Question 1

What UCAT score do I need for Dundee vs Surrey (GEM)?

Accepted Answer

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. Dundee guidance: Pre-interview shortlisting: 60% academic + 40% UCAT (school leavers); 40% / 60% for graduates. SJT not used.. Surrey (GEM) guidance: New graduate-entry medical school (first cohort 2024 entry). UCAT required; no cut-off published yet..

Question 2

How do interviews differ between Dundee and Surrey (GEM)?

Accepted Answer

Dundee uses Assessment day: Two-part selection (~1h40m): observed 30-minute group discussion, then a structured traditional one-to-one discussion with an assessor. Surrey (GEM) 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 - February (Dundee); December - March (Surrey (GEM)).

Question 3

What A-Level grades do Dundee and Surrey (GEM) require?

Accepted Answer

Dundee requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology.

Surrey (GEM) requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology.

Both demand the same A-Level grade band, so academic prediction is unlikely to differentiate your application between them — provided you meet the required subject combination at each.

GCSE profile matters at both schools — Dundee: Biology, English and Maths required at GCSE grade 6/B (if not studied at A-Level). Higher GCSE/National 5 grades essential due to high academic weighting in shortlisting. Surrey (GEM): Not applicable - graduate-entry programme. Requires a 2:1 honours degree.

Question 4

How are GCSEs weighted at Dundee vs Surrey (GEM)?

Accepted Answer

Dundee — Biology, English and Maths required at GCSE grade 6/B (if not studied at A-Level). Higher GCSE/National 5 grades essential due to high academic weighting in shortlisting. Surrey (GEM) — Not applicable - graduate-entry programme. Requires a 2:1 honours degree.

Question 5

How does each school actually shortlist applicants?

Accepted Answer

Dundee's selection methodology: 60% academic score (GCSE + predicted A-Level) + 40% UCAT for shortlisting. Personal statement not scored - may be discussed at interview. SJT not used. Surrey (GEM)'s selection methodology: New programme. UCAT + degree class + interview. Surrey-based graduate medicine. 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

Where are Dundee and Surrey (GEM) located, and how does that affect cost?

Accepted Answer

Dundee is in Dundee, UK. Surrey (GEM) is in Guildford, 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.

Question 7

When does each school release decisions?

Accepted Answer

Dundee typically releases medicine decisions March onwards. Surrey (GEM) 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.

Question 8

What curriculum style do Dundee and Surrey (GEM) use?

Accepted Answer

Dundee runs a Spiral curriculum. Surrey (GEM) runs a PBL curriculum. The teaching philosophies differ — pick the style that matches how you learn best. Dundee specifics: Five-year MBChB spiral curriculum - concepts revisited with increasing complexity. Clinical placements across NHS Tayside, NHS Fife, NHS Highland, and remote/rural Scottish sites. Surrey (GEM) specifics: Four-year accelerated graduate-entry MBChB. Surrey-based with South-East NHS placements.

Question 9

Should I apply to both Dundee and Surrey (GEM)?

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	DundeeDundee	Surrey (GEM)Guildford
Quick comparison
Location	Dundee, UK	Guildford, UK
A-Level offer	AAA at A-level (minimum) - AAA or AAA* recommended for non-contextual RUK due to use in shortlisting algorithm	AAA including Chemistry and Biology
TrueScore	1700	1700GEM
UCAT home cut-off	-	-
Interview format	Two-part selection (~1h40m): observed 30-minute group discussion, then a structured traditional one-to-one discussion with an assessor	Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Post-interview chance	RUK Non-Contextual (2025): 73/130 = 56%; Scottish: 647/825 = 78%; International: 86/156 = 55%	-
Decision date	March onwards	March onwards

Dundee vs Surrey (GEM)

Side-by-side comparison

Dundee

Surrey (GEM)

Dundee vs Surrey (GEM) - in detail

A-Level and academic profile

Interview formats

Curriculum and teaching style

What makes each distinctive

Which is right for you?

Common questions

Where to go next

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