Application Process

All candidates, both home and overseas and including mature and graduate applicants, must apply via UCAS.

The closing date for applications for Medicine is on the 15th October (unless the 15th falls at the weekend).  In 2024, this will be Tuesday 15 October.  Applications received after 15 October will not be considered for admission to medicine at Aberdeen.

Schools, which send on UCAS forms on behalf of their students, are aware of this deadline, and expect students to conform to their time schedule for completion of the forms. However graduate and mature applicants should allow their referee plenty of time for completion of the reference, to avoid the risk of delay.

The UCAS application should be carefully completed following the online guidance. In particular:

• Candidates can use 4 out of their 5 choices for medical programmes. UCAS will return applications to candidates who have made more than four choices for medicine.
• UCAS course code Aberdeen pathway is A100
• UCAS code for Aberdeen is A20.

Of those who are invited for interview, offers will be made to candidates who achieve the highest total scores, based upon their application and interview performance.

Offers are made when the interview cycle is complete; by the end of March. We will then notify UCAS of each decision, albeit successful or unsuccessful. Candidates should keep up to date with the progress of their application by logging into UCAS Track using their usernames and passwords.

Should the application be successful, the candidate will be made one of the following offers:

• An Unconditional Offer: This means the candidate has met all the entrance requirements for Aberdeen.
• A Conditional Offer: Specific conditions must be met prior to starting the course. These are usually stated as academic grades in exams to be taken during the current year of study.

Candidates should then decide upon which university they wish to make as their Firm choice, and if appropriate, which university they should make as their Insurance choice. This decision does not need to be made until the applicant has heard from all their chosen universities. Please refer to the UCAS website for further details.

In Aberdeen, we do not offer places for Medicine through Clearing. Should we find that we need to make further offers later in the admissions cycle, we make contact with candidates who have we have already informed are on our waiting list. 

Most of the applications we receive are very good. However, we do have the very difficult task of selecting only a small number of entrants out of the thousands of applications we receive each year. 

Applicants should understand that the Admissions procedure at Aberdeen involves the detailed assessment and scoring of a range of aspects of an application, including academic attainment/predictions; UCAT; the UCAS written application; then subsequent interview performance.

The final score that is generated is the total of all those achieved and determines whether an offer can be made.

Each year, we calculate the maximum number of offers that must be made to achieve our year group number. Applications are ranked against all the others received for that year's entry and those whose total objective scores are above the required threshold achieve an interview, then possibly an offer. 

Feedback Process

As a mark of respect for the very high quality of applications and commitment of applicants to securing a place for Medicine, the Medical School has a commitment to offering very comprehensive feedback to its unsuccessful applicants.

The process to request feedback is:

• end of March your decision will be communicated via the UCAS website
• mid April to the end of May applicants may request further feedback. All requests should be emailed to medadm@abdn.ac.uk 

Please quote your UCAS Personal ID number on all correspondence with the medical admissions department.

For medicine, the admissions procedure at Aberdeen involves the detailed assessment and scoring of a range of aspects of an application, including academic attainment/predictions (30%), UCAT (20%), and then subsequent interview performance (50%). 

For dentistry, if you have been invited to an interview, offer decisions are based on your interview performance only.

Applications are ranked against all the others received for that year's entry and those who score sufficiently well achieve an interview. 

Interviews are conducted between December and March using a modified Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. 

Interview format for 2024 entry:

• MSc Physican Associate Studies - in person, Suttie Centre, Foresterhill - wc 7th October 2024
• Dentistry (BDS) - in person, Dental School, Foresterhill - wc 2nd December 2024
• Medicine (MBChB) - in person, Suttie Centre, Foresterhill - starting wc 16 December 2024
• Gateway2Medicine - in person, Suttie Centre, Foresterhill - TBC April 2025

What is an MMI?

Candidates rotate around a number of different question stations each in turn. At each station, two selector will explore one question area/domain for 5 minutes and score the candidate's performance against pre-determined criteria. Communication and interpersonal skills are also scored at each station. The MMI experience will last approximately 1 hour for each candidate.

