Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia runs the five-year MBBS (A100) with an annual intake of around 180 students, taught alongside the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
UEA is a genuinely attractive option for applicants with strong GCSEs and a mid-range UCAT: it has historically lower UCAT thresholds than most UK medical schools, and it requires only Biology OR Chemistry at A-level rather than both. The one hard gate to know is the SJT — Band 4 is an automatic rejection.
| UCATScore expertise — UEA Medicine Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team and verified against University of East Anglia (Norwich Medical School)’s official admissions guidance and the Medical Schools Council for 2026/2027 entry. |
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements at a Glance (2026/2027)
| Course | MBBS Medicine (A100), 5 years — Norwich Medical School |
| Annual intake | ~180 students |
| Standard A-level offer | AAA including Biology OR Chemistry (only one required) |
| Third subject | Any subject except General Studies or Critical Thinking |
| GCSEs | Six GCSEs at grade 7/A or above including Mathematics and either two sciences or Double Science; English Language at grade 5/B |
| International Baccalaureate | 34–36 points with 6 in HL Biology or Chemistry plus further HL subjects at 6 |
| Admissions test | UCAT — historically LOWER thresholds than most UK medical schools |
| SJT | Band 4 = AUTOMATIC REJECTION; Bands 1–3 acceptable (and the SJT feeds the interview component score) |
| Science practicals | Pass required in the practical element of science A-levels |
| Resits | Resit applicants expected to achieve at least one A* in the retaken subject |
| Work experience | At interview you must provide TWO examples of relevant work experience that informed your decision |
| UEA Medicine Interview | MMI |
| Gateway Year | Available — six GCSEs at grade 5/B; applicants must be 18+ by 31 December |
| UEA Graduate Entry Medicine route | Minimum 2:1 in any subject, plus the standard A-level and GCSE requirements |
| Intercalated BSc | Offered |
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements: How UEA Selects Medicine Applicants
UEA uses the UCAT as part of a holistic selection process, considering your score alongside academic achievement rather than applying a single published cut-off. In practice, UEA’s thresholds have historically sat lower than most UK medical schools, which makes it one of the more realistic Russell Group-adjacent options for a solid-but-not-exceptional test score.
The SJT is a genuine gate: Band 4 is an automatic rejection, regardless of how strong your cognitive UCAT score is. Bands 1–3 are all acceptable, and higher bands strengthen your application because the SJT is included in the interview component score.
UEA’s A-level requirement is more forgiving than many: you need AAA including Biology OR Chemistry — only one of the two sciences is required, where schools like Leeds, KCL and Imperial demand both.
The GCSE bar is comparatively high, though: six GCSEs at grade 7/A or above including Mathematics and two sciences (or Double Science), with English Language at grade 5/B. So UEA suits applicants with a strong GCSE profile and a mid-range UCAT.
UEA Medicine A-Level Requirements
UEA requires only one of the two core sciences — a notable flexibility:
- Standard offer: AAA, which must include Biology OR Chemistry (only one is required)
- Third subject: any subject except General Studies or Critical Thinking
- Science A-levels must include a pass in the practical element
- Resit applicants are expected to achieve at least one A* in the retaken subject to demonstrate improved academic performance
- This single-science requirement makes UEA more accessible than schools requiring both Biology and Chemistry
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
UEA Medicine GCSE Requirements
UEA’s GCSE bar is comparatively high and precisely specified:
- Six GCSEs at grade 7/A or above, including Mathematics and either two science subjects or Double Science (Triple, Additional and Further Science also accepted)
- GCSE English Language at grade 5/B is required
- Some published guidance states grade 7/A minimums in English Language, Mathematics, Biology (or Double Science) and Chemistry (or Double Science), with at least seven GCSEs at grade 6/B including those — confirm the exact current wording on UEA’s course page
- National 5s are accepted in lieu of GCSEs: minimum six subjects at grade A including Mathematics and two sciences, and grade B in English Language
- IB Middle Years accepted in lieu of GCSEs with minimum six passes at grade 6, including Mathematics and Science, and English Language at grade 5
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements: Other Accepted Qualifications & What UEA Doesn’t Accept
| Qualification | Requirement |
| International Baccalaureate | 34–36 points overall with grade 6 in Higher Level Biology or Chemistry, plus further Higher Level subjects at grade 6. Confirm the exact current total on UEA’s course page. |
| Scottish qualifications | UEA does not make offers on Scottish Highers alone — the requirement is at Advanced Higher level. Applicants are expected to be studying a minimum of three subjects in S6. National 5s accepted in lieu of GCSEs. |
| Gateway Year | Six GCSEs at grade 5/B including English Language, Mathematics and either a single science or Double Science. Applicants must be aged 18 or over by 31 December due to integrated placements. Contextual offers apply. |
| UEA Graduate Entry Medicine route | Minimum 2:1 honours degree in any subject, plus the standard A-level requirements (AAA including Biology or Chemistry), the GCSE requirements, and the UCAT. |
| Access to HE | Confirm acceptance and the required credit profile directly with UEA. |
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements: Graduate & Mature Applicants
Graduates apply to UEA’s standard five-year A100 and must hold a minimum 2:1 honours degree in any subject.
