The Admissions Process

Applying to Cambridge can seem like a very daunting challenge, but don’t let that put you off. Everyone now studying medicine at Corpus has had to go through the same set of challenges, and has had the same anxieties and fears. Hopefully this part of the website will give you an insight into the application procedure as seen through the eyes of one of those students.

Deciding to study Medicine

Before undergoing the admissions process it is important to be sure that the course is right for you. Studying medicine involves a substantial time and work commitment. Furthermore, the science-based preclinical course at Cambridge is fast-paced and intellectually challenging. It is worth familiarising yourself with the nature of the course early on. In addition, Corpus and the University as a whole run a number of Open Days and other Admission Events to give you a taste of what the medical course is like.

Entry requirements

If you are considering medicine or veterinary medicine (please note Corpus does not offer the latter course), chances are that you are already studying science at AS and A level. In order to apply, you need to have already done three science subjects at AS-level and planning to do at least two science subjects at A-level, one of which must be Chemistry. Science subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics (but NOT Psychology). If you are taking a different examination system, you should discuss your position with the Admissions Tutor– it is likely you will need to provide evidence that you have reached the equivalent standard in the corresponding science subjects you have studied.

In addition to subject requirements, you will need to be 18 years old by the 1st of January of your first year of university.

Applying to Cambridge

Before applying, you need to book yourself to take the Bio-Medical Admissions Test. The most important part of your UCAS application form is of course, your personal statement. This is the one part where you get to describe yourself, and sell yourself to the College. Note the format of the personal statement will change from the 2025 application cycle onwards to white-spaced questions. Take your time writing it, and do your best to show how committed you are to studying medicine.  You will also be required to fill in the Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ).

When filling in your application, try to be honest with your activities, interests and ambitions – you may be asked to elaborate during the interview! It is always a good idea to include evidence of academic projects or courses you have been involved in, for example Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs) and Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs). A recommended one from the latter to give you a headstart to biochemistry in first year is this one. 

Note: a lot of unnecessary effort goes into choosing a College which has been relatively undersubscribed in recent years – however, this is not as important as some make it out to be. The main objective of the UCAT and interview are to judge whether you are suitable for the course – if the answer is yes, but all the College places are filled, your application will enter the pool, and you could end up in another College instead. Conversely, if a College has places for 5 students and there are 5 applications or fewer that does NOT mean you are guaranteed a place – if candidates are deemed unsuitable for the course, then their places will be filled candidates in the pool instead. In summary, it is best to choose a College where you would like to spend the next six years studying at!

The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

Everyone who wants to apply for medicine or veterinary medicine is required to sit the UCAT. The test is used to assess intellectual aptitude and specific abilities relevant to the study of medicine and veterinary medicine at Cambridge. It is divided into 5 sections:

  • Verbal Reasoning: (44 questions, 21 minutes) tests your ability to read quickly and accurately to answer reading comprehension and True/False/Can’t Tell inference questions. Generally deemed the hardest section.
  • Decision Making: (29 questions, 31 minutes) includes a range of question types including syllogisms, logic games, probability, Venn diagrams, strongest arguments, and extracting information.
  • Quantitative Reasoning: (36 questions, 25 minutes) includes GCSE-level maths problem solving; typically straightforward and well answered.
  • Abstract Reasoning: (50 questions, 12 minutes) tests your ability to extract patterns in sets/series of shapes and figures. Time pressured but a section that one can drastically improve in.
  • Situational Judgement: (69 questions, 26 minutes) tests your knowledge of the proper professional behaviour and conduct of a medical professional. Unlike the other 4 sections that are scored between 300-900, you’re given a band for your SJT performance with Band 1 being the highest and Band 4 being the lowest.

With regards to preparation for the test, practice papers and advice can be found on the UCAT Website. Practising using an online question bank is the single most effective study method. Don’t bother attending paid online courses or workshops as ultimately, doing a large volume of questions will enable you to develop a personalised strategy which is more efficacious than forcing the implementation of a strategy someone else proposed. Along with GCSEs and A-levels, the UCAT is one of the top, if not the top, measure used to shortlist candidates for interview and likely plays a key role in determining offers as well. It is one of the few metrics where everyone has an even playing field.

The Interview

Around half the candidates will be invited to attend an interview in early December, at least for Corpus. Other colleges have their own policies and may interview fewer or more people. There are numerous legends surrounding the Cambridge interview, ranging from the girl who was asked to throw a brick out of window into the street below, to the hapless applicant being greeted upon opening the door by a rugby ball thrown with force in their direction. In the latter case, if the ball is caught, the applicant instantly gets an offer. Luckily, such myths are precisely that, myths. The interviews are designed to challenge you, and to make you think but not to trick you, scare you or catch you out.

Medicine and veterinary medicine, like most subjects, have two interviews. One of them is designed to assess your potential and suitability. This means you will probably be asked why you applied to Cambridge over another university, and why you are interested in the course. Additionally, questions may be asked on any of the work you have presented thus far. For example, you could be asked questions on certain aspects of your personal statement such as work experience and extra projects (or SAQ). In order to fully prepare for this interview, be sure to think over what you have written in your personal statement and SAQ, and be prepared to answer questions on them. This interview could also include a discussion of a new development in medicine which you may have heard of.

The other interview could be seen as taking the format of a ‘mini-supervision’ (supervisions are small group College-based teaching sessions). There are usually two interviewers who will ask you questions on a subject which you have studied at school. The questions are designed to see how you think through problems using your current knowledge. Don’t be put off if you don’t understand a question straight away, or if you’ve never heard of something. Think it through, ask for an explanation if you have to and try to enjoy yourself!  It is probably a good idea to look over the aspects of your course that may need a bit of refreshment so you don’t get caught out!

Realistically, there will be a mix of both across both interviews of personal statement/general interview questions and more scientific questions, speaking from the experience of several current Corpus students. Be aware that in one of the interviews, the interviewers may play bad cop, and in the other, good cop. Also, whilst Corpus conducts 2 interviews per candidate, other colleges may carry out 3 (e.g., Caius).

A common question from applicants is ‘how much do the UCAT and interview count towards me getting an offer?’ Generally, the performance of candidates is comparable for both assessments, and each application is treated individually in this respect. However, since the UCAT and school grades are already assessed when shortlisting for interview, the interview performance likely carries greater weight in the final decision, so this is the one to ace! Something else that usually worries applicants unnecessarily is what to wear. The honest answer to this is to just wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. If that is a suit, then wear a suit, but remember that the interviews are an opportunity for the interviewers to find out about how you think, not how you look.

Final steps

If your application is successful you will hear back in mid-January with an offer, which is typically A*A*A with an A* in chemistry. However, individuals may receive slightly different offers, and Corpus students have in the past received A*A*AA if they do 4 A-levels. For typical offers on equivalent qualifications, please contact the Admissions Tutor directly. If you are placed in the pool, you may be accepted by another College in due course. When A-level results are out in mid-August and you have fulfilled the conditions of your offer, your College will then be in touch with further details.