Invitation to Interview

Candidates will be invited for interview by email and provided with details allowing them to book the most convenient slot available. Emails will be ent to the email address detailed on the UCAS form, and it is the responsibility of candidates to check their spam folders regularly during this time period.  Alternative interview slots will not be arranged for missed emails.

Should candidates have any specific requirements in relation to the MMI please let us know at the time of confirming your intention to attend. If you have an unexpected additional requirement (e.g. following an injury) then please let us know as soon as possible. If specific requirements are agreed but there is insufficient time to institute appropriate requirements prior to the MMI then the interview may be rescheduled. Please note that there will be no additional dates available to the dates that are published therefore, candidates should make every effort to attend on the allocated time as we cannot guarantee that we will be able to reschedule.

For those who are having online interviews advice on preparing for online interviews can be found at the Medical Schools Council website.

Preparing for Interview

You may find the following information useful to help you understand what selectors look for in a good candidate and how you might prepare for interview.  For more information on the process of the day, please visit here.

What types of questions will be asked?

The number of stations depends on the course. Details of the numbers and interview domains can be found here - https://www.abdn.ac.uk/smmsn/undergraduate/medicine/coming-to-interview.php

Many example questions that will be covered in the MMI stations are available in the public domain. Candidates may find it a useful exercise to practice with some questions and it is vital to consider your own responses that are based upon your own thoughts and experiences, rather than quoting existing text and the opinion of others. Remember we want to see you, who you are and the type of doctor you want to and will be.

There are many ways that selectors may explore the domains that form part of an MMI.

Candidates may be asked to:

• Discuss their preparation for entry to medicine/G2M/dentistry e.g.
  • Research into undergraduate curricula and postgraduate training
  • Research then understanding of the implications of a medical/dental career
  • Experience of caring or other environments
• Consider a new situation and discuss their thoughts or suggest a solution to solve a problem
• Outline any learning points from previous experiences
• Reflect upon their own and others' skills and abilities
• Consider their potential contribution to the care of others

Candidates should be aware that we don’t just assess you answers but also your approach and ability to reflect upon and discuss diverse aspects of the problem may be under scrutiny.

Given that the pre-interview scoring system selects candidates who appear to have sufficient academic potential, the interview is not intended to

• Test academic knowledge

Are all candidates asked the same questions?

All candidates will be tested on the same domains. However, the actual questions candidates are not necessarily exactly the same questions.

How will answers be scored?

The student will be scored in several areas these include:

• Ability to express ideas freely and coherently
• How well they use their existing knowledge to formulate answers to unknown areas
• Their ability to follow a reasoned argument and to formulate an opinion
• The degree to which they are prepared for questions
• Their ability to discuss different aspects (advantages & disadvantages) of a problem / situation
• The degree of motivation, commitment, reflection and sensitivity demonstrated

Each station will also independently score communication and interpersonal skills.

How can candidates ensure that they answer questions well?

The more research undertaken into a healthcare career using many resources, the better the student will be prepared to answer questions confidently and to interpret the unexpected.

Be prepared to talk about yourself, your experiences and examples where you have demonstrated your abilities.

Undertaking interview practice with different 'interviewers' will help build confidence in their ability to perform in unfamiliar circumstances, as will frequently practising answering different interview questions.

MMI Examples

Below we have provided you with an example of what you might expect to find at a station and one candidate’s answers.   

The candidate will be asked 2 questions about teamwork within the 5 minute station.

Before your interview

If you require any reasonable adjustments, you must complete the form (link in confirmation emails) at least 5 days before your interivew. Retrospective applications for adjustments will not be considered.

In your final email reminder that you will receive a few days before your interview.  Please complete the consent and declaration of fitness form via the link provided in your email.  It is important that you do this.

The Interview

The interview is a serious part of the decision-making process, so candidates should give careful consideration about what they wear, and their general appearance, given the professional nature of the career they hope to embark upon.  

Please be aware that by taking part in the Multiple Mini-Interview you are declaring yourself fit, well and able to undertake the interview.  If you are unwell on the day of the interview, or any unforeseen events occur, please let us know and we will do our best to reschedule where possible.

