Required intercalation

Required intercalation: Intercalation policy set by UK medical schools

Below is a listing of UK medical schools that require intercalation as standard part of their degree course structure.  

As explained by the British Medical Association (BMA), mandatory intercalation can be part of the course structure at UK medical schools: "Many medical schools in the UK offer full intercalated degrees, where it is part of the degree  for all medical students to take a year off to study a different field."

For more details on intercalation arrangements at a specific medical school, follow the link below to the full profile and check its 'Intercalation mode' section.  For comparative overviews, see also our interactive listings of intercalation arrangements and intercalation statistics.

Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 results

University of Cambridge School of Medicine

Cambridge offers a traditional six-year medical degree, segregated into preclinical and clinical study. Due to the collegiate system at Cambridge, applications are made to the first-choice college, so attention should be paid to specific entry requirements and places available to maximise chances of success. Course highlights include small group supervisions, in which students can learn from eminent members of faculty, and full cadaveric dissection.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Cambridge medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Cambridge with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1976

Years of course:
6

Total medical students:
1800

Average year cohort:
300.0

Region:
South East

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (strictly required)
Maths (acceptable option)
Physics (acceptable option)

Interview format:
Traditional interview

Admissions test:
BMAT

A Level typical offer:
A*A*A

Advanced Higher typical offer:
A1A1A2

IB typical offer:
40–42 points

General teaching method:
Traditional

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection

Intercalation mode:
Required intercalation
See full profile of this medical school

University of Edinburgh Medical School

Edinburgh Medical School’s six-year programme aims to produce doctors that are equipped for careers in general practice, hospital medicine, and academia. Having been ranked fourth in the UK for research power in 2014, Edinburgh highlights its academic rigor as a key feature of its medical curriculum. According to the school's website, "Medicine at Edinburgh offers a modern, innovative curriculum designed to prepare you for contemporary medical practice."

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Edinburgh medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Edinburgh with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1726

Years of course:
6

Total medical students:
1360

Average year cohort:
226.7

Region:
Scotland

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (strictly required)
Maths (acceptable option)
Physics (acceptable option)

Interview format:
Assessment day

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
BB

IB typical offer:
37 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Prosection

Intercalation mode:
Required intercalation
See full profile of this medical school

Imperial College London Medical School

Imperial College London, renowned for its internationally competitive research, delivers a six-year medical programme in partnership with NHS trusts in the North & West of London. In response to updated GMC guidelines, Imperial recently switched to a spiral curriculum, delivered in three phases. Teaching is delivered via lectures, small group teaching, computer workshops, and laboratory sessions. 

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Imperial medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Imperial with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1997

Years of course:
6

Total medical students:
2040

Average year cohort:
340.0

Region:
London

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
BMAT

A Level typical offer:
A*AA-AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AAA

IB typical offer:
38-39 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection

Intercalation mode:
Required intercalation
See full profile of this medical school

University of Oxford Medical School

Oxford’s traditional medical programme has an international reputation, almost always ranked among the top ten courses globally. The course is delivered over six years, with the first three years of the course culminating in a BA degree. Prospective students should note that applications are made to individual colleges, so attention should be paid to specific entry requirements and places available to maximise chances of success. Alternatively, open applications can be made in which no college is specified. 

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Oxford medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Oxford with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1946

Years of course:
6

Total medical students:
1105

Average year cohort:
184.2

Region:
South East

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (strictly required)
Maths (acceptable option)
Physics (acceptable option)

Interview format:
Traditional interview

Admissions test:
BMAT

A Level typical offer:
A*AA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AA

IB typical offer:
39 points

General teaching method:
Traditional

Anatomy teaching:
Prosection

Intercalation mode:
Required intercalation
See full profile of this medical school

University College London (UCL) Medical School

University College London Medical School offers a six-year integrated medical programme, with a compulsory intercalated BSc in year three. The course aims to equip graduates with a strong grounding in science, enabling success in ever-evolving medical practice. Applicants should be aware that UCL offers an MBPhD programme, in which students interested in academic research study for a PhD after their fourth year on the course. Anatomy is taught through dissection, prosection, and computer simulation.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to UCL medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to UCL with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1998

Years of course:
6

Total medical students:
2010

Average year cohort:
335.0

Region:
London

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
BMAT

A Level typical offer:
A*AA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
A1AA

IB typical offer:
39 points

General teaching method:
Integrated

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection, Prosection, Virtual dissection table

Intercalation mode:
Required intercalation
See full profile of this medical school