Question 1

What UCAT score do I need for Southampton vs St Mary's Twickenham?

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. Southampton guidance: ~2000+ /2700 (2024 entry lowest invited ≈ 1958). St Mary's Twickenham guidance: International students only - first cohort 2026 entry. UCAT contributes to shortlisting rank. No SJT use stated..

Question 2

How do interviews differ between Southampton and St Mary's Twickenham?

Accepted Answer

Southampton uses Panel interview: Selection Day - Panel and Group. St Mary's Twickenham 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: January - March (Southampton); December - March (St Mary's Twickenham).

Question 3

What A-Level grades do Southampton and St Mary's Twickenham require?

Accepted Answer

Southampton requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology.

St Mary's Twickenham requires AAA prediction and offer requirements, must include chemistry or biology as well as one of biology/chemistry/physics/maths. Resits only considered in exceptional circumstances. GCSEs: grade 6 minimum in maths, English language, biology and chemistry (or dual award science).

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.

Question 4

How are GCSEs weighted at Southampton vs St Mary's Twickenham?

Accepted Answer

Southampton — Strong GCSE profile expected - typically 6+ at grade 7+ including Maths, English Language, dual-award Science. St Mary's Twickenham — GCSE performance considered as part of the broader academic profile; specific scoring not published.

Question 5

How does each school actually shortlist applicants?

Accepted Answer

Southampton's selection methodology: UCAT-based shortlisting after academic minimums met. Historically uses a banding/decile-based UCAT approach. St Mary's Twickenham's selection methodology: shortlisting weight not fully disclosed; check the official admissions page. 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 Southampton and St Mary's Twickenham located, and how does that affect cost?

Accepted Answer

Southampton is in Southampton, UK. St Mary's Twickenham is in Twickenham, London, 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

Southampton typically releases medicine decisions March onwards. St Mary's Twickenham 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

Should I apply to both Southampton and St Mary's Twickenham?

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	SouthamptonSouthampton	St Mary's TwickenhamTwickenham, London
Quick comparison
Location	Southampton, UK	Twickenham, London, UK
A-Level offer	AAA at A-level (offer and prediction) including Biology and one of Chemistry / Physics / Psychology / Sociology / Environmental Studies / Geography	AAA at A-level (offer and prediction) including Chemistry or Biology and one of Biology / Chemistry / Physics / Mathematics
TrueScore	2000	1700intl
UCAT home cut-off	~2000+ /2700 (2024 entry lowest invited ≈ 1958)	-
Interview format	Selection Day - Panel and Group	Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Post-interview chance	Home Students: 574/834 = 69%; International (2023): 17/59 = 30%	-
Decision date	March onwards	March onwards

Southampton vs St Mary's Twickenham

Side-by-side comparison

Southampton

St Mary's Twickenham

Southampton vs St Mary's Twickenham - in detail

A-Level and academic profile

Interview formats

What makes each distinctive

Which is right for you?

Common questions

Where to go next

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