Medicine, G2M and PA:  You should report to the Suttie Centre, Foresterhill Health Campus, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD
Dentistry & Dental Tech:  You should report to the Dental School & Hospital, Cornhill Road, AB25 2ZR

Station Domains

As there will be no reading required during your interviews.   In order to help you prepare appropriately, the topics/domains you will be questioned on are:

BDS - 7 station MMI

1. Knowledge of the course
2. Professionalism & Ethics
3. Manual Dexterity
4. Personal Statement
5. Communication Skills
6. Article Comprehension (Please check your emails 48 hours before your interview to access)
7. Problem Solving

G2M

1. Motivation
2. Professionalism / Core Qualities
3. Teamwork

MBChB 

1. Motivation to study medicine
2. Core Qualities
3. Critical thinking & problem solving
4. Team work
5. Professionalism
6. New station (pilot) 

MSc Physican Associate

1. Motivation to study
2. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
3. Core Qualities
4. Team Work
5. Personal Statement
6. Video Comprehension 

Research

The School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition is actively involved in research about our admission processes and the performance of our students. When you are invited to interview, you will be asked to sign a consent form allowing your UCAS, MMI and UCAT data to be used for educational research purposes in conjunction with any future medical school performance data. This is on the understanding that your data will not be reported individually nor your identity disclosed. You are free to decline this if you wish without the need to provide a reason.

On the day of your interview

You will need to bring the following items with you on the day of interview:

• Photographic ID

Please remember to complete the consent and declaration of fitness form via the link provided to you in your final reminder email.

Travelling to Aberdeen

All of our interviews for medicine and dentistry will be conducted on the Foresterhill Campus.  For Medicine, in the Suttie Centre (no 13 on the map) and for Dentistry in the Dental School (no 7 on the map). Download a map of the Foresterhill Campus.  

By Air

Aberdeen's international airport is served by a number of major carriers, providing an extensive network of routes throughout the UK, direct to Europe and worldwide through major hubs. British and Irish destinations include three London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton - just over an hour's flight time at fares from £50 return), Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Durham Tees Valley, Exeter, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, East Midlands, Southampton, as well as the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Other destinations include Amsterdam, Bergen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Faro Islands, Oslo, Paris, Stavanger and Tenerife. There is a frequent bus link to the city centre, and taxis from the airport to the University cost around £15.

Aberdeen Airport

By Coach

First-class roads south to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and onwards, carry fast coach services linking Aberdeen with the UK's major cities. Competitive return fares, using Travelcard schemes, make coach travel popular with students. 

By Train

Rail services connect Aberdeen both north and south. There are regular direct trains to London, and services from Edinburgh and Glasgow link with other mainline routes. Inverness, the scenic West Coast and Highlands are reached northwards.

• National Rail Enquiries - Aberdeen Station

By Car

Entering the city from the south or west, follow signs for the A90 (Fraserburgh and Peterhead). This leads round the ring road (Anderson Drive). Exiting right (A9011) onto Ashgrove Road West, continue beyond the junction with Foresterhill Road, then turn right on to Cornhill Road when the bus turning area is close to the Medical School.

From the north, Foresterhill is approached via the A96 (from Dyce and Inverness) and the A90 (from Peterhead) and thence to the A90 (North) Anderson Drive.

Suttie Centre Postcode:  AB25 2ZD
Dental School Postcode:  AB25 2ZR
GPS: Lat: 57:09:23N (57.15634), Lon: 2:08:05W (-2.1346)
Grid Ref: NJ919072

Car parking at the Foresterhill Campus is extremely limited and applicants are therefore encouraged to use an alternative means of transport.  If travelling by car, you should plan to park off site.  Metered parking is available in the surrounding area. 

By Local Bus

City Centre to Foresterhill Campus

From the city centre, the number 5/5A, from Union Street (just east of Back Wynd) will take you to Cornhill Road at Foresterhill, using the First Aberdeen ‘Lime Green route’. Alternatively, the 3/3A or Stagecoach number 59 will take you to the main entrance of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Foresterhill Road.

•  First Aberdeen Tickets web page.

