Anglia Ruskin (ARU) 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. Anglia Ruskin (ARU) guidance: 2010+ /2700 (2026 entry main cut-off). Buckingham guidance: UCAT not used. Selection by computer-based MMA (Multiple Mini Assessment) test. Private university, £40,000/year fees. Apply directly outside UCAS..

Anglia Ruskin (ARU) 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 (Anglia Ruskin (ARU)); December - March (Buckingham).

Anglia Ruskin (ARU) requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology. 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: Anglia Ruskin (ARU) — Resits accepted.. Buckingham — Resits considered..

Anglia Ruskin (ARU) — Min 5 GCSEs at grade 6 (B) including Maths, English Language, Biology, Chemistry (or dual-award Science). Buckingham — Min 5 GCSEs at grade 6 including Maths, English Language, dual-award Science. UK's only private medical school - no UCAT/BMAT required.

Anglia Ruskin (ARU)'s selection methodology: Newer programme (first cohort 2018). UCAT + academic + MMI interview. Strong East-of-England focus. 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.

Anglia Ruskin (ARU): UK Applicants: 463/648 = 71% (2025). 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%.

Anglia Ruskin (ARU) is in Chelmsford, UK. Buckingham is in Buckingham, UK. Tuition is £9,250/year at both for UK home applicants; the main cost difference is accommodation (London accommodation typically runs 30-50% above the national average).

Anglia Ruskin (ARU) typically releases medicine decisions March onwards. 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.

Anglia Ruskin (ARU) runs a PBL curriculum. Buckingham runs a Integrated curriculum. The teaching philosophies differ — pick the style that matches how you learn best. Anglia Ruskin (ARU) specifics: Five-year MBChB with PBL and case-based learning. Chelmsford-based with placements across East of England NHS sites (Mid & South Essex, Cambridge University Hospitals). 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.