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Academic entry requirements

See the academic entry requirements page for our entrance requirements. The list is not exhaustive, and tutors can consider a wide range of other qualifications.

Some qualifications may not be sufficient for an application to be considered; we strongly recommend that you look at the University listing of international qualifications to check that you are indeed eligible to apply. If not, you will need to supplement your existing qualifications with further study. The University of Oxford does not offer Foundation or Access programmes, but there are other providers that may be able to help you to reach our entry level. Additionally advice on taking A-levels or the IB can be obtained respectively from your local British Council or the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

Please note that whatever your qualifications we would expect a strong track record in Chemistry (compulsory), plus at least one from Biology, Physics and Mathematics.

It is crucial that you include your full educational history (with qualification type and grade) as part of your UCAS application, not just the qualifications you are currently taking. Without this information, it is difficult for the Medical School to properly assess your application.

Places for international applicants

Competition for places on the Medicine course at Oxford University for international students is very strong as the Medical School is required by the government to restrict the number of students who are classified as international students for fees purposes to a maximum of fourteen each year, across both the standard (A100) and Graduate Entry (A101) courses.

Do be aware that citizenship does not in itself determine your status for fees purposes. The issue is decided according to the facts of each case, having regard to where the student has been 'ordinarily resident' for the three year period to 31 August prior to commencing a course at a British University. In most cases, the main purpose of this residence must not have been for educational purposes. Advice from the University on determining status for fees purposes can be found on the fee status website.

Applicants should try to solve any uncertainty about their status before they submit their UCAS application - we suggest seeking specialist guidance, but applicants are most welcome to contact the University’s Student Fees Team (student.fees@admin.ox.ac.uk) with details of their specific circumstances.

Independent information on fee classification can be obtained from UKCISA, an organization that provides advice on fee and visa issues to international students.

Short-listing is conducted in line with the quota imposed on the Medical School by the UK Government for the available international places i.e. the number shortlisted for interview is restricted to approximately 32 for the standard A100 course.

Fees & finance

You can find out more about fees, living costs and funding on the student funding website.

We regret that there are few, if any, scholarships available for A100 Medicine in Oxford due to the nature and duration of the course and the costs involved. To undertake a full funding search, please visit the student funding website.

This funding search website may also be of interest.

Your local branch of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies might be able to advise you on finding scholarships, or looking for more affordable medical courses, perhaps in your own country.

Interviews for international applicants

Those shortlisted will be interviewed by two colleges: where possible, one will be your college of choice (or allocation, if you made an open application), the second will be allocated to you randomly.

The number and format of interviews at each college may vary but the selection criteria are common to all colleges. You will be interviewed by at least two academics at each college and by at least one practising clinician. You cannot predict whether your application has been successful by counting the number of interviews you receive, so don’t become anxious if you receive either more or fewer than you expect! 

You can also find further information at the University interview website.