
- Outside the UK, UCAT UK is sat at a Pearson test centre; online testing is only for those with no centre nearby. Universities receive scores from the UCAT office, so you do not send them yourself.
Sources: ucat.ac.uk (test dates, format and scoring, results, 2026 and 2025 statistics, FAQs) and ucat.edu.au (test cycle, format, scoring, eligibility, 2026 summary statistics); Imperial, UCL, Bristol, Edinburgh and Queen Mary admissions pages.
United Kingdom
UK medical and dental schools
UK medicine is a five- or six-year first degree, and dentistry five years, applied for through UCAS by 15 October of Grade 12. You may choose up to four medicine courses (or four dentistry courses); the fifth choice can be another subject. Offers are conditional on predicted grades and confirmed by the July results. The tables give 2027-entry rules from each school's pages.
Medicine: ten schools
| School | IB offer | How the UCAT is used | Interview | International places · fee a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | 39 with core, 766 at HL: HL Chemistry plus Biology, Physics or Maths | Cognitive total, weighted equally with GCSEs (double if you have no GCSEs); SJT not used; no cut-off | Online panels at two colleges, December; decisions 12 January | At most 14 a year with the graduate course; 2027 fee not found |
| Cambridge | 41 to 42, 776 at HL (most entrants 44+): HL Chemistry plus one more science or maths; Maths AA recommended | Required, no minimum; SJT not used for 2027 entry | Panel, 7 to 18 December; many colleges interview applicants outside the UK online | 22 overseas places; £70,554, fixed for the course, plus a college fee |
| Imperial | 38 minimum, usually 39 with 7 and 6 in HL Biology and Chemistry; one sitting only | Threshold for overseas applicants: 2,310 and SJT Band 3 or better (2026 entry) | MMI, January to February, in person or online | 74 of 345 places; £58,600 (2026 entry) |
| UCL | 39, 19 at HL with 6 and 7 in Biology and Chemistry; no subject below 5 | Ranks by total; overseas threshold 2,300 (2026 entry); SJT breaks ties | MMI of up to 8 stations, online for international applicants, December to March | 24 overseas places; £59,600 (2027/28) |
| King's College London | 38, or 19 from three HLs, with 6 in HL Biology and Chemistry | Part of the ranking for interview; no minimum | Online MMI, December to April | Places and fee not published (deposit £5,000) |
| Edinburgh | 38 with core, 666 at HL: HL Chemistry plus Biology, Maths or Physics; SL Maths 6 if not at HL | Minimum 1,850 (2027 entry); SJT Band 4 not considered; added to the academic score | Assessment day for about 800, in Edinburgh or online; outcome by March | 21 places (2026 entry); 2027 fee not found |
| Bristol | 36, 18 at HL with 6 and 6 in Chemistry and Biology, Physics or Maths | 100% UCAT after the academic minimum; SJT not counted; overseas threshold 2,270 (2026 entry) | Online MMI of 6 stations, December to February | Places not published; £45,800 (2026 starters, same every year) |
| Manchester | 36, 666 at HL: Chemistry or Biology, another science and one more subject | Threshold set each year; SJT Band 3 or 4 not considered | MMI of 5 stations, online or on campus, December to early March | Up to 28 a year; £39,900 in years 1–2 and £60,900 in clinical years (2026/27) |
| Queen Mary | 37, 666 at HL with Chemistry or Biology plus one more science | 4th decile or above; SJT Bands 1 to 3 | Online panel, January to February | Up to 24 overseas places; £56,650 (2027) |
| Glasgow | 38, 666 at HL in Chemistry and Biology; SL Physics or Maths 6 | Ranks by UCAT after academic screening | Online panel of 30 minutes, late November to March | No quota published (33 entrants in 2025); £67,112 (2027/28, expected) |
Dentistry: six schools
| School | IB offer | How the UCAT is used | Interview | International places · fee a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King's College London | 38, or 19 from three HLs: HL 6 in Chemistry or Biology plus another science, Maths or Psychology | No fixed threshold | Remote panel of two, December to March | Places and fee not published; no deferral for overseas applicants |
| Queen Mary | 37, 666 at HL with Chemistry or Biology plus one more science | 4th decile or above; SJT Bands 1 to 3 | Online panel, January to February | Up to 4 overseas places; £63,000 (2027) |
| Manchester | 36, 666 at HL with Chemistry and Biology | SJT Band 3 or 4 not considered | MMI; online for applicants living overseas | 4 a year; £38,300 in year 1 and £60,900 in clinical years (2026/27) |
| Bristol | 36, 18 at HL with 6 and 6 in Chemistry and Biology, Physics or Maths | 100% UCAT after the academic minimum; SJT not counted | Online interview, late December to March | Places not published; £51,600 in the first year (2027) |
| Glasgow | 36, 666 at HL in Chemistry and Biology; Maths or Physics at HL (SL 6 considered) | Required | Late January to early February; no deferred entry | 8 international and EU entrants in 2025; £60,255 (2027/28, expected) |
| Birmingham | 32, 666 at HL with Chemistry and Biology | Total score used to shortlist after the academic criteria | MMI in Birmingham, in person for overseas applicants too, February half-term | Up to 3 international places; fee not found |
Rules that catch people out
- The BMAT has gone
- The BMAT was withdrawn after 2024, and every school here uses the UCAT. Oxford and Cambridge interview in December and decide in January; most others interview from December to March.
