Gateway to Medicine

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.

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 is based on several factors, including:

• 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

Note: 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.

The entry indicator tool will help you determine if you meet any of the above criteria (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/entry/indicator).

Applicants from Overseas will not be considered, but may qualify for our International Foundation Medicial Sciences programme (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/ifp/).

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.

In order to progress to one of our medical degree programmes, students must have:

• 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)

Students who do not meet the entry requirements for progression to our medical degree will remain in the Faculty of Science and could transfer onto the second year of either the Gateway to Arts or Gateway to Science programme and continue their studies on a different degree pathway.