Crucially, your degree does not replace the school-level requirements: graduates must still meet the standard A-level requirements (AAA including Biology or Chemistry) and the GCSE requirements, and sit the UCAT.
UEA also runs a separate four-year Graduate Entry Medicine (A104) programme, which is primarily GAMSAT-based (with a UCAT route for recent biomedical graduates) — a different route with different rules. If you are a graduate, compare both carefully.
The Gateway Year requires applicants to be aged 18 or over by 31 December because of integrated placements.
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements: Contextual Offers & the Gateway Year
UEA runs a Gateway Year route for applicants from widening-participation backgrounds, with a substantially lower GCSE threshold: six GCSEs at grade 5/B including English Language, Mathematics and either a single science or Double Science.
Contextual offers apply to the Gateway route, and specific A-level grades are not always published — eligibility is assessed against widening-participation criteria.
Gateway applicants must be aged 18 or over by 31 December of the entry year, because of the integrated clinical placements built into the programme.
Confirm the current Gateway entry requirements and contextual criteria directly on UEA’s official pages, and ensure supporting evidence is submitted on time.
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements: How UEA Uses the UCAT
UEA uses the UCAT as part of a holistic selection process, considering your score alongside academic achievement rather than applying a single published cut-off score.
UEA’s UCAT thresholds have historically been lower than most UK medical schools — it is regularly grouped with Liverpool, Plymouth and Kent & Medway as one of the more accessible options for applicants with mid-range scores.
The SJT rule is the hard gate: Band 4 is an automatic rejection, regardless of your cognitive score. Bands 1, 2 and 3 are all acceptable, and a higher band genuinely helps because the SJT is included in the interview component score — so it works for you twice.
The combination of a lower UCAT bar and a high GCSE bar means UEA rewards a strong academic profile with a solid rather than spectacular test score — worth remembering when balancing your four choices.
Confirm the current-cycle position on UEA’s official page, and see our UEA UCAT cut-off page for the year-by-year picture.
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements: UEA Medicine Interview Format
UEA uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) built around exercises testing communication, ethics, motivation, empathy and problem-solving.
A distinctive UEA requirement: if you are invited to interview, you are required to provide two examples of relevant work experience which have informed your decision to study medicine. Prepare these deliberately — they are not optional talking points.
UEA does not score the personal statement in ranking, but it checks that it is relevant to medicine, and your statement is considered and discussed at interview.
The SJT band feeds into the interview component score, so a strong band improves your position at this stage as well as clearing the eligibility gate.
| Turn UEA’s requirements into a plan UCATScore helps you turn UEA’s published requirements into a practical, step-by-step application strategy — a GCSE and UCAT target, a shortlist that fits your profile, and interview preparation matched to UEA’s format. Explore our UCAT course, question bank and Medicine Interview Course to build a realistic, competitive application. |
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements: UEA Medicine Acceptance Rate & Competition
UEA’s intake is mid-sized and its thresholds sit below the UK average, which changes who realistically reaches interview:
| Annual intake (A100) | ~180 students |
| A-level requirement | AAA including Biology OR Chemistry (only one required) |
| GCSE requirement | Six at grade 7/A+ including Maths and two sciences; English Language 5/B |
| UCAT | Holistic use; historically lower thresholds than most UK schools |
| SJT | Band 4 = automatic rejection; Bands 1–3 acceptable |
| UEA Medicine Interview | MMI — two work-experience examples required |
| Gateway Year | Available (six GCSEs at grade 5/B; 18+ by 31 December) |
UEA does not publish a fixed UCAT cut-off, using the test holistically alongside academic achievement. Requirements have been stated slightly differently across published sources, so always confirm the exact current wording on UEA’s official course page before applying.