- Resits
- Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh and Glasgow do not accept resits, and Cambridge expects the offer in one sitting. The first attempt is the one that counts.
- Gap years
- Oxford, Imperial, UCL, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham consider deferred entry. Edinburgh defers only for national service, King's Dentistry only for military or national service for overseas applicants, and Glasgow Dentistry not at all.
- Maths: AA or AI
- Either is accepted at Bristol, Manchester, King's and Edinburgh. Cambridge recommends AA for Medicine but considers AI. Edinburgh and Glasgow also want maths (or physics at Glasgow) at 6 if it is not an HL subject.
- Clinical years can cost more
- Manchester charges £39,900 in years 1–2 and £60,900 in the clinical years (2026/27 rates). Cambridge fixes international fees for the whole course, and Bristol charged its 2026 starters the same fee every year.
Where a 2027 figure was not on the school's pages, the table gives the latest year shown and labels it. Oxford's course page still shows some older content, so its cap of 14 may be out of date.
Sources: UCAS; Medical Schools Council course pages (start 2027); admissions, entry-requirement and fee pages of Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial (including its 2026 FOI answers), UCL, King's College London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester, Queen Mary, Glasgow and Birmingham.
Singapore
NUS and NTU Medicine, NUS Dentistry
Singapore has three undergraduate options. All three take students of any nationality, and all three tie the subsidised fee to years of public service after graduation. The key split is timing: NUS takes predicted grades, NTU only final results.
| NUS Medicine | NTU Medicine (LKCMedicine) | NUS Dentistry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course | MBBS, 5 years | MBBS, 5 years | BDS, 4 years |
| Apply with predicted IB grades? | Yes: 16 December 2026 to 17 February 2027 | No. November 2026 candidates apply by 19 March 2027; May 2027 candidates apply in the next cycle, for August 2028 | Yes: same window as Medicine |
| Test with predicted grades | UCAT (UK or ANZ), or SAT/ACT with Writing plus AP exams | UCAT for every applicant, sat in the 12 months before applying | SAT/ACT with Writing plus AP exams (UCAT is not listed) |
| IB subjects | Pass in HL Chemistry and HL Biology or Physics | Pass in HL Chemistry and HL Biology or Physics | Pass in HL Chemistry and HL Biology or Physics |
| Choice rule | 1st or 2nd choice; if 2nd, the 1st must be another course with an interview or test | Must be the first choice | As for Medicine |
| What you submit | Portfolio, 28 January to 19 March 2027: 500-word statement, top 10 achievements, school testimonial, 2 referees | Personal statement by 19 March and two referee reports by 22 March 2027 | Nothing extra for first-time applicants: shortlisting is on grades |
| Selection | Shortlist in the last week of March; in-person Focused Skills Assessment, 2 to 13 April 2027; offers early to mid May | Shortlist by the end of March; MMI of eight one-to-one interviews, end of March to April; outcome by early May | 60-minute Manual Dexterity Test, then MMI for those who pass (March to April in 2026) |
| Places a year | 280 (about 1,200 shortlisted) | About 190; Singaporeans have priority | 80 |
| Fee a year, international with Tuition Grant | S$87,800 (S$190,150 without the grant), AY2026/27 | S$91,250, offers accepted in 2026; fixed for the course | S$84,550 (S$190,150 without the grant), AY2026/27 |
| Service after graduating, non-citizens | 6 years, after the first-year (PGY1) post | 6 years, not counting the first year | 5 years |
Course pages: NUS Medicine · NTU Medicine (LKCMedicine) · NUS Dentistry
- The SAT and AP route at NUS
- Instead of the UCAT (Medicine) or as the only option (Dentistry): the SAT (at least 600 in Reading and Writing, 650 in Maths) or the ACT with Writing (29, Writing 8), plus at least three AP exams at 3 or above. AP Calculus BC is compulsory for every NUS course except Law, so it applies here.
