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This profile of Norwich (UEA) highlights this medical school's entry requirements, typical offers, student numbers, competition ratios, teaching and learning methods, course structure, demographics and history. Is Norwich (UEA) one of your target medical schools? This medical school can be added to or removed from your personal shortlist |
The University of East Anglia (UEA) at Norwich opened its doors to medical students in 2002, aiming to prepare graduates for complex needs of patients in the 21st century. Embracing early clinical contact, students at UEA have patient contact from their first month on the course. Curriculum highlights include cadaveric dissection, small group teaching, and state-of-the-art clinical skills facilities at the Bob Champion Research and Education Building. Learning is underpinned by PBL, delivered through tutorials, lectures, and seminars.
Key information dashboard
For convenience, here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Norwich (UEA) medical school.
Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Norwich (UEA) with regard to points listed here.
Be sure to check our notes in sections below for more details about each of these points.
Norwich (UEA) medical school establishment date: 2002
Years of course: 5
Total medical students: 945
Average year cohort: 189.0
Region: East of England
Subject prerequisites:
Biology (strictly required)Chemistry (strictly required)
Interview format:MMI
Admissions test:UCAT
A Level typical offer:AAA
Advanced Higher typical offer:AB-BBB
IB typical offer:36 points
General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL
Anatomy teaching:
Dissection
Intercalation mode:Optional intercalation
Typical offers
A Levels must include Biology / Human Biology or Chemistry.
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Science A levels must include a pass in the practical element.
Applicants taking longer than 2 years will normally be subject to resit policy and expected to demonstrate a higher level of achievement by achieving an A*, reflecting the longer study period, as per our resit policy.
GCSE results must include a minimum of six (or equivalent) passes at grade 7 (A), consisting of Maths and either two single science subjects (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) or Double Science.
GCSE English Language grade 6 (B) is required.
GCSE short courses are not accepted.
GCSE resits are accepted.
Advanced Highers must include Biology or Chemistry, in the first sitting.
AB in Advanced Highers including Biology or Chemistry plus an additional Higher Level at grade A taken in Secondary Six (S6), in the first sitting.
National 5 results must include 6 subjects at grade A including Mathematics and two science subjects.
English Language required at grade B.
IB applicants must achieve at Higher level 6,6,6, including Biology or Chemistry.
As explained on the website, A104 Gateway programme available to students that meet eligibility criteria.
The medical school runs the Medical Aspirations Programme, supporting Year 12 students on their path to study medicine.
This is part of the university's commitment to Widening Participation.
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 |
235 students in this cohort | 220 Home students | 15 International students |
2019-20 |
205 students in this cohort | 190 Home students | 15 International students |
2018-19 |
175 students in this cohort | 165 Home students | 10 International students |
2017-18 |
165 students in this cohort | 145 Home students | 20 International students |
2016-17 |
165 students in this cohort | 150 Home students | 15 International students |
2015-16 |
160 students in this cohort | 150 Home students | 10 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
Integrated, systems-based curriculum.
Early clinical exposure and scenario-based learning.
As explained on this medical school's website, "Teaching takes place over a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, using whole-body cadaveric dissection, cadaveric prosections, anatomical models, bones, surface anatomy, ultrasound, radiological imaging, screencasts, anatomy apps and workbooks."
As noted in its overview of course methods, teaching is "organised into modules based on body systems.... Working in small groups, you’ll use problem-based learning (PBL) techniques to apply your learning to virtual scenarios and will be complimented each week with teaching in primary care, where you will meet patients that can bring these scenarios to life.... Your learning will be supported by a weekly programme of lectures and seminars, and complemented by attachments in secondary care hospitals, some of which may be residential."
As explained in discussion of intercalation on this medical school's website: "An intercalated degree at UEA is an additional Master's level programme that you can complete in a year away from your medical studies. This can allow you to study a particular area of interest in greater depth, without the added pressures of the medical curriculum, and is usually undertaken between years three and four, or between years four and five of your undergraduate study. The timing of the intercalation option allows sufficient time for you to return to your medical studies and prepare extensively for your final MB BS".
Year one:
Year one introduces students to biomedical and social sciences, through modules such as ‘Fundamental Sciences for Medicine’ and ‘The Musculoskeletal System’. Anatomy, consultation skills, and medical research methods are also taught.
Year two:
The second year at UEA continues with systems based teaching, introducing modules such as ‘Blood and Skin’, ‘Respiration’, and ‘Circulation’. Students are taught about the mechanisms of disease, as well as their psychosocial impact on patients.
Year three:
The third year of the course gives students an insight into neurology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology through modules entitled ‘The Senses’, ‘Homeostasis and Hormones’, and ‘Digestion / Nutrition’. Most students will prepare an abstract and conference style poster based on an audit in the ‘Student Selected Study’ project.
Year four:
Year four gives teaching on more specialised medical disciplines, such as paediatrics, obstetrics & gynaecology, geriatrics, and oncology. Modules include ‘Reproduction’, ‘Growth and Development’, and ‘Mind and Body’. Students are taught the skills that junior doctors need to assess patients receiving end of life care. The year concludes with a period of elective study, giving students the opportunity to experience healthcare overseas.
Year five:
The fifth and final year at UEA aims to prepare students for the Foundation Programme via assistantships and a home elective. The ‘Student Assistantship’ module pairs students with their chosen FY1 specialties, with each student allocated a consultant to supervise their learning.
Reported demographics
This chart highlights gender and disability data reported by Norwich (UEA) 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 | 62.3% female students | 37.7% male students | 14.7% students with disability | 85.3% students without disability |
| 2016-17 | 59.9% female students | 40.1% male students | 15.1% students with disability | 84.9% students without disability |
Medical school history
This medical school, based at the University of East Anglia, in Norwich, was previously called University of East Anglia School of Medicine Health Policy and Practice. The first cohort of 110 students was in 2002.