Your Med Future
Applying to medical school requires lots of planning and preparation. We're here to help you navigate the application process. Explore your pathway to a career in medicine with Your Med Future.
Introduction to Your Med Future
Your Med Future is a guide to support anyone thinking about applying to study medicine in Scotland. It was created by NHS Education for Scotland in collaboration with the 5 Scottish medical schools and the Medical Schools Council.
Parents, carers, educators, and career advisers
This information hub is also a helpful starting point for those helping potential applicants with the application and selection process. If this sounds like you, check out our resources for influencers.
Choosing a career in medicine
Medicine is a dynamic and rewarding profession where you'll make a meaningful difference in people's lives. There are 65 different specialties and 31 sub-specialties, including:
- general psychiatry
- anaesthetics
- general practice
- clinical oncology
- emergency medicine
- cardiothoracic surgery
If you're curious, love learning, and are interested in people, becoming a doctor could be the right career for you.
Discover a wide range of roles in medicine.
How Your Med Future can help you!
Applying to medical school can feel overwhelming, as there is so much information online. It's a big commitment since undergraduate degree programmes take 4 to 6 years to complete, studying full-time. The duration depends on the course type you apply for.
Your Med Future provides the following:
- A clear and accurate overview of the medical degree programme application process in Scotland.
- Information about open days at the 5 medical schools in Scotland.
- Advice to help you prepare your medical school application.
- A summary of all the actions you must take leading up to the October UCAS deadline.
You'll also have access to blog posts and videos where medical students and resident doctors share their experiences.
Pathways into medicine
Your route to medical school might not be the same as other students. There are a range of pathways to a career in medicine.
Standard entry medicine
If you're confident of meeting the medical school entry requirements, this option is for you. The degree programme takes 5 to 6 years to complete.
Graduate entry medicine
You need a biological science or healthcare-related undergraduate degree to apply for a 4-year accelerated graduate entry programme.
SWAP access to medical studies
Choose this option if you’re an adult learner with few or no qualifications and returning to formal education after a break.
Medicine with a gateway year
This option may suit you if you're a student of high ability but have experienced learning barriers.
