Pathways to Medicine

Make the most of your 5th choice on your UCAS form

As an undergraduate Medicine Applicant, UCAS will require you a to select a non-Medicine 5th choice on your application. Our Pathways to Medicine have been specifically designed to fill the 5th choice slot with a degree that will help you achieve your ambition to study Medicine, and even help you gain a guaranteed interview for our Graduate Entry Medicine degree.

Students who choose a Pathway to Medicine benefit from bespoke modules, health or related observations and specialist preparation for applications to Graduate Entry Medicine alongside a guaranteed interview for our Graduate Entry Medicine course.

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How does the Pathway to Medicine work?

Our Pathway to Medicine process is simple:

Choose one of the following courses
Successfully complete the Pathway*
Gain a guaranteed interview for MBBCh Medicine (Graduate Entry) at Swansea

_{*See ' What is successful completion of the Pathway?' below}

Applied Medical Sciences

Applied Medical Sciences is a multidisciplinary field of study that focuses on the biological aspects of human health and disease. It combines principles from biology, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines to understand the underlying mechanisms of diseases, develop diagnostic tools, and explore treatments and interventions. Applied Medical scientists play a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and improving healthcare.

Applied Medical Sciences, BSc (Hons)

Medical Biochemistry

A student using research equipment in a lab.

Medical Biochemistry is a program that focuses on the study of biochemistry with a specific emphasis on its applications in medicine and healthcare. Medical Biochemistry is a specialized field that focuses on the biochemical processes and molecules related to human health and disease. By studying a Medical Biochemistry degree students will examine how cells, tissues, and organs function at a molecular level and how disturbances in these processes can lead to medical conditions.

Medical Biochemistry, BSc (Hons)

Medical Genetics

Image of a student conducting research in a laboratory environment.

Medical Genetics is an exciting and fast-moving field that is making an enormous impact on Medicine. Medical Genetics focuses on the study of genetic disorders, and the genetic factors influencing human health and disease. A medical genetics degree equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to work at the intersection of genetics and healthcare, making critical contributions to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of genetic disorders and hereditary diseases. A degree in Medical Genetics will help prepare you by understanding the science that is revolutionising Medicine.

Medical Genetics, BSc (Hons)

Medical Pharmacology

An image of two students working together in a lab.

Medical Pharmacology is the science behind drugs and medicines, their effects on living systems, and their role in treating disease. This type of degree program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of pharmacology and its applications in healthcare and clinical practice. It is particularly concerned with the development, use, and effects of medications in the context of medical practice, including understanding drug mechanisms, therapeutic applications, and potential side effects. A medical pharmacology degree equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to work at the intersection of pharmacology and healthcare, contributing to the safe and effective use of medications in clinical practice and research.

Medical Pharmacology, BSc (Hons)

Medical Sciences and Population Health

An image of two students studying together.

Swansea University's Medical Sciences and Population Health Programme is your gateway to a dynamic and rewarding career in the world of healthcare, epidemiology, and public health policy. Our cutting-edge Medical Sciences and Population Health Programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of population health. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, this program seamlessly blends medical sciences, public health, and social sciences, giving you a holistic understanding of health and healthcare systems.

Medical Sciences and Population Health, BSc (Hons)

Psychology

An image of a student looking at a brain-scanning cap.

Studying Psychology will give you expert scientific training in the relationship between the mind, brain, and behaviour. You will study the psychological and neuro-scientific processes that underpin activities such as thinking, reasoning, memory and language, learn about the effects of brain injury, and explore ways to improve health-related behaviour.

Psychology, BSc (Hons) /MSci (Hons)

What is successful completion of the Pathway?

Students in white coats in a teaching laboratory

Overall 60% average in Year 1 of your studies
60% in the Pathways Module - "Doctors, Patients and the Goals of Medicine (PM254)"
Students must have, or be expecting, a valid GAMSAT or UCAT score at the time of application

Students who meet these entry requirements will be eligible for a guaranteed interview for our Graduate Entry Medicine course in their final year. Students may only use the Interview Guarantee once, in their final year of study.

Graduate Entry Medicine

What is Graduate Entry Medicine?

Graduate Entry Medicine is accelerated 4 year medical degree is designed to reflect the way in which clinicians approach patients and how patients present to doctors. From the first term you will gain clinical experience on placement. On successful completion of the programme, you will graduate with an MB BCh degree from Swansea University, enabling you to progress to the UK Foundation Programme for newly qualified doctors, where you will begin training in a clinical environment.

Medicine (Graduate Entry), MB BCh

Students learning in an anatomy teaching room

Missed out on Medicine?

If you did not secure a place on a Medicine course and are applying to university through Clearing, our pathways degrees are an ideal choice for you. It's not too late to join us in 2026 - we're here to help you.

Clearing help

Student stories and advice

From 5th choice to Graduate Entry Medicine

Gloria, who took one of our Pathways to Medicine gives some helpful advice on how best to use your UCAS 5th Choice. UCAS will require you as an undergraduate Medicine Applicant to make a 5th choice on your application. Our Pathways to Medicine have been specifically designed to fill the 5th choice, which will help you achieve your ambition to study Medicine, and help you gain a guaranteed interview for our Medicine degree.

Read Gloria's story

From Clearing to Graduate Entry Medicine

Hope Henry joined Swansea University as a Clearing student after missing the grades she needed to study Undergraduate Medicine. Hope graduated this year from the Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme and is now working in the Medical Profession. Read Hope's Student Story to hear her experience of studying a Pathway course followed by Graduate Entry Medicine.

Read Hope's story