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements: UEA Medicine for International Students
UEA accepts international applicants to the A100, and the international UCAT position is generally more accessible than at many UK medical schools.
International applicants must meet the same academic standards and provide GCSE-equivalent qualifications; the IB Middle Years Programme is accepted in lieu of GCSEs with minimum six passes at grade 6 including Mathematics and Science, and English Language at grade 5.
English language requirement: confirm the current IELTS level on UEA’s official course page.
International fees (2026/27 entry) start at £47,500 in Year 1 and decrease each year — £47,000 (Year 2), £45,700 (Year 3), £44,400 (Year 4) and £40,750 (Year 5), which is an unusual and applicant-friendly structure worth factoring into your budgeting.
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements: UEA Medicine Fees & Funding
Home fees follow the standard UK cap — confirm the current figure on UEA’s official course page. International fees for 2026/27 entry start at £47,500 in Year 1 and decrease annually to £40,750 in Year 5. Budget separately for placement travel across Norfolk and East Anglia, equipment, DBS and occupational health clearance, and any intercalation.
UEA Medicine Entry Requirements — FAQs
What are the entry requirements for UEA Medicine?
AAA at A-level including Biology OR Chemistry (only one is required), with the third subject in any subject except General Studies or Critical Thinking; six GCSEs at grade 7/A or above including Mathematics and either two sciences or Double Science, plus English Language at grade 5/B; and the UCAT. The IB alternative is 34–36 points with grade 6 in HL Biology or Chemistry.
What UCAT score do you need for UEA Medicine?
UEA does not publish a fixed cut-off — it uses the UCAT holistically alongside academic achievement. UEA’s thresholds have historically been lower than most UK medical schools, making it a strong option for applicants with strong GCSEs and a mid-range UCAT. See our UEA UCAT cut-off page.
Does UEA accept SJT Band 4?
No — UEA will not consider applicants who achieve SJT Band 4, regardless of cognitive UCAT score. Bands 1, 2 and 3 are all acceptable, and a higher band strengthens your application because the SJT is included in the interview component score.
Do I need both Biology and Chemistry for UEA Medicine?
No — UEA requires AAA including Biology OR Chemistry, so only one of the two core sciences is needed. This is more flexible than schools such as Leeds, KCL and Imperial, which require both.
What GCSEs do I need for UEA Medicine?
Six GCSEs at grade 7/A or above, including Mathematics and either two science subjects or Double Science (Triple, Additional and Further Science also accepted), plus GCSE English Language at grade 5/B. National 5s and the IB Middle Years Programme are accepted in lieu of GCSEs.
Does UEA accept A-level resits?
Yes, but resit applicants are expected to achieve at least one A* in the retaken subject to demonstrate improved academic performance.
What is the UEA Gateway Year?
A widening-participation route with a lower GCSE threshold: six GCSEs at grade 5/B including English Language, Mathematics and either a single science or Double Science. Contextual offers apply, and applicants must be aged 18 or over by 31 December due to integrated placements.
What work experience does UEA require?
If invited to interview, you must provide two examples of relevant work experience which have informed your decision to study medicine. Prepare these deliberately — they are a required part of the UEA interview.
| Apply to UEA Medicine with confidence Whether UEA is your firm choice or one of four, UCATScore gives you everything to compete: a UCAT course and question bank, an entry-requirements database to build your shortlist, a personal statement review, and UEA-format mock interviews. Start turning these requirements into an offer today. |
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Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team. Verified against University of East Anglia (Norwich Medical School)’s official admissions guidance, published admissions data and the Medical Schools Council for 2026/2027 entry. Entry requirements, cut-offs, fees and statistics are reviewed annually and can change — always confirm the latest details on the official University of East Anglia (Norwich Medical School) website and UCAS before applying.
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent)
Entry Requirements Database (Med & Dent): Search every UK medical and dental school’s entry requirements in one place – A-levels, GCSEs, UCAT, contextual offers and more, all kept up to date for 2027 entry.