MBChB Admissions Selectors’ Handbook

Last updated: 10 October 2014

2

Contents

FUNCTIONS OF THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE 6

POLICY MAKING 6

ADVICE TO POTENTIAL APPLICANTS AND TO SCHOOLS 6

SELECTION OF ENTRANTS 6

REPORTING 6

MEMBERSHIP 7

MBChB ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE 7

MBChB ADMISSIONS EXECUTIVE GROUP 8

DISABILITY SUB-COMMITTEE 8

MBChB ADMISSIONS OFFICE 8

BACKGROUND TO ADMISSIONS SELECTION 9

OVERVIEW 9

THE UK PERSPECTIVE 9

EDINBURGH PLACES & APPLICANTS 9

DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES / APPLICATIONS (residence not fee status) 9

BEING SELECTIVE 10

DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES / ENTRANTS 11

OFFER ‘CHANCES’ 11

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS 11

PRE-APPLICATION ENQUIRIES 12

THE EDINBURGH SELECTION PROCESS 13

SCREENING 13

SELECTION 13

DECISION MAKING 15

RESPONSES & CONVERSION RATES 15

SUMMARY 15

INTERVIEWS 15

LESS COMMON QUALIFICATIONS 16

POST-SELECTION ENQUIRIES 16

EXTERNAL REVIEW 16

CONCLUSIONS 16

UNIVERSITY AND CMVM MEDICINE POLICY STATEMENTS 17

3

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY 18

MBChB ADMISSION SELECTION CRITERIA EXCLUSIONS 18

UK GUIDELINES 18

DISABILITY POLICY 19

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH DISABILITY STATEMENT 19

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH DISABILITY POLICY 19

MEDICAL SCHOOLS COUNCIL GUIDING PRINCIPLES 2010 20

MBChB ADMISSIONS DISABILITY POLICY 21

PRINCIPLES 21

PROCEDURES 21

CRIMINAL CONVICTION POLICY 22

MEDICAL SCHOOLS COUNCIL GUIDING PRINCIPLES (2010) 22

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS 22

WIDENING PARTICIPATION POLICY 23

CMVM WIDENING PARTICIPATION ACTION PLAN 23

ADMISSIONS STRATEGIES 23

Lothians Equal Access Programme for Schools (LEAPS) and Pathways to the Professions 24

Selection Process 2015 entry 25

Financial support 25

Care Leavers in Higher Education 25

PROOF OF ENGLISH PROFIENCY POLICY 26

ACCEPTED QUALIFICATIONS 26

TEST OF ENGLISH AT MATRICULATION (TEAM) 26

QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENTS 27

AQA BACCALAUREATE 27

ADVANCED DIPLOMAS 27

EXTENDED PROJECT 27

CAMBRIDGE PRE-U 27

The MBChB and Cambridge Pre-U 27

CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE 27

SCOTTISH BACCALAUREATE 28

The MBChB and the Scottish Baccalaureate 28

SINGAPORE QUALIFICATIONS 29

Singapore Integrated Programme and GCE A Level selection scoring background 29

4

FEEDBACK, APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS CODE OF PRACTICE 30

FEEDBACK AND REVIEW OF DECISIONS 30

APPEALS 30

COMPLAINTS 31

MBCHB SCORING GUIDES 32

MBCHB SCORING SYNOPSIS 33

ACADEMIC SCORING 35

SCHOOL LEAVERS (SQA Highers and GCE A Levels) 35

SCHOOL LEAVERS (CAMBRIDGE PRE-U) 37

SCHOOL LEAVERS (EB and IB) 39

GRADUATE APPLICANTS 41

EU GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS 42

MATURE NON GRADUATES / ACCESS COURSE 44

CLINICAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS TO YEAR 3 46

INTERNAL TRANSFERS 47

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 49

AUSTRIA 50

BELGIUM 51

BULGARIA 52

CYPRUS 53

CZECH REPUBLIC 54

DENMARK 55

ESTONIA 56

FINLAND 57

FRANCE 58

GERMANY 59

GREECE 60

HUNGARY 61

ITALY 62

LATVIA 63

LITHUANIA 64

LUXEMBOURG 65

MALTA 66

THE NETHERLANDS 67

POLAND 68

PORTUGAL 69

ROMANIA 70

SLOVAKIA 71

SLOVENIA 72

5

SPAIN 73

SWEDEN 74

SWITZERLAND 75

CANADA 76

HONG KONG 77

MALAYSIA 78

SINGAPORE (INTEGRATED PROGRAMME ONLY) 79

SOUTH AFRICA 80

USA 81

LEAPS 82

PERSONAL SCORING 84

MATURE/GRADUATE INTERVIEWS 85

BACKGROUND 85

SHORT LISTING FOR INTERVIEW 85

INTERVIEW STRUCTURE 85

INTERVIEW DOMAINS AND SCORING 85

SCENARIOS AND QUESTIONS 85

QUALITY ASSURANCE 85

INTERVIEW MARKING SCHEDULES 86

6

FUNCTIONS OF THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE

POLICY MAKING

To establish and monitor policies on all factors, including minimum academic and non-academic requirements, relevant to the selection of candidates for entry into the MBChB degree programme.

To establish and monitor selection procedures appropriate to different applicant groups.

To seek the approval of the College on policy issues where appropriate.

ADVICE TO POTENTIAL APPLICANTS AND TO SCHOOLS

To provide information and advice to schools and potential applicants about entrance to Medicine and careers in Medicine.

SELECTION OF ENTRANTS

To assess and grade applications to the 5 year (A100) programme.

To assess and grade applications from students in their 1st year from other programmes within the

University of Edinburgh (usually first-year science undergraduates) for entry to the programme.

To assess and grade applications from pre-clinical students at Cambridge and Oxford Universities (and occasionally, on compassionate grounds, from other medical schools) and International Medical University, Malaysia, for entry into Year 3.

To undertake interviews for selected applicants.

REPORTING

To prepare an annual roll of new entrants into the MBChB degree programme summarising the academic attainments and background of entrants.

To prepare an annual report to the College summarising discussions of, amendments to, and recommendations on Admission Policy.

To provide statistics to monitor the selection process.

7

MEMBERSHIP

MBChB ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE

Convener Mr M Akyol Consultant Transplant Surgeon and Director (MBChB Admissions) Selector Members Dr P Agarwal Counsultant Ophthalmologist, Princess Alexandra Eye Hospital Mr G Beattie Reproductive Health, RIE Dr M Brockway Consultant Anaesthetist, St Johns Dr D Brown Consultant Paediatrician, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Dr A Campbell Consultant Obstetrician, RIE Mr I Currie Consultant Surgeon, RIE Dr K Dundas Consultant, Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health Dr E Duvall Senior Lecturer, Pathology Dr M Fried Consultant Anaesthetist, St Johns Dr C Grice Consultant Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, RIE Dr M Inwood General Practitioner, Inverleith Row Dr A Jaap Endocrinology and Year 5 Director Dr S Kallat Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, St Johns Dr F Kristmundsdottir Senior Lecturer, Anatomy and Dean of Pastoral Care (Medicine) Mr G Lawson Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, RIE Dr S Morley Lecturer, Clinical Biochemistry, QMRI Mr G Oniscu Consultant Transplant Surgeon, RIE Dr A Paul Consultant Anaesthetist Mr J Powell Consultant Surgeon, RIE Dr G Price Consultant Anaesthetist Mr Z Raza Consultant Vascular Surgeon, RIE Dr J Rose General Practitioner, Murieston Dr L Ross Consultant Paediatrician, Department of Community Child Health Rev Dr J E Roulston Lecturer, Clinical Biochemistry and Schools Liaison Officer Dr A Scott Consultant Gynaecologist, Chalmers Sexual Health Centre Dr E Steel Consultant Anaesthetist, Western General Hospital Dr K Stewart Consultant Anaesthetist, St Johns Dr J Thomas Consultant Anaesthetist, St Johns Dr M Vernon Renal Specialist Registrar, RIE Dr G Walker Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Dr K Watson Consultant Anaesthetist, St Johns Dr E Wilson Consultant Anaesthetist Non-selector Members Ms K Hood Deputy Director of SRA and Head of Widening Participation Mrs N Crowley MBChB Manager Ms Sheila Lodge Head of Academic Administration Miss E Rowson Undergraduate Admissions Manager Secretary (rotated) Ms S Jitpatanakun Admissions Secretary Miss C Mitchell Admissions Secretary Mrs D Clark Admissions Secretary

8

MBChB ADMISSIONS EXECUTIVE GROUP

Director (MBChB Admissions) Mr M Akyol Dr J E Roulston Dr F Kristmundsdottir

Dr E Duvall Miss E Rowson

DISABILITY SUB-COMMITTEE

Director (MBChB Admissions) Mr M Akyol Dean of Pastoral Care (medicine) Dr F Kristmundsdottir Postgraduate Dean Professor B Reid Expert(s) in relevant field

MBChB ADMISSIONS OFFICE

Mr Murat Akyol Director (MBChB Admissions) 0131 242 1714 Murat.Akyol@ed.ac.uk

Mrs Debbie Clark Admissions Secretary (Mon-Tue) 0131 242 6407 Debbie.Clark@ed.ac.uk

Miss Sue Jitpatanakun Admissions Secretary (Wed-Fri) 0131 242 6407 Sue.Jitpatanakun@ed.ac.uk

Miss Clare Mitchell Admissions Secretary 0131 242 6791 Clare.Mitchell@ed.ac.uk

Dr Joe Roulston Schools Liaison Officer (SRA) 0131 242 9225 Joe.Roulston@ed.ac.uk

Miss Emma Rowson Admissions Manager 0131 242 6405 Emma.Rowson@ed.ac.uk

Undergraduate Admissions College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine The University of Edinburgh The Chancellor's Building 49 Little France Crescent Edinburgh EH16 4SB Tel: 0131 242 6407/6791 E-mail: medug@ed.ac.uk www.ed.ac.uk/medicine-vet-medicine/undergraduate www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicine/undergraduate/medicine/applying/medschoolbooklet

9

BACKGROUND TO ADMISSIONS SELECTION

OVERVIEW

Medicine is a popular career choice and as a result there is a considerable excess of applicants to available places in UK medical schools. This excess requires and makes possible selection. The General Medical Council advocates selection on the basis of choosing those with greatest aptitude for medical training from those with high academic achievement. Academic potential has normally been based on past or predicted academic achievement. Whilst there has been and will continue to be debate on the process of selection for medicine, choosing those who will make good medical students rather than good doctors offers a more robust and therefore defensible basis for selection strategies.

