Question 1

What UCAT score do I need for Lincoln Medical School vs Southampton?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School's typical home cut-off is around 1700, while Southampton sits at approximately 2000 — a 300-point spread. That's a meaningful gap; Lincoln Medical School is materially more accessible for an average-to-good UCAT, while Southampton expects performance closer to the top 26% 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 Lincoln Medical School and Southampton?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School uses Multiple Mini Interviews: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Southampton uses Panel interview: Selection Day - Panel and Group. 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 (Lincoln Medical School); January - March (Southampton).

Question 3

What A-Level grades do Lincoln Medical School and Southampton require?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School requires AAB including Chemistry and Biology. Southampton requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology. Most successful applicants achieve these grades on first sitting with strong predicted grades from their school. Resit policies differ: Lincoln Medical School — Resits considered.. Southampton — Resits considered case-by-case; achieved-grade route also available..

Question 4

How are GCSEs weighted at Lincoln Medical School vs Southampton?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School — Min 6 GCSEs at grade 6 including Maths, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (or dual-award Science). Southampton — Strong GCSE profile expected - typically 6+ at grade 7+ including Maths, English Language, dual-award Science.

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). Southampton's selection methodology: UCAT-based shortlisting after academic minimums met. Historically uses a banding/decile-based UCAT approach. 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, Lincoln Medical School or Southampton?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School: All Students (2023): 159/229 = 69%. Southampton: Home Students: 574/834 = 69%; International (2023): 17/59 = 30%.

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 Lincoln Medical School and Southampton located, and how does that affect cost?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School is in Lincoln, UK. Southampton is in Southampton, 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

Lincoln Medical School typically releases medicine decisions March onwards. Southampton 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 9

What curriculum style do Lincoln Medical School and Southampton use?

Accepted Answer

Lincoln Medical School runs a Integrated curriculum. Southampton runs a Integrated curriculum. Both schools deliver teaching in the same broad style, so day-to-day study habits will feel similar. 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). Southampton specifics: Five-year BM5 integrated programme with strong emphasis on research methodology. Clinical placements across Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Salisbury, and Isle of Wight NHS sites.

Question 10

Should I apply to both Lincoln Medical School and Southampton?

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	SouthamptonSouthampton
Quick comparison
Location	Lincoln, UK	Southampton, UK
A-Level offer	AAA at A-level including Biology (or Human Biology) and Chemistry	AAA at A-level (offer and prediction) including Biology and one of Chemistry / Physics / Psychology / Sociology / Environmental Studies / Geography
TrueScore	1700	2000
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.	~2000+ /2700 (2024 entry lowest invited ≈ 1958)
Interview format	Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)	Selection Day - Panel and Group
Post-interview chance	All Students (2023): 159/229 = 69%	Home Students: 574/834 = 69%; International (2023): 17/59 = 30%
Decision date	March onwards	March onwards

Lincoln Medical School vs Southampton

Side-by-side comparison

Lincoln Medical School

Southampton

Lincoln Medical School vs Southampton - in detail

UCAT thresholds compared

A-Level and academic profile

Interview formats

Curriculum and teaching style

Post-interview offer rate

What makes each distinctive

Which is right for you?

Common questions

Where to go next

Other medical school comparisons