We have 19 Overseas places available at Aberdeen. Applications will be considered if candidates have achieved, or are predicted to achieve our minimum academic requirements. All examination results must be obtained at the first sitting of each subject. Medical Councils around the world may have different requirements to practice medicine. Please check with regards to what these may be.
Advice for Completion of UCAS Form
Applications will not be considered unless all areas of the UCAS form have been completed including:
- The names of schools, colleges and universities attended
- All secondary school qualifications completed, giving names of qualifications and grades achieved
- Qualifications not yet completed giving names of qualifications
- Predicted grades: The referee must include predicted grades of all individual qualifications not yet taken
- The Personal Statement: This must be written by the applicant and no areas should be copied from any other source
- The Reference: Information must be supplied on the UCAS form - we will not send for a reference following receipt of the UCAS form. Applicants must not alter the reference in any way
- All applicants for medicine must take the UCAT prior to application. Please see https://www.ucat.ac.uk/
English Language Requirements
Candidates whose first language is not English, must ensure they meet our requirements. Please visit our website for more information, noting the requirements for the MBChB programme.
Typical Offer for Overseas Applicants
- A typical offer will be Conditional upon achieving the minimum requirements for GCE / SQA / IB / EB applicants or a minimum of the predicted grades below.
- There may be an English requirement also.
Acceptable qualifications for Overseas applicants
Applications to the Medical degree course are very often made on the basis of GCE A-Level, Scottish Higher, International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate qualifications.
If in doubt about the acceptability of other qualifications, please click on the links below for information or contact the Medical Undergraduate Admissions Office before completing your UCAS form.
Important note for all applicants whose examination results are not available at the time of application:
- PREDICTED GRADES FOR ALL CANDIDATES MUST BE INCLUDED ON THE UCAS APPLICATION FORM.
Please click on the country below for information about required qualifications:
Africa
Please click on the links below for information about individual qualifications:
| Angola | Egypt | Ghana | Kenya |
| Namibia | Nigeria | South Africa | Other African Countries |
Angola: Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Habilitação Literárias)
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Egypt: Egyptian General Secondary School Certificate
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Ghana: West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC)
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Namibia: Higher International General Certificate of Secondary Education (HIGCSE)
AAAAA required including Chemistry plus two of Physics, Maths or Biology plus two other subjects excluding English. Qualifications on their own cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable additional/alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Nigeria: WAEC Senior School Certificate
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
South Africa: South African Senior Certificate (SA NSC)
NSC/IEB - 7 subjects required to include grades 7777 in Maths, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and one other subject.
Plus grades 666 in the other 3 subjects to include English
Other African Countries
Please contact Medical Admissions Office directly at: medadm@abdn.ac.ukfor information about other qualifications
America – North America
Please click on the links below for information about individual qualifications:
| Canada | USA | USA - AP |
Canada: High School Certificate
To be considered: Achieve / be predicted to achieve average grades of minimum 80% over 6 subjects in Grade 12.Due to the individual State qualifications, potential applicants from Canada should contact the Medical Admissions Office for information prior to submission of an application.
USA: High School Certificate / SAT achievements
To be considered: Achieve /be predicted to achieve a minimum High School GPA of 3.5.
- Minimum of B grades in Mathematics and Science classes
- SAT I:
- Scores of minimum 700 in each part plus
- SAT II:
- Scores of minimum 700 in each part
- Chemistry is required
- One subject out of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
- One further subject.
- High School Diploma must be obtained prior to entry.
USA: High School Certificate / AP achievements
To be considered: Achieve /be predicted to achieve a minimum High School GPA of 3.5.
- Minimum of B grades in Mathematics and Science classes.
- SAT I:
- Scores of minimum 700 in each part plus
- AP:
- Three AP Tests to achieve 5, 5, 4
- Chemistry is required
- One subject out of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
- High School Diploma must be obtained prior to entry.
America - Latin and South America
Please click on the links below for information about individual qualifications:
| Caribbean | Columbia | Venezuela | Other South American Countries |
Caribbean: Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
To be considered: Achieve /be predicted to achieve three two-course units at Grades 1, 1, 2.
- Chemistry is required.
- One subject from Biology, Mathematics and Physics is required.
Columbia: Columbian ICFES university entrance examination
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Venezuela: Bachillerato
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Other South American Countries
Please contact Medical Admissions Office directly at: medadm@abdn.ac.ukfor information about other qualifications
Asia – North Asia
Please click on the links below for information about individual qualifications:
| China | Hong Kong | South Korea | |||
| Taiwan | Other North Asian Countries | ||||
China: Chinese University / College Entrance Examination (Gao Kao)
To be considered: Achieve /be predicted to achieve a minimum total score of 650 in 5 subjects:
- Chemistry is required at minimum 135.
- Two subjects out of Biology, Physics or Mathematics each at minimum 135.
- Two other subjects.
Hong Kong: A-Levels
Directly equivalent to UK A-Levels. To be considered: Achieve /be predicted to achieve grades of AAA.