THE UK PERSPECTIVE

Applicants to medical schools compete against each other, albeit within criteria set by the medical schools. This competition is severe. This is neither unique to Edinburgh nor indeed to the UK. Over the last 10 years there has been a 100% increase in applicant numbers to UK medical schools despite very high minimum academic qualifications. In recent years there have been around 21,000 applicants each year for the 7,000 plus places at UK Medical Schools. Of the 21,000 some 19,000 were for UK/EU places and 2,000 for overseas fee places. The overall success rate for UK/EU fee applicants is around 37%.

EDINBURGH PLACES & APPLICANTS

At the time of writing, the figures for 2014 entry have not been confirmed. Edinburgh Medical School has previously had 190 UK/EU places, including 107 SFC funded places for ‘home’ applicants (Scotland and EU); 83 non-funded places for ’rest of UK’ applicants (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), and a further 17 non-funded places for 'overseas’ fee' applicants. Of the UK/EU places, approximately 15 will be taken by those who have deferred places from the preceding admission cycle, or those resitting the five-year programme.

those ‘resitting’ the 5 year course

In addition to school-leaving applicants, we receive a number of applications from graduates, from those who have undertaken access courses to medicine, and from mature non-graduate applicants.

DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES / APPLICATIONS (residence not fee status)

Year Scots Rest

UK/EU Overseas Total

1987 507 544 312 1363

1988 538 632 230 1400

1989 520 938 239 1697

1990 449 990 336 1765

1991 417 1016 336 1762

1992 454 1190 323 1967

1993 591 1400 307 2298

1994 562 1542 439 2543

1995 516 1558 501 2575

10

1996 551 1501 487 2539

1997 517 1611 500 2628

1998 524 1597 511 2632

residence Scotland Rest UK Rest EU Overseas Total

1999 508 1343 269 488 2608

In the 1999/2000 UCAS cycle the number of medical school choices was reduced from 5 to 4

residence scotland rest UK rest EU overseas total

1999-00 416 1017 184 346 1963

2000-01 417 1094 165 379 2055

2001-02 497 1050 188 432 2167

2002-03 504 1014 193 440 2151

2003-04 576 1237 331 445 2589

2004-05 651 1183 356 536 2726

2005-06 723 1402 449 457 3021

* 2006-07 729 1131 357 353 2553

2007-08 645 1004 367 408 2424

** 2008-09 654 1022 340 398 2414

2009-10 700 1117 430 489 2731

2010-11 768 832 456 500 2556

In the 2011/12 UCAS cycle, the fees policy changed in Scotland. Fees were paid already for Scotland and EU domiciled applicants, whereas rest of UK applicants had to pay £9,000 per year.

Residence Scotland Rest UK Rest EU Overseas Total

2011-12 795 855 488 591 2729

2012-13 764 937 652 510 2863

2013-14 798 1019 649 741 3207

* In 2006/07 cycle the A level academic minimum requirements were increased in order to address the distortion in applicant pools created by A level ‘grade inflation’. ** From 2008/09 onwards the A104 six-year medical programme was discontinued in Edinburgh.

BEING SELECTIVE

The chance of whether an applicant is successful in one or more of the four applications is mainly dictated by the UK total applicants-to-places ratio, but also to which four medical schools the application has been made. There is a wide range of selectivity dictated not only by applicant numbers but also by ‘acceptance of offer’ (aka conversion) rates. This effect is demonstrated below.

Popularity

higher average lower

places 200 200 200

applicants 3000 2000 1000

acceptance of offer rate 75% 50% 25%

offers 267 400 800

selectivity 9% 20% 80%

Thus the choice by applicants of medical schools is an important determinant of success.

11

DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES / ENTRANTS

The last 20 years have seen a progressive increase in the grades offered by applicants. This may reflect the increased standard of education or the increased popularity of medicine. It may also reflect ‘grade inflation’ in national school-leaving examinations. The latter is more obvious in the A level system where, until recently, there had been 25 sequential years of grade inflation with the result that those awarded an A (and A* from 2010) or B increased from 25% to over 50%.

GCE A levels % pass rate & % candidates achieving grades A & B, 1987 to 2010

1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2010

pass rate 70% 79.8% 87.7% 94.3% 96.9% 97.6%

grade A* - - - - - 8.1%

grade A 10% 12.8% 16.2% 20.7% 25.3% 18.9%

grade B 15% 16.3% 19.0% 20.9% 24.4% 25.2%

Regardless of cause, the fact that the majority of applicants now offer ‘maximum’ grades remains a substantial problem in selection (at least on academic grounds).

OFFER ‘CHANCES’

Historically, 40 to 45% accepted an Edinburgh offer. It was therefore possible to make around 450 offers (conditional and unconditional). In 2004-05 the conversion rate increased to 55% with a resultant overshoot in intake numbers of around 18%. In 2005/06 the conversion rate was static at around 55%, in 2007/08 62%, in 2008/09 56%, in 2009/10 62% and in 2010/11 69%. Conversion rates vary between fee statuses and this is taken into account. Estimating conversion rates remains an uncertain science. Based on 2014 entry figures, offer ‘chances’ were approximately

places:applicant offers:applicant

UK/EU 1:14 1:9

overseas 1:42 1:21

In 2013/14, around 2800 applicants were rejected. Many were high achievers and would have made excellent doctors, thus illustrating the level of competition. Furthermore, a number of rejected applicants would have likely received offers from other medical schools.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

In the 2013-14 UCAS cycle, Edinburgh received around 2515 UK/EU fee applications for Medicine. Of these applications, 2000 were UK/EU fee applicants who had met, or were predicted to meet, the minimum academic qualifications required to enter the selection process. Of these offering A Levels, more than 94% were predicted to achieve straight As in three or more A Levels. Of those with Scottish Highers, around 70% had achieved straight As in five or more Highers. Given the limit of approximately 300 UK/EU fee offers, it is inevitable that the majority of even those with 'maximum' grades will be rejected. Minimum academic qualifications, as published in the University Prospectus, are those required to enter the selection system. It is not possible to quote a ‘going rate’ (i.e. the academic qualifications that would guarantee an offer). Whilst the purpose of minimum academic qualifications is to ensure a minimum level of achievement, they also limit applicant numbers by discouraging applicants who inevitably would be rejected.

12

The MBChB Admissions Committee undertakes to ‘consider’ all applicants with the minimum academic qualifications (achieved or predicted). Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic qualifications or apply with ‘resit’ qualifications are not considered unless under very exceptional and verified circumstances (normally important personal ill-health or death of a close friend or family member). The Admissions Committee may choose not to fully score applications where it is evident an applicant will be unable to reach a competitive level based on their academic and UKCAT performance. This is usually reserved for those who are extremely low scoring but is dependent on the number of applications received in a given year. Whilst around 95% of applicants offer a standard pattern of qualifications, there is always a small proportion with atypical patterns (e.g. hybrid qualifications) that require individual consideration. Over the last few years there has been increasing flexibility in the timing of the sitting of school examinations (e.g. the removal of SQA ‘age and stage regulations’ and the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence). It is the Admissions Committee’s policy to do its reasonable best to accommodate such flexibility, and to ensure applicants are neither disadvantaged nor advantaged by school policy.

PRE-APPLICATION ENQUIRIES

The Admissions Office has a policy of encouraging strong applicants, but accepts responsibility to discourage weak applicants in order to diminish ‘wasted’ applications and the associated inevitable disappointment.

13

THE EDINBURGH SELECTION PROCESS

SCREENING

Applicants who are late, do not meet the minimum requirements (achieved or predicted) or are otherwise ineligible are rejected at initial screening, and are not entered into the selection pool. (reject before selection) because their applications are (a) below minimum academic standards (RA), (b) of ineligible status (eg qualification type) (RI) or (c) late (RL). From 2005-06 onwards the default academic score (see below) was calculated in the CMVM Admissions office. As a result it was possible to ‘reject’ a proportion of eligible applicants on the basis of low academic score (which, assuming a maximum non-academic score would still not score highly enough to make an offer possible) and thereby reduce the number of applications being sent out to selectors (reject low score or RS). Any applicant not offering a UKCAT score (who does not hold a UKCAT exemption) is also rejected at screening (RU).

SELECTION

Applicants who meet the minimum academic entrance requirements are sent to two selectors and who have a calculated academic score (grade score plus UKCAT score) that would, assuming a maximum non-academic score, make an offer possible are sent to two selectors. The applications are scored independently by both selectors, who apply detailed guidelines on scoring within the policy defined by the MBChB Admissions Committee. The selectors’ scores are then collated, and added to the UKCAT and SJT scores, placing the applicants in rank order. Offers - conditional and unconditional on academic attainment - are made on the basis of the total score rank order. A double marking scoring system has higher reliability levels than other subjective selection strategies). The selection scoring is based on two scores, namely academic potential and non-academic qualities. The two scores are used as a matter of educational policy. They are also based on pragmatic necessity since academic scores alone would not allow separation of academically excellent applicants. In common with all assessment methods, the selection system must be valid, reliable and practical, and attempt to balance the conflicting demands of these three criteria. In addition it must be robust to external enquiry and criticism. From 2013/14, the weighting of each criterion was adjusted, following research commissioned by the General Medical Council. Further changes are likely to be made in future years. The report on this research examining selection methods for medical education can be found here: http://www.gmc-uk.org/about/research/14400.asp

ACADEMIC POTENTIAL

The ‘academic potential’ score is based both on the achieved and predicted performance in all examinations (including, for example, SQA Standard Grade, Advanced Highers and GCSE), the UKCAT score and on the evidence from the referee and the applicant. In 2006/07 the MBChB Admissions Committee adopted the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) as an additional selection instrument. The UKCAT is now a requirement at the majority of UK Medical Schools. Imperial College, Cambridge and Oxford (undergraduate entry) continue to require the BMAT test. In 2013/14, it was agreed that the overall influence of UKCAT would increase from around 8% to 20% of the total score. In addition, the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) component of the UKCAT test would be considered in assessing non-academic attributes. No applicant is eliminated from selection on the basis of UKCAT score alone but as illustrated in the table below, UKCAT scores play a significant role in determining success or otherwise. This does not include anyone who is exempt.

