Medicine & Dental Surgery selection process
Selection process to MBBCh Medicine and BDS Dental Surgery at Cardiff University
By studying the International Foundation Year in Health, Medical and Life Sciences, you can start your studies and work towards a career in health and medical sciences by selecting the programme’s Medicine or Dental Surgery routes.
Important application information
We will be open for applications from January 2025 for September 2025 entry
Places on MBBCh Medicine and BDS Dental Surgery are limited, meaning that Cardiff University has a very competitive selection process in place. When you apply to study with us, please bear in mind that you will be required to select a secondary degree aim from the Life Sciences pathway.
In order to gain a chance to study MBBCh Medicine or BDS Dental Surgery, you will be asked to complete the following application stages:
Before commencing the International Foundation Year:
- Take the UCAT situational judgement test in the summer of the year you join the International Foundation Year. (We don’t have a minimum threshold score; however, we may use UCAT scores as part of our selection process). Visit www.ucat.ac.uk for more information.
- Successful at interview stage for entry to the International Foundation Year programme
During the International Foundation Year:
- Submit Personal Statement and the International Study Centre will submit a Tutor Progress Report
- Successful at Multiple Mini Interviews with Cardiff University
- Achieve the required grades on completion in your International Foundation Year
- Present a satisfactory DBS check or Certificate of Good Conduct
- Undergo an Occupational Health check (which may include vaccinations)
Furthermore, because of the competitive nature of the degree, the International Study Centre can only accept a limited number of Medicine or Dental students onto the International Foundation Year.
Student support
We are fully committed to supporting all our students in their journey to studying at Cardiff University - in both an academic and social sense. Expert teaching staff will equip you with the skills you need to tackle the challenges of studying at a top UK university, and other Centre faculty will be on hand to help you adjust to life in a new country. Our introductory group activities are designed to help you build confidence and help you form new friendships, even as you study remotely.
Additionally, students confirmed for progression to MBBCh Medicine and BDS Dental Surgery degrees will be offered individual pre-arrival counselling sessions and preparation support. These will provide guidance on the UCAT situational judgement test, and give you the chance to get comfortable with the application process through multiple mini-interviews.
To begin the application process, you can submit your application and supporting documents for the International Foundation Year in Health, Medical and Life Sciences in February. Your application will be assessed and you will receive a conditional offer if you meet the entry requirements. You will also be asked to select a second degree aim from this route; should you not be successful in gaining a place on Medicine or Dental Surgery, you will be able to progress to your second choice (providing you have met the grades for progression).
Offers will be made to students, subject to meeting the English requirements and being on track with their predicted grades/school report. Offers will be conditional upon taking the UCAT situational judgement test.
- You can conditionally confirm your place subject to providing a qualified English test, meeting the entry requirements, providing a second-degree aim, providing highest qualification documentation and paying the deposit.
- Once places on the course are full, we will operate a waiting list on a first-come-first-served basis. As students are able to conditionally confirm, we will fill any places that become free from the waiting list.
The Academic team at the International Study Centre will conduct interviews with all applicants between March-August. Students who are not successful at this stage will be counselled on their options.
The interview will cover:
- Motivations to study chosen subject
- Understanding of the subject
- Academic background
- Any voluntary/paid work experience
- Experience of working in a team and taking responsibility
- Hobbies and interests
Students must sit the UCAT situational judgement test to be eligible for the International Foundation Year. We don’t have a minimum threshold score; however, we may use UCAT scores as part of our selection process.
Providing you have met all the requirements of your offer and taken the UCAT situational judgement test, you will be able to join the International Foundation Year in Health, Medical & Life Sciences.
You will enrol on the programme in September*.
*Please note that there is no January start for students aiming to study Medicine or Dental Surgery.
In January, we will support you to produce your personal statement, which will be submitted along with your tutor progress report to the Cardiff University School of Medicine or School of Dentistry.
- You will be invited to multiple mini-interviews with the School – which we will support you to prepare for.
- Students who are successful will be offered a place on MBBCh Medicine or BDS Dental Surgery, subject to meeting the required progression grades.
- Students who are not successful at the interview stage will be counselled on their options for degree aims within the Life Sciences.
Having sat your final exams in June, you will receive your grades and will be informed by the School of Medicine or School of Dentistry if you have been accepted to MBBCh Medicine or BDS Dental Surgery.*
Students who do not reach the required progression grades will be counselled on their options.
*Please note students are unable to resit exams.
