The University of Cambridge runs a dedicated four-year Graduate Course in Medicine (A101) at its School of Clinical Medicine — one of the most academically demanding and prestigious graduate-entry routes in the world. Cambridge is ranked number one in the UK for Medicine (Complete University Guide 2026).
Cambridge’s A101 is distinctive: it welcomes graduates from any degree background — historians, linguists, engineers — provided you have A-level Chemistry and can show genuine scientific aptitude. But ‘any discipline’ doesn’t mean accessible: the academic bar is brutal, and the course is Home fee status only (no international students), with only around 20–28 places.
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Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine at a Glance (2027 Entry)
| Course | MB BChir Graduate Course in Medicine (A101), 4 years accelerated |
| Provider | University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine |
| Who it’s for | Graduates of ANY discipline — but Home fee status only (no international students) |
| First degree | Minimum 2:1 honours (any subject) |
| A-levels | AAA (2:1 graduates) or ABB (first-class graduates), including A-level Chemistry at grade A |
| A-level recency | Chemistry must have been achieved within the last 7 years |
| Admissions test | UCAT (no GAMSAT option) |
| Colleges | Four only — Hughes Hall, Lucy Cavendish, St Edmund’s, Wolfson |
| Cambridge Medicine Interview | Online MMI plus an asynchronous video interview (recent cycles) |
| Places | ~20–28 per year — one of the most competitive graduate routes in the UK |
| UCAS deadline | 15 October (Oxbridge early deadline) |
| Affiliated route | Graduates can also take the standard A100 in 5 years (Lucy Cavendish, St Edmund’s or Wolfson) |
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) Course
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Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – How Cambridge Selects Graduate Entry Applicants
Cambridge selects holistically on UCAT, academic achievement, personal statement and interview. Your degree gets you in the door, but the A101 is famous for scoring work experience heavily and demanding genuine scientific aptitude.
The A-level requirement flips with your degree: a 2:1 graduate needs AAA (including A-level Chemistry at grade A), while a first-class graduate needs only ABB. A-level Chemistry must have been achieved within the last 7 years.
A crucial restriction: Cambridge A101 is Home fee status only — there are no international places. International graduates should look elsewhere (e.g. Chester, Swansea).
Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Cambridge GEM Degree & Academic Requirements
Cambridge A101’s A-level requirement is contextualised by your degree classification:
- 2:1 graduates: AAA at A-level, including A-level Chemistry at grade A
- First-class graduates: ABB at A-level, including A-level Chemistry
- A-level Chemistry within the last 7 years is required
- Alongside Chemistry, a second science or maths is expected
The degree and A-level Chemistry are the key academic requirements:
- Standard GCSE expectations apply as a baseline
- The degree, A-level Chemistry and UCAT are the decisive academic elements
Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Cambridge GEM entry routes at a glance
| Route / requirement | Detail |
| Degree class | Minimum 2:1 honours in any subject |
| A-levels (2:1 graduates) | AAA including A-level Chemistry (grade A) |
| A-levels (first-class graduates) | ABB including A-level Chemistry |
| A-level Chemistry recency | Within the last 7 years |
| Fee status | Home fee status ONLY — no international places |
| Admissions test | UCAT only — no GAMSAT |
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Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) Course: The complete guide to applying for Graduate Entry Medicine in the UK – course selection, admissions tests, personal statement, work experience and interview, built for graduates.
Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Cambridge GEM Admissions Test (UCAT (no GAMSAT))
Cambridge A101 has its own UCAT requirement, distinct from the standard A100.
- UCAT required for all A101 applicants — no GAMSAT option
- Only the cognitive score (/2,700) is used; the SJT is not used for selection in recent cycles
- Cambridge considers the UCAT alongside academics, personal statement and interview (holistic)
- No fixed published cut-off — but competition is intense
| Element | Detail |
| Test | UCAT (cognitive score /2,700) |
| SJT | Not used for selection (recent cycles) |
| Use | One factor in a holistic decision, alongside academics and interview |
| UCATScore admissions-test strategy Cambridge A101 is one of the most competitive graduate routes in the UK — around 20–28 places for a strongly self-selecting pool. There’s no fixed UCAT cut-off, but with such small numbers you should aim for a genuinely high cognitive score. Combine that with A-level Chemistry, a strong degree and years of hands-on caring experience — Cambridge scores work experience heavily. |
Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Cambridge GEM Work Experience Requirements
Cambridge scores work experience heavily for the A101.
