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This profile of Imperial highlights this medical school's entry requirements, typical offers, student numbers, competition ratios, teaching and learning methods, course structure, demographics and history. Is Imperial one of your target medical schools? This medical school can be added to or removed from your personal shortlist |
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. Anatomy is taught via prosection.
Key information dashboard
For convenience, 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.
Be sure to check our notes in sections below for more details about each of these points.
Imperial 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
Typical offers
A Level applicants must achieve A* in either Chemistry or Biology.
Minimum AAA at A level including Chemistry and Biology plus a third subject.
General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted.
GCSE results must include minimum of grade B in English Language or equivalent qualification.
There is no longer any other GCSE requirement.
Advanced Higher subjects must include Chemistry and Biology and one Science or Maths subject (and one additional subject at Scottish Higher).
Scottish Higher subjects not specified
National 5 results must include minimum of grade B in English Language or equivalent qualification.
There is no longer any other Scottish Nationals requirement.
IB applicants must achieve a minimum of 6 in Biology and Chemistry at Higher level.
Please note that the standard offer is likely to be 39 points overall, including 7 and 6 in Biology and Chemistry at Higher level.
Grade 5 in Standard level English is required.
As explained on the website, "admissions schemes allow us to look beyond purely academic achievements and consider your performance in context – taking into account factors such as your economic, social and educational background"
A contextual offer of AAA rather than A*AA may be available.
Widening participation candidates are flagged at application stage and this may be a factor at short-listing stage.
The medical school is involved in the Pathways to Medicine scheme.
Total students and cohort sizes at UK medical schools
For uniform comparison of medical student admissions each year across all UK medical schools, we rely on annual reports from the Office for Students (OfS) entitled 'Medical and dental intakes'.
| Admission year | Total students admitted this year | Home places | International places |
|---|---|---|---|
2020-21 |
390 students in this cohort | 365 Home students | 25 International students |
2019-20 |
345 students in this cohort | 315 Home students | 30 International students |
2018-19 |
340 students in this cohort | 320 Home students | 20 International students |
2017-18 |
320 students in this cohort | 290 Home students | 30 International students |
2016-17 |
320 students in this cohort | 300 Home students | 20 International students |
2015-16 |
325 students in this cohort | 305 Home students | 20 International students |
2014-15 |
320 students in this cohort | 300 Home students | 20 International students |
Competition data
Competition ratio data reported here is from the 2019-20 admissions cycle, as confirmed by MedSchoolGenie Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from this period.
Please note: Due to ongoing impact of Covid-19 since March 2020, UK medical schools have not yet released competition ratio data for the 2020-21 admissions cycle. Applicants should keep in mind that coronavirus-related lockdowns and other restrictions affected the entire UK education sector, so competition ratios were most likely distorted during 2020-21. MedSchoolGenie will update here when further competition data becomes available.
Applicant percentages of success
From reported competition ratios, it's possible to calculate percentages of success at various stages of the application process.
Numbers of applicants competing in latest admissions cycle
Based on reported numbers of applicants securing places, we can use competition ratios to estimate how many applicants have been competing at each stage of the most recent admissions cycle.
Please note: Estimates of competition factors from 2020 onwards may be less reliable than in previous years because UK medical schools have not yet reported competition ratios for the 2020-21 admissions cycle. MedSchoolGenie will update here when more recent data on competition ratios becomes available.
Teaching and learning
Scientific emphasis in years 1-2 with lectures, tutorials and Problem-Based Learning sessions.
Mandatory integrated BSc in year 4.
As explained in this medical school's summary of its teaching programme, "Our teaching is enriched by our internationally competitive research and clinical expertise, so you’ll be learning at the very cutting edge of the subject. We deliver the course through a range of innovative and traditional teaching methods, including lectures, small group teaching, computer workshops, laboratory classes and problem-based learning."
As explained in discussion of intercalation on this medical school's website, "During phase two, you will work towards the BSc by completing a series of modules and a supervised research project in a scientific / medical subject of your choice." Imperial offers a wide range of intercalated degrees, including anaesthesia & critical care, biomedical engineering, and global health. Exceptional students can undertake an intercalated PhD, bringing the total course length to 8-9 years.
Phase one (years one and two):
Phase one gives students early clinical experience, introducing the scientific basis of health and disease with case based learning. Students have opportunities to improve clinical skills and undertake a research project.
Phase two (year three):
Students undertake an intercalated BSc in phase two, completing taught modules and a research project in an area of interest. Imperial offers a wide range of intercalated degrees, including anaesthesia & critical care, biomedical engineering, and global health. Exceptional students can undertake an intercalated PhD, bringing the total course length to 8-9 years.
Phase three (years four, five, and six):
The third and final phase of the course allows students to integrate prior learning in a clinical environment, in community and hospital placements. Emphasis is placed on preparation for clinical practice as FY1 doctors.
Reported demographics
This chart highlights gender and disability data reported by Imperial to the General Medical Council (GMC), which has compiled this information into spreadsheets as part of its medical school annual return (MSAR) data sets.
Please note this data is retrospective, and that future numbers can vary from preceding years.
For comparison, we also include below all demographic data reported by this medical school to General Medical Council.
| Reporting year | Female students | Male students | Students with declared disability | Students without declared disability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 46.3% female students | 53.7% male students | 6.2% students with disability | 93.8% students without disability |
| 2016-17 | 45.6% female students | 54.4% male students | 6.4% students with disability | 93.6% students without disability |
Medical school history
Imperial College London Medical School was established in 1997 by the merger of St Mary's Hospital Medical School, the National Heart and Lung Institute, the Royal Postgraduate Medical School and the Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School.