- No published cut-off
- NUS publishes no minimum IB score for either course and leaves IB out of its grade profiles, because the sample is too small; the cut-off depends on each year's applicants. NTU also gives priority to applicants without previous university study.
- The service agreement
- Every medicine and dentistry student at NUS and NTU, of any nationality, signs MOH's undergraduate agreement; not signing means full unsubsidised fees. Doctors serve in public healthcare after their first year and SMC registration: 6 years for non-citizens, 5 for citizens (dentistry 5 and 4).
- Still to be published
- NUS Dentistry's 2027 test and interview dates, and fees for students starting in 2027. Older NUS documents still mention the BMAT or list UCAT as the only Medicine option; we follow the current admissions pages.
Sources: NUS Office of Admissions (IB requirements, important dates, standardised tests, IB prerequisites); NUS Medicine and NUS Dentistry admissions pages; NUS Registrar fees AY2026/27; NTU LKCMedicine (how to apply, entry requirements, FAQs), NTU admissions and fees; MOH, MOHH, SMC and SDC.
Australia
Australian school-leaver medicine and dentistry
Several Australian universities take school leavers straight into medicine or dentistry. For international students they decide on final results: UNSW makes no offers on predicted results, Monash issues no conditional offers, and Sydney admits you only to the first intake after your results. A May candidate therefore starts the following February.
Medicine: five courses
| Course | Test | IB and subjects | Interview and dates | Places · fee a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNSW: BMed/MD, 6 years | UCAT ANZ at the 50th percentile or above, or ISAT 165+; only the first test you send counts | Academic rank equal to ATAR 96 (no IB score published); Chemistry recommended | Panel of two on Zoom, monthly from June to January; apply directly by 30 November, results by the same date | About 300 international interviews; A$95,500 in year 1 (2026) |
| Monash: MD direct entry, 5 years | ISAT only: at least 170, with 165 in Critical and Quantitative Reasoning (2027 interview cut-off 178) | IB 39; Chemistry SL 5 or HL 4 | Four-station MMI on Zoom in July; apply by 30 June, ISAT by early May; offers once final results are in | About 90 places; A$107,240 (2027) |
| Sydney: BSc/MD or BA/MD, 7 years | No UCAT; Sydney's own online assessment | IB 45 (ATAR 99.95) | Online group interview and written task (23 September and 2 December 2026, 28 January 2027); apply directly by 31 October 2026 | About 10 places; A$63,600 in the bachelor years, A$100,500 in the MD (2027) |
| Adelaide: BMS + MD, 6 years | UCAT ANZ | IB 33 minimum (guidance only); Biology, Chemistry or Maths Methods | Zoom interview, late September to early October; applications for 2027 closed 30 June 2026 | About 160 interviewed; A$99,000 (BMS) and A$103,000 (MD), indicative |
| UQ: provisional MD (bachelor's, then 4-year MD) | UCAT ANZ (ISAT not accepted) | IB 37.5 (listed for 2026 applicants); keep a GPA of 5 in the bachelor's | Online MMI, mid to late November; apply by 30 September; offers mid December | About 100 international MD places; A$109,328 in the MD (2027) plus the bachelor's fees |
Dentistry: two courses
| Course | Test | IB and subjects | Interview and dates | Places · fee a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide: BDS, 5 years | UCAT ANZ | IB 33 minimum (guidance only); Chemistry, Maths or Physics plus a second science | Zoom interview, late September to early October; applications for 2027 closed 30 June 2026 | About 100 interviewed; A$108,300, indicative |
| UQ: BDSc (Hons), 5 years | UCAT ANZ from the year you apply | IB 43.25 (ATAR 99); English and Chemistry | No interview mentioned; apply by 30 September | A$99,600 (2027) |
- The year in between
- Results arrive in July. UNSW takes applications from March, before results; Monash needs the ISAT by early May and applications by 30 June; UQ closes on 30 September and Adelaide on 30 June. UCAT ANZ runs in July and August.
- Graduate-entry dentistry
- Sydney's DMD and Melbourne's DDS need a bachelor's degree first, and Melbourne's MD is graduate entry too. Sydney's school-leaver BSc/DMD is missing from its 2027 lists, so it is left out here.
- New at UQ in 2027
- A six-year BMedSc/MD for school leavers (Mathematical Methods and English, UCAT ANZ and an MMI): A$60,952 a year in years 1–2 and about A$110,000 in the MD years. UQ does not say how many international places it has.
