university of manchester medicine personal statement

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Manchester Medical School

Section 1: The Application Process for Medicine at Manchester University

What qualities in a student does manchester university look for.

The University of Manchester is the largest medical school in the UK and it has a cohort size of just over 400 students in each year. The university of Manchester is looking for well-rounded applicants with strong interpersonal skills and are able to communicate effectively.

Reference: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/interviews/

What elements of your application does Manchester medical school value most?

At various stages of the application process, the University of Manchester will be looking for different qualities from their applicants. When shortlisting candidates for interviews, the University of Manchester will consider the information supplied within the Non-Academic Information Form (NAIF) and UCAT score. The NAIF is unique to medicine applicants at the University of Manchester, this form is sent out to candidates after the completion of the UCAS form on the 15th of October. The NAIF is used quite heavily by the University of Manchester when deciding who to interview, in fact the university does not look at the personal statement at all, the university explicitly states " we do not directly assess your personal statement as part of the selection process " [ https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/non-academic/ ], however it is important to mention that the university may read a small number of personal statements in special cases.

More information regarding the NAIF is detailed later on in this guide. In addition to the NAIF, the University of Manchester also utilises the use of a 'threshold' UCAT scores in order to determine which applicants are invited for interview. Candidates who are invited for interview will be assessed on their communication abilities, motivation for medicine, previous caring experience, matters of medical interest as well as ethical and other issues.

How important is the UCAT / BMAT score at Manchester medical school?

The university of Manchester employs the use of a UCAT threshold. Applicants above this threshold are automatically invited for interview. This threshold score will vary from year to year depending on the standard of the scores that are received for a particular year.

The table below summarises the minimum UCAT thresholds that were applied in previous application cycles which can be used as a rough guide for the future. Applicants with scores that were above these threshold were automatically invited for interviews.

Do note that WP+ refers to widening participation plus, WP+ students are those who are generally from less advantaged backgrounds and will have different UCAT thresholds. You can easily find out if you are WP+ using the eligibility tool at https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextual-admissions/admissions/eligibility/ . Simply enter your postcode and where you studied for GCSEs/A-levels to find out if WP+ applies to you.

The table below shows the average overall UCAT scores for applicants in previous cycles and those who where shortlisted to interviews.

[ https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/data/ ]

In circumstances where the number of high scoring candidates exceeds the number of interview slots available, the university will instead rank candidates by overall UCAT score and SJT banding.

The University of Manchester also states that UK/EU applicants who are from similar educational/socio-econimic backgrounds will be considered against each other for UCAT scores using 'publicly available datasets'. They do this to find talented applicants from all backgrounds.

However, do keep in mind that applicants who do not meet the threshold can still be considered for interview via a 'holistic approach'. For the holistic approach, the university of Manchester will consider: your overall UCAT score and Situational Judgement banding; academic achievement (especially if these are above the entry requirements) and contextual data flags.

Generally contextual data at the University of Manchester involves considering the background of applicants, this means they will look at whether your school for GCSEs/A-levels performed poorly compared to the national average, if your postcode is in an area of disadvantage or low progression and whether you have been in care. Students who have refugee status may also be considered contextually. More information regarding contextual data is provided on the university's website: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextual-admissions/admissions/

With regards to the situational judgement component of the UCAT, the University of Manchester will not consider applicants who achieve a Band 4, even under the holistic approach, band 4 will always be rejected. Applicants who achieve a band 3 may still be considered, however priority will be given to those who achieve bands 1 and 2. [ https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/ucat/ ]

How important are the grades you ultimately achieve for medicine at Manchester university?

You must meet the academic entry requirements in order to be considered for interview.

• A levels: AAA (in specific subjects)
• GCSEs: Minimum of 7 GCSEs at grade A (7) or above.

Please note that there are reduced entry requirements for students who meet the contextual offer eligibility. You can use the eligibility tool to find out if this applies to you: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextual-admissions/admissions/eligibility/

It is important to note that if you are shortlisted for interview by meeting the UCAT threshold then having A-level/GCSE grades that exceed the entry requirements will not be advantageous to your application. However if you are shortlisted through the 'holistic' approach mentioned earlier then higher GCSE/A-level grades will be advantageous. [ https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/faqs/ ]

What other requirements does Manchester university have for Medicine?

The University of Manchester requires all applicants to complete the Non-academic information form (NAIF), this is used instead of the personal statement. The NAIF is a more structured version of the personal statement. There are several sections within the NAIF for applicants to fill out, these are:

Experience in a caring role - The university of Manchester states that this does not have to medically-related work experience. In fact they ask applicants to not use examples of shadowing. Instead they want applicants to discuss experiences that were more hands and on and involved, you need to discuss things that you have participated in rather than just observed. This could be for example work experience done in a care home. Responses should demonstrate a clear understanding of what studying medicine is like and what the role of a doctor entails. Candidates should also include what work was done, how much time was spent and what was gained from this.

Hobbies & interests - This section requires applicants to discuss what they do in their spare time. The section is less about what exactly you do in your free time and more to do with actually having some free time and using this free time to do something (i.e. indicating a work-life balance). You should mention what you do, how much time you have dedicated to this and if you have gained any outside recognition (such as awards).

Team working - Working within teams is a large aspect of being a doctor, you need to be able to show that you are able to work in teams and discuss your experience of having done this. You should also be able to show an understanding of the advantages of working within a team as opposed to alone.

