By studying the International Foundation Year in Health, Medical and Life Sciences, you can start your studies and work towards a career in health and medical sciences by selecting the programme’s Medicine or Dental Surgery routes.
Places on MBBCh Medicine and BDS Dental Surgery are limited, meaning that Cardiff University has a very competitive selection process in place. When you apply to study with us, please bear in mind that you will be required to select a secondary degree aim from the Life Sciences pathway.
In order to gain a chance to study MBBCh Medicine or BDS Dental Surgery, you will be asked to complete the following application stages:
Before commencing the International Foundation Year:
During the International Foundation Year:
Furthermore, because of the competitive nature of the degree, the International Study Centre can only accept a limited number of Medicine or Dental students onto the International Foundation Year.
We are fully committed to supporting all our students in their journey to studying at Cardiff University - in both an academic and social sense. Expert teaching staff will equip you with the skills you need to tackle the challenges of studying at a top UK university, and other Centre faculty will be on hand to help you adjust to life in a new country. Our introductory group activities are designed to help you build confidence and help you form new friendships, even as you study remotely.
Additionally, students confirmed for progression to MBBCh Medicine and BDS Dental Surgery degrees will be offered individual pre-arrival counselling sessions and preparation support. These will provide guidance on the UCAT situational judgement test, and give you the chance to get comfortable with the application process through multiple mini-interviews.
To begin the application process, you can submit your application and supporting documents for the International Foundation Year in Health, Medical and Life Sciences in February. Your application will be assessed and you will receive a conditional offer if you meet the entry requirements. You will also be asked to select a second degree aim from this route; should you not be successful in gaining a place on Medicine or Dental Surgery, you will be able to progress to your second choice (providing you have met the grades for progression).
Offers will be made to students, subject to meeting the English requirements and being on track with their predicted grades/school report. Offers will be conditional upon taking the UCAT situational judgement test.
The Academic team at the International Study Centre will conduct interviews with all applicants between March-August. Students who are not successful at this stage will be counselled on their options.
The interview will cover:
Students must sit the UCAT situational judgement test to be eligible for the International Foundation Year. We don’t have a minimum threshold score; however, we may use UCAT scores as part of our selection process.
Providing you have met all the requirements of your offer and taken the UCAT situational judgement test, you will be able to join the International Foundation Year in Health, Medical & Life Sciences.
You will enrol on the programme in September*.
*Please note that there is no January start for students aiming to study Medicine or Dental Surgery.
In January, we will support you to produce your personal statement, which will be submitted along with your tutor progress report to the Cardiff University School of Medicine or School of Dentistry.
Having sat your final exams in June, you will receive your grades and will be informed by the School of Medicine or School of Dentistry if you have been accepted to MBBCh Medicine or BDS Dental Surgery.*
Students who do not reach the required progression grades will be counselled on their options.
*Please note students are unable to resit exams.
Want to join us in Cardiff? Apply now via our easy online application form.
Explore entry requirements for all our programmes, including English language levels and academic grades.
We're here to support you throughout the application process. Use our online application form and our student enrolment advisors will be available to answer your questions.