How to become a future doctor

Studying medicine in Scotland

As you research your options for studying Medicine, you'll notice that undergraduate medical degrees can have different abbreviations. MBChB and MBBS both mean Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. They are equivalent qualifications at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 10.

What is SCQF?

SCQF is the national qualifications framework in Scotland. It has 12 levels used to indicate the complexity of learning for different qualifications. Find out more about the SCQF framework to help you understand each level and compare qualifications.

Scottish medical schools

There are 5 medical schools in Scotland where you can study Medicine: 

• University of Aberdeen 
• University of Dundee
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• University of St Andrews

MBChB is awarded at all medical schools in Scotland. However, if you choose to study Medicine at the University of St Andrews, you can graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Medicine after 3 years. You'll then complete your MBChB or MBBS at a partner university by following one of these routes:

• Scotland – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, or Glasgow
• England – Manchester or London
• No preference route

The university offers other MBChB programmes.

Learn more about choosing a medical school.

Widening participation in medicine

If you have the personal attributes, drive and determination, you can become a doctor no matter your background or life experience.

All Scottish medical schools are dedicated to widening access to medical education. They aim to make sure that anyone who has the potential to study medicine sees it as a real possibility.

Reach programme

Medical schools in Scotland provide pre-entry support activities through the Reach widening participation programme. It's for S4 to S6 pupils who are interested in medicine but might have had fewer opportunities than others.

The programme will give you an insight into a career in medicine. Each medical school has Reach staff based on campus. They provide information, impartial advice, and encouragement to support you with your application and preparation for the medical school selection process.

Find out more about the Reach programme.

Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP) 

Thinking about university after you leave school? Have you heard about SHEP? It’s designed to make the jump from school to uni a bit easier. In some cases, taking part can even help with your application.

Here’s a list of what could be on offer in your area:

• Friendly sessions that explain what university is all about.
• Workshops to help you pick the right subjects.
• Tips and tricks for managing your money as a student.
• Information evenings for your parents or carers.
• Personal advice to help you with your application.

SHEP is run across different regions, so these activities can vary.

Regional SHEP websites

There are 4 regional hubs which deliver SHEP:

• ASPIRENorth - Aberdeenshire, Highlands, Moray, Orkney, and Shetland
• FOCUS West - Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, and the West of Scotland
• LEAPS - Borders, Edinburgh, Forth Valley, and the Lothians
• LIFT OFF - Dundee and Angus, Fife, and Perthshire

Check out the regional websites and see how they can support your journey to higher education

Routes to medical school in Scotland

Scotland needs an inclusive and diverse medical workforce from different backgrounds that reflect the communities we care for. This includes school leavers, career changers, and qualified healthcare professionals who want to retrain to become doctors.

Your route to medical school might look a bit different from others, and that's ok! There are loads of different routes to help you get there.

Standard entry medicine

If you're at school, you can apply to study medicine at university after you complete your Highers and Advanced Highers. It's the most common route if you're confident in meeting the medical school entry requirements.

This degree programme can take 6 years if it includes a mandatory intercalation year. This means taking a year out from a standard medical degree to study a related subject in more depth.

Learn more about entry requirements for the 2026 intake.

Graduate eligibility

Thinking about studying medicine as a second undergraduate degree? Good news! You could be eligible for the standard entry medicine route. But have you considered ScotGEM? It's a 4-year fast-track programme designed for graduates, and it could be just what you’re looking for!

Scottish Community Orientated Medicine (ScotCOM)

ScotCOM is a 5-year undergraduate MBChB degree delivered by the University of St Andrews. Although it focuses on community medicine, you'll gain experience in both primary care services and hospital-based care. It will prepare you for a career in any area of medicine, including high-demand specialties.

Find out more about the ScotCOM degree programme.

Graduate entry medicine

Before committing to a medical degree, you could study a different undergraduate first degree. A graduate medical degree course allows you to do this.

As a graduate, you may be eligible for the standard entry medicine route. It means you have more options when applying to medical school.

Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine (ScotGEM)

ScotGEM is a 4-year undergraduate medical degree programme delivered by the University of St Andrews and the University of Dundee.

If you’ve already graduated with a different undergraduate honours degree, ScotGEM is the programme for you! You'll have the opportunity to experience general practice and remote and rural working, with a focus on community-based training.

Find out more about ScotGEM.

Medical degree for healthcare professionals (HCP-Med)

Edinburgh Medical School's HCP-Med programme is designed for healthcare professionals living and working in Scotland, including:

• nurses
• paramedics
• pharmacists
• midwives
• clinical scientists
• occupational therapists
• physiotherapists

In the first 3 years, you'll study part-time, with general practice and hospital clinical placements. You'll join the main full-time undergraduate MBChB programme in year 4. Although there is a focus on general practice, the HCP-Med will prepare you for a career in any medical specialty.

Find out more about the HCP-Med programme at Edinburgh Medical School.

SWAP Access to Medical Studies

If you're an adult learner considering a career as a doctor, you may be aware of the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP).

Specialist colleges across Scotland deliver the one-year SWAP Access to Medical Studies course. After completing the course, you can apply for the following programmes at a medical school affiliated with your college:

• standard entry medicine
• gateway to medicine

Find out more about SWAP, including eligibility and course delivery.

Medicine with a gateway year

Are you passionate about becoming a doctor, but unsure if you’ve met the requirements for standard entry medicine? Don’t give up! Gateway to Medicine programmes support the Scottish Government’s vision of widening access to medical education. 

Think of Gateway to Medicine programmes as a valuable and supportive route to medical school. To apply, you’ll need to meet the minimum academic and non-academic requirements set by the medical schools. There are also a few things that could make you eligible. Are you:

• Living in a Scottish postcode area that’s within the lowest 20% of the Scottish index of multiple deprivation (SIMD-20)?
• A young person in care, a care leaver, or estranged from family?
• A school pupil who is registered with or eligible for a Reach programme?
• A school pupil who attends a remote and rural target school?
• An adult learner who is doing or has completed a SWAP Access to Medicine course?
• A refugee with the right to remain and study in Scotland?
• An asylum seeker with the right to study in Scotland?

Just a heads-up! The exact requirements can vary. It’s a good idea to check the programme information before you apply:

• University of Aberdeen School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, and Nutrition - Gateway 2 Medicine (G2M)
• University of Dundee School of Medicine - Gateway to Medicine
• University of Glasgow, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing, Gateway to Medical Studies
• University of St Andrews Medical School - Gateway to Medicine

By completing a Gateway to Medicine programme, you can progress confidently to an undergraduate medical degree at the same medical school.

Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)

If you’re a resident of Scotland and studying medicine at a Scottish university, you can apply for funding from SAAS. You may be eligible for:

• bursary
• student loan

Your tuition fees will also be paid, although some exceptions may apply. Funding is available for students studying medicine as a second degree.

Discover more about SAAS funding support for medical students in Scotland.

Other sources of student funding

The SAAS website also includes information about other sources of funding support, such as:

• university bursaries
• educational trusts
• sponsorships and scholarships
• discretionary funds

Find out more about other sources of funding.

Graduating from medical school

From day one at medical school, you'll start building your clinical knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours for a future career as a doctor. 

When you graduate, you'll need a provisional registration with a licence to practise from the General Medical Council (GMC). This will allow you to apply for a foundation programme.

Foundation programme

A 2-year work-based foundation programme is the first step in your postgraduate training after medical school. The Scottish Foundation School provides a wide range of foundation programmes right across the country. These are designed to help you:

• explore different medical specialties
• engage with diverse communities
• experience working in large university hospitals
• understand the challenges of rural practice

Trainees on foundation programmes are known as resident doctors.

Find out more about the Scottish Foundation School.

Specialty training

After finishing the Foundation programme, you can apply for hospital or general practice specialty training. Specialty training can take between 3 and 7 years, depending on the type of doctor you want to be. 

After completing speciality training, you'll be issued a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). You can then join the appropriate GMC Register and apply for jobs in the NHS.