Motivation for medicine - This will be quite personal to you. The university of Manchester wants to know how your experiences have influenced your decision to study medicine.

Why Manchester? - There is also space to discuss why you have specifically chosen the University of Manchester. Think about the type of course offered at Manchester and why this may be suitable for you.

More information around the NAIF: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/non-academic/

What should I put in my personal statement for Medicine at Manchester university?

In the specific case of Manchester University, the personal statement is not relevant and the NAIF is much more important to focus on (see above)! You should of course give your personal statement attention with regards to the other universities you are applying to.

What is the structure of the medicine interview for Manchester university?

The university of Manchester uses Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. For 2021 there were 4/5 stations which were each 7 minutes long with 2 minutes rest in-between. Information around the 2022 interviews hasn't yet been made available, however the University will detail the procedure and format to all interviewees prior to the interviews. Interviews for the 2022 entry will take place in December 2021 and January/February 2022.

What does Manchester university look for in a Medicine interview?

The interviews at the University of Manchester are not designed to test your academic knowledge, instead they aim to determine if applicants have the values and behaviors expected of a medical student.

Candidates should display strong interpersonal skills, communication abilities and be well-rounded throughout the interview. The university aims to conduct interviews in a relaxed manner, however some elements will be deliberately challenging in order to see how applicants handle stress.

Specific areas that are tested at interview:

• Ability to communicate - the university of Manchester is looking for applicants who are able to clearly explain their ideas and give coherent arguments. Spontaneous yet well thought out responses would be better than long pre-learned rehearsed speeches.
• Why do you want to be a doctor? - Applicants should discuss specific experiences that influenced their decision to study medicine. Common responses are often in the form of long rehearsed speeches so try to express your ideas more naturally in order to come off as more genuine.
• Previous caring experience - It is important to focus on what you have actually gained from these experiences as well as your emotional response to them. These do not have to be from a traditional medical environment.
• Matters of a medical interest - Candidates need to be aware of the current events in medicine, especially those currently in the media. Detailed factual medical knowledge is not needed here. In the few months leading up to your interview make sure you keep up to date with the news, especially the news and politics ongoing around the NHS and healthcare in general. A great place to do this is the Newsfeed (medmentor.co.uk/newsfeed)
• Ethical and other issues - There are often no clear cut correct responses to these problems, instead you should be able to clearly display understanding of both sides of the arguments and cohesively explain the rationale behind your reasoning.

More information for interviews at Mancheste medical schoolr: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/interviews/

What are my chances of getting into Manchester medical school?

The table below shows the number of applications received, how many were shortlisted for interview and offers made at the University of Manchester. (O/S= overseas applicants):

Reference: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/apply/data/

Section 2: What is Medicine at Manchester university really like?

What types of medicine courses are available at manchester university.

The university of Manchester offers two undergraduate medicine courses: the standard 5 year medicine course, and the 6 year medicine with a foundation year course.

The table below shows the number of total applications, interviews and offers for the 6 year medicine with a foundation year course.  (O/S= overseas applicants)

The University of Manchester does not offer a 4 year graduate entry medicine programme. However, those with previous degrees can still apply to the undergraduate programme.

What is the course structure for the 5 year medicine course?

The course at the University of Manchester is structured into pre-clinical and clinical years. The pre-clinical years refer to years 1 and 2 of the course while the clinical years refer to years 3, 4 and 5 of the course.

The pre-clinical years are done at the University campus on Oxford Road. For the clinical years, students will be sent to hospitals around Manchester. During the first two years of the course students will have occasional half day placements at hospitals/GP surgeries once every few weeks.

What is the teaching style at Manchester medical school?

Lectures at the University of Manchester are not mandatory to attend and are normally recorded and available to view online. It is important to note that although lectures are given during years 1 and 2, Manchester university heavily encourages proactive and peer led learning so expect to have to take control of your own learning and doing your own research.

A personal highlight of my time at the university of Manchester is the anatomy workshops, these sessions involved hands-on whole body dissections and the use of prosecutions as well as models to learn anatomy. Students can be as much or  little involved as they want with the practical dissections, so don't worry at all if you don't think you'd enjoy or benefit from it. During year 1, students have to attend 1 workshop per week, during year 2 there was 1 workshop per week and extra workshops fortnightly.

Throughout years 1-5, the university of Manchester offers a 'personal excellence pathway' (PEP). This is basically a research component/module that is done by all students. As you progress through the medicine course the PEP modules become more elaborate. The topics are very diverse and students have full control over choosing topics that interest them. For more information on the PEP: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/your-studies/teaching-learning/personalised/

More information about the teaching and learning at the university of Manchester is available at: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/your-studies/teaching-learning/

What does an average day as a first year medical student at Manchester university look like?

The table below is provided by the University of Manchester and shows a typical week for a student in 1st year:

How does the structure of your day-to-day life change as you progress through the different years of the course?

There is quite a significant change as you move from year 2 to year 3 of the course; this is when you will be moving from the pre-clinical years to clinical years. In the first two years of the course at you would have spent most your time on campus, going to lectures, workshops and problem-based learning sessions. However once you enter year 3, all of your time will spent on placement attending hospital/GP surgeries.

Is an iBSc offered at Manchester university?

The university of Manchester does offer the option to intercalate, this can be done after year 2, year 3 or year 4. Students can intercalate to do a Master's after year 3 or year 4. Students can intercalate at the University of Manchester itself, however if there is a course that is not offered by Manchester but is offered by another university then students can intercalate at that other university.

