Gateway to Medicine

Gateway to Medicine is aimed at students with the potential to become doctors who do not meet the standard academic entry criteria to apply directly to our five-year Medicine course. Our Gateway courses are a widening participation initiative for UK students who fulfil specific criteria and wish to apply for a clinical programme.

During the Gateway year, students will learn alongside each other, benefiting from shared interprofessional insight and the unique community of Bristol's medical, dental and veterinary schools. Students will be taught by teachers who are scientists and clinicians.

The Gateway course builds on core basic sciences underpinning clinical subjects (chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy and physiology); it encourages reflection and places emphasis on personal and professional development; strengthens practical, statistics, research and library skills; considers attributes and behaviours that enable a successful transition to university study. Successful completion of the Gateway year allows automatic progression onto the five-year MB ChB Medicine.

Eligibility This course is open to applicants from specific schools and colleges in the UK only, those who have spent three months or more in care and/or those who have been in receipt of free school meals. Further information and lists of the eligible schools and colleges is available at contextual offers: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT, formerly UKCAT) is required for admission to this course. You may be eligible for a UCAT bursary to cover the cost of taking the test; please visit www.ucat.ac.uk for more information. The course admissions statement will provide full details and will be available online by summer 2024.

Health and conduct Certain health conditions may be incompatible with some careers in medicine. Further information can be found in our pre-course information, or you can contact our Occupational Health team.

If you have a chronic health condition contact the enquiries team for guidance on making an application.

Medical students must complete a health questionnaire and undergo a medical examination. Non-immune students must be immunised against hepatitis B and tuberculosis.

In accordance with the General Medical Council guidelines, all medical students undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in line with other UK health-related courses.