The UCAT, or University Clinical Aptitude Test, is used in the United Kingdom as a core component of the admissions procedure in nearly all medical schools, despite the wide range of weighting differences between different institutions. To ensure that a prospective candidate maximises their chances of admission, it is essential to identify which universities place the most emphasis on UCAT scores, understand how their selection systems will function in upcoming years, and strategically plan applications based on the new scoring system.
This blog is a comprehensive guide that provides insights on the recent admissions statistics and focuses on the list of the universities that value UCAT and where high test scores may lead to a career in medicine.
How UK Universities Use the UCAT: 2026 Admission Cycle
The three main methodologies that UK universities use for UCAT scores are:
- a strict cut-off point, beyond which no more applications can be accepted;
- using UCAT scores as the primary criterion for selecting candidates to interview;
- combining UCAT scores with other factors such as academic performance, personal statements, and background.
A slight increase in the average and competitive score levels has resulted from the implementation in 2025 of a reformed version of the three-part UCAT format, with the maximum score being 2,700 instead of 3,600; therefore, to determine their competitiveness under the new system, applicants have to refer to the most current decile and percentile scores.
100% UCAT-Centric Medical Schools
In certain universities in the UK, the UCAT is the pivotal—and occasionally exclusive—quantitative applicant shortlisting tool, and academic qualifications are merely preliminary screening systems.
Top among these is the University of Bristol. UCAT is given a weighting of 100 per cent in the medicine admissions process; all applicants meeting the minimum academic requirements are ranked based on their UCAT score, with the top-ranked applicants invited to an interview. This is a process that is highly transparent and objective, and the threshold of an interview is always high. Bristol has set the interview cut-off of home applicants to 2,940 out of the potential 3,600; this cut-off is projected to remain at a high rate in the Bristol tri-section interview format of 2025.
Newcastle University and the University of Sheffield also use UCAT rankings as the main interview shortlisting criterion, and both are reputed for having some of the highest cut-offs in the country. Newcastle interview invitations are typically limited to applicants with the 8th–9th UCAT decile or higher.
Sheffield has a set minimum UCAT (at 1800/2700 in the 2026 entry), although in reality considerably higher scores are typically needed to succeed.
Best Russell Group Universities: Strong Emphasis on UCAT
King’s College London (KCL) is another elite university where the UCAT might disproportionately affect the decision to apply. KCL does not list an explicit cutoff, but a high UCAT ranking coupled with good academic grades is a huge boost in a highly competitive applicant pool.
Similarly, the University of Glasgow is known for favouring high UCAT performers, particularly among Rest of Britain (RUK) applicants, and its average UCAT scores for interviewees are consistently among the highest.
Since the BMAT is no longer used, Imperial College London and University College London (UCL) are newcomers in the UCAT process. Although both focus on academic success, preliminary advice suggests that they will probably have very high UCAT cut-offs (with the quality and size of their applicant pool), and therefore success in these universities will frequently depend on a high UCAT score.
Oxford and Cambridge: Evolving Approaches
Traditionally, Oxford and Cambridge had the BMAT, although both have recently switched to the UCAT to undertake undergraduate medicine. Both universities still use holistic selection procedures that combine academic performance, the UCAT, and other factors; however, due to the high calibre of Oxbridge applicants, successful candidates tend to have extremely high UCAT scores, especially at Cambridge.
Statistics for 2025 reveal that the average UCAT of a successful Cambridge applicant was over 3080 in the case of home candidates, and it was higher in the case of international students and top colleges; a perfect indication that only exceptional scores put an applicant in competition. Oxford ranks the applicants numerically in terms of overall UCAT cognitive scores with acceptable GCSEs.
Universities That Balance UCAT and Academics
In the shortlisting process, several universities, such as Leicester, Birmingham, Aberdeen, and Dundee, balance UCAT scores with academic credentials in their shortlisting process or near a 50/50 balance. In Leicester, GCSE and UCAT scores are equally ranked and weighted to allocate interviews. This arrangement is what makes these universities a good choice for strong all-rounders who are not only good scorers in the UCAT but also capable of showing academic consistency.
For example, the medicine admission process in Aberdeen consists of 30% academics, 20% UCAT scores, and the remaining percentage based on interview performance, which provides a more comprehensive assessment of students; however, the UCAT still plays a crucial role.
More Flexible and Contextual Approaches
Other universities admit applicants without specifying a minimum UCAT score though commonly excluding the bottom 20th percentile and those with Situational Judgement Test Band 4. They are mainly selected using the forms, essays, or review of the context instead of using the test scores. These universities are most appropriate for candidates who have high-quality personal statements, work-experience portfolios or, in other cases, are under-represented.
Queen’s University Belfast, in its turn, integrates UCAT with academic scoring, which means that good scholars with poor UCAT scores still have a possible route to medicine, albeit they have to pass a decile test.
Cardiff and Leeds universities do not have a standard UCAT cut-off, but they use the test as a tiebreaker or final shortlist in conjunction with academic performance, interviews, or wider participation. Exceptionally academic performers may be invited to interview at Cardiff with a moderate UCAT, but this is seen by applicants as precarious and risky for borderline candidates.
Strategic Advice to Applicants
Applicants with high UCAT scores, i.e., above the 20th percentile in the country, are strongly recommended to apply to those universities which explicitly indicate, on their websites, that they do rank applicants by UCAT or use it as their shortlisting tool. These applicants must make sure that their academic grades are in line with the requirements.
The best approach for mid-range applicants would be to focus on universities that use a mixed scoring system, where achievement is more emphasised than aptitude tests. Applicants with a score lower than the national average should focus on institutions that conduct a holistic review process, use contextualised admissions, or at the very least, require an outstanding personal statement along with other application documents.
Last-Minute Tips: Making the most of your Opportunities
The number of applications in UK medical schools is growing stronger every year. By focusing on universities that value UCAT, potential learners are benefiting from maximising their capabilities, as well as interview opportunities. Any applicant is advised to always read the latest official admissions information and not just rely on past cut-offs, especially when examination and admissions practices are still being developed.
To gain further preparation advice or increase readiness for UCAT, RAAKMEDICS provides expert coaching, revision plans, and guided interview preparation that can be closely coupled with the new scoring changes and the requirements of the university. RAAKMEDICS is one of the top partners for ambitious medical applicants, and the resources are updated to the latest structure.
