If you’re hoping to study medicine in 2027 and missed the UCAT booking deadline, you may be wondering if you’ve missed your chance to apply.
Not necessarily. The UCAT booking deadline for the 2026 test cycle was 16 September 2026, although testing continues until 24 September. The UCAS deadline for medicine applications is 15 October 2026, so there is still time to explore universities that do not require the UCAT for 2027 entry.
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For students applying to UK medical schools that require the UCAT, missing the booking deadline means you cannot take the test for this admissions cycle. However, the UCAT is not used by every medical university in Europe, and some universities have their own admissions process instead.
If you’re looking to study medicine without UCAT in 2027, there are still options worth considering.
Why the UCAT deadline matters for 2027 entry
The UCAT is required by participating UK medical schools as part of their admissions process. For 2027 entry, students sit the 2026 UCAT, with testing taking place between July and September.
The booking deadline for this year’s test was 16 September 2026, which means students who did not register and book their test by then cannot simply book a test now and use it for a 2027 UK medicine application.
The UCAS deadline for medicine is later, on 15 October 2026. This creates a short window where students may still be able to submit a university application, but the options are different if they do not have a UCAT result.
This is where studying medicine abroad can become an alternative. European medical universities do not use the UK UCAT system, and many accept applications through their own admissions processes.
Can I study medicine without UCAT?
Yes, there are medical universities in Europe where the UCAT is not part of the admissions process.
Instead, universities look at your academic qualifications and may also assess your English language ability, motivation or performance in a university-specific entrance examination.
The requirements vary considerably between universities, so there is no single set of entry requirements for studying medicine without UCAT.
For some students, the biggest advantage is that they can apply using the qualifications they already have rather than taking another admissions test. Other students may prefer a university with an entrance examination because the assessment focuses more closely on subjects such as Biology and Chemistry.
Which medical schools can I apply to without UCAT?
There are several English-taught medical programmes available through MedConnect where the UCAT is not required.
Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski University in Poland
Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski University in Krakow offers a six-year Medicine programme taught in English. The admissions process does not require a separate entrance examination, interview or aptitude test, with applicants assessed according to their academic qualifications and English proficiency. (MedConnect Europe)
For students who have missed the UCAT deadline and want to apply without taking another written admissions test, this provides one possible route into medicine for 2027 entry.
Alte University in Georgia
Alte University offers a six-year Medicine programme taught in English. International applicants go through the university’s admissions process, with their academic documents and English proficiency taken into consideration alongside an interview.
The university does not use the UCAT as part of its admissions process, making it another option for students who are looking beyond UK medical schools.
Rīga Stradiņš University in Latvia
Rīga Stradiņš University offers a six-year Medicine programme taught in English. The admissions process is based on academic qualifications and supporting documents rather than the UCAT or a separate written entrance examination.
The university has its own academic requirements for applicants, so it is important to check that your A-level subjects and grades meet the criteria before applying.
Romanian medical universities
Romania also has several English-taught Medicine programmes for international students.
Universities including Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ovidius University and George Emil Palade University offer Medicine in English, with admissions requirements varying between universities.
If you are considering Romania, it is worth comparing the individual entry requirements rather than treating the country as having one standard application process.
You can find more information about the different routes in our guide to studying medicine in Europe in English without an entrance exam.
Does studying medicine without UCAT mean there is no entrance exam?
Not always, some European universities do not require the UCAT but have their own entrance examinations. This is particularly relevant if you are considering universities in countries such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia or Italy.
The University of Debrecen, UniCamillus and Pavol Jozef Šafárik University are examples of universities where applicants may need to complete a university-specific admissions assessment rather than taking the UCAT.
The format depends on the university. Some entrance examinations focus on Biology and Chemistry, while others have different subjects and assessment formats.
This is why it is important to check the admissions requirements before choosing a university. A university may offer medicine without UCAT but still require you to prepare for an entrance examination.
If you are specifically looking for a medical school without an entrance exam, our guide to studying medicine in Europe without an entrance exam covers the universities and admission routes in more detail.