14

UKCAT 2014 entry

UKCAT quartile Number of Offers

made

% of Offers made

Top 240 75

Second 65 20

Third 16 5

Bottom 1 <1

Total 322

From 2014/15 it was agreed that in order to introduce more granularity between applicants, scoring would be broken down into octiles rather than quartiles.

Sadly, also in 2014/15, UKCAT were unable to provide SJT bands due to a scoring error. This means that for this cycle only, applicants’ non-academic scores increase to 30% of the total application score.

NON-ACADEMIC SCORE

The non-academic score is based on the confidential reference and the applicant's personal statement. Non-academic qualities are scored based on judgements of personal qualities, career exploration (experience and understanding of medicine) and achievement in non-academic activities. Career exploration is valued, less as a qualification, but more as evidence that the applicant has been exposed to either working with disadvantaged, diseased or disabled people (work experience) or observing the realities of medical practice (work shadowing). A small number of potential applicants may undertake such experience, find that they do not like it and choose another career. Thus the application may be informed (rather than naive). We recognise that not all applicants have the same opportunity for work shadowing (in particular those from socially and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds). Non-academic achievement provides evidence that applicants can successfully integrate academic achievement with other aspects of their personal lives. Extra-curricular activities, especially those with a leadership role or high level of achievement, demonstrate commitment and organisation, and may predict ability to cope with the demands of medical life.

MODERATION

An application may be subject to further assessment where there is an important discrepancy in scores between the two selectors and the doubling of the higher score would bring the applicant into offer range. Further assessment is undertaken by (a) a third selector; (b) the MBChB Admissions Executive where scoring accuracy is in doubt, or (c) the MBChB Admissions Committee where a matter of Admission Policy must be resolved. From 2015 entry, selectors will have an option to ‘red flag’ an application, where there are serious concerns. Any applications which fall into this category would then be considered by the Admissions Executive. Not withstanding the structure of the Admissions Selection Scoring System it has been necessary to employ a secondary sort of rank order of those achieving the score that represents the ‘offer margin. This sort is based on the UKCAT total score (2006/07 onwards).

15

The present Scoring System was implemented in the 1998/99 admission cycle. The 1998 Selection Scoring System attempted to increase the discriminatory power of, in particular the non-academic (personal) score, in the face of ever-increasing academic grade achievement. A further amendment was made to the A level scoring in 2001/02 to accommodate the A level Curriculum 2000 changes. The inclusion of selection points based on the UKCAT score in 2006/07 represents a further change. From 2013/14 onwards, the SJT section of the UKCAT also forms part of the non-academic score, providing insight into some of the skills the Committee would be looking for in a future doctor. Further information can be found on the UKCAT website: www.ukcat.ac.uk/about-the-test/situational-judgement/#.Ug49P5z8Icg

DECISION MAKING

Those with very high total scores are made immediate offers whilst those with scores clearly below the potential offer level are rejected. Those whose score is near the potential offer score are ‘held’ until all applications have been scored when final offer/rejection decisions are made. Those who receive offers will have scored very highly in both academic and non-academic components.

RESPONSES & CONVERSION RATES

In 2013-14 approximately 63% of those receiving offers (conditional or unconditional) accepted that offer ‘firmly’ and a further percentage as an insurance (against a firm conditional acceptance to another institution). Each 1% change in the response rate creates a change in final numbers of three students. A small percentage of students fail to achieve the conditions of their offer and are rejected at confirmation (RC). Estimating the response rate (and thus the number of offers it is possible to make) remains an imperfect science. If in any admission cycle additional places remain, these may be filled:

by proactive recruitment of good applicants who had applied to Edinburgh but failed to receive any offer who are placed on an informal waiting list

by internal transfer of first-year students from other Colleges at the University of Edinburgh

SUMMARY

Selectors rank applicants based on academic and non-academic achievements. For every 12 UK/EU applicants, approximately:

Three will be rejected before selection, having applied without or below the minimum qualifications, being of ineligible status or having applied after the deadline.

Nine will be sent to selectors for scoring and thus placed in rank order

Six or seven will probably have the qualities - assuming high quality teaching and continued motivation - required to make a good doctor

Two or three will be made offers (conditional or unconditional)

Two will enter Edinburgh Medical School

INTERVIEWS

Most medical schools interview short-listed applicants. Interviews, when applied to large numbers of applicants and therefore large numbers of interviewers have however been shown to be an unreliable selection instrument. It has been argued that interviews are a better way of justifying, rather than making selection decisions. In common with a small number of other medical schools, Edinburgh does not interview school-leaving applicants routinely, if there is a substantial and authoritative reference. Selectors may recommend interview for individual applicants when they wish to clarify the UCAS form, or request further information. Other applicant groups such as mature, access course and graduate applicants, for whom substantial and authoritative references are less available, are interviewed if they have been short-listed

16

(assessed as being within the range of a potential offer). A new interview format was developed and adopted by the Admissions committee for implementation in 2007/08. An adjustment to the scoring was introduced in 2013/14 to reflect the personal statement scoring changes. Edinburgh Medical School is still considering the arguments for moving towards interviews.

LESS COMMON QUALIFICATIONS

Whilst the considerable majority of applicants offer SQA and GCE qualifications, Edinburgh Medical School is happy to consider those offering other qualifications. The University has substantial experience of those offering the International, European and French Baccalaureate and the Irish Leaving Certificate. The College recognises its responsibility to consider those offering the standard qualifications of other member states of the European Union. Potential applicants offering such qualifications are encouraged to seek guidance on minimum academic criteria and eligibility prior to application. Selectors are offered guidance on such qualifications and their relative standing from information supplied in the relevant UCAS publications.

POST-SELECTION ENQUIRIES

Each year the Edinburgh Medical School, and indeed all medical schools, receive many enquiries from surprised and disappointed applicants, their families and schools. The MBChB Admissions Office receives around 1500 enquires per annum in the post-selection period regarding feedback. Most enquirers are either unaware of the level, in quantity and in quality, of competition for places or have failed to realise that interview is not a part of the selection process for the majority of applicants. A standard information sheet to accompany personal feedback responses is available. In 2006/07 the University adopted a code of practice for feedback and review, appeals and complaints (see policy section). This is reviewed on a regular basis.

EXTERNAL REVIEW

The Edinburgh policy has recently been reviewed by the General Medical Council who concluded that the policy was fair and rigorous. The Admissions Policy was also reviewed by the Commission for Racial Equality in 1999. The Calman Report of 2004 undertook a detailed assessment of selection and admission in the Scottish Medical Schools. This resulted in the establishment of the Scottish Universities Board for Medical Education. The Scottish Medical Schools Admissions Group has an advisory role in respect of that Board and its deliberations act to inform the policies and strategies of the individual medical schools.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical Schools Admissions Policies have long been a matter of debate and controversy in the UK and beyond. There is no evidence that this is likely to change. The central principles of Admission Policy are to avoid offering false hope in recruitment and to be as fair as possible in selection.

Guidance for applicants can be found online here: www.ed.ac.uk/medicine/applying-booklet

17

UNIVERSITY AND CMVM MEDICINE POLICY

STATEMENTS

18

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY The new Equality Act was passed in April 2010 and the first provisions are effective from 1 October 2010. The Act consolidates and streamlines current anti-discrimination legislation. This covers the following protected characteristics (previously known as equality strands):

Age

Disability

Gender reassignment

Marriage and civil partnership.

Pregnancy and maternity.

Race.

Religion and belief.

Sex.

Sexual orientation.

Section 91 of the Act prohibits the governing body of a university from discriminating against a person/student in the following ways:

in the arrangements it makes for deciding who is offered admission as a student

in the terms on which it offers to admit the person as a student

by not admitting the person as a student

in the way it provides education for the student

in the way it affords the student access to a benefit, facility or service

by not providing education for the student

by not affording the student access to a benefit, facility or service

by excluding the student

by subjecting the student to any other detriment This largely reflects current law. The Act also makes it unlawful for universities to victimise or harass students or prospective students. Sections 91 and 92 do not protect marriage or civil partnership.

(Taken from the Equality Act 2010 briefing by the Equality Challenge Unit.)

Further information can be found here: www.ecu.ac.uk/subjects/equality-act-2010 Further information about the University’s policy on equality and diversity can be found here: www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/equality-diversity/home

MBChB ADMISSION SELECTION CRITERIA EXCLUSIONS

The above factors may not be considered in assessment, either to the advantage or disadvantage of

the applicant

However the committee recognises positively high achievement by those from disadvantaged

educational backgrounds. From 2012 entry recognition was also accorded to those from Band D and

E schools and from 2013 entry to those from Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation groups 20 and 40.

From 2015 entry, will be looking at a number of contextual factors (including those above) which

cover educational and geographic factors, in line with University of Edinburgh policy. Offers, however,

will not be guaranteed just because an application falls into one of these categories.

UK GUIDELINES

UK Medical Schools are required by the Funding Councils to restrict overseas fee status entrants to

7.5% of annual intake. This is likely to be reviewed in the coming years.

