Program Overview

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Gateway to Medicine 2025 entry

The Gateway to Medicine programme at the University of St Andrews is designed to provide talented students from under-represented backgrounds the opportunity to pursue a career in medicine. This year-long, full-time programme offers an opportunity to study in the sciences at first-year undergraduate level, helping to develop the academic foundations required for the study of medicine.

In addition to academic studies, students on the programme will benefit from content introducing core skills related to medical studies and confidence building, along with the skills necessary to progress to a medical degree. By focusing on widening access and providing tailored support, the Gateway to Medicine prepares students for the challenges of medical school, fostering personal growth and a deeper understanding of the medical profession.

The programme is ideal for students who have the potential to succeed in medicine but may not meet the traditional entry requirements due to personal circumstances or other barriers. Upon successful completion, students may progress to one of the two medical degrees offered at St Andrews.

Programme Details

• UCAS code: LQV9
• Start date: September 2025
• Duration: One year
• School: Access and Widening Participation

Entry Requirements

To be considered for the Gateway to Medicine programme, applicants must demonstrate academic potential as well as a genuine interest in a career in medicine.

• Applicants currently in S5:
  • BBBB in Scottish Highers obtained at one sitting in S5, which must include Chemistry and one other from Biology, Mathematics or Physics
  • If Biology, Mathematics or English have not been passed at Scottish Higher level, each must normally have been passed at grade B in Scottish National 5
• Applicants currently in S6:
  • All requirements for S5 entry should be met
  • CC at Higher or Advanced Higher in S6 subjects
  • If Higher Chemistry has not been taken in S5, B in Higher Chemistry will also be required in S6

Please note that B in Higher Chemistry is required for this programme and must have been achieved at first sitting. Retakes of Higher Chemistry will not be considered, and Advanced Higher Chemistry is not considered instead of achieving B at Higher.

Eligibility

This programme is targeted at Scottish students who meet specific widening access criteria, ensuring that those from under-represented backgrounds have an equal opportunity to access medical education.

• Eligibility criteria:
  • Attending a school in Scotland who live in the lowest 20% of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD20)
  • Attending a school in Scotland which has low attainment in relation to Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
  • Are being looked after, or have been looked after, as a result of a local authority order
  • Engagement with a Reach project

Meeting at least one of the above eligibility criteria is essential for applicants to the Gateway to Medicine programme. Applicants who do not meet any of the criteria will not be considered.

Course Details

The Gateway to Medicine programme is a one-year course in the Faculty of Science, but with contributions from staff in the Faculty of Medicine.

• Modules:
  • Biology 1: provides an introduction to molecular and cellular biology, covering cell diversity and the origins of life, evolution, cellular structures, and fundamental processes.
  • Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: covers origin of the elements and the periodic table, atomic structure, shapes and properties of molecules, chemistry of the elements, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, and mathematical tools for chemistry.
  • Preparation for studies in medicine 1: provides a preparation for studies in medicine, including mentoring in appropriate academic subjects, critical thinking and study skills, as well as some opportunities to practise communicating with patients. The module will include some preparation for the University clinical aptitude test (UCAT) and the Mini Multiple Interviews (MMi).
  • One further first-year module: from the range of modules available in either the Arts or Science faculties. We recommend students consider Psychology for this option.

Progression after the Gateway year

The aim of the Gateway year is to prepare students to progress to one of our medical programmes, however, the Gateway to Medicine also leaves options open for those who are unable to progress to medicine or have a change of career goals during the year.

• Progression requirements:
  • Passed all first-year modules at grades specified at the time of entry to the Gateway
  • Achieved a suitable UCAT score (to be specified by the School of Medicine) achieved either before entry to the Gateway or in the summer immediately after the Gateway year
  • Achieved a pass in the multiple mini-interviews (to take place during the Gateway year)

Fees

• Home students only: £1,820

Gateway to Medicine Scholarship

Financial support is available for Gateway to Medicine students, and all applicants are encouraged to apply for the St Andrews Access Award to ensure they are considered for this funding.

After the Gateway year is completed, students receiving the Gateway to Medicine Scholarships will continue to receive funding through the St Andrews Access Award, provided that their Access Award scholarship application is successful, and that the information provided falls within the bandings of guaranteed funding set out on the St Andrews Access Award webpage.