Aberdeen vs Buckingham

Neither school publishes a single fixed UCAT cut-off; both use UCAT as part of a composite shortlisting score alongside GCSE and personal-statement weighting. Aberdeen guidance: UCAT used post-interview - aim 2000–2100+ for good chances.. Buckingham guidance: UCAT not used. Selection by computer-based MMA (Multiple Mini Assessment) test. Private university, £40,000/year fees. Apply directly outside UCAS..

Aberdeen uses Multiple Mini Interviews: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Buckingham uses Traditional interview: Traditional Panel Interview. The two formats reward different skill sets. Plan separate prep streams for each, with at least 3 full mock interviews per format before sitting either. Interview windows: December - March (Aberdeen); December - March (Buckingham).

Aberdeen requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology/Physics/Mathematics. Buckingham requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology. Most successful applicants achieve these grades on first sitting with strong predicted grades from their school. Resit policies differ: Aberdeen — Resits considered with strong justification.. Buckingham — Resits considered..

Aberdeen — Strong National 5 / GCSE profile expected; not algorithmically scored but contributes to academic ranking. Buckingham — Min 5 GCSEs at grade 6 including Maths, English Language, dual-award Science. UK's only private medical school - no UCAT/BMAT required.

Aberdeen's selection methodology: Contextual + academic + UCAT scoring. AR 2024 average UCAT for interviewees was 660-720/900 (RUK 720). Lowest contextual school-leaver UCAT was 2270 (Home), 2600 (RUK). Buckingham's selection methodology: Buckingham does not require UCAT or BMAT. Selection by interview + academic profile + personal statement. Annual fees ~£40,000+ (private school, no NHS bursary). Understanding each school's exact algorithm is the single highest-leverage piece of pre-application research — it tells you whether your profile is competitive before you spend an application choice.

Aberdeen: RUK 74/165 = 45% (2025); Scottish 736/863 = 85%; International 101/140 = 72%. Buckingham: Refused to state. Post-interview odds tell you how competitive each school is at the final stage. Two schools with similar UCAT thresholds can have very different post-interview rates — a school with a 60% post-interview success rate is structurally easier to convert than one at 25%.

Aberdeen is in Aberdeen, UK. Buckingham is in Buckingham, UK. Scottish-domiciled applicants funded by SAAS pay no tuition fees at Scottish medical schools — a substantial funding advantage worth tens of thousands of pounds over the degree. Rest-of-UK applicants still pay £9,250/year.

Aberdeen typically releases medicine decisions March/April. Buckingham releases medicine decisions March onwards. If one is earlier than the other, you may need to hold a decision while waiting for the second school — be ready to compare in real time.

Aberdeen runs a Integrated curriculum. Buckingham runs a Integrated curriculum. Both schools deliver teaching in the same broad style, so day-to-day study habits will feel similar. Aberdeen specifics: Five-year MBChB with early clinical exposure from Year 1. Distinctive remote/rural placement strand in Highlands and Western Isles. Buckingham specifics: Four-and-a-half-year accelerated MB ChB (no UCAT required). Clinical placements at Milton Keynes, Stoke Mandeville and partner NHS sites.

You can — UCAS allows 4 medicine/dentistry choices in total, so listing both is feasible if your profile fits each school's selection algorithm. Apply to both only if your UCAT, GCSE and predicted-grade profile is competitive against each school's published weighting. A common mistake is using two of your four slots on similar schools when a more spread-out portfolio (one safe + one stretch) would maximise overall offer probability.