19

DISABILITY POLICY In October 2010, the previous Disability Discrimination Acts was consolidated into the Equality Act 2010 (see Equality and Diversity Policy above). Subsection 91(3), which focuses on disability discrimination, requires the governing bodies of universities to ensure they do not discriminate against disabled students through either:

the arrangements it makes for deciding upon whom to confer a qualification

the terms on which it is prepared to confer a qualification on the person

by not conferring a qualification on the person

by withdrawing a qualification from the person or varying the terms on which the person holds it Similarly, universities must ensure that they do not victimise disabled students in any of the ways described above.

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH DISABILITY STATEMENT

The University of Edinburgh warmly encourages enquiries from disabled applicants. Our aim is to create an environment which enables disabled students to participate fully in the mainstream of university life. We try to achieve this through flexible methods of teaching and assessment, and by progressively improving access to buildings and technology.

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH DISABILITY POLICY

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/disability-office/legislation The University of Edinburgh is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for disabled staff and students and aims to create an environment which enables them to participate fully in the mainstream of University life. For the purposes of this policy, disability is understood in the broadest sense and, in addition to mobility and sensory impairments, includes mental health problems, specific learning difficulties and medical conditions which may have an impact on day-to-day activities. This policy also extends to members of the public using University premises. The aims of this policy (in respect of students) are to ensure that:

Applications for admission from potential students are assessed on the basis of the applicant's aptitudes, abilities and qualifications.

Disabled students have access to the appropriate support and adaptations to enable them to be fully included in the life of the University.

The views of the individual student are taken into account at all times when their requirements are being assessed.

Members of staff working with disabled people, either as colleagues or as students, have appropriate information and support.

The University takes steps to enable students who develop additional needs during their time at the University to continue in their chosen career or course of study.

So far as is reasonably practicable, University premises are made accessible and safe for those with disabilities.

Code of Practice Relating to Students

The University will put in place procedures and practices to ensure that all students who have declared a disability are treated fairly. It will make reasonable adjustments to support students in their learning environment and remove or reduce barriers which prevent disabled students from successful participation in all aspects of University life.

20

Admissions

Applications from all students will be assessed on the basis of academic suitability for the course in question. Discussions about the support requirements of students will be separate from that consideration.

The University will make clear information available about access to buildings and support facilities, to help disabled students make an informed choice when choosing their university.

Colleges will identify a designated member of staff with whom disabled students may discuss course curricula, teaching and the learning activities entailed. The staff member will also ensure that any learning support and other needs are clearly identified. Designated members of staff will receive appropriate training.

No applicant will be refused a place at the University on the grounds of disability, except in certain exceptional circumstances, which are detailed below.. Every opportunity will be provided for full consideration of the specific support or facilities required for disabled applicants and all reasonable adjustments will be made.

The University will only refuse a student a place on the grounds of their disability where: - The chosen course of study leads to a professional qualification and the relevant

professional body has regulations which would preclude membership by people with particular impairments.

- There are overriding health and safety concerns. - In rare circumstances when a necessary reasonable adjustment cannot be made.

If an applicant is rejected on grounds other than academic considerations, a record of the decision and the reasons for it will be kept for one year. When requested, the University will give feedback to the applicant or their representative.

MEDICAL SCHOOLS COUNCIL GUIDING PRINCIPLES 2010

The Council of Heads of Medical Schools within its Guiding Principles on the Selection of Medical Students states that:

The practice of medicine requires the highest standards of professional competence. Medical

students are expected to demonstrate attainment of all outcomes required by the GMC in Tomorrow’s Doctors before they graduate. An impairment or health condition may make it impossible for a student to meet the outcomes required by the GMC at the point of graduation. However, in most cases health conditions and disabilities will not be a bar to becoming a doctor, as reasonable adjustments can be made to the method of learning and the assessment by which the student demonstrates the required outcomes.

Issues relating to a candidate’s health will not be dealt with by the interview panel. Health matters will be considered separately from the selection process, by a Health and Conduct Committee or equivalent and informed by an Occupational Health assessment. This process would be run in parallel with the general admissions decision-making process.

Applicants should declare a history of any serious physical or mental disorder, individual circumstances will always be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants are encouraged to seek advice from the Medical Schools as early as possible to facilitate timely consideration. A history of serious health issues will not jeopardise a career in medicine unless the condition impinges on professional fitness to practise. In addition to the Medical School, the disability centre within the University can also advise disabled applicants

Further information can be found here: http://docstore.mvm.ed.ac.uk/PoliciesAndProcedures/Undergraduate/Admissions_Principles.pdf

21

MBChB ADMISSIONS DISABILITY POLICY

PRINCIPLES The safety of patients is paramount.

In order to achieve full registration for professional practice a graduate must satisfactorily complete Foundation Programme training and experience. Offers are therefore made only to those who can be reasonably predicted as having the capacity to fulfil the medico-legal responsibilities of a Foundation Programme post. These demands could, for example, include the ability to respond effectively to medical emergencies and the ability to read and record drug charts and interpret investigation results safely.

PROCEDURES The MBChB Admissions Disability Procedures are informed by and are compliant with the

University of Edinburgh Code of Practice for Applicants with Declared Disabilities (2011).

The MBChB Director of Admissions and Admissions Officer are jointly responsible for the implementation of the University Code of Practice.

Prospective applicants with a disability are encouraged to offer information and seek guidance from the Admissions Office and, where appropriate, the University Student Disability Service prior to application.

All applications with a declared disability will be subject to the standard selection procedure and assessed, without regard to the disability, on the basis of aptitude for medical studies alone.

The University will use HEOPs as a guide when considering disabilities: http://www.heops.org.uk/fitness_standards.php

Applicants declaring a minor disability (e.g. colour blindness) that would clearly not be an impediment to medical studies or practice will, at the discretion of the Director of Admissions, be made an offer on the basis of merit without regard to or exploration of the disability.

Any applicant who has declared a substantial disability and who would merit an offer will be requested to submit a relevant and recent specialist report, which will considered by the MBChB Admissions Disability Sub-Committee. The Sub Committee will be constituted of the MBChB Director of Admissions, the Director of Student Affairs (UG Medicine), the Post-Graduate Dean and an expert in the area of the disability. It will consider the application either by consultation or at a convened meeting. The Sub-Committee may choose to offer an interview to the applicant to clarify disability issues (which must be considered separately from academic selection issues). The Sub-Committee must consider what reasonable adjustments would need to be made to enable the admission of the applicant. The Sub-Committee may need to seek information and advice from the General Medical Council, University Disability Office and relevant NHS authorities.

The MBChB Admissions Officer will be responsible for ensuring appropriate consultation with and giving information to the University Student Disability Service and the MBChB Senior Administrator in regard to applicants who receive and who accept an offer as detailed in the Code of Practice.

Any decision to refuse a place on the grounds of disability must be referred to the Head of College

22

CRIMINAL CONVICTION POLICY

MEDICAL SCHOOLS COUNCIL GUIDING PRINCIPLES (2010)

The Council of Heads of Medical Schools HMS (March 2010) states that:

Applicants are required to undergo an enhanced criminal records check prior to enrolment, which will identify spent and unspent convictions, cautions, admonishments (Scotland), reprimands and warnings. Medical schools will send the details of how and when to apply for criminal records checks to applicants. Applicants are generally expected to pay for their criminal records check.

In addition, medical schools will also ask applicants to make known a positive declaration as early as possible, so that the individual circumstances may be considered in a timely fashion and that study is not interrupted or terminated due to the late disclosure of something relevant to an enrolled student’s fitness to practise.

Not all convictions will result in being barred from the profession. Certain types of offences against children will always disqualify an applicant. Offences against the person and recent/serious dishonesty are also likely to disqualify a candidate from entry.

The Vetting and Barring Scheme was set up to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. Under this scheme, candidates applying to medicine from 2010 will also be required to register with the appropriate body to be eligible to complete clinical placements and to practise as a doctor.

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

(1) UCAS DECLARATIONS

All UCAS applicants are required to complete a criminal conviction declaration (yes/no) on their application forms. All applicants indicating yes are requested to submit details of that conviction or caution to the University of Edinburgh if they fall into offer range. These details are submitted to a University of Edinburgh Criminal Convictions Panel for further consideration.

(2) CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS

University of Edinburgh policy (2001) requires that all prospective medical students be subject to an ‘enhanced disclosure’ (or equivalent) of criminal records. Any offer of a place will be conditional on the submission of a completed application for and satisfactory outcome of a criminal record check. Any disclosure of a criminal conviction or caution will be submitted to the University of Edinburgh Criminal Convictions Panel for consideration. From 2011 entry, applicants were required to enter the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG), which not only conducts an enhanced disclosure but keeps interested parties informed of changes in criminal records.

23

WIDENING PARTICIPATION POLICY

CMVM WIDENING PARTICIPATION ACTION PLAN

It is the aim of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine to fully support the University of Edinburgh's initiative to widen participation and thereby create a more diverse student population. The central principles in selection remain that:

Selection decisions will continue to be based on the assessment of academic potential and aptitude for the respective professions.

By the declaration of transparent criteria, both academic and non-academic, false hope will not be offered to those considering application.

Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, in Edinburgh and at a UK level, are privileged in both the number and quality of applicants. Analysis of available data suggested that, because of the severe level of competition for places, the College can most effectively contribute to widening access by recruitment supported by the creation of special opportunities and specific pathways.

ADMISSIONS STRATEGIES

In 2014, the University sought to develop the ways in which context was used in assessing an application. An advanced process was built to assess educational and geographical disadvantage in a more accurate way. More information about the background to contextual admissions and what is assessed can be found online here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.149028!/fileManager/201408%20Contextual%20Data%20briefing.pdf Edinburgh Medical School:

Will continue to support LEAPS, REACH and the 'Pathways to the Professions' initiatives, which seek to encourage and support applications from those with educational and social disadvantage.

In fulfilment of its undertaking to include measures of disadvantage and thereby to recognise positively high achievement from educational disadvantage, additional selection points for disadvantage were introduced in the selection of eligible applicants from the Pathways to the Professions initiative in 2006/07.

From 2006/07, included the UKCAT test as a component of selection, in recognition of the fact that the test identifies ability without influence from prior learning.

