The United Kingdom is one of the favourite destinations for international students to study medicine. It is home to most of the world’s best universities. International students learn with the best medical facilities and do not pay medical insurance which otherwise is a norm in other European medical universities.
The medical path you want take, whichever it is, getting to know the schools who offer those programs and the quality of learning they deliver matters. Below is a rundown of 10 best medical universities to study medicine in the UK.
10 Best Medical Universities in the UK
1. University of Oxford
This top-ranking university is home to the smartest minds. It is known for its high teaching standards. International students can expect to be taught by the best experts in the medical field. The University is also famous for producing a large number of students who are employed within the shortest period of six months of graduation.
There are two pathways for entering into the medical school of Oxford University. The first is the six years standard program which is suitable for high school graduates. The second pathway is called the graduate entry program which takes about four years to complete. It is suitable for science graduates who are looking to study medicine at the University of Oxford.
2. University of Cambridge
This reputable university is ranked 6 in the World universities rankings and 2nd in the UK. The University welcomes brilliant and talented international students from different parts of the world.
The University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine offers a six-year standard medical program and a four-year graduate entry/accelerated program for science graduates who wish to pursue a medical career. The first three years are meant for preclinical studies. Students can then enter the clinical pathway and decide to study for either the MB BChir three years Standard clinical course or MBPhD three years course which involves extensive laboratory research.
These pathways are designed for a medical practitioner (MB BChir) in the health sector or a medical researcher (MB Ph.D.) in any of the following areas: Neurological diseases, Intracellular infections, Organelle biology, Rare genetic diseases, Protein folding, and quality control, Membrane trafficking. International students can consider entering the medical program either through the 6-year standard pathway or graduate-entry pathways.
3. Imperial College London
This University has been ranked as one of the top five universities in clinical medicine and health by the World University rankings and UK Guardian University Guide rankings 2022. Their School of Medicine MBBS curriculum is top-notch as it involves both theoretical and clinical practice that will equip any international medical student to thrive in the health care sector. Their courses are taught by the world’s best experts who incorporate a comprehensive teaching and learning approach as well as adequate student support for students to be well-grounded in the medical field. Students are exposed to clinical training, research, and patient experience.
At the end of the program, successful students are awarded a joint BSc/MBBS degree. This primary medical qualification enables graduates to register with the General Medical Council, giving them a license to practice medicine in partner health organizations such as the NHS.
4. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is home to many international students from across the globe. This university was founded in 1583 and has the honor of producing 2 Nobel laureates of Physiology and Medicine.
The University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine ranked 2nd in 2021 among UK medical schools for incorporating Hospital-based Clinical subjects in their curriculum. The medical curriculum blends an innovative and practical approach for medical graduates to be outstanding and competent as doctors. The medical program involves research and theoretical study in preclinical years while clinical years involves clinical placements of students as assistant to doctor trainees in hospitals. This modern approach enables medical graduates to be fully prepared for a career in medicine.
5. University College London
UCL Medical School is renowned for its cutting-edge technology and advanced medical research. It had a student satisfaction rate of 79% in 2021 which showed the overall impact of studying and teaching on the student experience. The school has been awarded the ‘Commitment to Scholarship’ awards for its commitment to medical scholarships and education. The school partners with many hospitals to give clinical students the training they need to get a medical degree.
6. University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is a world-ranking university that has technologically advanced facilities and an innovative curriculum that transforms medical students into experts in the medical field. The university welcomes international students from all over the world to explore its quality of teaching and research in their College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences. Like most UK medical schools, the college of medical science admits students into a 6-year standard medical program or a four-year graduate entry program. Medical graduates from this university are highly sought after in the healthcare sector.
7. King’s College London
King’s College London has been ranked as the 15th best medical school in the world for clinical medicine. Its School of Medicine has the highest number of applications for medicine every year. It has a World University ranking of 11 among the top best universities. Two Nobel laureates with awards in Physiology and medicine are associated with this prestigious university.
Kings College London offers a five-year MBBS degree program or an optional six-year MBBS program where medical students would graduate with a joint BSc/MBBS degree. International students are welcome to explore their blended clinical teaching and patient-care experience.
8. Queen Mary University of London
This university is ranked 1st in London for medicine by the Complete University Guide. It has an overall student satisfaction rate of 86% when it comes to medical education. About 99% of medical graduates from this university are employed within 6 months of graduation. The medical school has technologically advanced medical facilities and a world-class library The university partners with the best teaching hospitals in the UK to train medical students during their clinical program and give them hands-on- experience in the area of patient care. The standard medical program is 5 years but students can also be admitted through the graduate-entry pathway which takes four years to complete.
9. University of Dundee
This university is ranked 1st for medicine in the UK according to the rankings of the Complete University Guide, 2021. It has an overall student satisfaction rate of 86% when it comes to medical education. About 99% of medical graduates from this university are employed within 6 months of graduation. The university incorporates extensive teaching and clinical experience. It partners with the best hospitals in the UK to give medical students hands-on experience in the medical field. International students can apply for its 5 years medical program and learn from world-renowned experts in the field of medicine.
10. University of Aberdeen
This university is one of the best and cheapest universities in the UK. It has an overall student satisfaction rate of 81% in 2021 according to the Complete University Guide, UK. The Guardian League table ranks the University of Aberdeen second in the UK for medicine. The university has modern facilities and advanced technology that students can learn clinical skills with. This five-year program at the University of Aberdeen involves preclinical and clinical studies in Scottish hospitals which will equip medical students with the relevant skills necessary for them to be grounded in the medical field.