- Conflicting wording
- UNSW's criteria accept UCAT ANZ or ISAT, but its international FAQ mentions only the ISAT. Ask UNSW before choosing a test.
Sources: UNSW Medicine international applicants and course pages; Monash direct-entry MD pages and 2027 course guide; University of Sydney course page and 2027 international admission guide; UAC; Adelaide University degree pages; UQ admissions and program pages; University of Melbourne; ucat.edu.au.
Interviews and experience
Interviews, work experience and writing
After grades and the test, the interview usually decides. Formats differ, and so does what schools expect you to have done before applying.
- MMI
- A series of short stations, each with a new task or interviewer: Imperial, UCL (up to 8), Bristol (6), Manchester (5), Monash (4), Birmingham Dentistry (4 to 10), NTU (8 one-to-one interviews) and UQ.
- Panel
- A longer conversation with two or more interviewers: Oxford (at two colleges), Cambridge, Queen Mary, Glasgow (30 minutes), King's Dentistry (two) and UNSW (two, on Zoom).
- Other formats
- Edinburgh runs an assessment day, Sydney a group interview with a written task, NUS Medicine its in-person Focused Skills Assessment, and NUS Dentistry a 60-minute manual dexterity test before the MMI.
- Online or in person
- Most schools here interview international applicants online. NUS (in Singapore) and Birmingham Dentistry expect you in person; Edinburgh and Manchester offer online or on campus.
- Work experience
- Required before applying at Manchester and Queen Mary (people-focused care or service) and expected at King's; strongly advised at Cambridge and Bristol; not required at Oxford, Imperial, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dental schools like time in a dental practice (Birmingham: three days or more); Glasgow accepts caring or voluntary work when shadowing is hard to find.
- What you write
- The UCAS personal statement for the UK. For NUS, a portfolio with a 500-word statement, top 10 achievements, a school testimonial and two referees; for NTU, a personal statement and two referee reports; for UNSW, a Medicine Personal Statement Form.
After graduation
What happens after the degree
Where you train decides your first jobs. These are the rules as they apply to international students today.
United Kingdom
- Doctors start with the two-year Foundation Programme. Under the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026, UK graduates get priority from the 2027 allocation; it depends on where you trained, not your nationality.
- If applicants outnumber posts, only the priority group is placed; visa sponsorship is arranged after allocation. Specialty training applies the same priority from 2027.
- Dentists need a year of Dental Foundation Training to work in the NHS. International students at UK dental schools can apply, but it is competitive and needs the right to work in the UK.
Singapore
- Doctors do a 12-month first year (PGY1), employed by MOHH with provisional SMC registration; non-citizens also need a work pass.
- Then the service obligation in public healthcare: 6 years for non-citizens and 5 for citizens. NTU's figures also exclude the first year.
- Dentists with an NUS degree register fully with the SDC, with no internship year, and serve 5 years (citizens 4).
Australia
- Doctors need a 47-week internship for general registration. States fill posts by priority group, and international graduates come after citizens and permanent residents (Priority 4 in New South Wales, Group C in Queensland); none is guaranteed.
- UQ says 64% of its onshore international graduates of 2025 found an Australian internship in 2026.
- Overseas graduates of Australian schools work in priority areas for up to 10 years before they can bill Medicare (the moratorium).
- Dentists register with the Dental Board after the degree, with no internship year.
These rules change: the UK act is new, and Australian internship policy is reviewed each year. Check again before choosing a country.
Sources: UK Foundation Programme Office; NHS England; GOV.UK; Dental Schools Council; MOH, MOHH, Singapore Medical Council and Singapore Dental Council; Medical Board of Australia; NSW Health, Queensland Health, PMCV and SA MET intern allocation documents; UQ Medical School.
Plan by grade
A plan for a May-session IB student
Our suggested order, using the dates of the 2026–27 cycle. Check each date again when the next cycle is published.
- Grade 10
Choose HL Chemistry and HL Biology
Add maths or physics as the third HL or a strong SL. If NUS's SAT and AP route is a possibility, plan AP Calculus BC.
- Grade 11 (DP1)
Build experience, start UCAT practice
Regular people-facing work or volunteering; time in a dental practice for dentistry. UCAT UK registration opens in May and booking in June.
- Summer before Grade 12
Sit UCAT UK
July to September. Choose the four UK schools once you know your score, and draft the personal statement.
- Grade 12: 15 October
Apply to the UK
The UCAS deadline. Interviews run from late November to April; Oxford and Cambridge in December.
- Grade 12: December to April
Apply to NUS, plan Australia
NUS application from 16 December to 17 February, portfolio by 19 March, assessment in April, offers in May. UNSW opens in March; Monash needs the ISAT by May, and Monash and Adelaide close on 30 June.