From 2011/12, gave recognition to those from low progression schools within the UK, known as Band D and E schools.

from 2012/13, gave recognition to those from Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) groups 20 and 40).

From 2014/15 a more refined system looking at contextual data will be used. No more than 10% of additional credit will be awarded.

24

Lothians Equal Access Programme for Schools (LEAPS) and Pathways to the Professions

Introduction

The University of Edinburgh, along with the other HEIs in Edinburgh and the local authorities, are signatories to the Lothians Equal Access Programme for Schools (1995). LEAPS promotes positive perceptions of higher education and thereby raise aspirations in circumstances where, for economic, social and cultural reasons, few in the past have progressed to university education. The programme offers a range of strategies targeted within Edinburgh and Lothians at

school populations (LEAPS designated or associated schools)

individual students with social, economic and/or cultural disadvantage 59 state schools in Edinburgh, Lothians, Forth Valley and the Scottish Borders are participants in the LEAPS programme. The LEAPS commitment is to a policy of ‘equal access for equal potential’ as a means of widening participation in higher education, without lowering standards. LEAPS therefore predates the recent strong advocacy by funding councils of the development of strategies for widening access to higher education. Since 2001, LEAPS has been enhanced by the University of Edinburgh’s Pathways to the Professions Project, which targets school students from S4 onwards who are interested in applying to medicine, veterinary medicine, or law. This project, based in Student Recruitment and Admissions, works with the 59 local state schools to give students information and insight into the professions. It specifically helps students to build up their non-academic achievements. The University is pledged through LEAPS to make offers of places where possible to applicants from the 59 state schools in Edinburgh, Lothians, Forth Valley and the Scottish Borders who have the potential to succeed on degree programmes but who do not, for reasons associated with economic, cultural or social disadvantage, offer the academic qualifications and/or the range of relevant experience normally required to be successful in application. More information can be found here: www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-recruitment/widening-participation/projects/partnership-projects/leaps

MBChB Admissions Committee Policy from 2007

The MBChB Admissions Committee policy for many years invited selectors to recognise positively achievement from a background of educational or social disadvantage. There was however difficulties in assessing degrees of economic, social or educational disadvantage such as limited peer competition, limited subject options and negative peer group pressure. It was therefore difficult to assess the extent to which students were underachieving academically. It was also difficult to determine the factors limiting opportunities to acquire the necessary range of non-academic achievements. In recognition of the significant problems in applying the strategies, rather than the principles, of the LEAPS programme within the academically highly competitive environment of medical school selection, the Faculty of Medicine MB Admissions Committee negotiated with LEAPS to create strategies specific to the Medical School (1999).

Minimum criteria for the MBChB programme

LEAPS eligible applicants will normally be expected to have achieved lower minimum academic criteria of AAABB at SQA Higher in S5 or at one sitting, to enter the selection process. Required subjects will be as stated in the current prospectus.

Students meeting the minimum academic criteria will be in competition with other medicine applicants. While special consideration will be made for LEAPS eligible students, this does not guarantee an offer.

25

Selection Process 2015 entry

Pathways to the Professions eligible students (Pathways Plus i.e. first in family) will be identified to LEAPS for information prior to the one to one interview process.

Where possible, the Pathways to the Professions (PTP) Project staff will carry out one-to-one pre-application interviews for those interested in applying to medicine. Where this is not possible, the interview forms will be copied to PTP for information and the students will be contacted for a telephone interview or supplementary face-to-face meeting.

LEAPS pre-application enquiry forms will be sent to the Medical School.

The applications will be supported by background information on the applicants provided by LEAPS and Pathways.

All applications will be considered at a meeting of the MBChB Admissions Executive at which the PTP Project Manager will be in attendance.

The members of the MBChB Admissions Executive will score the applications in a standard manner for grades, UKCAT performance and non–academic score. The Admissions Office will also give recognition for any Contextual Data flags not already credited through the process below.

The MBChB Admissions Executive may award additional selection points to the academic grade score (up to, but not beyond, the academic grade maximum of 10 points for each selector) on the basis of

attendance at a LEAPS group 1 school first in family to study in higher education being in receipt of Educational Maintenance Allowance

The MBChB Admissions Executive will assess whether it is in the student’s interest to be made a conditional offer for the A100 5 year programme (based on S6 subjects/Advanced

Highers) a recommendation to attend LEAPS summer school. This recommendation will not form

part of a formal offer. It may or may not be possible to take summer school reports into account. A positive report cannot therefore guarantee a place.

LEAPS/Pathways Plus students will not normally be interviewed by the MBChB Admissions Committee. Offers made will be on the basis of overall points scored. This will inevitably mean that students who enter the selection process cannot be guaranteed an offer.

Financial support

Where appropriate, the applicant will be encouraged to apply for a University of Edinburgh Access Bursary. A number of these are ring-fenced for Pathways Plus students.

Care Leavers in Higher Education

Prospective students who identify themselves as having been in care in their UCAS application are contacted to provide the University with information about the support systems available to them at the University. The University will provide information about available support to any prospective students who identify themselves as having been in care in their UCAS application.

With permission, the University will maintain contact with students throughout their degree, to ensure they are receiving appropriate support.

More information about the University of Edinburgh Support for Care Leavers is available from Student Recruitment and Admissions.

Extra recognition for achievement in these circumstances may be available for these applicants, through contextual flags.

26

PROOF OF ENGLISH PROFIENCY POLICY

ACCEPTED QUALIFICATIONS

If English is not an applicant’s first language, in order to satisfy the University or to meet the UK Home Office requirements, the following tests are regarded as suitable proof of English proficiency (both written and verbal).

* UK Home Office requirements mean that these may not be acceptable for obtaining a tier 4 visa unless the University decides to accept them under its own assessment.

Qualification Minimum Grade

IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in each component

TOEFL (internet based only)* 100 or above with 23 in each section

GCSE/IGCSE* B

Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

B

Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)

A

International Baccalaureate* 5 at Standard level

TEST OF ENGLISH AT MATRICULATION (TEAM)

The Institute for Applied Language Studies offers a test of English at matriculation, which is free for non-native speakers. TEAM is used as a supplement to English Language qualifications for international students, not as a replacement. TEAM can be used to assess whether further English courses (ELTT) or materials would be useful in supporting students. These are often used for postgraduate students but can be taken by undergraduates too. The test takes approximately 40 minutes and is comprised of listening comprehension and knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. Results are usually available within a week of the test and are sent via e-mail. It is also sent to the programme director or supervisor and to the college office. There is individual advice in the e-mail as to whether further study is recommended.

27

QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENTS

AQA BACCALAUREATE

“The University provides its students with a broad based education in the Scottish tradition and therefore supports moves which encourage breadth in the curriculum, while maintaining sufficient depth of study. The extended project and enrichment activities will, we hope, help prepare students for university level study. Applicants presenting with the AQA Baccalaureate will be expected to pass the Baccalaureate and to achieve specified grades in the three approved A-levels within their Baccalaureate. Medical applicants will be required to pass the Baccalaureate and achieve specified grades in the three A levels and the AS Level in Critical Thinking within their Baccalaureate. AS Level General Studies or Citizenship will not be accepted.”

ADVANCED DIPLOMAS

The Advanced Diploma is an educationally beneficial development but not one which would offer either advantage or disadvantage to those applying to Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

EXTENDED PROJECT

The Extended. Project is an educationally beneficial development but not one which would offer either advantage or disadvantage to those applying to Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

CAMBRIDGE PRE-U

“Combinations of individual Pre-U subjects and A-Level subjects will be acceptable if three subjects are offered overall in a suitable subject combination and normally one examination diet”

The MBChB and Cambridge Pre-U

Grades required for entry to the MBChB are D3, D3, D3 and M2. GPR or a Pre-U Short course will be accepted in lieu of a fourth subject. A mixture of Pre-U and A Levels are also accepted. Chemistry must be at D3 grade. Biology should be achieved to at least M2.

CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE

We express our minimum requirements in terms of achievement at Higher during the senior phase, either by the end of S5, or from S4-S6. In order to evidence rigour and challenge, we will expect applicants to take a minimum number of exams in at least one year of the senior phase. To meet our entry requirements, you must achieve, or be predicted to achieve, three or more Highers/Advanced Highers at grade A (B or better at Advanced Higher) in the same year (S4-S6). For example, if an applicant sits two Highers in S4 and achieves AA, and sits three new Highers in S5 achieving AAB, they will be eligible to enter the selection process (providing they also meet any specific programme requirements in terms of grades and subject of study). However, if an applicant

28

achieves AA at Higher in S4, AA in two new Highers in S5 and AB in a new Higher and an Advanced Higher in S6, the applicant will not be considered for entry to any of our degree programmes. Regardless of the number of Highers taken in each year of the senior phase, we expect applicants to have followed a coherent, rigorous and challenging curriculum that builds on prior learning, demonstrated by SQA qualifications or a combination of SQA qualifications or other achievements.

SCOTTISH BACCALAUREATE

The University welcomes developments that seek to encourage study at Advanced Higher Level and encourage students to make productive use of their final year of secondary school. We also welcome developments that encourage the uptake of sciences and languages – areas of particular strength within the University. The University recognises the opportunity the Baccalaureate provides for specialisation whilst not restricting the traditional breadth available within the Scottish school curriculum. We will continue to state standard entrance requirements in terms of Highers and encourage students to maintain breadth of study in S5 & S6.

