- Desire2Study
- Apr 7
- 14 min read
Table of Contents
Understanding UCAS Medicine Clearing
Securing a place to study medicine in the UK is incredibly competitive. Each year, tens of thousands of students apply through UCAS for only a few thousand available medical school places. The competition is intense not just because of limited capacity, but also due to high academic requirements, rigorous interview processes, and university-specific admissions tests like the UCAT or BMAT.
Unfortunately, even highly qualified students may find themselves without an offer after the main UCAS application cycle. This is where UCAS Medicine Clearing comes in — acting as a final opportunity for applicants who still want to pursue a medical degree in the UK.
Clearing is a system managed by UCAS that matches applicants without university offers to courses with unfilled places. In most subjects, Clearing can be a very effective way to secure a place, but when it comes to medicine, the situation is quite different. Unlike courses like psychology, business, or history, medicine has strict caps on student numbers, regulated by the government due to the cost of training and the need for clinical placements within NHS hospitals.
Despite this, medicine can occasionally appear in Clearing. This usually happens if:
An applicant withdraws after accepting an offer
A university overestimates the number of students who will meet their offer conditions
An international student defers or declines last minute
Additional government-funded places are released late in the cycle (as seen during the pandemic)
However, these situations are rare and unpredictable. When medicine places do appear in Clearing, they are extremely limited — sometimes fewer than 10 places across the entire UK — and they are filled within hours. Applicants must be incredibly well-prepared, academically strong, and quick to act to have any chance of success.
It’s also worth noting that UCAS Medicine Clearing is available only to students who meet certain eligibility criteria:
You have not received any offers
You have declined all your offers
You didn’t meet the conditions of your offer
You applied late or through UCAS Extra but are still without a confirmed place
If you meet one of these criteria and medicine is available in Clearing, you’ll be able to apply directly to universities with spaces. However, due to the highly competitive nature of medicine, most applicants should not rely solely on Clearing as their plan A. It should be seen as a backup strategy, and students are strongly encouraged to explore alternative pathways, including studying medicine abroad in Europe, foundation year options, or graduate entry programs.
Medicine Clearing also plays a significant role for other competitive health-related degrees, such as veterinary medicine, dentistry, and even medicine with a foundation year, though these also face similar restrictions.
In short, medicine through clearing is possible, but far from guaranteed. Understanding how it works — and being fully prepared — can be the difference between missing out and making the most of this final opportunity.
When Does Clearing 2025 Open?
For 2025 university entry, UCAS Clearing officially opens on 5 July 2025. From this date, any student who is not holding an offer — whether because they were unsuccessful in the initial application round, declined all their offers, or applied late — can begin searching for courses with available spaces.
While Clearing opens in July, it's important to understand that most medicine places (if available) won’t appear until A-Level results day, which falls on Thursday, 14 August 2025. That’s when universities receive students' final grades and can assess if any offer holders haven’t met the conditions of their offers. Only then might a very small number of medical school places become available.
Because of how competitive medicine is, any Clearing vacancies in medicine are snapped up within hours — sometimes even minutes. That’s why it’s critical to be fully prepared before results day. This includes:
Researching which universities have historically offered medicine through Clearing (such as Keele, Edge Hill, or University of Sunderland, though this varies each year)
Making sure you’re eligible for Clearing (i.e. you are not holding any offers)
Having your UCAS details, grades, personal statement, and relevant documents ready to go
Even if you're not planning to go through Clearing initially, staying informed about the process could be essential if results don't go as expected.
How to Apply for Medicine Through Clearing?
Applying for medicine through UCAS Clearing can be intense — but with the right preparation and quick action, it’s possible to secure a place. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved:
1. Research Available Courses Early
Begin by regularly checking the UCAS Clearing search tool, which becomes active once Clearing opens on 5 July 2025. However, most medicine courses — if they appear at all — will only become available on A-Level Results Day (14 August 2025). Look out for universities like Keele, Edge Hill, Sunderland, or Kent and Medway, which have offered medicine through Clearing in some past years. Keep in mind that vacancies can come and go quickly, and listings may update several times throughout the day.
2. Contact Universities Promptly
As soon as you spot a vacancy, call the university’s admissions team immediately. Medicine places can be filled within minutes. Be polite, professional, and prepared to answer questions on the spot. Some universities may request a brief informal interview over the phone or ask follow-up questions about your qualifications and motivation.
3. Prepare Your Documents in Advance
Before Clearing begins, make sure you have digital copies (and physical ones just in case) of all key documents, including:
Your UCAS personal statement
A-Level (or equivalent) results
GCSE certificates
References or recommendation letters
Any additional test scores (like UCAT or BMAT if relevant)
Also, practice a short personal pitch explaining why you want to study medicine and what makes you a strong candidate.