A unique opportunity available to students at the University of Manchester is the option to spend 3 years intercalating for a doctoral (PhD) degree. Currently this is only available in cancer sciences. Those who do this will graduate with a MBChB and a PhD.

More information about intercalation, the subjects available and the PhD intercalation option available at: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/medicine/your-studies/intercalation/

What is the typical cohort size and does this change as you progress through the course?

The cohort size for my year (2018/19 entry) was around 420 students, this slowly got smaller within the first few months as some students left to around 400.

Once you enter year 3, the cohort size for the year will get bigger, this is because some students from the University of St Andrews will join the Manchester students for their clinical years education. The University of St Andrews students will be placed in the exact same hospitals/GPs and have the exact same teaching as Manchester students and the cohort size will get larger to around 450 students.

Please note the exact numbers above are rounded estimates and they only apply to my particular year which was the 2018/19 entry. There might be slight variations for other year groups

Which hospitals are linked to Manchester medical school?

At the University of Manchester students can be assigned to one of four 'base' teaching hospitals. You will attend these hospitals, along with their associated district general hospitals during clinical years from 3rd year onwards. These are: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Oxford Road campus), Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Wythenshawe), Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and Salford Royal Hospital. It is important to note that the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals are in and around Preston which is another city around 40 miles north of Manchester. Unless there are special mitigating circumstances allocations to these hospitals are done at random by the university. So if you are assigned Preston then expect to quite rarely see all the other students who are based in the Manchester hospitals as you will be based relatively far away.

Section 3: University & Medical School Life at Manchester

Where is manchester university located.

The university is located in various buildings on Oxford Road. All buildings are around a 10 minute walk from each other. Oxford Road is rather close to Manchester city center too. Buses travelling to and from oxford road are very frequent, in fact I find that I never have to check bus time tables, I just go to a bus stop and there always seems to be bus that shows up after a few minutes. Travelling by train is also possible, the nearest station being Oxford Road train station which is around a 5 minute walk from the university. Walking further along oxford road will lead you to the infamous 'curry mile', this is a stretch of road with a large concentration of restaurants and takeaways specialising in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Bicycle lanes are also aplenty around the university.

Are students encouraged to take part in societies?

Being a very large university, there are plenty of of weird and wacky societies that students can get involved in. In addition to academically related societies there are also many sports societies and lots of others that are somewhere in-between.

What is the student satisfaction score for Manchester medical school?

The university of Manchester has a 81% student satisfaction score. This is around the middle of the league table.

[ https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?sortby=student-satisfaction ]

How diverse is Manchester university and in particular the medical school?

With Manchester being a very diverse city, it is no surprise that the university is also similarly diverse. There are over 40,000 students at the university of Manchester as a whole and around 14,800 of those are international.

What bursaries are available at Manchester university for Medicine students?

The University of Manchester offers a very generous bursary of £2,000 for those with household incomes below £25,000 and £1,000 for household income below £35,000. Other hardship funds and financial support are also available for certain circumstances.

Are student support services readily available and easy to access at Manchester?

The University of Manchester does offer ample pastoral support, the university has its own counselling services and a large store of online well-being content that can be accessed by any student.

What are the best food spots around Manchester university?

Walk down the curry mile and see whatever catches your eye :) there are so many options available that it would be very hard to narrow down. It is worth noting that there will be something for every price range, you can find cheap takeaways if you're in a hurry or more fancy sit-down restaurants .

Is student accommodation available for Manchester university?

The University of Manchester guarantees student accommodation for 1st year students, there are several halls available that students are able to select from. These can be en-suite, shared bathrooms, catered or self-catered. There are 3 main locations for these student halls: the Fallowfield halls are the furthest away and are stereotypically known for being slightly 'rowdy', the city halls are closest to the university and tend to be the most quiet. The victoria park halls are somewhere in between these two.

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Interviews and selection for medical school

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All UK medical schools use interviews to decide who to admit onto their programmes. The interview will usually be either a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) or a traditional panel interview. Each institution will advise you of their process when you are invited for interview.

Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

MMIs involve a set number of ‘stations’ with typically 1-3 interviewers at each station. Each station will be interested in different elements of your knowledge and experience. You are usually given 2-3 minutes preparation time, then 7-8 minutes of ‘mini-interview’. The exact details and timings are explained at interview.

• Medic Portal in-depth look at MMIs
• Have a go at a medicine MMI using our virtual video interview tool - ShortListMe
• Additional free practice content from Blackstone Tutors

Traditional Panel Interviews

You will be interviewed by a group of people and asked a range of questions that each medical school will prioritise differently.

• Medic Portal - what to expect at a Traditional Panel Interview

Preparing for your Medical degree interview

Prepare for your medical school interview in the same way that you would prepare for a job interview. Start with our tips on preparing for interviews .

Suggestions to help prepare for your medical school interview:

• Re-read your personal statement: make sure you can recall what you included in your UCAS statement and be prepared to talk in more detail about anything you have written.
• Look at the medical school details: go online and check out how the programme is taught, when clinical practice is brought into the programme, any features of the course that appeal to you. Also make sure you understand what the institution has to offer and can explain why that appeals to you. For example: If it is a campus institution – why does that appeal to you? What advantages will it offer to you personally?
• Remind yourself of the NHS values : many medical schools will use them as part of their recruitment processes. Make sure you are aware of them and can talk about times when you’ve shown these values in action.
• General Medical Council: Outcomes for Graduates : Get an in-depth view of what you will learn during medical school (and therefore what they will be selecting for).
• Practice out loud. Whether you record yourself and play-back on a mobile device; enlist friends / family; or book an interview simulation - practice your interview responses out loud as it can make a real difference!
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Manchester University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to The University of Manchester. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

Politics & International Relations Personal Statement Example 1 I have always taken a keen interest in public affairs, always wanting to know what was happening in the world so studying politics and international relations is a natural attraction for me. I have been encouraged to pursue concentrated study due to my incredible fascination with the impact that political decision making has on humanity...

Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Personal Statement Example I have always been fascinated by the vast jobs robots are able to perform, and by the way all these cars around us were designed. The problem is, my interest was not satisfied by revolving around the outer appearance of these machines or by how well they achieved their functions, but was constantly demanding to learn more about how they managed to do so, and what inner complexities I was not allowed to meet closely made it capable of attracting my attention...

Politics and International Relations Personal Statement Example 4 The era in which we live goes through constant turmoil and shifting powers. Not a day goes by without a change somewhere on our planet, which in turn has an effect on yet another change to come elsewhere...

French and Arabic Personal Statement Example In studying French and Arabic, I am eager to compare two mutually influential languages and cultures, particularly their overlapping history and its cultural representations. I decided to defer my entry to retake my Maths A2 and plan to turn this to my advantage by working and living in France, putting what I've already learnt of the French language and culture into practice...

Biomedical Science/Neuroscience Personal Statement Example The limitless potential of the life sciences and the opportunity for world-changing breakthroughs are both exciting and compelling to me. Upon hearing about a disease for the first time, I am eager to find out more about the precise ways in which it affects the body, which has led me to spend much time researching the details of various diseases...

Environmental Science Personal Statement Example 1 I must describe as undetermined the moment from which my compassion began to aim predominantly towards the natural environment and all the elements that compose it. With the passing of the years since my existence here on Earth, I have been able to witness behind the transparent glass of “development”, how our relationship with nature is becoming more noxious; on having assumed us with the right to take a big part of our Earth as if it was completely within our jurisdiction...

Architecture Personal Statement Example 1 I believe that having a visual stimulus in your environment is important. For example, if I'm walking down the street I want to see an eclectic mix of buildings that I find exciting to look at, rather than rows of uniform houses...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 1 When I saw Gatz, John Collin's eight hour interpretation of The Great Gatsby, I noticed that Fitzgerald changes the colour of Daisy's hair every time he describes it. It is "like a dash of blue paint", "yellowy" like her daughters and then "dark, shining"...

Maths and Actuarial Science Personal Statement Example Maths is a subject like no other; its complexity makes it a challenging and often frustrating area of study, however the logic behind every problem leaves a feeling of certainty about it. My devotion to the subject has grown exponentially, especially in recent years...

Physics Personal Statement Example 5 With philosophy at its foundation, and mathematics as its language, physics is full of profound insights into the workings of the universe, from the tiniest quantum interactions to the forming of the most distant galaxies...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 2 My fascination with human behaviour and the motivations behind human actions has existed for most of my adult life, to determine a cause however I would accredit this to the voluntary work I participated in with Crisis Single Persons Homeless charity...

Chemistry/Chemistry with Biomedicine Personal Statement Example I was told I couldn’t have the opening paragraph I had originally written, so to begin I’ll to describe the scientific processes in my own words as this is what will underlie my degree and hopefully my foreseeable future...

Architecture Personal Statement Example 3 Growing up in post-soviet Belarus I wasn't surrounded by the architectural wonders - all the buildings were dull and grey, therefore from early childhood I started drawing and making houses of my dreams...

Biology Personal Statement Example 8 My interest in Biology started at a very young age due to spending a lot of time outdoors. I am intrigued by the functioning of living organisms and how they are all linked; one small change in one species will affect a whole range of others...

Physics & Astrophysics Personal Statement Example I have always considered Physics to be a captivating area of study, whether it is a question of how aspects of it work, or indeed why they work. As such, I have found deep fascination in studying Physics, as it is able to provide answers (as well as evidence) to such queries...

English Literature & Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 1 'I write for the same reason I breathe- because if I didn't, I would die.' I believe that Isaac Asimov sums up writing particularly aptly. Whilst it could be classed as hyperbole, I feel my sentiments are similar...

Anthropology and Archaeology Personal Statement Example My interest in culture first started when I began to attend my local Hindu Temple with my friend in primary school. I was highly interested in how her surroundings differed from my own and enjoyed immersing myself in her way of life...

Sociology/Social Policy Personal Statement Example Since starting my A-Level in sociology, I've realised it is a subject I can easily grasp and immerse myself in, and that by pursuing courses based around society, social changes and policies at university, I can further understand and appreciate the inner workings of society and how it can be adapted to meet the ever-increasing diversity of the country we live in...

Physiology and Medical Sciences Personal Statement Example The human body is arguably the most complex life form that has ever existed. Studying how the body works helps us to comprehend the many processes that maintain health and find better treatment for diseases...

English Personal Statement Example 23 My love of literature is rooted in the connection it gives us to centuries of ideas, giving us the ability to converse with ghosts, linking us with the greatest and most eloquent minds in history; as Bovee puts it, “books are embalmed minds”...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 9 Civil engineering is a discipline which is essential in the modern world: roads, bridges, airports, railways, sewage works and power stations all provide the fabric of today's society, and without them the world would be a very different place...

Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Example 12 The time I first saw an aircraft fly over our house, I was three. Out of curiosity I asked my father about it. To avoid complexity he simply explained that it was like a gigantic flying bus. I was awed...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 43 The ever-evolving nature of medical science and the certainty that we will know more about the many different healthcare practices has inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. My dedication to studying medicine has been confirmed by the experience I have gained in different hospitals and practices and I look forward to the academic discipline and challenges that will arise...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 47 At first, it was all about the interest to know exactly what really brings the voice in to the radio speakers, then as I came across Science in my junior years at school, I started to understand what really is happening in our days, the world of technology...

Geography Personal Statement Example 12 Considering my interests and hobbies, I could have chosen one of any number of subjects as my main area of interest, but there is no other subject which captures my imagination so completely as Geography, and I see links to it in almost every aspect of my life, both within and outside of my studies...

Maths & Actuarial Science Personal Statement Example 1 "It has become a very strange and perhaps frightening subject from the ordinary point of view,but anyone who penetrates into it will find a veritable fairyland"( Kasner E and Newman J).This saying is perhaps the most fitted to describe my enthusiasm for Maths...

Economics and Economic History Personal Statement Example Over the past few years I have developed a strong interest in the Economic history of the UK. I have become interested in how the UK's economic policy over centuries has built the UK into one of the world's most economically developed countries today...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 5 I realised that I wanted to study Anthropology in 2005 after picking up a book called ''Mapping Human History'' by Steve Olson. I read the book cover to cover a number of times, and knew that I had discovered a subject that I was not only interested in learning but wanted to investigate for myself...

Chemical Engineering Personal Statement Example 8 From the very first day of college I’ve been gradually developing a great interest in all aspects of Chemistry and Maths. Having recently read, “Beyond the Molecular Frontier: Challenges for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering” I have discovered what an imperative role chemists and chemical engineers play in industry and how, by working together, they contribute to an improved future...

Medicine Foundation Year Personal Statement Example 1 Medicine is a combination of care, treatment and research which I am actively interested in. It is a general acknowledgement that good doctors are some of the hardest working and committed people you will meet...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 53 I have asked myself many times what it takes to be a great doctor, but like many questions there is never a straight answer. Keeping an open mind with regards to my career has meant that I have been able to pinpoint the one field which has fascinated me unlike any other, medicine...

History (Ancient and Modern) Personal Statement Example 1 It is those things we don’t yet know or understand that make history a fascinating, intellectual puzzle. We know a remarkable amount about history and the development of society but new archaeological discoveries, the dedicated efforts of historians, translators and other academics and advancements in areas such as archaeometry mean that the body of historical information is still expanding...

Pharmacy Personal Statement Example 6 Having grown up with parents that were both involved in medicine and pharmaceuticals, I developed a deep interest in their work and the effects it had on their patients and customers respectively. Seeing them at work, and witnessing the help they gave to sick people to regain their health or cope with pain, made me decide that I wanted to be part of this fascinating profession...

History Personal Statement Example 35 With such a range of different interpretations for any given era, what fascinates me most about History is the opportunity for debate and analysis. Studying the American Civil Rights Movement, it has been interesting to analyse the motives behind the efforts of Franklin Roosevelt and John F Kennedy to improve the lives of African Americans...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 49 My views about computing changed considerably when I heard about Linux. In the late nineties it was a newer operating system and tasks like installing and configuring were considered to be quite challenging in India...

Management Studies Personal Statement Example As a witness to the global financial crises, I was struck by the importance and relevance of organisational management. I first applied bookkeeping and devised marketing plans for my mother’s business at the age of twelve...

English Literature with Italian Personal Statement Example As a child, I was always intrigued by the idea that other worlds could be held between the covers of a book, providing insight into cultures, times and societies that would otherwise be foreign to us. Continued study of English Literature through to 'A' level has broadened my understanding and enjoyment of literature, greatly improving my ability to read analytically and critically...

Physics Personal Statement Example 11 The mystery of physics has always enthralled me. Whether it is the complex physical phenomena or simple ideas intertwining to form elegant complex theories capable of explaining near all questions of the universe...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 57 My enthusiasm for the advances of medical science, understanding and technology drive me towards medicine. I yearn to discover further the wonder and complexities of science, and have a greater understanding of the illness' and diseases we face...

English Literature and Sociology Personal Statement Example Since I have begun to study A Level English Literature, it is the way in which writers use expression within their writing to influence and manipulate the reader's emotions which has most intrigued me...

Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Example 15 Aircraft is one of the major contributions of all time. The intricate engineering behind aircraft, space shuttle and satellite really captivates me. The work of aerospace engineers is quite challenging as they apply their acquired knowledge of Mathematics and Physics to design such major products to satisfy real world necessities...

Architecture Personal Statement Example 16 I vividly remember the moment when I knew I wanted to be an architect. I had been taken to Barcelona to see ‘the wavy buildings’, at the time I didn’t know anything about Gaudí or his work so I was relatively unenthusiastic...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 58 My desire to study medicine grew from a young age when my mother was diagnosed with hypertension. The regular visits to the GP gave me a glimpse into the profession but particularly the thirst to learn more about heart disease...

Neuroscience Personal Statement Example 2 The application of scientific knowledge to understanding how humans, and the creatures around us, function and react with each other has always been a source of wonder to me. The opportunity to combine a scientific understanding of processes and structure of the nervous system and brain with knowledge of applications relevant to our own behaviour, including those of a clinical kind, makes neuroscience such an attractive prospect to me...

Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement Example 16 Being born as a son to two former engineers, I was raised in an environment where curiosity is treasured and nurtured. It wasn't surprising that as I became older, my fascination towards science and technology also grew along with me...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 63 My passionate interest in the sciences has been a major influence upon the choices I have made in terms of my academic studies. From a young age I wanted to understand how and why everything worked. In particular, I became fascinated with the sheer complexity of the human body and the way the different body systems work together seamlessly...

Chemical Engineering Personal Statement Example 10 Chemical engineering is a most fascinating field of all the branches of science and engineering. To me it truly reflects human endeavour and spirit through means such as the exploration of unknown substances, and making something of worth and value out of mere raw materials...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 16 Civil engineering is a profession that is growing and evolving at a fast pace. Civil engineers play a major role in the world meeting the high demand for new buildings and improved infrastructure. I am keen to become a Civil Engineer and I believe I have the talents to be successful in this profession...

Maths Personal Statement Example 12 Mathematics dictates our understanding of the universe; the sciences that the world depends on today are founded and dependant on maths. Scientists and mathematicians spend their lives making remarkable discoveries contributing to the development of humanity, the findings we have been making in fields like quantum mechanics would be completely impossible without maths...

History Personal Statement Example 43 I have always wanted to be part of an open-minded society and live in a country where originality is rewarded, so the UK came to my mind as being the best country to read my degree. My passion for the English language has developed over years of studying English at school, where I have been successful in every written and oral exam...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 54 Since my first years of school, my life has gravitated around the questions starting with “Why” and “How”. In the 7th grade I was introduced to physics, which answered some of my questions but also generated more...

Mathematics Personal Statement Example 16 I have always had a passion and a thorough understanding of the subject of Mathematics. This helped me to progress academically because, unlike a lot of people, I have not had to worry about passing my GCSE Maths exams...

Spanish and Chinese Personal Statement Example My passion for Modern Foreign Languages is what drives me to pursue a degree in Chinese and Spanish; my fascination and curiosity to explore the cultures of not only China and East Asia, but also of the Hispanic world, motivate me to learn and discover the languages of these regions...

Pharmacy Personal Statement Example 9 I would like to study pharmacy as I wish to play a part in providing medical assistance to the general public, but in also understanding how this process occurs. My enthusiasm in science highly interests me into learning about the production of drugs and their functions on the body...

Law Personal Statement Example 84 The reason I want to study law, is that it has always intrigued me; there’s never been any other option for me it has always been law. I am captivated in the development of the law as it interests me the way the law is changing around the needs of civilisation...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 23 As I triggered the release mechanism and watched two pounds of rock hurtle skywards I thought to myself, "trebuchets are awesome!". Years passed before I realised that this was my first engineering project...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 56 Computer Science - the most exciting insight into humanity's mission to conquer the future. It has been my favourite and most fascinating preoccupation since childhood, though back then I did not even know it...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 18 Chemistry explores the properties of all matter and energy in our universe, which eventually leads to breakthroughs that benefit mankind, ranging from how to prevent food from decomposing to understanding what chemicals can help or harm you...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 7 Coming from a mixed religious background, the comparison between cultural practices has touched me deeply, personally and profoundly. I have been able to observe the influence of culture on people's perspectives and world views...

Geology Personal Statement Example 4 Geology acts as a spyglass into the past, enabling us to understand the ancient environment and how its evolution is a key component to our survival. Through the study of Mineralogy and Palaeontology I have understood the importance of unravelling the earth's structure and mineral composition for both environmental and human benefit...

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Personal Statement Example 3 Curiosity has always been my nature since I was young and I was never afraid to know more as I really like challenges. This is why I have a keen interest in science ever since I started formal education, it explains the hows and whys in almost anything and everything...

Earth Science/Geology Personal Statement Example 1 Everyone wakes up in the morning hoping to achieve something in life. That ‘something’ is what keeps them going every day. For me, it is my strong desire to contribute to society. I believe the best way to do that is by helping them understand the earth’s mechanism and how to maximise its potential to not just complement our lives but to make it better...

Philosophy Personal Statement Example 15 The way philosophy can challenge our assumptions will never cease to astound me. I particularly remember my first lesson on Descartes, where I was asked to prove that I knew the room around me was real...

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Medicine Personal Statement Examples

Get some inspiration to start writing your Medicine Personal Statement with these successful examples from current Medical School students. We've got Medicine Personal Statements which were successful for universities including Imperial, UCL, King's, Bristol, Edinburgh and more.

Personal Statement Examples

• Read successful Personal Statements for Medicine
• Pay attention to the structure and the content
• Get inspiration to plan your Personal Statement

Personal Statement Example 1

Check out this Medicine Personal Statement which was successful for Imperial, UCL, QMUL and King's.

Personal Statement Example 2

This Personal Statement comes from a student who received Medicine offers from Bristol and Plymouth - and also got an interview at Cambridge.

Personal Statement Example 3

Have a look at this Medicine Personal Statement which was successful for Imperial, Edinburgh, Dundee and Newcastle.

Personal Statement Example 4

Take a look at this Medicine Personal Statement which was successful for King's, Newcastle, Bristol and Sheffield.

Personal Statement Example 5

Pick up tips from this Medicine Personal Statement which was successful for Imperial, Birmingham and Manchester.