The MBChB and the Scottish Baccalaureate

The MBChB has a present set of requirements in respect of Highers (Grades AAAAB by the end of S5 to include Chemistry and two of Biology, Maths or Physics). These are entirely compatible with the Scottish Baccalaureate package. We encourage where possible the study of AH Chemistry and AH Biology in S6. We base our assessment on performance in S4, S5 and S6. The assessment would therefore include the additional project element. We can neither advantage nor disadvantage applicants on the basis of school policy and therefore cannot give priority to those who have done the Scottish Baccalaureate. In summary, the Scottish Baccalaureate is educationally beneficial ,but does not offer advantage or disadvantage to those applying for medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

29

SINGAPORE QUALIFICATIONS

Singapore Integrated Programme and GCE A Level selection scoring background

Singapore is an important source of high quality overseas fee applicants to the Edinburgh MBChB programme. Edinburgh receives around 400 overseas fee applications of which about 200 are high quality. Of these around 50 are from Singapore (and 100 from Malaysia). Most of these applicants offer GCE A levels while a small proportion offer the International Baccalaureate. Malaysia and Singapore are important historic markets for the University, and the MBChB programme is perceived as a ‘brand leader’ in this market by the University. The introduction of the Singapore Integrated Programme (vide infra) has required the development of a selection scoring system by the MBChB Admissions Executive specific to these applications INTEGRATED PROGRAMME The Integrated Programme, also known as the "Through-Train Programme", is a scheme which allows students in top secondary schools in Singapore to bypass O levels and take A levels, the International Baccalaureate or an equivalent examination directly at the age of 18, after six years of secondary education. The programme allows for more time to be allocated to enrichment activities. By bypassing the GCE O level examinations, students are given more time and flexibility to immerse themselves in a more broadly based education, which leads to the GCE A level examinations. In addition, the students enjoy more freedom in the combination of subjects between Year 1 - 4 as compared to their non-IP counterparts. Generally, only the top performers (usually from Special, and sometimes Express, stream) are eligible to be part of the IP programme. This will ensure that the main body of the students pursue their secondary education at their own pace by first completing a 4-year O Level before going on to a 2-year A level education. The first batch of IP students took the revised GCE "A" Level or International Baccalaureate Diploma examinations in 2007. Scoring of Applicants From 2013 entry onwards, applicants from the Integrated Programme will be scored by all members of the Admissions Committee.

H3s are an extension of H2s (A Levels) which allow advanced study such as research. The subjects have to have been studied at H2. SEAB General Paper is a challenging course and bears no resemblance to the GCE General Studies paper.

30

FEEDBACK, APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS CODE OF PRACTICE

FEEDBACK AND REVIEW OF DECISIONS

Where possible the request for feedback should be made by the applicant, not a third party. In cases where a request is submitted by a third party, data protection legislation may prevent the University from releasing information relating to an individual’s application.

Feedback will be given, when requested, to any candidate whose application to undergraduate study has been unsuccessful.

General information on selection criteria and process are available in the prospectus, the ‘Applying for Medicine’ booklet and in an MBChB information leaflet (‘Successful and Unsuccessful Applications’). Applicants are initially directed to a generic feedback page via their unsuccessful notification in EUCLID. This should be read before requesting feedback.

The request should normally be put in writing either by letter or e-mail to the MBChB Admissions Office. Applicants should include their full name, UCAS number and, where applicable, any additional information that may not have been available on the original UCAS application.

Whilst admissions staff are able to provide general advice and information to candidates over the telephone, it is not possible to provide feedback by telephone. Applicants must put their request in writing to the MBChB Admissions Office.

The MBChB Admissions Office will seek to respond to each request within 20 working days of receipt of the request. In the event that no response or acknowledgement is received within this period, applicants should contact the Admissions Office again and where applicable include the original e-mail/letter request.

If, during the course of providing feedback, it becomes apparent that there was significant information, directly relevant to the original application, that for good reason was not available when the selection decision was made, the application will be submitted to the MBChB Admissions Executive group for consideration. If an error has been made and an offer should have been processed, this will be done without the need to consult with the Admissions Executive

No applicant may be discriminated against for either requesting feedback or appealing an admissions decision.

The University’s feedback policy can be found at http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicine/undergraduate/medicine/applying/selection

APPEALS

All appeals should be made by the applicant, not a third party.

Following the provision of feedback the MBChB Admissions Office, if requested to do so, will submit the application to the MBChB Admissions Committee’s executive group for review.

The grounds for appeal are: (1) Where there is substantial new information, which for good reason was not made available

either on the original UCAS application or during the selection procedure, and where that new information is significant and directly relevant to the original decision.

(2) Where there is evidence of alleged improper conduct or irregular procedure during the selection process.

Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Head of Admissions, Student Recruitment & Admissions, 33 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9JS, or by email to sra-appeals@ed.ac.uk, stating clearly the grounds for appeal (as above) and outlining the case in full.

SRA will screen an appeal in the first instance and pass it on to the Admissions Office to make arrangements for the appeal to be heard.

If additional information is required, the applicant will be informed in writing and provided with an appropriate deadline by which to submit the information.

The MBChB Admissions Executive group has responsibility for consideration of all formal MBChB appeals which pass the first stage in Student Recruitment and Admissions.

Members of the MBChB Admissions executive group who, as selectors, have been involved in the original admissions decision will be excluded from the review of the decision.

31

Applicants will be informed in writing of the outcome of the appeal and the grounds on which the Admissions Executive group reached its decision. The decision of the Admissions Executive group is final and there is no further right of appeal.

No applicant may be discriminated against for appealing against an admissions decision.

COMPLAINTS

The complaints procedure is intended for use when an applicant (or the applicant’s representative) is dissatisfied with the service they have received from the University with regard to undergraduate admissions. The procedure may not be used as a means to change an admissions decision. All complaints will be treated with equal seriousness and an investigation conducted. In the case of formal complaints the report of that investigation may be made available to the complainant if requested. All complaints will be managed in accordance with the University of Edinburgh’s complaints handling procedure, which can be found at www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-academic-services/student-complaint-procedure/overview Complaints will be recorded locally and reported to SRA on a quarterly basis. The University of Edinburgh Policy and Procedure for Admissions Feedback, Appeals and Complaints can be found online here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.28085!/fileManager/2013%20FeedbackAppealsComplaintsPolicy%20final.pdf

32

MBChB SCORING GUIDES

33

MBChB Scoring Synopsis School Leavers Graduate/Mature Initial screening is undertaken by the Admissions Office. A default scoring of academic grades is carried out. Applicants achieving a low academic score that would, assuming a potential maximum non-academic score, still clearly fall below the offer cut-off may not progress further in selection. Each selector awards

Academic – up to 10 points

Non-Academic – up to 6 points (equally split between personal qualities, career exploration and non-academic activities).

The Admissions Office awards (per selector)

UKCAT points - up to 8 points for total UKCAT score based on octiles of Edinburgh UKCAT cohort.

SJT points – would usually be up to 6 points awarded based on the bands UKCAT allocate but are not provided for 2014/15 entry so the above non-academic scoring has increased.

The maximum total is 40 points. Applicants are ranked in score order in 5 categories (Scotland/EU fee rate immediate, RUK fee rate immediate, SEU fee rate deferred, RUK fee rate deferred and overseas fee). Special Groups

Graduate & mature applicants are short listed by their academic grades, UKCAT and SJT scores. Those who score highest will be shortlisted for interview and will be assessed on three areas: critical & ethical reasoning, communication skills and career exploration (in conjunction with their personal statement and additional information)

Selector 1 Selector 2

Selector

academic grades 10 10

non academic 6 6

Selectors total 32

Admissions Office

UKCAT 8

Admissions total 8

Final Total 40

selector 1 selector 2

Selector

academic grades 7 7

interview 9 9

Selectors total 32

Admissions Office

UKCAT 8

Admissions total 8

Final Total 40

34

LEAPS applicants are scored by the Admissions Executive. Additional academic points up to 3 per selector for educational maintenance allowance, LEAPS 1 school and First in Family to HE are added to bring the academic score up to but not beyond the normal academic maximum of 10 points per selector. If the maximum 10 points is already achieved, these points may be used to improve UKCAT scores.

Other educational or geographic contextual factors such as educational or geographic disadvantage will have bonus points awarded where appropriate but for no more than 10% of the scoring.

When moving educational systems. UKCAT may be used in lieu of early school qualifications such as GCSEs.

Selectors should discuss any academic scores they feel conflict with the initial assessment with the Admissions Manager. If there are grave concerns about a particular application, it can be ‘red flagged’ and then passed to the Admissions Executive for further consideration. A red flag does not immediately preclude an applicant from obtaining an offer.

35

ACADEMIC SCORING

SCHOOL LEAVERS (SQA Highers and GCE A Levels)

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

The aim of the assessment procedure is to rank by academic and personal qualities all the applicants who meet the minimum academic conditions to enter the selection system. The objective is to choose the top students who have the academic potential and personal qualities to succeed in the MB ChB programme and thereafter in a clinical or research role.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

SQA CANDIDATES

minimum Higher grades

GCE CANDIDATES

minimum A level grades

A100 5 year

5 Highers Chemistry plus 2 of Biology, Maths & Physics 5 Highers must normally be taken by the end of S5. Missing subjects can be taken in S6 but grade requirements have to be met by the end of S5. A minimum of three Highers should be sat in one year.

AAAAB

A level Chemistry plus 2A levels

1 of Biology, Maths or Physics

plus 1AS

Biology if not at A level 3A levels at one sitting in Upper Sixth

AAAb

Normally only the first sitting will be considered within the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) policy. It is usually expected that the exam board should take into account any extenuating circumstances.

If not “crashed” at SQA Higher, all applicants not following CfE must have achieved a pass at SQA Standard Grade 2, SQA intermediate 2 grade B or equivalent, in Biology, English and Mathematics.

All applicants must have achieved a pass at GCSE (B grade) or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, English and Mathematics

GCSE Biology and Chemistry may be replaced by GCSE Dual Award Combined Sciences (or its equivalent) at a minimum of 2 B grades

SQA Higher Biology may be replaced by Higher Human Biology

GCE A level Biology may be replaced by A level Human Biology, Social Biology or Zoology

Only one Maths out of Maths and Further Maths will be accepted. General Studies is not accepted.

EdExcel Level 1 and 2 Certificates started from 2012 and are to be considered as GCSEs.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements.

From 2014, applicants undertaking the CfE may present with National 5s rather than Standard Grades/Intermediate 2s. Applicants undertaking the CfE and bypassed National 5s will be considered on an individual basis for 2015 entry.

SELECTION STRATEGY The Scoring Guidelines below offer an indicative framework within which selectors are encouraged to use individual judgement. They may allocate up to 10 points for the academic score and up to 3 points for the personal score. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors.