- After results (July)
Australia and NTU
UK offers are confirmed. Sit UCAT ANZ (July to August) for UQ and Adelaide, or the UCAT again for NTU, and apply for the next February (Australia) or August (NTU).
Sources
Official pages used
Show all sources
- UCAT, Test dateswww.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/ucat-test-dates/
- UCAT, Booking your testwww.ucat.ac.uk/register/booking-your-test/
- UCAT, Eligibilitywww.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/eligibility/
- UCAT, UCAT essentialswww.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/ucat-essentials/
- UCAT, Test format and scoringwww.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/test-format-and-scoring/
- UCAT, Changes for UCAT 2025www.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/ucat-2025/
- UCAT, Resultswww.ucat.ac.uk/results/ucat-results/
- UCAT, Test statistics 2026www.ucat.ac.uk/results/test-statistics/
- UCAT, Test statistics 2025www.ucat.ac.uk/results/test-statistics-2025/
- UCAT, Universitieswww.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/universities/
- UCAT, FAQswww.ucat.ac.uk/faqs/
- UCAT, OnVUE online testingwww.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/ucat-test-dates/onvue-testing/
- UCAT, UCAT ANZ results collectionwww.ucat.ac.uk/results/ucat-anz-results-collection/
- UCAT ANZ, Test cyclewww.ucat.edu.au/about-ucat-anz/ucat-anz-test-cycle/
- UCAT ANZ, Booking your testwww.ucat.edu.au/register/booking-your-test/
- UCAT ANZ, Eligibilitywww.ucat.edu.au/about-ucat-anz/eligibility/
- UCAT ANZ, Test formatwww.ucat.edu.au/about-ucat-anz/test-format/
- UCAT ANZ, Scoringwww.ucat.edu.au/about-ucat-anz/scoring/
- UCAT ANZ, Resultswww.ucat.edu.au/results/ucat-anz-results/
- UCAT ANZ, Summary statistics 2026 (PDF)www.ucat.edu.au/media/1634/summary-statistics-for-2026.pdf
- UCAT ANZ, Universitieswww.ucat.edu.au/about-ucat-anz/universities/
- UCAT ANZ, FAQswww.ucat.edu.au/faqs/
- UCAS, Dates and deadlineswww.ucas.com/applying/applying-to-university/dates-and-deadlines-for-uni-applications
- UCAS, Filling in your applicationwww.ucas.com/applying/applying-to-university/filling-in-your-ucas-application
- Medical Schools Council, International applicantswww.medschools.ac.uk/for-students/applying-to-medical-school/international-applicants/
- Oxford, Medicine course pagewww.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/medicine
- Oxford, Admissions testswww.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying/guide-for-applicants/admissions-tests
- Oxford, Interviewswww.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying/guide-for-applicants/interviews
- Oxford Medical Sciences, How we shortlistwww.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/faqs/how-do-you-short-list-for-interview
- Oxford Medical Sciences, Resitswww.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/faqs/i-have-re-sat-a-levels-or-equivalent-am-i-eligible-to-apply
- Oxford Medical Sciences, Deferred entrywww.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/faqs/can-i-apply-for-deferred-entry
- Medical Schools Council, Oxford A100medschools.ac.uk/courses/bm-bch-medicine-a100
- Cambridge, Medicinewww.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/medicine-mb-bchir
- Cambridge, Accepted qualificationswww.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/accepted-qualifications
- Cambridge, Interviewswww.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/after/cambridge-interviews
- Cambridge, International fees and costswww.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international-students/international-fees-and-costs
- Medical Schools Council, Cambridge A100www.medschools.ac.uk/courses/cambridge-medicine-a100/
- Imperial, Medicine course pagewww.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/medicine/
- Imperial, A100 FOI answers 2026 (PDF)www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/study/undergraduate/A100-FOI-FAQs-2026--v2.pdf
- Imperial, MMI timelinewww.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/study/undergraduate/medicine-mbbs-programmes/mmi/timeline/
- Medical Schools Council, Imperial A100www.medschools.ac.uk/courses/imperial-college-london-medicine-a100/
- UCL, Medicine MBBS BScwww.ucl.ac.uk/study/prospective-students/undergraduate/courses/medicine-mbbs-bsc
- UCL, MBBS entry requirementswww.ucl.ac.uk/medical-school/study/undergraduate/mbbs-admissions/entry-requirements/2025-entry
- UCL, Selection procedurewww.ucl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/divisions/medical-school/study/undergraduate/mbbs-admissions/selection-interviews/selection-procedure
- UCL, MBBS interviewswww.ucl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/divisions/medical-school/study/undergraduate/mbbs-admissions/selection-interviews/interviews
