Anglia Ruskin (ARU) vs Chester Medical School (GEM)

Anglia Ruskin (ARU) requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology.

Chester Medical School (GEM) requires Graduate entry - degree required.

GCSE profile matters at both schools — Anglia Ruskin (ARU): Min 5 GCSEs at grade 6 (B) including Maths, English Language, Biology, Chemistry (or dual-award Science). Chester Medical School (GEM): Not applicable - graduate-entry programme. Requires a 2:1 honours degree.

Both Anglia Ruskin (ARU) and Chester Medical School (GEM) use MMI interviews, so the underlying prep approach is the same — practise ethics frameworks, NHS hot-topic answers and (for MMI) structured station responses against a timer.

Interview windows: Anglia Ruskin (ARU) interviews in December - March; Chester Medical School (GEM) in December - March.

Both schools deliver a PBL-style curriculum, so day-to-day study habits will feel similar across years 1-3.

Specifics: Five-year MBChB with PBL and case-based learning. Chelmsford-based with placements across East of England NHS sites (Mid & South Essex, Cambridge Univ Four-year accelerated graduate-entry MBChB. Cheshire-based with regional NHS placements.

Intake size: Anglia Ruskin (ARU) — ~100 home places per year (predominantly UK applicants).; Chester Medical School (GEM) — ~30-50 places per year (small newer cohort).. A larger cohort means more peer breadth; a smaller cohort means more tutor contact.

Anglia Ruskin (ARU): Local applicants (East of England, especially Essex) get a UCAT cut-off reduction. Free School Meals or care-experienced applicants are invited to interview regardless of UCAT score, provided academic and SJT minimums are met.

Chester Medical School (GEM): Graduate entry programme with focus on serving local communities. Newer course with a regional commitment to north-west England.