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“It is important to me that medicine challenges me to think about what I am learning. I like that we get exposure to a hospital setting early on in the course as well as learning the different clinical skills that are involved. The University staff are amazing people - they are kind, helpful, friendly, and they care about you.”
- Penang, Malaysia
Entry requirements
Undergraduate applicants to the School of Medicine must meet a number of entry requirements, including both academic and non-academic conditions. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
We will not accept an application for both A100 and A10C in the same application cycle. You must choose which programme you wish to study at the point of applying.
Medicine entry requirements How students are selected
Alternative study options
Overseas applicants who are Canadian resident (or those who have Canadian residency rights) and who are classed as ‘overseas’ for fee purposes may be interested in exploring the BSc (Hons) A990 route.
Course details
The medical degree programme is six years long; students graduate with a BSc (Hons) Medicine from St Andrews and then progress to one of the University's partner medical schools in Scotland or England for the final three years to complete their MBChB or MBBS. Applicants who are ‘overseas’ for fee purposes will progress to the University of Manchester Medical School.
The School of Medicine at St Andrews offers an integrated curriculum within a strong clinical context. In addition to exploring the foundations of medical science, this course will help you develop the professional attitude, ethical understanding and decision-making skills required by the General Medical Council (GMC) and detailed in their Outcomes for Graduates and Promoting Excellence.
The curriculum addresses the following core principles:
- Competence – understanding of the scientific basis of medicine and an extensive anatomical and physiological understanding of the human body.
- Professionalism – development of clinical skills, personal values, interpersonal skills and ethical awareness.
- Reflection – monitoring self-awareness and decision-making through the completion of a portfolio.
- Independence – encouragement of self-directed learning and an ability to cope with uncertainty.
Clinical teaching is integrated with basic science learning throughout the course, teaching you to apply medical sciences to clinical problems.
Clinical skills teaching, including communication skills, takes place in simulated wards and other dedicated teaching spaces, supported by video technology. Clinical experience is also offered in the form of clinical placement with patient contact from first year onwards. Professionalism and patient safety are key components of the entire course.
Modules
To graduate in the BSc (Hons) Medicine after Year 3, you must take seven compulsory modules across three years.
More information about the Medicine modules currently on offer can be found in the module catalogue.
The modules listed below are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject.
In the first year of the course, the modules emphasise the interrelationships between the pre-clinical sciences. Additionally, you will be introduced to key themes which run throughout the whole programme (for example, ethics, public health, health psychology).
Foundations of Medicine 1: provides a general overview of the structure and functions of the body systems from the microscopic to the macroscopic level. It includes strands of microbiology, public health and health psychology. This module:
- reviews fundamental aspects of molecular and cellular medicine
- introduces medical ethics and communication skills relevant to medicine
- uses clinical problems to develop an understanding of the levels of consciousness and the assessment of health status
- includes an anatomical overview of the major body systems and the dissection of the back
- provides opportunities to speak to patients with chronic health problems in the Medical School environment
Foundations of Medicine 2: continues the introduction of fundamental topics, including the principles of disease mechanisms and therapy, and the development of communication skills. This module:
- provides an in-depth study of the musculo-skeletal system, including nerve and muscle physiology (you will study the anatomy of the upper and lower limbs through dissection and lecture)
- develops an understanding of the principles of disease mechanisms and therapy
- introduces particular topics in behavioural sciences (for example, stress, coping and pain)
- introduces concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacy
- reviews genetics and the effects of genes on development and disease
- includes a community-based clinical placement
- provides further opportunities for exposure to clinical problems relevant to the teaching
The Honours programme, which runs through both second and third year, focuses in detail upon the normal function and dysfunction of specific physiological systems.
The two modules in second year take an integrated approach to the scientific basis of medicine in Honours. They build upon the material delivered in first year and introduce new concepts.
- Medicine Honours 1: covers the structure and functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
- Medicine Honours 2: covers the renal, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems.
