Hospital doctor : Entry requirements

To become a hospital doctor, you must hold a degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) . Entry with only an HND or foundation degree is not possible.

Entry to medical school with a previous unrelated degree is possible and medical schools may give credit for your prior learning. Most schools prefer science graduates with a 2:1 or above, but some will consider graduates of other disciplines. For further information on graduate entry see the ‘becoming a doctor’ section on the British Medical Association (BMA)  website or search and apply for courses on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)  website.

Competition for entry to a first degree course in medicine is fierce. Very high A-level grades (in relevant subjects such as sciences and maths) are required and relevant pre-entry work experience is usually needed. A limited number of medical schools offer foundation courses for those with non-science qualifications.

Requirements vary between medical schools, but candidates usually need to show evidence of the following:

• personal qualities: commitment to caring for others, resourcefulness, stamina, willingness to accept responsibility, ability to prioritise, work under pressure and work as part of a team;
• motivation: perseverance, a realistic idea of what a career in medicine involves and, ideally, relevant work experience;
• an ability to communicate well with people, demonstrating empathy and reflection;
• an understanding of the demands of the course: it is considerably more intensive than other degrees;
• a strong academic capability and a good mark in any admissions tests.

Financing a course is a growing problem. The length of the course and the long hours of study, which usually prevent part-time employment, can place a strain on finances.

Check directly with medical schools to establish the current rate of fees, and with funding bodies to confirm your eligibility. Graduate students who have previously taken a higher education course lasting more than two years will not normally be entitled to funding from local authorities (or equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales). From year five The National Health Service (NHS)  pays tuition fees and means-tested bursaries for eligible students.

Some students on accelerated courses are eligible to receive NHS support in the second, third and fourth year. See NHS Careers  for a useful summary of financial support for medical students and NHS Student Bursaries  for further details.

Other sources of funding include:

• scholarship funds - available at some universities;
• bursaries, loans or trust funds from professional associations;
• medical cadetships - available from the armed services for the clinical period;
• fellowships for post-doctoral scientists - available from the Foulkes Foundation Fellowship for medical students who intend to do medical research after qualifying;
• personal or professional loans from banks.

BMA Charities  can provide details of other organisations that may fund individuals studying medicine as a second degree. The Money4MedStudents website provides more information on charitable trusts, scholarships, bursaries, and how to apply for financial support.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.