Details of Aberdeen taxi companies can be found at http://www.aberdeentaxinumbers.co.uk/

Travel from Belfast

Previous travellers have found that the following options are useful:

• By Air / Rail:      Fly Belfast « Edinburgh, then by rail to Aberdeen (journey possible in one day)
• By Ferry / Rail:  Ferry Belfast « Glasgow, then by rail to Aberdeen (usually requires overnight stay)

Overnight Accommodation

 For information on hotel accommodation in Aberdeen see:  Aberdeen & Grampian Tourist Board, 23 Union Street, Aberdeen, 

• Tel: 01224 288828

• Email:   aberdeen.information@visitscotland.com 

• Web:    http://www.aberdeen-grampian.com/

The University of Aberdeen has an equal opportunities policy to which the medical school adheres. An applicant's race, ethnicity, gender, marital or parental status, educational or social background will have no influence on how their application is assessed.

The University of Aberdeen believes a diverse student population is important from an educational and social perspective; enhancing the educational experience for all.

We welcome applications from students with disabilities and health conditions (both physical and mental). A disability or a health condition need not be a bar to becoming a doctor if the student can meet the outcomes set out in Outcomes for Graduates (Tomorrows Doctors) 2015. However, it is important that disabilities and health conditions are declared so that any reasonable adjustments required during the application process and during the course are put in place.

Note that dyslexia falls into the disability category as mistakes in prescribing can have serious results if dyslexia is not declared and if protective measures are not in place. Independent assessment of dyslexia is therefore important. 

The application for admission provides applicants with the opportunity to disclose a disability and the University of Aberdeen encourages early disclosure. Early disclosure enables the University to work with you to ensure that appropriate support systems are in place during the admissions process and during your studies.

The University’s Disability Advisers are the main point of contact for discussing any requirements you may have. They are based in the Students’ Union Building (Top Floor), Elphinstone Road, in the Student Advice and Support Office, Student Support Services. If you think it would be helpful, you are welcome to contact a Disability Adviser for a confidential discussion on your application. More information can be found on our web pages at www.abdn.ac.uk/disability or by email: student.disability@abdn.ac.uk 

consideration of individual cases is only possible by referral to Occupational Health for a full assessment. This is undertaken separately from the selection process and only once a provisional offer of admission has been made and accepted.

In exceptional circumstances, admission to medical school may be refused and a provisional offer withdrawn on grounds of fitness to practise. The General Medical Council has made recommendations (Gateways to the professions and Supporting medical students with mental health conditions) concerning Student Health and Conduct. Medical Schools should not admit students who would not be able to meet the outcomes set out in Outcomes for Graduates (Tomorrow’s Doctors), even with reasonable adjustments in place.

All applicants to Medicine must declare criminal offences on the UCAS form. Any declaration will be further explored and further details will be required.

All entrants to medical schools in the UK are required to undergo a PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) check. Applicants who accept an offer of admission to Medicine in Aberdeen will be contacted prior to the start of term and guided through the process of application through Disclosure Scotland for this criminal records check. Non-UK domiciled entrants will be required to supply the university with equivalent certification from their home government. This documentation must be received as soon as possible to allow consideration of the individual circumstances by the University prior to the commencement of studies. 

Not all convictions will result in being barred from the profession. Should potential applicants have uncertainty about a declaration, the Admissions Office will be able to offer advice about a future application for Medicine to Aberdeen

Applicants with serious criminal convictions may be refused entry on grounds of fitness to practise. Failure to declare information, which directly relates to your Fitness to Practise will result in the termination of your medical school course.

All applicants are judged on their merits and in particular, their potential benefit to the medical profession.

There is no fixed upper age limit. Mature applicants must have completed and achieved our minimum academic requirements within six years of their proposed entry to the MBChB programme.

All applicants are expected to have completed a normal programme of school studies. Scottish applicants are encouraged to participate and experience S6, even if the minimum entry requirements have been achieved at the end of S5.

We do not allow transfer into the programme to students who have commenced other degree courses, nor can the School consider applicants who have commenced an alternate degree course with the intention of making an application whilst they are an undergraduate student of that course.

We are well aware of the difficulties faced by students who, for various reasons, do not wish to complete their course of studies and would prefer to enter the programme. While sympathy is felt for the plight of such students, we are inundated with requests for transfer.

Our usual advice in these circumstances is to complete the current degree to at least 2:1 Honours level and then apply as a graduate.

For further information on how widening access will be addressed in the admissions cycle, please click here to read our policy.