Cardiff University runs a four-year accelerated Graduate Entry Medicine (A101) — but it’s one of the most restricted GEM routes in the UK. Cardiff A101 is open only to graduates (or final-year students) of four named science feeder-degree streams, and is specifically designed to train doctors for Wales.
This is the single most important thing to know: if you are not a graduate of one of Cardiff’s specific feeder streams, you cannot apply to the A101. This is not a general Welsh-residency route. Entry centres on a 2:1 in an approved feeder degree, A-levels including Biology and Chemistry, and the UCAT.
| UCATScore expertise — Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team — graduate-entry medicine specialists — and verified against Cardiff University’s official guidance for 2027 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.
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine at a Glance (2027 Entry)
| Course | MBBCh Graduate Entry Medicine (A101), 4 years accelerated |
| Who it’s for | ONLY graduates of four named science feeder-degree streams |
| Feeder degrees | Cardiff Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Medical Pharmacology, Bangor Medical Sciences, or University of South Wales Medical Sciences |
| Degree class | 2:1 or above (First or upper second) |
| A-levels | BBB/ABC or above, including Biology and Chemistry |
| GCSEs | Grade B/6 in English Language, Mathematics and Double Science (or equivalent) |
| Admissions test | UCAT (feeder-stream route) |
| Cardiff Medicine Interview | Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) |
| Places | ~20 per year |
| International | NOT eligible — Home graduates of the feeder streams only |
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – How Cardiff Selects Graduate Entry Applicants
Cardiff A101 is defined by its feeder-stream restriction: you must be a graduate (or final-year student) of one of four named science degrees — Cardiff Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Medical Pharmacology, Bangor Medical Sciences, or University of South Wales Medical Sciences. No other degrees qualify.
This makes Cardiff A101 fundamentally different from open-access GEM courses: it’s effectively a progression route for students on specific Welsh feeder programmes, designed to train doctors for Wales.
Within that restricted pool, selection uses your degree, A-levels (Biology and Chemistry), GCSEs, and the UCAT, followed by an MMI. There are only around 20 places, and international students are not eligible.
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.
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – Cardiff GEM Degree & Academic Requirements
Cardiff A101 requires specific A-levels alongside the feeder degree:
- BBB/ABC or above at A-level, including Biology and Chemistry
- Your feeder-stream degree is the eligibility gate
- Both the feeder degree and the A-level sciences are required
Cardiff A101 sets specific GCSE requirements:
- Grade B/6 in English Language
- Grade B/6 in Mathematics
- Grade B/6 in Double Science (or equivalent)
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – Cardiff GEM entry routes at a glance
| Route / requirement | Detail |
| Feeder degree (essential) | 2:1+ in Cardiff Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Medical Pharmacology, Bangor Medical Sciences, or USW Medical Sciences |
| A-levels | BBB/ABC+ including Biology and Chemistry |
| GCSEs | B/6 in English, Maths, Double Science |
| Admissions test | UCAT |
| Eligibility | Home graduates of the feeder streams ONLY — international not eligible |
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.
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – Cardiff GEM Admissions Test (UCAT (feeder-stream route))
Cardiff A101 uses the UCAT within its feeder-stream route.
- UCAT required for the A101 feeder-stream route
- Only graduates of the four named feeder degrees can apply
- Used alongside your degree, A-levels and GCSEs to select for the MMI
- Confirm the current UCAT expectations on Cardiff’s page
| Element | Detail |
| Test | UCAT |
| Eligibility | Four named feeder degrees only |
| Cardiff Medicine Interview | MMI |
| UCATScore admissions-test strategy Cardiff A101 is not an open GEM course — it’s a progression route for students on four specific Welsh feeder degrees. Before anything else, check whether your degree is one of them (Cardiff Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Medical Pharmacology, Bangor Medical Sciences, or USW Medical Sciences). If it isn’t, Cardiff A101 is closed to you — target open-access GEM courses like Swansea, Warwick or Chester instead. If it is, prepare the UCAT well within this small, specialised pool. |
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – Cardiff GEM Work Experience Requirements
Cardiff values reflective experience and its five core competencies.
- Insight into a career in medicine, caring-environment experience and personal responsibility
- A balanced approach to life and self-directed learning
- Reflection on what you learned matters more than the setting
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – Cardiff GEM Interview Format
Cardiff uses a Multiple Mini Interview.
- MMI — a values-based circuit of short stations
- Assesses motivation, communication, ethics, empathy and teamwork
- Includes awareness of the Welsh NHS context
- Held in person in Cardiff
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine — Places & Competition
| Metric | Detail |
| Places | ~20 per year |
| Eligibility | Four named feeder degrees only |
| International | Not eligible |
| Focus | Training doctors for Wales |
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.
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements for International Students
Cardiff A101 is NOT open to international students.
- Not eligible — Cardiff A101 is only for Home graduates of the named feeder streams
- International graduates should consider open-access GEM courses (e.g. Swansea, Chester)
- The route is designed to train doctors for Wales
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – Prepare Your Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine Application with UCATScore
Graduate entry is the most competitive route into medicine, and Cardiff has its own distinctive requirements. UCATScore helps graduate applicants get every element right:
- UCAT preparation with graduate-entry score targets
- Cardiff Medicine Interview coaching (MMI / panel / Selection Centre as applicable)
- Cardiff Medicine Personal statement review for graduate applicants — why medicine, why now
- 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.
Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine: Cardiff GEM Entry Requirements – Frequently Asked Questions — Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine
What are the entry requirements for Cardiff Graduate Entry Medicine (A101)?
You must be a graduate (or final-year student) of one of four named feeder degrees — Cardiff Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Medical Pharmacology, Bangor Medical Sciences, or University of South Wales Medical Sciences — with a 2:1+, plus A-levels including Biology and Chemistry (BBB/ABC+), specific GCSEs, and the UCAT. There are only around 20 places.
Who can apply to Cardiff A101?
Only graduates (or final-year students) of Cardiff’s four named science feeder-degree streams. If you’re not a graduate of one of these specific programmes, you cannot apply — it’s not a general Welsh-residency route.
What are Cardiff’s feeder degrees for GEM?
Cardiff Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff Medical Pharmacology, Bangor Medical Sciences, and University of South Wales Medical Sciences.
Does Cardiff GEM accept international students?
No — Cardiff A101 is only available to Home graduates of the named feeder streams. International graduates should consider open-access GEM courses such as Swansea or Chester.
Does Cardiff GEM use the UCAT or GAMSAT?
The A101 feeder-stream route uses the UCAT. (Cardiff’s standard undergraduate medicine uses the UCAT too.)
How many places does Cardiff GEM have?
Around 20 per year — a small, specialised programme restricted to the feeder-degree streams.
Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team — medicine and dentistry graduate-entry specialists. Verified against official Cardiff University 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 Cardiff University website before booking a test or applying.