- Chemistry is required
- One subject out of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
- One other subject
Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education (HKDSE)
- Pass all four core subjects including:
- English to level 3 or better
- Maths to level 4 or better (including minimium of 4 in both Compulsory and Extended parts)
- Undertake 3 elective subjects
- Chemistry compulsory to level 5
- 2 further subjects out of Biology (level 5), Physics (level 5) or Maths (to include complulsory part to 5* and extended part to 5)
South Korea: High School Diploma from Specialised High Schools
To be considered: Minimum of ‘soo’ required in 5 subjects to include Chemistry plus two from Biology, Maths and Physics. Qualifications on their own cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable additional/alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Taiwan: Taiwan Senior High School Leaving Certificate
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Other North Asian Countries
Please contact Medical Admissions Office directly at: medadm@abdn.ac.ukfor information about other qualifications
Asia – South Asia
Please click on the links below for information about individual qualifications:
| Bangladesh | India | Nepal | |||
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka | ||||
Bangladesh: Secondary School Certificate (SSC)
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
India: India Higher Secondary Certificate (CBSE/Standard 12)
To be considered: Minimum of 85% or above at first sitting AND 85% or above in a minimum of three subjects (including Chemistry and at least one of Maths, Biology or Physics).
Nepal: Nepal Higher Secondary Certificate
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Pakistan: Higher Secondary School Certificate, Pre-Medical or Pre-Engineering streams
To be considered: HSSC minimum of 80% required in 5 subjects to include Chemistry plus two from Biology, Maths and Physics. Qualifications on their own at Higher level with matriculation endorsement cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable additional/alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan A-Levels
Students who wish to work in Sri Lanka:
- Prospective medical students must possess the mandatory educational entry qualifications stipulated by the SLMC and obtain an Eligibility Certificate.
- To be registered by the SLMC, the Sri Lankan Parliment require students to have passed the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination of Sri Lanka or an equivalent examination, in the subjects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics in one sitting. Please visit the SLMC website for more information.
- The University of Aberdeen MBChB is recognised by the SLMC
To be considered: Achieve / be predicted to achieve: Grades of AAA:
- Chemistry is required
- One subject out of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
- One other subject
Asia - South East Asia
Please click on the links below for information about individual qualifications:
| Brunei | Indonesia | Malaysia | |||
| Singapore | Thailand | ||||
Brunei: Brunei/Cambridge GCE A-levels
Directly equivalent to UK A-Levels. To be considered: Achieve / be predicted to achieve grades of AAA:
- Chemistry is required
- One subject out of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
- One other subject, excluding General paper
Indonesia: Certificate of Completion of Academic Secondary School (STTB – SMA)
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Malaysia: STPM
Directly equivalent to UK A-Levels. To be considered: Achieve / be predicted to achieve grades of AAA:
- Chemistry is required
- One subject out of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
- One other subject
Singapore: Singapore/Cambridge GCE A-Levels
Directly equivalent to UK A-Levels. To be considered: Achieve / be predicted to achieve grades of AAA:
- Chemistry is required
- One subject out of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
- One other subject
Thailand: Maw 6 with a score of 50% and above
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Russia
Russia Federation: Attestat – Certificate of Secondary Education at Grade 11
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Middle East
Please click on the links below for information about individual qualifications:
| Kuwait | Iraq | Jordan |
| Qatar | Saudi Arabia | United Arab Emirates |
Kuwait: Kuwaiti General Secondary School Certificate
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Iraq: Iraqi Certificate of Preparatory Education / Sixth Form Baccalauréat
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Jordan: Certificate of General Secondary Education
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Qatar: Qatar General Secondary Education Certificate
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Saudi Arabia: Saudi General Secondary Education Certificate (GSEC)
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
United Arab Emirates: UAE Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Tawjihiyya)
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Other Countries
Please click on the links below for information about individual qualifications:
| Australia | New Zealand | Norway | Ukraine | Other Countries |
Australia
Due to the individual State qualifications, potential applicants from Australia should contact the Medical Admissions Office for information prior to submission of an application.
New Zealand: National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 3
To be considered: Achieve /be predicted to achieve Certificate taken at Level 3, with grades of E, E and M:
- Chemistry is required
- Two subjects out of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
- English to Level 2 is also required
Norway
To be considered: Achieve /be predicted to achieve six subjects at Grade 5 in Specialisation Subjects + Average of Grade 5 in common core subjects.
- Chemistry is required
- One of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
Norwegian applicants are regarded as overseas students, unlike applicants from EU countries.
Ukraine
Qualifications cannot be considered for Medicine. Suitable alternative qualifications would be:
- GCE A-Level
- Scottish Higher
- International Baccalaureate
Other Countries
Please contact Medical Admissions Office directly at: medadm@abdn.ac.ukfor information about other qualifications.
European Baccalaureate
European Baccalaureate
To be considered: Achieve / be predicted to achieve a minimum grade of 80% overall:
- Chemistry is required at 80% or more
- Mathematics plus either Physics or Biology at 80% or more
International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate
To be considered:
Achieve /be predicted to achieve 3 subjects at Higher Level (HL) at Grade 6 or better:
- Chemistry is required
- One of Maths/ Biology/Physics
- One other subject
plus 3 other subjects (including one science if 3 not offered at HL) at Standard Level at an average of Grade 6:
- IB must offer Chemistry plus one further science at HL and one further science at SL
- We will accept SL and HL grades for both the ‘Analysis and approaches’ and ‘applications and interpretation’ pathways to meet our entry requirements.
Note: At least 36 points to be achieved overall (not including core).