4. Submit Your Application According to Instructions
Each university may handle Clearing applications differently. Some might guide you to a dedicated online form, while others could require direct email communication or a verbal confirmation over the phone. Follow their instructions exactly and respond quickly — delays can cost you the spot.
5. Attend Interviews if Requested
Although not always required, some universities may still conduct a formal interview, even during Clearing. These may happen on the same day or within a tight window, and can take place via Zoom or phone. Be ready to talk about your passion for medicine, your academic background, and any relevant work experience.
6. Receive and Accept an Offer
If the university decides to offer you a place, it will be sent through UCAS Track. Log into your UCAS account, accept the offer, and your Clearing journey is complete — you’ve secured a place to study medicine!
Our Tip: Medicine clearing places are often very limited, so treat it like a high-stakes job interview. Preparation, speed, and a calm, professional approach can make all the difference.
Preparing for Medicine Clearing
When it comes to medicine, Clearing is a fast-moving and high-pressure process — and preparation can make or break your chances. To maximise your opportunity of securing a place, it's essential to be ready well in advance of A-Level results day.
Stay Informed and Updated
Start by familiarising yourself with how Clearing works, especially for competitive courses like medicine. Follow the UCAS website closely, sign up for Clearing alerts, and regularly visit the websites of medical schools you're interested in. Some universities may quietly publish available places ahead of time, or provide specific instructions for students applying through Clearing.
You should also keep an eye on forums and social platforms where students share real-time updates about medicine clearing places and university responses.
Be Ready to Act Fast
Medicine places in Clearing are incredibly limited — sometimes fewer than 10 across the entire UK — and they often disappear within minutes on A-Level results day. To stay competitive:
Have your UCAS ID, Clearing number, and qualifications easily accessible.
Create a shortlist of potential universities (e.g. Keele, Edge Hill, Kent and Medway, or Sunderland) and save their Clearing hotline numbers in advance.
Set alarms and be online early on Results Day, ready to make calls and submit applications at a moment's notice.
Preparation here isn’t just helpful — it’s crucial.
Seek Expert Guidance and Feedback
Before Clearing begins, take time to improve your application and interview skills. Talk to:
Teachers and career advisors – they can help you refine your personal statement and mock interview responses.
Educational consultants – especially those experienced with clearing in medicine and alternative pathways.
Family and friends – practice explaining your motivation for studying medicine out loud; confidence and clarity make a huge impact during phone assessments.
Additionally, prepare answers to common questions like:
Why medicine?
What did you learn from any relevant work experience?
Why this particular university?
Being well-prepared not only shows professionalism but can help you stand out from the crowd during Clearing, where every minute counts.
Our Tip: Keep both digital and printed copies of all your key documents and notes handy on Results Day — and have a quiet, distraction-free space ready for any impromptu interviews.
Medical Schools Offering Clearing Places
While securing a spot in a medicine course through UCAS Clearing is undeniably challenging, it’s not impossible. In recent years, a small number of UK medical schools have opened limited places during Clearing or offered late-entry options such as medicine foundation year Clearing, graduate entry medicine Clearing, or related pathways.
Here are some UK medical schools that have either historically participated in Clearing or offered flexible medical entry routes:
Keele University Medicine Clearing
Keele has become a well-known name for medicine through Clearing. While traditional 5-year MBChB places rarely appear in full Clearing, Keele medicine Clearing has previously listed places on their Health Foundation Year for widening participation applicants. This is a popular route for students who fall just short of standard A-Level requirements but meet eligibility criteria.
Our Tip: Keele requires the UCAT and values work experience. Applicants should act quickly and prepare documentation ahead of time.
Edge Hill University Medicine Clearing
Edge Hill’s MBChB in Medicine has made rare appearances during Clearing, and more commonly, they offer updates on their Medicine with Foundation Year Clearing. Their widening access programme is specifically tailored for students who show strong academic potential but didn’t meet standard entry criteria.
Edge Hill medicine Clearing is highly competitive and often requires UCAT scores and personal statement evaluations.
University of Sunderland Medical School
Sunderland is one of the newer UK medical schools, and while their medicine course is competitive, they have offered limited Clearing places or late-cycle opportunities in previous years. They are known for their partnership with Keele and focus on community-based clinical training.
Sunderland medicine Clearing options may vary, but it’s worth monitoring their website and contacting admissions early.
University of Lincoln Medicine Clearing
A partner of the University of Nottingham, Lincoln offers the Nottingham Medicine course from its own campus. While the standard route rarely goes into Clearing, Lincoln medicine Clearing has seen foundation medicine clearing options appear in the past.
Keep an eye on Lincoln’s foundation year in medicine if you just miss your A-Level grades.
University of Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS)
A newer addition to the UK’s medical education landscape, Kent and Medway medicine Clearing has been a point of interest for students hoping for last-minute opportunities. Although they rarely offer full 5-year MBBS places in Clearing, some related bioscience courses can be stepping stones for reapplying.