- UCL, MBBS admissions FAQswww.ucl.ac.uk/medical-school/study/undergraduate/mbbs-admissions/admissions-frequently-asked-questions
- King's College London, Medicine MBBS entry requirementswww.kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/medicine-mbbs/entry-requirements
- King's College London, Dentistry BDS entry requirementswww.kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/dentistry-bds/entry-requirements
- UCAS, King's College London Medicine 2027www.ucas.com/explore/courses/b29d8a17-fb00-68c3-caed-32a4d518adb4/medicine?studyYear=2027
- Edinburgh, MBChB Medicinestudy.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/354-mbchb-medicine-6-year-programme
- Edinburgh, MBChB entry requirementsstudy.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/354-mbchb-medicine-6-year-programme/entry-requirements
- Edinburgh Medical School, UCATmedicine-vet-medicine.ed.ac.uk/edinburgh-medical-school/medicine/applying/how-to-apply/requirements/ucat
- Edinburgh Medical School, Selectionmedicine-vet-medicine.ed.ac.uk/edinburgh-medical-school/medicine/applying/assessment-selection-and-statistics/selection
- Edinburgh Medical School, Proceduremedicine-vet-medicine.ed.ac.uk/edinburgh-medical-school/medicine/applying/how-to-apply/procedure
- Bristol, MBChB Medicine 2027www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2027/medicine/mb-chb-medicine/
- Bristol, Medicine admissions statement 2027 (PDF)www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/undergraduate/admissions-statements/2027/medicine.pdf
- Bristol, Overseas fees for 2026 starterswww.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/tuition-fees/ug/overseas/26-27/2026-starters/
- Bristol, BDS Dentistry 2027www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2027/dentistry/bds-dentistry/
- Bristol, Dentistry admissions statement 2027 (PDF)www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/undergraduate/admissions-statements/2027/dentistry.pdf
- Medical Schools Council, Bristol A100www.medschools.ac.uk/courses/mbchb-medicine-a100-2/
- Manchester, MBChB Medicine 2027www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2027/01428/mbchb-medicine/
- Manchester, Medicine interviewswww.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/interviews/
- Manchester, Medicine FAQswww.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/faqs/
- Manchester, BDS Dentistry 2027www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2027/00398/bds-dentistry-first-year-entry/
- Manchester, Dentistry interview FAQswww.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/dentistry/interviews/frequentlyaskedquestions/
- Manchester, Dentistry FAQswww.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/dentistry/apply/faqs/
- Queen Mary, Medicine 2027www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/coursefinder/courses/2027/medicine-5-year-programme/
- Queen Mary, A100 entry requirementswww.qmul.ac.uk/fmd/study/undergraduate/courses/a100/entry-requirements/
- Queen Mary, A100 selection criteriawww.qmul.ac.uk/fmd/study/undergraduate/courses/a100/selection-criteria/
- Queen Mary, Dentistry 2027www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/coursefinder/courses/2027/dentistry/
- Queen Mary, A200 selection criteriawww.qmul.ac.uk/fmd/study/undergraduate/courses/a200/selection-criteria/
- Glasgow, Medicinewww.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/medicine/
- Glasgow, MBChB interviewswww.gla.ac.uk/schools/medicine/mus/admissions/mbchbinterviews/
- Glasgow, Dentistrywww.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/dentistry/
- Glasgow, International feeswww.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees/intlfees/
- Glasgow, Medicine admissions data (PDF)www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_1233096_smxx.pdf
- Glasgow, Dentistry admissions data (PDF)www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_1274675_smxx.pdf
- Birmingham, Dentistry entry requirementswww.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-medicine-and-health/dentistry/undergraduate/applying-to-dentistry/entry-requirements
- Birmingham, Dentistry interviewswww.birmingham.ac.uk/about/college-of-medicine-and-health/dentistry/undergraduate/applying-to-dentistry/dentistry-interviews
- Birmingham, Dental Surgery BDSwww.birmingham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/subjects/dentistry-courses/dental-surgery-bds
- Imperial, Cambridge and Imperial move to UCAT (news, January 2024)www.imperial.ac.uk/news/250696/imperial-cambridge-create-admissions-tests/
- NUS, IB Diploma admission requirementswww.nus.edu.sg/oam/admissions/ib-diploma/admission-requirements
- NUS, Important dateswww.nus.edu.sg/oam/admissions/important-dates