36

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-10 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken. You may vary the score guidelines below on the basis of

the time taken to prepare for the examinations & the ease of attaining the grades

some schools limit the number of standard grades or GCSE examinations taken

some schools have a policy of accelerating bright pupils (not always to their advantage)

educational disadvantage not acknowledged elsewhere in the selection system.

Reason for variation in score must be declared on the score sheet by selectors. Achieved grades should be scored on the same basis as predictions. SQA HIGHER GRADE APPLICANTS

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

Standard Grades/ Int 2s (best 8 but to include required subjects) S4 study

B/2 in Chemistry/Biology 1

B/2 in other sciences or non sci subject 2

All As/1s 3

PLUS

Highers (best 5 – min 3 in 1 year) Up to and incl S5 study

B in Chemistry/Biology 1

B in other subjects 2

All As 3

PLUS

Advanced Highers S6 study (minimum 2AH and 1 H)

Any C grades 1

B in Chemistry/Biology 2

B in any other subject 3

All As 4

GCE A LEVEL APPLICANTS

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

GCSEs (best 10 but must include English and Maths) Only count those taken in one year

B in Chemistry or Biology 1

B in any other subjects 2

All As and up to 4A* 3

A’s and 5-7 A* 4

>7A* 5

PLUS

A Levels (best 3 A Levels taken in upper sixth and 4

th subject

AS/A Level)

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and at least 1 A* 5

A level General Studies should be excluded from the score

A level Further Mathematics should be excluded except when it is the third A-level and taken in the upper sixth and when Maths has been taken in lower sixth and is not included as the fourth subject.

If an applicant has a mixture of A*s, As and a B in the four subjects being considered at A level, you must consider the B grade and treat the A* as a A in terms of allocating a score.

References should be checked for school policy issues which impact on qualifications taken.

If Chemistry/Biology are not present and no evidence for this is given in the reference, selectors may vary the scoring accordingly.

37

SCHOOL LEAVERS (CAMBRIDGE PRE-U)

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The aim of the assessment procedure is to rank by academic and personal qualities all the applicants who meet the minimum academic conditions to enter the selection system. The objective is to choose the top students who have the academic potential and personal qualities to succeed in the MBChB programme and thereafter in a clinical or research role.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Pre-U Only

Minimum grades

Pre-U plus AS/A Level Minimum grades

Chemistry plus one of Biology, Physics and Maths Chemistry must be at D3 grade. Biology should be achieved to at least M2. GPR can be used for the fourth subject in lieu of another academic subject at M2.

D3,D3,D3 M2

Chemistry plus one of Biology, Physics and Maths Chemistry must be at D3 grade. Biology should be achieved to at least B at AS

D3, D3, D3 plus a B at AS Level

normally only the first sitting will be considered unless there are very exceptional and verified circumstances. It is usually expected that the exam board should take into account any extenuating circumstances

if not offered at Pre-U, all applicants must have achieved a pass at GCSE (B grade) or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, English and Mathematics

GCSE Biology and Chemistry may be replaced by GCSE Dual Award Combined Sciences (or its equivalent) at a minimum of 2 B grades

Biology may be replaced by Human Biology, Social Biology or Zoology

Only one Maths out of Maths and Further Maths will be accepted

General Studies is not accepted.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements.

SELECTION STRATEGY The Scoring Guidelines below offer an indicative framework within which selectors are encouraged to use individual judgement. You may allocate up to 10 points for the academic score and up to 3 points for the personal score. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

38

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-10 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken. You may vary the score guidelines below on the basis of

the time taken to prepare for the examinations & the ease of attaining the grades

some schools limit the number of standard grades or GCSE examinations taken

some schools have a policy of accelerating bright pupils (not always to their advantage)

educational disadvantage not acknowledged elsewhere in the selection system Achieved grades should be scored on the same basis as predictions. CAMBRIDGE PRE-U APPLICANTS

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

GCSEs (best 10 but must include English and Maths)

B in Chemistry or Biology 1

B in any other subjects 2

All As and up to 4A* 3

A’s and 5-7 A* 4

>7A* 5

PLUS

Pre-U/AS Level D3, D3, D3, M2 or D3,D3, D3, b at AS – M2/b in Biology 1

D3, D3, D3, M2 or D3,D3, D3, b at AS – M2/b in other sci 2

D3, D3, D3, M2 or D3,D3, D3, b at AS – M2/b in non-sci 3

Any combination of D2, D3 and As 4

Any combination of D2, D3, As plus A*s or D1 5

General Studies should be excluded from the score

Further Mathematics should be excluded except when it is the third subject and taken in the upper sixth and when Maths has been taken in lower sixth

Pre-U Short Courses can be considered as equivalent to AS levels.

Any combination of Pre-U, A Level and AS Levels are acceptable.

39

SCHOOL LEAVERS (EB and IB)

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The aim of the assessment procedure is to rank by academic and personal qualities all the applicants who meet the minimum academic conditions to enter the selection system. The objective is to choose the top students who have the academic potential and personal qualities to succeed in the MBChB course and thereafter in a clinical or research role.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

EUROPEAN BACCALAUREATE CANDIDATES

minimum grades

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE CANDIDATES

minimum grades

A100 5 year

Year 7 level: Chemistry Two from Biology, Physics and Mathematics Year 5/6 level: Biology, Mathematics, English

7.0 (70%) in sciences and overall grade of 7.0 (70%) 6.0 (60%)

Higher level: Chemistry plus two other subjects including one (but preferably two) sciences Subsidiary level: Three subjects including Biology, Mathematics and English if not taken at Higher level

667 in Higher Grade subjects and 37 points overall

Normally only the first sitting will be considered unless there are very exceptional and verified circumstances. It is usually expected that the exam board should take into account any extenuating circumstances

if not taken as part of the International Baccalaureate system, Biology, Mathematics and English may be offered either in GCSE at grade B or SQA Standard Grade 2 or Intermediate 2 at grade B

note that some schools do not allow International Baccalaureate candidates to take three science subjects at the Higher Level

SELECTION STRATEGY The Scoring Guidelines below offer an indicative framework within which selectors are encouraged to use individual judgement. You may allocate up to 10 points for the academic score and up to 3 points for the personal score. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

40

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-10 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken. You may vary the score guidelines below on the basis of

the time taken to prepare for the examinations & the ease of attaining the grades

some schools have a policy of accelerating bright pupils (not always to their advantage)

educational disadvantage not acknowledged elsewhere in the selection system Achieved grades should be scored on the same basis as predictions.

EUROPEAN BACCALAUREATE APPLICANTS

Grades may be expressed as a mark out of ten or as an equivalent percentage.

Year 5 or 6 level max 4 points

Sciences & Maths

overall below 8.5 (85%) overall 8.5 (85%) – 8.8 (88%) overall above 8.8%

0 1 2

English & other academic

overall below 8.5 (85%) overall 8.5 (85%) – 8.8 (88%) overall above 8.8%

0 1 2

PLUS

Overall below 8.5/85% Chemistry below 8.5 (85%) Chemistry 8.5 (85%) – 8.8 (88%) Chemistry above 8.8 (88%)

1 2 3

Year 7 level max 6 points

Overall between 8.5/85% and 8.8/88% inclusive

Chemistry below 8.5 (85%) Chemistry 8.5 (85%)– 8.8 (88%)Chemistry above 8.8 (88%)

3 4 5

Overall above 8.8/88% Chemistry below 8.5 (85%) Chemistry 8.5 (85%)– 8.8 (88%) Chemistry above 8.8 (88%)

4 5 6

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE APPLICANTS

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

Overall Score 37-38 1

39 2

40 3

41 4

42-45 5

PLUS

Higher Level Scores 667 – 6 in Chemistry 1

667 – 7 in Chemistry 2

677 – 6 in Chemistry 3

677 – 7 in Chemistry 4

777 5

Do not score GCSEs for International Baccalaureate candidates.

41

GRADUATE APPLICANTS

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS for GRADUATES

a 1st or 2:1 Honours degree

school-leaving qualifications (to be achieved in the first attempt) - Highers BBBB - A level BBB - IB – 655 Higher level and 34 points overall - Irish Leaving Certificate – BBBBB.

other school leaving qualifications may be considered

have achieved sufficient relevant science (Chemistry and Biology) either in school or university study.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements.

SELECTION STRATEGY The Scoring Guidelines below offer an indicative framework within which selectors are encouraged to use individual judgement. You may allocate up to 7 points for the academic score. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors This will enable the Admissions Office to shortlist for interview. Please see the interview section of the handbook for further details.

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-7 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken.

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

A Levels BBB 1

ABB 2

AAB or better 3

OR

Highers BBBB 1

AABB/ABBB 2

AAAB or better 3

OR

IB 34-36 1

37-39 2

40-45 3

OR

ILC BBBBB 1

ABBBB-AAABB 2

AAAAB or better 3

PLUS

Degree 2:1 2

1st 4

42

EU GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS

This is not an exhaustive list. The Academic Score (range 0-10 points if outside the UK and 0-7 if inside – as can be interviewed) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken. The assessment is made on an individual basis, using the following minimum requirements as a base (a mix of UK and EU degree/school leaving qualifications are acceptable). AUSTRIA

Bachelor degree – pass with distinction (mit auszeichnung bestanden)

Passed the Reifezeugnis with a minimum of 3 (befriedigend) overall and 2 (gut) in the relevant science subjects.