Their foundation year or BSc options could be worth considering if full medicine spots aren’t available.
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
UCLan’s MBBS programme is designed for international and UK students, with a strong emphasis on underserved communities. While it’s less commonly in Clearing, UCLan has occasionally listed places for graduate medicine Clearing or for self-funded international students.
University of Buckingham Medical School
Although not part of UCAS, the University of Buckingham offers a private medicine course, and due to its independent admissions cycle, it can be a great option for students who missed out through Clearing. They offer flexibility in entry dates and a modern campus with strong student support.
What You Need to Know
Availability Varies Each Year: Just because a university offered Clearing places in 2023 or 2024 doesn't guarantee they will again in 2025.
Act Fast: Some medicine clearing courses fill within hours of being listed.
Be Flexible: Consider foundation year in medicine Clearing, especially if your A-Level results are slightly below standard entry thresholds.
By staying informed and targeting schools that are more likely to list medicine clearing universities, students can increase their chances of entering a medical degree in the UK, even after the main UCAS cycle. But don’t forget — medical schools in Clearing typically only release a handful of places, so preparation and speed are everything.
Also, always consider alternative options such as studying medicine in Europe in English, where entry is often more flexible and degrees are internationally recognised.
Is It Possible to Start Medicine via Clearing in 2025?
Yes, it is possible to get into medicine through Clearing in 2025 — but it’s important to understand that this path is extremely competitive, and only a very small number of places are ever available. In most years, medicine clearing places are few and far between, and they’re usually claimed within hours of being released.
So while the answer is technically yes, the reality is that Clearing in medicine is not something students can depend on without serious preparation, flexibility, and quick decision-making.
Why Is UCAS Clearing So Difficult?
Government Quotas: Medicine in the UK is subject to strict caps on student numbers, meaning medical schools only have a set number of places to offer each year. Most are filled during the main UCAS cycle.
High Demand: Medicine is one of the most oversubscribed university degrees, with thousands of qualified applicants competing for a limited pool of places.
Course Logistics: Clinical placements, lab facilities, and staffing for medical degrees are tightly managed, leaving little room for late additions.
As a result, most UCAS medicine clearing opportunities only appear under special circumstances — such as when an applicant declines an offer late or a university slightly overestimates its capacity.
Are There Any Realistic Options?
Although full 5-year MBBS or MBChB places are rare, some students do successfully find places through foundation medicine clearing or graduate entry medicine Clearing.
For example:
Keele medicine clearing has previously offered widening access foundation year courses.
Edge Hill medicine clearing sometimes lists health-related foundation programs that can lead into medicine.
Kent and Medway medicine clearing and Lincoln medicine clearing have been known to offer related bioscience foundation courses that act as stepping stones.
These are not always direct-entry medicine degrees, but they provide a viable route toward a medical career if you’re willing to take a slightly longer path.
How to Boost Your Chances with medicine Clearing?
To improve your odds of starting medicine at university via Clearing in 2025, consider the following:
Register for Clearing as early as possible – UCAS Clearing opens 5 July 2025.
Prepare a strong personal statement, updated to reflect your most recent experiences.
Monitor Clearing listings daily using the UCAS tool and university websites.
Contact universities directly — sometimes courses are not listed, but advisors can give helpful insight or notify you if a space becomes available.
Consider medicine courses in Europe, where entry requirements are often more flexible, tuition is affordable, and programs are taught in English.
If you’re determined and stay proactive, getting into medicine through Clearing is possible — but don’t rely solely on it. Having a backup plan, such as a medicine with foundation year Clearing course or applying abroad, is not a failure — it’s a strategic way to make your dream a reality.
Always be ready, act quickly, and explore every opportunity available. The route to becoming a doctor isn’t always linear — but with the right strategy, you can still achieve it.
Medicine Clearing in 2024 and 2023
Looking at trends from recent years helps illustrate just how competitive and unpredictable medicine clearing can be. While some students have successfully secured places, the number of vacancies has remained extremely limited, and outcomes depend heavily on exam results, institutional capacity, and application pressure during that year.
Medicine Clearing 2024: Record Demand and Grade Fluctuations
In 2024, UCAS reported over 29,000 applicants to medicine and dentistry courses combined.
The number of medicine places remained tightly capped by government quotas, which continued to limit the volume of available places in Clearing.
Due to fluctuations in A-level performance and a more standardised post-COVID exam environment, there were fewer medicine clearing places than anticipated.
Many aspiring students turned to graduate medicine clearing and foundation year pathways like those at Keele University and Edge Hill, but even these were quickly filled.
Medicine Clearing 2023: Early Closures and Fast-Filling Spaces
In 2023, most UK medical schools did not enter Clearing for standard 5-year courses.
