Medicine BM5 (BMBS)

GCSE requirements

BM5 (standard applications) - Applicants must hold 6 GCSEs at grade A/7 or above, including mathematics with biology and chemistry, or mathematics with additional science and science or mathematics with combined science. English language (or GCSE English) is required at a minimum of grade B/6

BM5 Grad – See BM4
BM5 mature non-graduate applicants- Applicants must hold 4 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including mathematics with biology and chemistry, or mathematics with additional science and science or mathematics with combined science. English language (or GCSE English) is required at a minimum of grade C/4

English language requirements

All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.

Band H IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 7.0 in all components

We also accept other English language tests.

Non-academic entry requirements

UCAT Test required for all applicants.
Applicants being considered as mature non-graduate must be over 21 years old

International qualifications

Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.

This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.

Other ways to qualify

You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need.

Find out more about our Admissions Policy.

Year 1

Phase 1, 'the fundamentals of medicine', takes place over the first 2 years and is made up of 4 university semesters. During this phase, you'll complete a number of systems-based modules integrating anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology with the psychosocial sciences.

You'll also complete a Medicine into Practice Module in years 1 and 2. This will give you the opportunity to learn medical history-taking and examination skills in primary care and hospital settings. In year 1, you'll choose 2 units focusing on public health and medical humanities. 

Phase 1 modules are:

• Foundations of Medicine

• Cardiopulmonary 

• Locomotor 

• Renal 

• Nervous System

• Gastrointestinal System

• Endocrinology and the Life Cycle

• Research into Medicine and Health

• Medicine in Practice 1 and 2

• Student Selected Unit 1 and 2

Year 2

You'll complete phase 1.

Year 3

This year, you'll undertake phase 2, 'progression into clinical practice'. Year 3 begins with a 16-week module focusing on your research project.

This is followed by 24 weeks of clinical placement focusing on:

• Primary Care and Long-term Conditions

• Medicine and Elderly Care

• Surgery and Orthopaedics

This course also has the option to take a Masters of Medical science between year 3 and year 4 (known as intercalation). You can apply for this in year 3.

Year 4

Phase 3, 'developing clinical practice', takes place through year 4 over 37 weeks. It continues through the first half of year 5 and ends with the year 5 exams. During this phase, your studies and clinical practice will include the following modules:

• Acute Care

• Child Health

• Clinical Ethics and Law

• speciality weeks (neurology, dermatology, head and neck and ophthalmology)

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Genitourinary Medicine

• Psychiatry

In year 5, in the 24-week placement leading up to finals, you will have clinical placements in medicine, surgery and primary care. You can also choose to complete a fourth student selected unit. 

Year 5

You'll continue with phase 3 and move into phase 4, 'preparing for independent practice'.

After finals, you'll undertake an elective: an 8-week placement abroad or in the UK. You'll also complete an assistantship module where you'll shadow a Foundation doctor for 2 weeks each in Medicine and Surgery. This will prepare you for entering the Foundation Programme as a newly qualified doctor in August. 

Support for your studies

You'll have your own personal academic tutor assigned to you. They will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your studies.

How you’ll spend your study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:

How we’ll assess you

We’ll assess you using:

• placement assessment

Your assessment breakdown, year by year:

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes

• CV and interview skills and workshops

• networking events

• careers fairs attended by top employers

• a wealth of volunteering opportunities

• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

UK/EU fees

You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to: 

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

You'll be responsible for paying certain costs not covered by the tuition fee. These include:

• vaccinations and immunisation

• £100 per year towards travel costs associated with clinical placement

• medical insurance if you choose to do an elective in another country

Extra costs you might have to pay

• Medical Equipment and Materials: Fobwatch; stethoscopes;
• Conference expenses
• Textbooks
• Stationery
• Approved Calculators
• Clothing
• Printing and Photocopying Costs
• Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
• IT
• Anything else not covered elsewhere
• Parking costs (including on placements at hospitals)

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

Clubs, societies and facilities

Our campuses have:

• cafes and restaurants

• bars

• health centres

• banks

• a post office

• student shops

• a hairdresser

Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.

We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.

Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.

Support while you study

We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:

• mental health, learning difficulties and disability

• money and accommodation

• childcare

• computers and IT

What happens after you apply

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

You'll also be assessed on the strength of:

• your score on the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) 

• a selection day, which includes an interview and group task

Download our full selection policy for 2020 entry (PDF, 190KB).

We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.