What A-level grades do you need to study medicine without UCAT?
There is no single set of A-level grades for studying medicine without UCAT.
Each university has its own requirements, and the subjects you studied can affect which medical schools you are eligible for.
Biology and Chemistry are common requirements, although some universities accept a wider combination of science subjects. Other universities may place greater emphasis on an entrance examination when assessing applicants.
For example, Rīga Stradiņš University has specific Biology and Chemistry requirements for UK applicants, while Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski University accepts Biology alongside another science subject such as Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics.
If you are unsure whether your A-level results are enough, our guide to A-level requirements for Medicine in Europe explains how the requirements differ between universities.
What if you already have a low UCAT score?
You do not necessarily need to rule yourself out of medicine because of a low UCAT score.
If you have already taken the UCAT and are unhappy with your result, you can consider universities where the UCAT is not part of the admissions process. Your application will instead be assessed according to the university’s own requirements.
Some universities place more emphasis on your school grades, while others use an entrance examination or interview as part of the admissions process.
If your A-level results are also a concern, you can read our guide on how to get into medicine with low grades to explore some of the options available.
How do you apply to medical school without UCAT?
The application process depends on the university, but you will generally need to provide your academic certificates and transcripts, passport or identification documents and any other paperwork requested by the university.
Some universities require documents to be translated, certified or legalised before they can be submitted. Application deadlines also vary, particularly because European universities do not all follow the same calendar as UCAS.
If an entrance examination is part of the application, you will also need to register for the examination and prepare according to the university’s syllabus.
MedConnect helps students compare universities, check their eligibility and prepare their applications and supporting documents. Students applying to universities with entrance examinations can also prepare using MedConnect Synapse, which provides university-specific practice and mock exams.
Can you return to the UK after studying medicine abroad?
If you plan to study medicine abroad and eventually practise in the UK, it is important to understand the registration requirements before choosing your university.
Graduating from a medical school outside the UK does not automatically give you registration to practise in the UK. Overseas medical graduates need to meet the GMC’s requirements for registration.
The requirements can change, so you should check the latest GMC guidance before making your decision about where to study.
You can also read our guide to the UKMLA and studying medicine abroad for more information about the process of returning to the UK after completing your medical degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still study medicine in 2027 if I missed the UCAT booking deadline?
Yes. The UCAT booking deadline for the 2026 test cycle was 16 September 2026, while the UCAS deadline for 2027 medicine applications is 15 October 2026. You can therefore still explore universities that do not require the UCAT.
Can I study medicine abroad without UCAT?
Yes. Several European medical universities do not use the UCAT as part of their admissions process. You will still need to meet the university’s own academic and application requirements.
Can I study medicine without UCAT and without an entrance exam?
Yes. Some universities, including Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski University in Poland and Rīga Stradiņš University in Latvia, do not require a separate written entrance examination. Other universities have their own admissions tests, so the requirements need to be checked individually.
Can I study medicine abroad with a low UCAT score?
Yes. Your UCAT score does not form part of the admissions process at universities that do not use the test. You will still need to meet the university’s academic requirements.
Can I apply through UCAS if I missed the UCAT booking deadline?
The UCAS deadline for 2027 medicine applications is 15 October 2026, but missing the UCAT booking deadline means you cannot take the 2026 UCAT for this admissions cycle. Whether you can apply to a particular medical course without the test depends on that university’s requirements.
Thinking About Studying Medicine Without UCAT?
Missing the UCAT booking deadline does not necessarily mean waiting another year to study medicine.
There are English-taught medical universities in Europe where you can apply without the UCAT, including universities where you do not need to sit a separate written entrance examination.
Your academic qualifications, preferred destination, budget and the university’s entry requirements will all affect which options are available to you.
If you are considering 2027 entry and want to find out which universities you could apply to, speak to MedConnect Europe and our team can help you explore your options.
Admission requirements, fees and examination dates can change. Always check the latest information from Medical University Sofia and the GMC before making an application or relying on information about registration in the UK.
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