Q: What curriculum style do Lincoln Medical School and Pears Cumbria (GEM) use?

Lincoln Medical School runs a Integrated curriculum. Pears Cumbria (GEM) runs a PBL curriculum. The teaching philosophies differ — pick the style that matches how you learn best. Lincoln Medical School specifics: Five-year MBBChir partnered with Nottingham. Lincoln-based teaching with Lincolnshire NHS clinical placements (Lincoln County Hospital, Pilgrim Hospital Boston, Grantham). Pears Cumbria (GEM) specifics: Four-year accelerated graduate-entry programme. Imperial College London partner. Clinical placements across Cumbria NHS sites (UHMBT, North Cumbria Integrated Care).

Question 1

What UCAT score do I need for Lincoln Medical School vs Pears Cumbria (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. Lincoln Medical School guidance: ~1700+ /2700 with B1 SJT and 6× grade 9s at GCSE (combined ~51/60 target). Lower UCAT viable with stronger GCSE/SJT mix.. Pears Cumbria (GEM) guidance: Applicants may submit UCAT, GAMSAT or MCAT - whichever they performed best on. UCAT used as shortlisting filter only; offers based purely on interview + academic record..

Question 2

How do interviews differ between Lincoln Medical School and Pears Cumbria (GEM)?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School uses Multiple Mini Interviews: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Pears Cumbria (GEM) uses Multiple Mini Interviews: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). The format is the same, so the same prep approach applies — practise ethics frameworks, NHS hot topics, and (for MMI) structured 5-7 minute station answers. Interview windows: December - March (Lincoln Medical School); December - March (Pears Cumbria (GEM)).

Question 3

What A-Level grades do Lincoln Medical School and Pears Cumbria (GEM) require?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School requires AAB including Chemistry and Biology.

Pears Cumbria (GEM) requires Graduate entry - degree required.

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

Question 4

How are GCSEs weighted at Lincoln Medical School vs Pears Cumbria (GEM)?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School — Min 6 GCSEs at grade 6 including Maths, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (or dual-award Science). Pears Cumbria (GEM) — Not applicable - graduate-entry programme. Requires a 2:1 honours degree.

Question 5

How does each school actually shortlist applicants?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School's selection methodology: Lincoln operates jointly with the University of Nottingham - uses Nottingham's weighted UCAT/academic scoring system. New programme (first cohort 2019). Pears Cumbria (GEM)'s selection methodology: New programme (first cohort 2024). UCAT + degree class + GAMSAT (alternative to UCAT for some routes) + interview. Imperial-affiliated graduate medicine in Cumbria. 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 Lincoln Medical School and Pears Cumbria (GEM) located, and how does that affect cost?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School is in Lincoln, UK. Pears Cumbria (GEM) is in Carlisle, 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

Lincoln Medical School typically releases medicine decisions March onwards. Pears Cumbria (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 Lincoln Medical School and Pears Cumbria (GEM) use?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School runs a Integrated curriculum; Pears Cumbria (GEM) runs a PBL curriculum. The teaching philosophies are different — Lincoln Medical School delivers more didactic lectures with structured systems-based progression, while Pears Cumbria (GEM) centres learning around clinical cases.

Specifics: Five-year MBBChir partnered with Nottingham. Lincoln-based teaching with Lincolnshire NHS clinical placements (Lincoln County Hospital, Pilgrim Hospit Four-year accelerated graduate-entry programme. Imperial College London partner. Clinical placements across Cumbria NHS sites (UHMBT, North Cumbria In

Intake size: Lincoln Medical School — ~80 places per year (small cohort, focused on Lincolnshire placements).; Pears Cumbria (GEM) — ~50 places per year (small newer cohort).. A larger cohort means more peer breadth; a smaller cohort means more tutor contact.

Question 9

Should I apply to both Lincoln Medical School and Pears Cumbria (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	Lincoln Medical SchoolLincoln	Pears Cumbria (GEM)Carlisle
Quick comparison
Location	Lincoln, UK	Carlisle, UK
A-Level offer	AAA at A-level including Biology (or Human Biology) and Chemistry	Graduate entry - degree required
TrueScore	1700	1700GEM
UCAT home cut-off	~1700+ /2700 with B1 SJT and 6× grade 9s at GCSE (combined ~51/60 target). Lower UCAT viable with stronger GCSE/SJT mix.	-
Interview format	Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)	Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Post-interview chance	All Students (2023): 159/229 = 69%	-
Decision date	March onwards	March onwards

Lincoln Medical School vs Pears Cumbria (GEM)

Side-by-side comparison

Lincoln Medical School

Pears Cumbria (GEM)

Lincoln Medical School vs Pears Cumbria (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