Both second year modules:
- introduce and build on normal form and function to explore disease mechanisms and therapy of disorders pertinent to the body systems covered
- explore the body systems through cadaveric dissection, including the integration with clinical imaging
- use relevant clinical problems and clinical skills to provide a clinical context to your studies
- integrate the ethical, moral and behavioural aspects relevant to body systems
- provide a series of community attachments in primary health care settings.
In third year, the first semester focuses on complex integrative physiological systems (central nervous system and endocrine organs). Semester 2 comprises of two modules, one focusing on a significant student-selected research project, and the other focusing on applying medicine and developing clinical skills.
Medicine Honours 3: revisits foundation knowledge and progresses to more complex systems. This module:
- provides in-depth coverage of normal structure and function of the central nervous system and endocrine systems
- introduces diseases and possible therapies pertinent to these important control systems
- presents case studies associated with the central nervous system and endocrine systems to highlight appropriate clinical skills for the identification of neurological and endocrinological disorders
- utilises cadaveric dissection, including covering aspects of radiology
- integrates ethical issues and behavioural science with clinical medicine
- provides hospital (secondary care) clinical attachments
Medicine Honours 4 (Student-selected component): you will undertake a research project in an area of interest at an advanced level. Research projects will provide the opportunity to:
- develop critical appraisal skills
- develop an understanding of scientific methods
- gain competency in using literature-searching methods
- develop an inquisitive and questioning attitude and ability to apply rational thought processes
- prepare a scientific research dissertation, demonstrating critical thinking and analysis
- give an oral presentation on the research findings
- develop reflective practice using a portfolio entry for a significant learning event
Medicine Honours 5 (Clinical Reasoning): consolidates knowledge gained throughout the course and introduces new advanced skills to stimulate clinical development. This course is taught primarily by clinicians (including Honorary staff), and case studies will be used extensively to direct student learning. This module:
- reviews clinical anatomy in preparation for later clinical training
- provides the opportunity to significantly advance clinical consultation skills, including examination and communication
- provides an opportunity for multi-disciplinary team working through a ward-simulation scenario involving other health professionals
- develops the ability to consider differential diagnoses effectively and practice enhanced clinical reasoning
Teaching
Modules are taught through a combination of:
- lectures
- laboratory-based practicals
- small group tutorials
- clinical placements
- audio-visual capture system for training and feedback on clinical skills
- computer-based resources
- research projects
In third year, students participate in a ward simulation exercise in the School of Medicine’s clinical skills suite. As an interprofessional learning activity, this provides students with the opportunity to explore the skills required to work as part of a team and to develop their understanding of some of the roles and responsibilities of the healthcare team within a hospital ward environment.
First, second and third year level modules are assessed by:
- written examinations (multiple choice and short written answers)
- anatomy practical examinations
- observed structured clinical examinations
In third year, students will also complete a dissertation in an area of interest.
Students must pass all of their modules each year to progress to the subsequent year. The award of BSc (Hons) Medicine degree requires students to possess a comprehensive knowledge of basic medical science and its clinical application. Students must achieve the award of BSc (Hons) Medicine from the University of St Andrews to progress to one of the University's partner medical schools to complete their MBChB or MBBS.
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements.
To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.
The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Fees
Scotland
£1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Tuition fees have yet to be set.
Channel Islands, Isle of Man
Tuition fees have yet to be set.
EU and overseas
£37,730
Accommodation fees
Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to students each year.
England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man
Following the decision of the UK Government to raise undergraduate tuition fees and maintenance loans in line with inflation from April 2025, we are reviewing the consequences of that decision for fees payable by students from the Rest of the UK who have chosen to study in Scotland, and will update the information on this page as soon as possible.
Careers
Graduates from the six-year Medicine degree have career prospects in practical, clinical, policy and academic positions, particularly within the NHS or Public Health Services.
There is a wide range of career opportunities for doctors with more than 60 different specialties available. For more information, please see NHS medical careers.
Find out what happens after graduation.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 1334 463599
- medicine@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Medicine
Admissions
University of St Andrews
St Katharine’s West
16 The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9AX