International students make excellent doctors, but medical school spaces are limited and highly competitive. With only a 1 in 16 success rate for international students, it is even more critical that they get the support they need to get accepted into a medical school.
Are you an international or UK student wondering how you can study medicine abroad? This guide is for you. We discuss the benefits of studying abroad, particularly in Europe, and other helpful information about studying medicine abroad. We introduce ourselves at The Future Medic and explain what we can do to get you where you want to be.
The benefits of studying medicine abroad
Studying medicine in a different country can significantly open up your career prospects as employers look very favourably to graduates who have studied abroad and it makes you stand out from the crowd.
One of the main benefits of studying abroad is language development. There is a huge demand for bilingual graduates in the medical industry because, ultimately, better communication leads to improved healthcare.
Why choose Europe?
Studying abroad benefits your career and studies, but studying medicine in Europe has many benefits. You will undergo clinical placement and rotations in outstanding medical hospitals and clinics, giving you real life medical experience.
You can immerse yourself in the European culture, meet new people from different backgrounds, both local and international students, and in your spare time you can explore a new country.
The United Kingdom and Germany are among the top 3 countries to study medicine, but they are also beautiful, scenic countries with great exploring and travel opportunities.
Not only this, but many European medicine universities teach in English, so it’s ideal for international students whose second language is English or for UK students wanted to study abroad but stay within Europe.
Will a European degree in medicine be recognised?
Yes, if you graduate with a degree in medicine anywhere in Europe, your degree will be recognised worldwide, and you can practise anywhere! Many international students come to the UK or elsewhere in Europe to study, then return to their home country to practise medicine.
International students studying medicine in the UK
Studying medicine in the UK is a popular choice, with almost 30,000 applicants in 2022, due to the UK having some of the best medical universities in the world!
Plus, many students choose to study in the UK because it is a great career pathway to work in the NHS. So, choosing to study in the UK is a fine choice, where you will get excellent training and open up career opportunities after you graduate.
Here are some examples of the best UK medical universities:
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford
- University of Glasgow
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Bristol
- Imperial College London
- University of Leicester
- University of Dundee
Should I take the UCAT if I want to study medicine abroad?
If you’re a UK student hoping to study medicine in Australia or New Zealand, you must take the UCAT exam. If you’re an international student hoping to study medicine in the UK, you must also take the UCAT exam.
What is the UCAT?
The UCAT is the most widely used test by UK medical and dental school admissions and is also used in Australia and New Zealand. The UCAT is 2 hours long, computer-based, and has multiple-choice questions. It is made of 5 different sub-tests.
The UCAT is hard as it is designed to test the skills, cognitive abilities and behavioural traits needed to work in the medical field. Getting a good score increases your chances of getting accepted into medical school, but it takes a lot of work and practice.
UCAT sub-sections
The UCAT subtests are:
- Verbal Reasoning – 44 questions in (21 minutes)
- Decision Making – 29 questions in (31 minutes)
- Quantitative Reasoning – 36 questions in (24 minutes)
- Abstract Reasoning – 55 questions in (13 minutes)
- Situational Judgement – 69 questions in (26 minutes)
Gaining a good understanding of the different UCAT sections you will work through is essential. Preparation is key and most students begin their revision 6-12 months before taking the UCAT.
Our professional tutors at The Future Medic can guide you through the process and offer personalised one to one tutoring for the UCAT.
What grades do I need to study medicine abroad?
In short, you need good to excellent grades to study medicine, but grades alone aren’t enough to get you noticed. To study medicine anywhere in the world, you need to stand out from the crowd with an immense application.
In the UK, competition is particularly fierce and good grades are just part of the process. You will need a killer personal statement and an excellent UCAT score, and then, if you’re lucky enough to get an interview, you need to impress the panel to be considered.
Here is where The Future Medic comes in and where we can help you like we have helped so many other students before you.
How can The Future Medic help?
The average success rate is between 5-10%, but despite these odds, you should not feel disadvantaged because we are here to help. The Future Medic specialise in international applications and has helped students worldwide get into UK medical schools.
We appreciated that dealing with other professionals in a language that may not be your native tongue can be disconcerting, and difficult to fully understand the meaning of phrases and mannerisms that you aren’t accustomed to. We put time and effort into helping you feel comfortable with the jargon and fully prepared for your interview.
We have highly trained professionals who can train you in communicative techniques for the application process and interview. We educate you on a whole host of communication-related topics specific to the UK, such as non-verbal communication, the NHS and GMT ethical topics.
When working with us, we will ensure you are not disadvantaged compared to UK-based medical applicants.
How can The Future Medic help with UCAT?
Getting help with the UCAT is the most valuable thing you can do to give yourself the best chance. The pressure is on with 36,000 other candidates going in for the same exam and presenting their scores to universities.
Preparing for the UCAT can be challenging. The pressure of knowing how crucial it is to be accepted into your chosen university and the number of people taking on the same challenge means that you want to get the most out of the time leading up to the exam.
At The Future Medic, know that UCAT doesn’t have to be intimidating as long as you are well prepared. Our online service helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses so you can tailor your studies to meet your individual needs.
What do our UCAT services include?
Our UCAT services include the following:
- Online coursesPersonalised
- One-to-one sessions
- Access to highly qualified tutors
With the proper support and the knowledge on how to prepare for the UCAT, you can pass with flying colours, and your chosen university will be at your fingertips.
Who are we?
At The Future Medic, we specialise in helping young people discover if a medical career is the right choice. We offer personalised insight into the world of medicine and exposure to clinical care under the supervision of healthcare professionals.
We have a unique approach in offering the development of ‘soft skills’ such as communication that are vital for successful medical school entry and graduation. We work well with international students because we can teach you how to overcome the language barrier and impress on your application and interview.
In addition, for any students wanting to study in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, our qualified tutors are on hand to help you to score as highly as possible on your UCAT, giving you the best chance at acceptance.
To conclude
So, how can I study medicine abroad? First, competition is fierce, so ensuring you get good grades, a good UCAT score, submit an excellent application and impress at your interview is paramount to your success.
There is no need to do this alone. We at The Future Medic are here to support you every step of the way! Get started today and view our affordable packages.