- NUS, IB subject prerequisites (PDF)www.nus.edu.sg/oam/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ibdp-sp.pdf?sfvrsn=4a0b7c43_9
- NUS, Standardised tests (PDF)www.nus.edu.sg/oam/docs/default-source/default-document-library/standardised_test.pdf?sfvrsn=7cbaf22d_8
- NUS, Indicative grade profilewww.nus.edu.sg/oam/undergraduate-programmes/indicative-grade-profile-(igp)
- NUS, Faculty interview and test dateswww.nus.edu.sg/oam/admissions/faculty-interview-and-test-dates
- NUS Registrar, Tuition fees AY2026/27 (PDF)nus.edu.sg/registrar/docs/info/administrative-policies-procedures/ugtuitioncurrent.pdf
- NUS Registrar, Undergraduate feesnus.edu.sg/registrar/administrative-policies-procedures/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees
- NUS Medicine, Pre-requisitesmedicine.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/nus-medicine-pre-requisites/
- NUS Medicine, How to applymedicine.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/how-to-apply
- NUS Medicine, Admissions FAQsmedicine.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/admissions-frequently-asked-questions/
- NUS Medicine, Portfoliomedicine.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/medicine-portfolio/
- NUS Medicine, Admissions assessmentmedicine.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/nus-medicine-admissions-assessment/
- NUS Dentistry, Prospective studentswww.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/ug/prospective-students/
- NTU LKCMedicine, MBBSwww.ntu.edu.sg/education/undergraduate-programme/bachelor-of-medicine-and-bachelor-of-surgery-(mbbs)
- NTU LKCMedicine, How to applywww.ntu.edu.sg/medicine/education/bachelor-of-medicine-and-bachelor-of-surgery-(mbbs)/how-to-apply-to-lkcmedicine
- NTU LKCMedicine, Entry requirementswww.ntu.edu.sg/medicine/education/bachelor-of-medicine-and-bachelor-of-surgery-(mbbs)/entry-requirements
- NTU LKCMedicine, Admissions FAQswww.ntu.edu.sg/medicine/education/bachelor-of-medicine-and-bachelor-of-surgery-(mbbs)/admissions-faqs
- NTU, IB Diploma admission guidewww.ntu.edu.sg/admissions/undergraduate/admission-guide/international-baccalaureate-diploma
- NTU, Important dateswww.ntu.edu.sg/admissions/undergraduate/important-links/important-dates
- NTU, Tuition fees for offers accepted in 2026www.ntu.edu.sg/admissions/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/accepted-programme-offer-in-2026
- MOH, Medical and dental undergraduate agreementhpp.moh.gov.sg/career-practice/medical-dental-undergraduate-agreement/
- MOHH, Medical careers (PGY1)www.mohh.com.sg/what-we-do/developing-healthcare-talent/clinical-careers/medicine/medical-careers
- Singapore Medical Council, Provisional registrationwww.smc.gov.sg/for-professionals/apply-for-registration/provisional-registration/
- Singapore Dental Council, Full registrationwww.sdc.gov.sg/for-professionals/apply-for-registration/for-dentist/full-registration/
- MOE, Tuition Grant bondwww.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/tuition-grant-scheme/bond-matters
- UNSW Medicine, International applicantswww.unsw.edu.au/medicine-health/study-with-us/undergraduate/international-applicants
- UNSW, Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicinewww.unsw.edu.au/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-medical-studies-doctor-of-medicine?studentType=International
- Monash, Direct entry MD: applications and feeswww.monash.edu/medicine/medical-school/direct-entry/international/applications-fees
- Monash, Direct entry MD: entry requirementswww.monash.edu/medicine/som/direct-entry/international/entry-requirements
- Monash, MD International Course Guide 2027 (PDF)www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/4262978/MD-International-Course-Guide-2027.pdf
- Monash, Medical Science and Medicine (M6011)www.monash.edu/study/courses/find-a-course/medical-science-and-medicine-direct-entry-m6011?international=true
- Sydney, Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicinewww.sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/uc/bachelor-of-science-and-doctor-of-medicine.html
- Sydney, International admission guide 2027 (PDF)www.sydney.edu.au/dam/corporate/documents/study/how-to-apply/international-admission-guide.pdf
- Sydney, MD international admissions guide (PDF)www.sydney.edu.au/content/dam/corporate/documents/faculty-of-medicine-and-health/md-dmd/md-international-admissions-guide.pdf
- Sydney, DMD international admissions guide (PDF)www.sydney.edu.au/content/dam/corporate/documents/faculty-of-medicine-and-health/md-dmd/dmd-international-admissions-guide.pdf
- UAC, Medicine key datesuac.edu.au/current-applicants/undergraduate-applications-and-offers/medicine-key-dates
