Question 1

What UCAT score do I need for Cambridge vs Exeter?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge's typical home cut-off is around 2150, while Exeter sits at approximately 1880 — a 270-point spread. That's a meaningful gap; Exeter is materially more accessible for an average-to-good UCAT, while Cambridge expects performance closer to the top 20% of test-takers. Cut-offs change year on year and vary by tier — check each school's latest published threshold before submitting your UCAS form.

Question 2

How do interviews differ between Cambridge and Exeter?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge uses Traditional interview: Traditional panel interviews with academic focus. Exeter uses Multiple Mini Interviews: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). 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 (Cambridge); December – March (Exeter).

Question 3

What A-Level grades do Cambridge and Exeter require?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge requires A*A*A including Chemistry and Biology. Exeter requires Applicants need to apply via UCAS by 15 October; academic profile + admissions test used to determine interview invite. Typical A-Level offer A*AA (contextual AAB) for 2026 entry.. Most successful applicants achieve these grades on first sitting with strong predicted grades from their school.

Question 4

How are GCSEs weighted at Cambridge vs Exeter?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge — Strong GCSE profile expected (typically 9-10 A*/8-9 grades) but used holistically, not algorithmically. Exeter — GCSE performance considered as part of the broader academic profile; specific scoring not published.

Question 5

How does each school actually shortlist applicants?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge's selection methodology: Holistic shortlisting that varies by college. UCAT is the primary objective factor. Cambridge interviews 75-80% of applicants and makes many post-interview rejections. Exeter's selection methodology: shortlisting weight not fully disclosed; check the official admissions page. 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.

Question 6

Which has a higher post-interview offer rate, Cambridge or Exeter?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge: Home (predicted grades): 253/979 = 26% (2025); International (predicted): 8/58 = 14%. ~30 more offers to those with achieved grades. Exeter: International (2026 policy): ~33% (10 places, ~30 interviews); UK Undergrad: 366/696 = 53%.

Post-interview odds give you the clearest signal of how competitive each school is at the final stage — a school with a 60% post-interview success rate is structurally easier to convert than one at 25%, even if the interview thresholds look identical on paper.

Question 7

Where are Cambridge and Exeter located, and how does that affect cost?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge is in Cambridge, UK. Exeter is in Exeter, Devon, England, UK, 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).

Question 8

When does each school release decisions?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge typically releases medicine decisions January. Exeter releases medicine decisions March onwards / mid-May. 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.

Question 9

Should I apply to both Cambridge and Exeter?

Accepted Answer

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.

Comparison field	CambridgeCambridge	ExeterExeter, Devon, England, UK
Quick comparison
Location	Cambridge, UK	Exeter, Devon, England, UK, UK
A-Level offer	AAA at A-level (typical offer; 92–95% of recent offer-holders predicted AAA*) including Chemistry and Biology / Mathematics / Physics	A*AA at A-level including A in Chemistry and A in Biology
TrueScore	2150	1900
UCAT home cut-off	~2150+ /2700 safer; mean offer holder ≈ 2310 /2700 (2025 entry, first UCAT cycle)	~1880+ /2700 with AAA* (5th decile) OR ~2100+ /2700 with AAA (8th decile). Points cut-off 74+/100.
Interview format	Traditional panel interviews with academic focus	Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Post-interview chance	Home (predicted grades): 253/979 = 26% (2025); International (predicted): 8/58 = 14%. ~30 more offers to those with achieved grades.	International (2026 policy): ~33% (10 places, ~30 interviews); UK Undergrad: 366/696 = 53%
Decision date	January	March onwards / mid-May

Cambridge vs Exeter

Side-by-side comparison

Cambridge

Exeter

Cambridge vs Exeter - in detail

UCAT thresholds compared

A-Level and academic profile

Interview formats

Post-interview offer rate

What makes each distinctive

Which is right for you?

Common questions

Where to go next

Other medical school comparisons