Personal Statement Example 6

This Personal Statement comes from a student who got into Graduate Entry Medicine at King's - and also had interviews for Undergraduate Medicine at King's, QMUL and Exeter.

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Discover more about Medicine at Manchester

MBChB Medicine / Entry requirements

Year of entry: 2024

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Our standard A-level offer is AAA including:

• Chemistry or Biology/Human Biology; and
• One of the following subjects from Chemistry; Biology/Human Biology; Physics; Psychology; Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

A combination of three sciences is equally acceptable at A-level. However, our offer will not include combinations of very similar subjects, for example, Biology and Human Biology or Maths and Further Maths together.

Where the science A-Level syllabus is available with a practical element this also must be offered and passed.

Duration of A-level study

Subjects welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer, unit grade information.

The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available.  Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application.  Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.

We require at least seven GCSEs at grade A (7) or A* (8+).

English Language, Mathematics and at least two science subjects are required at GCSE minimum grade B (6). If Dual Award Science or Core and Additional Science are offered, the minimum required is BB (66).

For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP+ or WP++ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool, we will accept 6 GCSEs at grade 7 (A) or above. 

We permit GCSE resits. If you are resitting any GCSEs at point of application, we require you to list it as a pending qualification on your UCAS form.

We do not currently accept short courses; however, Level 2 BTEC qualifications are acceptable (at distinction grade or above) in lieu of one GCSE.

If you are offering an international equivalent to GCSEs and this is not listed on our international entry requirements page, please contact the School of Medical Sciences Admissions Office to check suitability of the qualification.

Due to the phased introduction of GCSE reform in England, we will accept a mixture of GCSE grading scales. We can confirm our position in terms of equivalencies:

International Baccalaureate

36 points are required overall (to include core points) with at least 666 at higher level. If Maths and English Language are not offered as part of the Diploma, they should be offered at GCSE or IGCSE at grade B (6) or above. We accept both Maths options as part of the Diploma.

Major subjects must include Chemistry or Biology, plus another science (one from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology or Mathematics) and one further subject at Higher Level.

Alternative entry requirements

Alternative entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.

English language

In most cases, we expect applicants to satisfy our English Language requirement by offering English language at GCSE grade B (6) or above (or a score of 5 in the International Baccalaureate diploma).

Applicants from outside the UK (including non-native speakers) need to meet specific English language requirements to study at Manchester. We accept:

• IGCSE English first language at grade B or second language at grade A;
• International English Language Testing Service (IELTS): A minimum average score of 7.0 and with not less than 6.5 in any one component taken at the same sitting;
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: An overall score of 65 with no less than 65 in each of the communicative skills domains taken at the same sitting;
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): An overall score of 185 with no less than 185 in each of the scoring domains taken at the same sitting;
• a score of 5 at Standard or Higher level as part of the International Baccalaureate diploma.

You must declare your English qualification (including those which are pending) on the UCAS form.

Please contact us prior to application if you are unsure how to satisfy these language requirements.

Graduates: Graduates who have completed a degree conducted entirely in English at a UK institution may be exempt from the English language requirements. Please contact us if you are unsure.

At interview, if we have any concerns about your English language capability regardless of your origin, country of upbringing or existing qualifications, we may require you to take an additional English language test as a condition of any offer we make to you.

English language test validity

Relevant work experience.

We require applicants to undertake some relevant work experience prior to application in order that they can gain some insight into what the role of a doctor involves.

We are not looking for a particular number of hours doing a specific type of work experience. We are trying to ascertain that you have a clear idea of what it is like to study medicine and what the role entails.

Shadowing doctors in a hospital/GP setting is not essential or considered to be a substitute for hands-on caring work experience. Applicants should be aware that we may request confirmation of their work experience.

Please see our FAQs and Non-Academic Information Form pages for more information on work experience.

Application process: Optometry (MSci) (4 years)

Some applicants find the interview for our four-year Optometry course daunting. We've tried to make the interview process as clear and transparent as possible through this step-by-step guide to what we are looking for in successful applicants.

How to apply

All applications for entry to undergraduate study in the UK must be directed through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

UCAS application forms can be obtained from schools or directly from UCAS. This should be done nine to 12 months before intending to start the course (21 to 24 months in the case of gap year students).

Please refer to the UCAS website for further information on key dates and the application process.

How your application is considered

We will review your entire UCAS application to determine whether you have satisfied the criteria for interview selection.

For applicants based in the UK, Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands, the interview will be held at The University of Manchester.

For applicants residing outside the UK (international and EU), this may involve a Skype/Zoom interview.

As a general rule, applicants who are given the opportunity to attend an interview will have:

• a good set of GCSE grades, with Grade 5 in Mathematics and English Language;
• predicted A-levels at a minimum of ABB (or equivalent qualifications). The Grade A must be in a science subject ;
• a well-written personal statement that confirms your interest in studying optometry;
• a supportive academic reference.

We receive approximately 1,100 applications each academic year and hold 7 interview dates per session from November to March. Skype/Zoom interviews will be arranged on an ad hoc basis.

All offers are based on a combination of predicted/achieved A-levels (or equivalent), personal statement, reference and interview assessment.

Candidates whose primary choice of course is Medicine or Dentistry

Applicants who have applied for Medicine or Dentistry as a first choice will still be considered for Optometry.

Subject to meeting the advertised requirements, you will be invited to submit a revised personal statement that confirms your interest in Optometry. If this is satisfactory, you will be invited for an interview in March/April.

