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18 months of free support to maximise your chances of getting into medical school.
Preparing for Medicine is a series of activities designed to guide you through the process of applying for medical school. You'll get access to mentoring, subject-related events, and expert guidance to support you every step of the way, starting in Year 12/Level 3 Year 1.
The best part? It's all completely free.
Who is it for?
Preparing For Medicine is designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Applications are open to Year 12 or Level 3 Year 1 students attending a state school or college in England. Additional eligibility criteria apply.
For the complete eligibility criteria, see the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.
What will I get?
The programme starts in Year 12/Level 3 Year 1 and continues until the end of Year 13/Level 3 Year 2. Throughout that time, you'll have access to a dedicated mentor in the form of a current medical student. You'll also attend several in-person events, including:
28 March 2026: Welcome event at UEA. An intro to Preparing for Medicine and a chance to meet your mentor
22 April 2026: Medical ethics webinar and summer school preparation
Five-day summer school at the University of East Anglia (May 2026, non-residential) or Anglia Ruskin University (July 2026, residential)
Work experience opportunities during your summer school: either a GP shadowing placement (UEA) or hospital observation (ARU)
13 June 2026: UCAT workshops at Anglia Ruskin University to demystify the admissions test
19 August 2026: Careers and work experience webinar to help you reflect on the skills you've gained
19 September 2026: Application and interview support session at UEA
18 months of mentoring with a dedicated e-mentor in the form of a current medical student.
Finally, if you engage with all aspects of Preparing for Medicine and you meet the course entry requirements, you will have a guaranteed interview to study medicine at UEA. This applies to our MBBS Medicine and MBBS Medicine with a Gateway Year courses.
Please review our entry requirements, including the minimum GCSE requirements, using the links below:
How do I apply?
We deliver Preparing for Medicine in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the Medical Schools Council. To apply, you'll need to complete a sign-up form on the Medical Schools Council website.
Applications are open now and close on Sunday 30 November 2025.
Do I need to be studying Science A Levels?
Not necessarily! Many medical schools, including Norwich Medical School at UEA, offer Medicine with a Gateway Year. Unlike traditional Medicine courses, Gateway Year courses are open to students with a range of different qualifications, including:
Non-Science A Levels
BTEC
T Levels
a combination of BTEC and A Levels
A Gateway Year is an additional year at the start of the course, designed to give you the academic knowledge and skills to succeed in the rest of your medical studies.
Hear from Preparing for Medicine participants
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Preparing for Medicine myth-busted the entire application process - making it clear, understandable and, more importantly for me, achievable. The Preparing for Medicine team helped me develop the essential skills and confidence to go on and apply for medicine. In fact, it equipped me so well that I gained a place at all four medical schools I applied to.
Laura
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After completing Preparing for Medicine, both Laura and Imogen went on to study medicine at UEA.
Read more about Laura's and Imogen's experiences of Preparing for Medicine.
Where could medicine take you?
The medical profession is as varied as it is rewarding. Here are some examples of what kind of careers a degree in Medicine can lead to:
Surgeon
Cardiologist
Neurologist
Clinical Radiologist
Sports club doctor
Military doctor
Anaesthetist
Hospital doctor
General practice doctor
To explore more careers in Medicine, visit the NHS website.
FAQs