Although all the medical schools have a core syllabus, as we have already seen, the courses are often structured very differently. Some integrate the pre-clinical and clinical sides of the course more than others, some teach purely via lectures and tutorials whereas others focus on group-based learning (PBLs), and although all offer Student Selected components at some point, the timing and amount of these varies. Applicants need to think carefully about the type of course that suits them then choose the universities that would fit their requirements.

There are a number of other factors applicants may wish to take into account when choosing a medical school:

• Location – city vs. campus based
• Entry requirements – typical grades/retake policy
• Reputation - league tables/talking to students
• Specialist medical school vs. large, multi-disciplinary university
• Facilities – accommodation/social aspect/extra-curricular

Seeing as a degree programme in a Medical school is very long, applicants may wish to consider St. Andrews as it offers them an opportunity to move to Manchester after their first three years and complete their degree programme at this institution.

It is often a good idea for applicants visit a few universities by attending their open days to get a feel for the atmosphere and talk to some of the students on the medical course.

The entry requirements for each medical school are slightly different – students need to make sure that they have the correct subjects for the schools they want to apply to. Each year the criteria get tougher and tougher; realistically, students not capable of getting straight A grades at A-level, should not apply.

These are minimum requirements. Good candidates will be capable of exceeding these comfortably.