Question 1

What UCAT score do I need for St Mary's Twickenham vs Surrey (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. St Mary's Twickenham guidance: International students only - first cohort 2026 entry. UCAT contributes to shortlisting rank. No SJT use stated.. Surrey (GEM) guidance: New graduate-entry medical school (first cohort 2024 entry). UCAT required; no cut-off published yet..

Question 2

How do interviews differ between St Mary's Twickenham and Surrey (GEM)?

Accepted Answer

St Mary's Twickenham uses Multiple Mini Interviews: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Surrey (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 (St Mary's Twickenham); December - March (Surrey (GEM)).

Question 3

What A-Level grades do St Mary's Twickenham and Surrey (GEM) require?

Accepted Answer

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).

Surrey (GEM) requires AAA including Chemistry and Biology.

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 St Mary's Twickenham vs Surrey (GEM)?

Accepted Answer

St Mary's Twickenham — GCSE performance considered as part of the broader academic profile; specific scoring not published. Surrey (GEM) — Not applicable - graduate-entry programme. Requires a 2:1 honours degree.

Question 5

How does each school actually shortlist applicants?

Accepted Answer

St Mary's Twickenham's selection methodology: shortlisting weight not fully disclosed; check the official admissions page. Surrey (GEM)'s selection methodology: New programme. UCAT + degree class + interview. Surrey-based graduate medicine. 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 St Mary's Twickenham and Surrey (GEM) located, and how does that affect cost?

Accepted Answer

St Mary's Twickenham is in Twickenham, London, UK. Surrey (GEM) is in Guildford, 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

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

Should I apply to both St Mary's Twickenham and Surrey (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	St Mary's TwickenhamTwickenham, London	Surrey (GEM)Guildford
Quick comparison
Location	Twickenham, London, UK	Guildford, UK
A-Level offer	AAA at A-level (offer and prediction) including Chemistry or Biology and one of Biology / Chemistry / Physics / Mathematics	AAA including Chemistry and Biology
TrueScore	1700intl	1700GEM
UCAT home cut-off	-	-
Interview format	Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)	Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Post-interview chance	-	-
Decision date	March onwards	March onwards

St Mary's Twickenham vs Surrey (GEM)

Side-by-side comparison

St Mary's Twickenham

Surrey (GEM)

St Mary's Twickenham vs Surrey (GEM) - in detail

A-Level and academic profile

Interview formats

What makes each distinctive

Which is right for you?

Common questions

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