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Medical school comparison

University of Greater Manchester vs North Wales (Bangor)

University of Greater Manchester and North Wales (Bangor) are both UK medical schools, but the path to an offer at each is meaningfully different. Both sit in England, so location and clinical-placement breadth are similar — the differentiation comes from selection methodology, interview style and curriculum philosophy.

Side-by-side comparison

University of Greater Manchester

Bolton

Quick comparison

Location
Bolton, UK
A-Level offer
Minimum AAB at A-level (offer and prediction) including Chemistry or Biology and one further subject from Biology / Chemistry / Physics / Mathematics. Completed in one sitting across a maximum of two years.
TrueScore
1700intl
UCAT home cut-off
UCAT not used for home applicants - shortlisted on personal statement only
Interview format
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Post-interview chance
-
Decision date
March onwards

North Wales (Bangor)

Bangor

Quick comparison

Location
Bangor, UK
A-Level offer
AAA at A-level including Biology and Chemistry
TrueScore
1700
UCAT home cut-off
~1700+ /2700 estimated (Welsh-domiciled applicants face the lowest bar)
Interview format
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Post-interview chance
Refused to disclose. New medical school, has been in clearing in past years.
Decision date
March onwards
Compare different schools

University of Greater Manchester vs North Wales (Bangor) - in detail

A-Level and academic profile

University of Greater Manchester requires Minimum AAB offer/prediction, must include chemistry or biology and one further subject from biology/chemistry/physics/maths. Completed in one sitting across a maximum of two years. May consider resits. GCSEs: 5 subjects at grade 6, must include maths, English language and two sciences; will consider resits in GCSE English language or maths.

North Wales (Bangor) requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology.

GCSE profile matters at both schools — University of Greater Manchester: Min 7 GCSEs at grade 7+ including Maths, English Language, dual-award Science (similar to main Manchester programme). North Wales (Bangor): Min 5 GCSEs at grade 6 including Maths, English Language, dual-award Science. Welsh-language ability welcomed but not required.

Interview formats

Both University of Greater Manchester and North Wales (Bangor) 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: University of Greater Manchester interviews in December - March; North Wales (Bangor) in December - March.

Curriculum and teaching style

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

Specifics: Five-year MBChB built around problem-based learning. Manchester-affiliated with Greater Manchester NHS placements. Four-year accelerated MBBCh (Cardiff) for graduates, or 5-year route. Strong rural/community placement strand across North Wales (Betsi Cadwaladr UHB)

Intake size: University of Greater Manchester — ~50 places per year (smaller satellite cohort).; North Wales (Bangor) — ~30 places per year (small cohort, designed for local retention).. A larger cohort means more peer breadth; a smaller cohort means more tutor contact.

What makes each distinctive

University of Greater Manchester: Potentially open to UK applicants this year - enquire for more details. International students can apply directly in addition to their 4 UCAS medical choices.

North Wales (Bangor): Refused to disclose UCAT cut-offs or shortlisting weighting. Anecdotally lower thresholds, particularly for Welsh applicants. Has entered clearing in past years.

Which is right for you?

Both schools sit in the same England foundation-programme catchment, so post-graduation training paths overlap heavily. Your firm/insurance choice should ultimately weight: where your UCAT and predicted grades sit relative to each school's threshold, which interview format you can prepare for most credibly, and where you'd actually want to live for five or six years.

Common questions

Where to go next

University of Greater ManchesterEntry requirements, interview format and key dates in fullNorth Wales (Bangor)Entry requirements, interview format and key dates in full

Other medical school comparisons

School data reviewed by the NextGen MedPrep editorial team — last reviewed 4 August 2026.