- Adelaide University, Bachelor of Medical Studiesadelaide.edu.au/study/degrees/bachelor-of-medical-studies/
- Adelaide University, Doctor of Medicineadelaide.edu.au/study/degrees/doctor-of-medicine/
- Adelaide University, Bachelor of Dental Surgeryadelaide.edu.au/study/degrees/bachelor-of-dental-surgery/
- UQ, Provisional MD: how to applystudy.uq.edu.au/admissions/doctor-medicine/provisional-entry/how-to-apply
- UQ, Provisional MD: entry requirementsstudy.uq.edu.au/admissions/doctor-medicine/pathways-high-school-leavers/provisional-entry/entry-requirements
- UQ, Provisional MD: minimum entry scoresstudy.uq.edu.au/admissions/doctor-medicine/provisional-entry/entry-requirements/minimum-entry-scores-doctor-medicine-provisional-entry
- UQ, MD entry interviewsstudy.uq.edu.au/admissions/doctor-medicine/entry-interviews
- UQ, Doctor of Medicine (5740)study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/doctor-medicine-5740
- UQ, Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine (2578)study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/bachelor-medical-science-doctor-medicine-2578
- UQ, Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) (2367)study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/bachelor-dental-science-honours-2367
- UQ Medical School, International graduate outcomesmedical-school.uq.edu.au/international-graduate-outcomes
- UQ Medical School, International provisional-entry MD studentsmedical-school.uq.edu.au/current-students/doctor-medicine-students/doctor-medicine-provisional-entry-students/international-provisional-entry-md-students
- Melbourne, MD, DDS and other graduate courses: international admissions guide (PDF)mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/4859876/MD-DDS-DPT-OD_International-Admissions-Guide.pdf/_recache
- Melbourne, Pathways to become a dentiststudy.unimelb.edu.au/find/pathways/dentist/
- UKFPO, Prioritisation FAQsfoundationprogramme.nhs.uk/programmes/2-year-foundation-programme/ukfp/prioritisation-faqs-main/
- UKFPO, Prioritisation and right to workfoundationprogramme.nhs.uk/programmes/2-year-foundation-programme/ukfp/prioritisation-faqs-main/prioritisation-faqs-rtw/
- UKFPO, Prioritisation and allocationfoundationprogramme.nhs.uk/programmes/2-year-foundation-programme/ukfp/prioritisation-faqs-main/prioritisation-faqs-allocation/
- UKFPO, Eligibilityfoundationprogramme.nhs.uk/programmes/2-year-foundation-programme/ukfp/how-to-apply-on-oriel/eligibility/
- NHS England, Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act: information for applicantswww.england.nhs.uk/long-read/medical-training-prioritisation-bill-information-for-applicants-to-medical-training/
- GOV.UK, New bill to prioritise UK medical graduates (speech, January 2026)www.gov.uk/government/speeches/new-bill-to-prioritise-uk-medical-graduates-for-nhs-training
- NHS England, Dental Foundation Training eligibilitydental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-foundation-training/applicant-guide/eligibility
- NHS England, DFT person specification 2027dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-foundation-training/dental-foundation-training-dft-person-specification/dental-foundation-training-(dft)-person-specification-2027
- Dental Schools Council, Dental foundation trainingwww.dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk/careers/dental-foundation-training/
- Medical Board of Australia, Internswww.medicalboard.gov.au/registration/interns.aspx
- NSW Health, Priority list for 2027 intern recruitment (PDF)www.heti.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/984137/NSW-Health-Priority-List-for-2027-Intern-Recruitment-Campaign.pdf
- Queensland Health, Intern applicant groupswww.careers.health.qld.gov.au/medical-careers/medical-internships/applicant-groups
- PMCV, Intern match information 2026 (PDF)www.pmcv.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Intern-Match-Information-2026-1.pdf
- SA MET, Internship application and allocation guideline (PDF)samet.org.au/app/uploads/2026/02/SAMET-Centralised-Medical-Internship-Application-and-Allocation-Process-Guideline-V2.0.pdf
Checked on UCAT, university and government pages in October 2026.
Medicine starts with the grades
In the IB Pathway Diagnostic (90 minutes, S$500), we check the student's subject choices and grades against the medical schools they are aiming for, and plan the maths preparation for the predicted grade and the UCAT's Quantitative Reasoning.
This is an independent summary by Math with Alex of pages published by the UCAT Consortium, UCAT ANZ, UCAS, universities and government bodies. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them. Requirements, fees and dates change every year: check each school's current pages before applying.
All guides