Question 1

What UCAT score do I need for Leicester vs Swansea (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. Leicester guidance: ~1750+ /2700 with strong GCSE/8× grade 9s (2025 entry cut-off ≈ 1725). Swansea (GEM) guidance: UCAT not required - graduate entry programme..

Question 2

How do interviews differ between Leicester and Swansea (GEM)?

Accepted Answer

Leicester uses Multiple Mini Interviews: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Swansea (GEM) uses Assessment day: Assessment Day. 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 (Leicester); March (Swansea (GEM)).

Question 3

What A-Level grades do Leicester and Swansea (GEM) require?

Accepted Answer

Leicester requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology.

Swansea (GEM) requires Graduate entry programme - degree required.

GCSE profile matters at both schools — Leicester: Min 5 GCSEs at grade 7+ (A/A*) including Maths, English Language, dual-award Science. Swansea (GEM): Not applicable - graduate-entry programme. Requires a 2:1 honours degree.

Question 4

How are GCSEs weighted at Leicester vs Swansea (GEM)?

Accepted Answer

Leicester — Min 5 GCSEs at grade 7+ (A/A*) including Maths, English Language, dual-award Science. Swansea (GEM) — Not applicable - graduate-entry programme. Requires a 2:1 honours degree.

Question 5

How does each school actually shortlist applicants?

Accepted Answer

Leicester's selection methodology: UCAT-banded shortlisting after academic minimums met. SJT band 1-3 typically required. Multiple Mini Interview format. Swansea (GEM)'s selection methodology: GAMSAT-based selection (UCAT alternative for graduate-entry). Strong Welsh/regional focus. 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 Leicester and Swansea (GEM) located, and how does that affect cost?

Accepted Answer

Leicester is in Leicester, UK. Swansea (GEM) is in Swansea, 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 7

When does each school release decisions?

Accepted Answer

Leicester typically releases medicine decisions March onwards. Swansea (GEM) releases medicine decisions Until 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 8

What curriculum style do Leicester and Swansea (GEM) use?

Accepted Answer

Leicester runs a PBL curriculum. Swansea (GEM) runs a PBL curriculum. Both schools deliver teaching in the same broad style, so day-to-day study habits will feel similar. Leicester specifics: Five-year MBChB with problem-based learning. Clinical placements across Leicestershire NHS hospitals (Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield, Kettering, Lincoln). Swansea (GEM) specifics: Four-year accelerated graduate-entry MBBCh. Swansea-based with South Wales NHS placements (Swansea Bay UHB, Hywel Dda UHB).

Question 9

Should I apply to both Leicester and Swansea (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	LeicesterLeicester	Swansea (GEM)Swansea
Quick comparison
Location	Leicester, UK	Swansea, UK
A-Level offer	AAA at A-level including Chemistry or Biology, plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology - A must be in one of the sciences	Graduate entry programme - degree required
TrueScore	1750	-
UCAT home cut-off	~1750+ /2700 with strong GCSE/8× grade 9s (2025 entry cut-off ≈ 1725)	-
Interview format	Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)	Assessment Day
Post-interview chance	UK Undergraduate: 797/1351 = 59% (2025); UK Graduate: 19/32 = 59%; Overseas Undergraduate: 57/199 = 29%	-
Decision date	March onwards	Until May

Leicester vs Swansea (GEM)

Side-by-side comparison

Leicester

Swansea (GEM)

Leicester vs Swansea (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

Other medical school comparisons