- Cambridge values hands-on caring experience over a number of years — not just shadowing
- Experience in a caring role (paid or voluntary) is particularly valued
- Applicants whose experience is largely shadowing are unlikely to be competitive
- Reflection on what you learned is essential
Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Cambridge GEM Interview Format
Cambridge A101 uses an online MMI plus an asynchronous video interview in recent cycles.
- Online Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) plus an asynchronous (video upload) interview
- Cambridge Medicine Interviews are academically rigorous — expect scientific reasoning, not just values questions
- Held via the four graduate colleges that offer the A101
- Genuine scientific aptitude and reflective work experience are central
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) Course
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) Course: The complete guide to applying for Graduate Entry Medicine in the UK – course selection, admissions tests, personal statement, work experience and interview, built for graduates.
Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine — Places & Competition
| Metric | Detail |
| Places | ~20–28 per year |
| Fee status | Home only (no international places) |
| Applications per place | ~6:1 (self-selecting pool) |
| Cambridge Medicine Interview | Online MMI + asynchronous video |
Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements for International Students
Cambridge A101 does NOT accept international students — this is a hard restriction.
- Home fee status only — there are no international places on the A101
- International graduates should consider GEM courses that accept overseas applicants (e.g. Chester, Swansea, Worcester)
- International graduates could alternatively target Cambridge’s standard A100 (which has a small international quota)
Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Prepare Your Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine Application with UCATScore
Graduate entry is the most competitive route into medicine, and Cambridge has its own distinctive requirements. UCATScore helps graduate applicants get every element right:
- GAMSAT and UCAT preparation with graduate-entry score targets
- Cambridge Medicine Interview coaching (MMI / panel / Selection Centre as applicable)
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- Work-experience and application strategy tailored to graduate entry
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) Course
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) Course: The complete guide to applying for Graduate Entry Medicine in the UK – course selection, admissions tests, personal statement, work experience and interview, built for graduates.
Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine: Cambridge GEM Entry Requirements – Frequently Asked Questions — Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine
What are the entry requirements for Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine (A101)?
A minimum 2:1 degree in any subject, plus A-level Chemistry (AAA for 2:1 graduates or ABB for first-class graduates, Chemistry within the last 7 years), the UCAT, and years of hands-on caring work experience. The A101 is Home fee status only, with around 20–28 places.
Do I need a science degree for Cambridge A101?
No — Cambridge welcomes graduates of any discipline. But you must have A-level Chemistry (at grade A) achieved within the last 7 years, plus genuine scientific aptitude.
Does Cambridge A101 accept international students?
No — the Cambridge Graduate Course in Medicine (A101) is Home fee status only. International graduates should look at GEM courses that accept overseas applicants, or Cambridge’s standard A100.
Does Cambridge A101 use the GAMSAT?
No — Cambridge A101 uses the UCAT. Only the cognitive score is used; the SJT is not used for selection in recent cycles.
How competitive is Cambridge Graduate Entry Medicine?
Extremely — only around 20–28 places for a strongly self-selecting pool (roughly 6 applications per place). You need a strong degree, A-level Chemistry, an excellent UCAT and years of hands-on caring experience.
Which colleges offer Cambridge A101?
Four graduate colleges: Hughes Hall, Lucy Cavendish, St Edmund’s and Wolfson. Graduates can also take the standard A100 in five years via Lucy Cavendish, St Edmund’s or Wolfson.
Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team — medicine and dentistry graduate-entry specialists. Verified against official University of Cambridge admissions guidance and the Medical Schools Council for 2027 entry. Graduate-entry requirements and admissions tests change between cycles — always confirm the current-cycle requirement on the official University of Cambridge website before booking a test or applying.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) Course
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) Course: The complete guide to applying for Graduate Entry Medicine in the UK – course selection, admissions tests, personal statement, work experience and interview, built for graduates.