About the personal statement

Your personal statement offers an opportunity for you to stand out from other applicants. A well-written statement that demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to optometry will improve your chances of success.

You should include details of outside interests, work experience and any position of responsibility you have held.

Please note: we have a zero tolerance policy on plagiarised personal statements. Any statements that are flagged by the UCAS Similarity Detection Service will be automatically rejected.

About the interview

For the 2022-23 admissions cycle, interviews will be scheduled via Zoom and will be conducted one-to-one with an academic member of staff.

The interviews will be timetabled for 20 minutes and this will allow you to ask any questions you might have about the Optometry course.

We will ensure that you are given plenty of notice about the interview and, if necessary, we will be happy to reschedule if the date/time is inconvenient.

Please note that the interview is an essential part of the application process. Those who fail to attend, without prior explanation, will have their application withdrawn.

Students with non-standard or non A-level qualifications

We understand that not all applicants will have taken A-levels and we may still offer an opportunity for an interview to an applicant, even when a gap in their entry qualifications means their proficiency in one or more subjects has not been proven.

After the interview

While our aim is to inform applicants of our decision as soon as possible after the interview, there will be a number of cases when our decision will be delayed, and we will need to wait until ALL interviews have been completed before we are able to update UCAS Track.

In this scenario, we will inform applicants of a potential delay and the timeline of when we expect to be able to confirm our decision. All decisions are based on the assessment of your interviewer.

Reconsideration

The overwhelming majority of unsuccessful applicants are rejected because they do not satisfy our entry requirements, but requests for reconsideration of a decision can be made.

Requests should be made via email to the Admissions Manager ( [email protected] ) while also being supported (again via email) by the applicant's tutor/academic advisor.

Advice to applicants

Conditional firm (cf) and conditional insurance (ci) choices.

We have a non-academic requirement that all CF and CI applicants must fulfil. This is the completion and submission of a health questionnaire that is assessed by the University's Occupational Health Service (OHS).

The health questionnaire will be sent to you via email after you have selected Manchester as your firm or insurance choice.

Following assessment, OHS will issue your Certificate to Commence Studies and, at this point, we will confirm that you have satisfied this (non-academic) requirement.

You should choose your CF and CI choices with care. Ideally, the CF choice should be at the university where you really want to study.

However, you should be aware that if we are able to offer any leeway on the requirements for entry, this will be given to CF applicants only.

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Writing your undergraduate personal statement

Our top tips for making the best possible impression.

Advice, tips and examples

What is a personal statement.

Your written personal statement is an important part of your UCAS application. It’s your opportunity to tell a university why you want to study a particular course, show passion for your chosen subject area, and demonstrate your relevant skills and experience.

Research your course options

Make sure that you check the detailed information on our online prospectus about your course choices. This will allow you to properly identify the qualities, skills, and experience you need to study the course. 

It’s very important that you allow yourself plenty of time to research your course and write your personal statement. You may have to write several drafts until you get your statement right.

Length: How much should I write?

You only have 4,000 characters to make your case. You need to structure it well and check that each sentence adds something new. There is also a minimum limit of 1,000 characters.

Getting started

Make a list of what you plan to include - it might help to start by answering the questions below.

• Why you would like to study the course?
• What do you know about the subject?
• What skills and knowledge have you gained from your current studies and other activities that may be relevant to the course?
• What are your plans for the future and career aspirations?
• What academic skills do you have?
• What work experience, placements or voluntary work have you done?
• What are your interests and hobbies?

Once you’ve listed everything, think about what you have learnt from your experiences and how this relates to the course. Select relevant examples to include and organise the information so that you build a strong case for why you should be offered a place.

Download our personal statement workbook

I found that by breaking each section down into individual pieces, it felt more approachable rather than writing the entire statement in one go. Once I’d broken it down, I then knitted it back together in a way that felt right with the examples I’d included.

How to structure your personal statement

Introduction.

Why do you want to study your course? Focus the reader’s attention in the opening paragraph - first impressions count.

Main body of application

• Why have you chosen the course you have listed?
• What is it about the subject that you like?
• How are your current studies relevant?
• Include details of any extra reading you have done about the subject.
• Outline your academic skills, for example working to deadlines, doing research and completing reports.
• What knowledge, skills and qualities do you have which are relevant to your course choice?

Work experience

• Do you have any experience relevant to your chosen subject?
• If you do, what skills have you developed and how will they help you to complete the course?
• What skills/personal qualities has your part-time job or voluntary work given you?

Interests and hobbies

• What other activities both in and out of college/school/work do you take part in?
• If you have a hobby or other interest, how has it helped your interpersonal skills or your ability to work in a team?
• If you are applying for deferred entry, explain your plans for your year out.
• Don’t let your personal statement fizzle out. Try to pull together everything that you have covered and finish on a positive note.

Personal statement: Dos and don’ts

Don't:.

• Make sure what you say is appropriate to all of your choices
• Be positive and enthusiastic
• Make sure that your statement flows naturally, try not to overuse ‘I’ at the start of sentences
• Provide examples to illustrate your points
• Have several attempts until you’re happy with it
• Leave plenty of time and keep deadlines in mind
• Get feedback from tutors, family and friends
• Feel that you have to use elaborate language to impress
• Just make a list of the things you’ve done – reflect on what you have learnt from your experiences
• Make simple mistakes - check your spelling and punctuation
• Make things up to make it sound better – the information could form the basis of an interview
• Use anyone else’s work – UCAS put all statements into software that looks for similarities in applications