Thousands of students apply to study medicine every year in the UK — and the competition is intense. If you didn’t receive any offers or missed your required grades, you might feel like your dream is over.
It’s not.
Let’s explore what you can do next, including UK Clearing, gap years, graduate routes, and one of the most overlooked but effective paths: studying medicine in Europe.
1. Understanding UCAS Clearing for Medicine
Clearing is a system that allows students to apply for university places last-minute, typically after results day in August. But for competitive courses like medicine, Clearing is far from straightforward.
Can You Get Into Medicine Through Clearing?
Technically yes — but in practice, very few spaces become available. And when they do, they’re snapped up in minutes. Most students who enter Clearing for medicine end up disappointed.
So while it’s worth keeping an eye on UK Clearing listings, don’t pin all your hopes on it. Instead, consider alternative routes — like applying to medical schools in Europe, which offer more availability and a simpler application process.
2. How Does Clearing Work in Europe?
European universities don’t follow UCAS. Many have later deadlines and a two-round admissions system, meaning there are often available spaces well into the summer.
This gives you more time, more options, and a realistic shot at getting into Medical School this year.
3. Other Alternatives: Gap Year, Reapplying, or Graduate Entry
If you’re not ready to go abroad, here are other UK-based routes — but each comes with caveats:
Taking a Gap Year
You can resit exams and reapply next year, but be aware:
- Some medicine schools increase grade requirements for reapplicants
- A few schools won’t let you reapply if you interviewed previously
Graduate Entry Medicine
This involves studying another degree first, usually in a related field like Biomedical Science. But it’s not easy:
- Only a small number of UK universities offer Graduate Entry Medicine
- Entry is just as competitive
- You’ll need to fund two full degrees, which is financially tough
4. The Smarter Option: Study Medicine in Europe
If you’re serious about becoming a doctor and don’t want to delay your future, studying Medicine abroad in English is one of the most accessible alternatives.
Thousands of UK students now train in Europe at fully accredited Medical Schools with GMC recognition. Once you graduate, you can return to the UK, register with the GMC, and begin your Foundation Year like any other UK-trained doctor.
Benefits:
- Taught entirely in English
- Lower tuition fees at many universities
- No UCAT or BMAT
- Smaller class sizes and more clinical experience
- Applications still open past UK Clearing deadlines
5. Where Can You Study Medicine in Europe?
Here are just a few of the top English-taught medical universities in Europe we work with at Medconnect Europe:
Poland
- Medical University of Silesia
- Medical University of Warmia and Mazury
- Academy of Silesia
Georgia
- Tbilisi Medical Academy
- Caucasus International University
- Alte University
Romania
- Craiova Medical University
- Vasile Goldis Western University
- George Emil Palade University of Medicine
Bulgaria
- Sofia Medical University
- Pleven Medical University
- Plovdiv Medical University
Germany
- University Targu Mures Medical Campus Hamburg
All of these universities are GMC recognised, accept UK students, and offer high-quality clinical training from year one.
How Medconnect Europe Helps
We’ve helped hundreds of UK students secure places at top European Medical Schools, with full guidance throughout the process:
- University selection and application
- Visa support
- Accommodation and relocation help
- Ongoing support through your studies
Want to speak to a real student who made the leap? We’ll connect you.