A small number of foundation medicine clearing places were made available at widening access programs, including universities like Hull York Medical School and Lincoln.
UCAS data showed that nearly all medicine courses closed to new applicants by July, even before A-level results day.
Students reported calling universities within hours of Clearing opening, only to find places had already been filled.
What Do These Trends Tell Us?
Medicine university clearing is not guaranteed. Most years, only a handful of places become available — if any at all.
Clearing medical schools often use the system only when unexpected availability occurs (e.g., declined offers, miscalculated yield rates).
Alternative entry routes like medicine foundation clearing or graduate entry have become increasingly popular among reapplicants or those who missed their first choice.
Many successful applicants in recent years have applied to medicine abroad instead — especially to affordable, English-taught programs in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia.
While UCAS clearing for medicine has worked for a small number of determined and fast-acting students, the system remains highly volatile. Understanding past trends can help manage expectations and prepare for all possible outcomes in 2025 Clearing.
Alternative Pathways if Clearing Is Unsuccessful
Not receiving a medicine offer through UCAS Clearing can feel like a major setback—but it doesn’t mean the end of your medical journey. Thousands of talented students each year face the same challenge. Fortunately, there are multiple proven pathways to keep your ambitions on track.
Gap Year and Reapplication
Taking a gap year to reapply is a common route. This time can be used to:
Resit A-levels to improve grades (especially if you narrowly missed conditional offers).
Gain clinical experience through volunteering or paid work in hospitals, care homes, or GP surgeries.
Strengthen your UCAT or BMAT scores, as these tests play a significant role in UK medical admissions.
Reflect and improve your personal statement and interview performance.
Fact: According to UCAS, nearly 10% of medicine applicants each year are reapplicants—many of whom are successful the second time around, particularly with improved profiles and better strategic choices of universities.
Alternative Degrees with a Path to Medicine
If you’re still set on medicine but need a backup plan, consider starting a related degree. Common options include:
Biomedical Science
Medical Physiology
Pharmacology
Healthcare Science
Some universities offer transfer pathways into medicine for top-performing first-year students, although these are extremely competitive.
Example: The University of Leicester and St George’s, University of London have previously allowed a small number of outstanding biomedical science students to transfer to medicine in Year 2, subject to rigorous academic and interview criteria.
However, not all universities offer transfer schemes, and entry is not guaranteed—so do thorough research before committing to this option.
Studying Medicine in Europe: Is it Really an Alternative to become a doctor?
For students exploring options beyond medicine clearing universities in the UK, some of the best European medical schools present a viable and attractive alternative.
Benefits of European Medical Schools
Immediate Enrollment: Begin your medical education without the delays associated with reapplication cycles.
Lower Entry Requirements: Many European institutions have more flexible admission criteria compared to UK medical schools.
Cost-Effective Education: Tuition fees and living expenses in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Latvia are often lower than in the UK.
International Recognition: Degrees from accredited European medical schools are recognized by the General Medical Council, allowing graduates to practice in the UK.
Cultural Exposure: Studying abroad offers a rich cultural experience, fostering personal growth and global perspectives.
Top European Medical Schools Offering English-Taught Programs
Here are some reputable European universities offering medicine programs in English:
Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Poland): Renowned for its modern facilities and emphasis on clinical training.
Pavol Jozef Šafárik University (Slovakia): Offers a student-centered approach with comprehensive academic support.
University of Pécs (Hungary): One of Central Europe's oldest institutions, celebrated for excellence in health sciences.
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Lithuania): Provides cutting-edge medical programs in a diverse, multicultural environment.
Riga Stradiņš University (Latvia): Combines traditional education methods with modern technology, ensuring a well-rounded medical education.
These med schools not only offer quality education but also enhance your prospects of practicing medicine internationally.
How Desire2Study Can Assist You?
At Desire2Study, we specialize in guiding students through the complexities of applying to medical schools abroad. Our services include:
Personalized Consultation: We assess your academic background and career aspirations to recommend suitable universities.
Application Assistance: From document preparation to interview coaching, we support you throughout the application process.
Visa Guidance: Our experts help navigate the visa application process, ensuring compliance with all requirements.
Accommodation Support: We assist in finding comfortable and affordable housing options near your chosen university.
Continuous Support: Our commitment extends beyond enrollment, offering ongoing assistance throughout your academic journey.
Conclusions
Navigating UCAS Medicine Clearing requires diligence, prompt action, and thorough preparation. By understanding the process, staying informed about key dates, and being proactive in your approach, you can enhance your chances of securing a place in a medical program. Remember to consider all available options and seek guidance to make informed decisions about your medical education journey.
If medicine clearing courses don’t work out, don’t panic. From taking a productive gap year to enrolling in internationally recognized programs abroad, your journey into medicine may simply take a different route—but it’s still very achievable.