BELGIUM

Bachelor degree (2002 onwards)- met grote onderscheiding / avec grande distinction

Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs / Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur / Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts - pass all subjects at bien or better (7+) with higher grades (8+) in the science subjects

CZECH REPUBLIC

Bakalář (Bachelor degree) 2001 onwards – B/1.5/very good/velmi dobře

Maturita - at least a grade of 3 (dobrý) in all academic subjects and a majority of grade 2s (chvalitebný) in sciences

DENMARK

Bachelor degree – 10 (for a very good performance) or above

Studentereksamen (or HF or HH) - grade 10 in sciences and grade 7 in non-sciences FINLAND

Kandidat (1995 onwards) – 3 (when a scale of 1-3) or 4 (when a scale of 1-5)

Ylioppilastutkinto / Studentexamen – sciences grade 5/M, non-sciences grade 4/C FRANCE

Licence (from 2008 onwards) at bien or above

French Bacalaureat – 14 in science subjects and 12 overall GERMANY

Bachelor – 2 (gut) overall

Abitur – 1.5 overall HUNGARY

Alapfokozat – 4/good/ jó/ négyes

Érettségi vizsga – 4s at higher level and 3s at standard ITALY

Laurea - con lode/cum laude or con lode e pubblicazione

Diploma di Esame di Stato – 90 overall LUXEMBOURG

Bachelor (2002 onwards) – tres bien/very good/16+

Diplome de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires – bien/40/good NETHERLANDS

Bachelor (2002 onwards) – 8 overall

VWO - 8 in required sciences and 7 overall POLAND

Bachelor (2001 onwards) – B/4+

43

Matura - 65% at extended level and 75% at standard level PORTUGAL

Licenciado – 18 or above (very good with distinction)

Diploma de Ensino Secundário grade 16 or better in all subjects. SLOVAKIA

Baakalar (2004 onwards) – B/very good/1,5

Vysvedcenie o Maturitnej skúske - at least a grade of 3 in all academic subjects and a majority of grade 2s

SLOVENIA

Univerzitetni diplomant – 8 or above

Maturitetno Spricevalo – 4s SPAIN

Título de Licenciado – 9.0/sobresaliente/distrinction (Universidad Complutense Madrid (UCM) – 3/Very Good)

Título de Bachillerato – 8 or better SWEDEN

Yrkesexamen – Pass with distinction/ Väl godkänd

Slutbetyg Gymnasieskolan – VG Chemistry, Biology and Maths and G in English and Swedish (some flexibility on subjects if science degree)

44

MATURE NON GRADUATES / ACCESS COURSE

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

a mature non-graduate applicant is a student who will be 21 years of age or over by 1 September of the year of entry

there is no age limit for applicants but those over the age of 30 will be subject to particularly careful consideration

applicants require to fulfil the University of Edinburgh general (academic) requirements

in recognition of the varying backgrounds and achievements of mature applicants the applications will receive separate and particular consideration

those at the upper end of the rank order will be called in for interview

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements.

(a) SCHOOL LEAVING QUALIFICATION APPLICANTS

minimum requirements normally the same as those for applicants applying direct from school

those applicants whose qualifications are more than 3 years out of date will normally be required to have some recent study at school leaving level as a minimum.

(b) ACCESS COURSE APPLICANTS

applicants from Access to Medicine courses at the College of West Anglia and Sussex Downs College are eligible for consideration the five-year MBChB degree programme (A100).

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

distinctions (achieved or predicted) in all Access course subjects

for access to medicine courses, school-leaving grades of Highers BBBB or A level BBB

otherwise, standard school leaving requirements Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors.

45

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-7 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken. MATURE – NO ACCESS - HIGHERS

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

Highers (best 5) S5 study

B in Chemistry/Biology 1

B in other subjects 2

All As 3

PLUS

Advanced Highers S6 study (minimum 2AH and 1 H)

Any C grades 1

B in Chemistry/Biology 2

B in any other subject 3

All As 4

MATURE – NO ACCESS – A LEVELS

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

GCSEs (best 10 but must include

Any Bs 1

All A/A*s 2

PLUS

A Levels (best 3 A Levels and 4

th subject

AS/A Level)

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and A* 5

MATURE - ACCESS

Highers A Levels Degree Points Awarded

ABBB/BBBB BBB - 1

AABB ABB 2:1 2

AAAB or above AAB or above 1st 3

PLUS

Access achievement Points Awarded

Average 1

Good 2

Excellent 3

Outstanding 4

46

CLINICAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS TO YEAR 3

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS Applications are considered for direct entry to Year 3 of the course from students in the final pre-clinical year at

Oxford

Cambridge The number of places available each year varies according to the number of our own students who are taking an intercalated Honours year. From 2010 entry onwards there might not be any places available due to the guarantee of places for St Andrews students. Such applications are assessed in a manner similar to graduates and are also placed in rank order but are not interviewed and therefore require non-academic scoring. Applications must be submitted by 30 November in the student’s final year. Decisions must be made before Christmas. To be eligible

applicants must achieve a satisfactory completion of their three year honours degree.

Unusual cases will be considered on their individual merits. Because of the introduction of a new ‘integrated’ curriculum in October 1998, entrants will be required to

undertake vacation reading over the summer

attend a week-long Clinical Practice Bridging course in August prior to the start of the main course.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

a 1st or 2:1 Honours degree (achieved or predicted) nb 2:2 Honours degree (achieved or predicted) from Oxbridge

school-leaving qualifications - Highers BBBB or A level BBB

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-7 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken.

Honours Degree Ordinary Degree Score

1st class Honours outstanding grades 5

2:1 class Honours very good grades 3

2:2 class Honours good grades 1

PLUS

Highers A Levels Score

AAAAA A*AA or above 5

AAAAB AAA 3

AAABB AAB 1

47

INTERNAL TRANSFERS

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

internal transfer applications are accepted for the five-year (A100) course from students currently in their first year within another Faculty at the University of Edinburgh.

internal transfer applicants are eligible to compete for such places as may (or may not) be available at the end of the admission cycle in August.

internal applications from students in their second and later years at Edinburgh University will not be accepted (although if entry into second year had been offered after school leaving qualifications, these will be considered).

UCAS applications will not normally be accepted from students on course at any University, including Edinburgh,

other than those in their final years applying as graduates unless there are clear extenuating personal circumstances when applications must be through

UCAS

application forms should be submitted by 31 May of the year of potential entry.

applicants should provide a reference from their Personal Tutor together with a copy of the original UCAS application form if possible.

once the examination results are known at the beginning of July, an initial selection is made.

applicants whose results do not meet the minimum entry requirements will automatically be rejected.

the remaining applications are assessed by two Selectors placing them in rank order. Those who have not scored highly will be rejected. The remaining number will be held until after the GCE A level results are issued in August.

final decisions will not be made until late August or early September, once numbers are known.

applicants must make a strong case for consideration for transfer. They should include in section 6 of the application form, their reasons for requesting transfer and any relevant background experience in medicine or social work.

assessment will be scored for school leaving performance and for university performance

applicants are not usually called for interview

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

In order to be considered applicants

must have obtained the required minimum school leaving qualifications for Medicine.

be predicted to achieve B grades or second class merit certificates (or the equivalent, if given exemptions from degree examinations) in all of their first year subjects.

may be allowed one C grade in a subject of low relevance to medicine, but this will reduce the chances of a successful application.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements.

48

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-10 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken. You may vary the score guidelines below on the basis of

the time taken to prepare for the examinations & the ease of attaining the grades

some schools have a policy of accelerating bright pupils (not always to their advantage)

educational disadvantage not acknowledged elsewhere in the selection system. Achieved grades should be scored on the same basis as predictions. TRANSFER - HIGHERS

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

Highers (best 5) S5 study

B in Chemistry/Biology 1

B in other subjects 2

All As 3

PLUS

Advanced Highers S6 study (minimum 2AH and 1 H)

Any C grades 1

B in Chemistry/Biology 2

B in any other subject 3

All As 4

PLUS

First year performance Any C grades 1

Any B grades 2

All A grades 3

TRANSFER – A LEVELS

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

GCSEs (best 10 but must include

Any Bs 1

All A/A*s 2

PLUS

A Levels (best 3 A Levels and 4

th subject

AS/A Level)

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and A* 5

PLUS

First year performance Any C grades 1

Any B grades 2

All A grades 3

49

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Irish examination system consists of the Junior Certificate, normally taken at the end of the 9

th

year of school (equivalent to S3) and the Leaving Certificate (Ardteistimeireacht) at the end of the 11th

or 12th year (equivalent to S5/S6).

The Junior Certificate is considered as slightly below Standard Grade Credit/GCSE level. The Leaving Certificate is available at 2 levels

Ordinary level Higher level, covering the same syllabus as Ordinary level but in greater depth.

Higher level is comparable to SQA Higher

both Ordinary and Higher levels may be taken at the same time and must be differentiated

the subjects are graded A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3, D1, D2, D3, E, F, no grade

most applicants sit 6 examinations

re-sit of exams is common

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

6As at Higher Level

subject requirements are Chemistry, Biology, English and either Mathematics or Physics – must have As in all these subjects

grades must have been attained in one sitting and at first attempt

Entry to Irish medical schools is by an examination points system (A1=100, A2=90, B1=85, B2=80 etc.) thus an entry requirement may be 540 points. Applications from the Irish Republic therefore often have minimal information in the personal statement and reference.

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-10 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential. You may vary the score guidelines below on the basis of

the time taken to prepare for the examinations & the ease of attaining the grades

some schools have a policy of accelerating bright pupils (not always to their advantage)

educational disadvantage

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

Junior Cert science non-

science points

A A 4

A B 3

B A 2

B B 1

PLUS

Leaving Cert Higher Level points

All A Grades 6

A and B grades 4

A, B and C grades 2

Ordinary Level grades in the Irish Leaving Certificate should not be included in the scoring. Only Higher/Honours level subjects should be scored.

50

AUSTRIA

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS Reifeprüfungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis Grading system 1/sehr gut (very good), 2/gut (good), 5/nicht genügend (fail). The Reifeprüfung/Matura is assessed either on four written and three oral examinations or three written and four oral examinations.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

minimum 1 in sciences and 2 in non-sciences

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

sciences non-sciences score

1 All 1s 10

1 One grade 2 7

1 Two grade 2s 5

1 3+ grade 2s 3

1 All 2s 1

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

51

BELGIUM

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS the following school leaving certificates are requisite for University admission

Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire (French speaking)

Diploma Secundair Onderwijs (Dutch/Flemish speaking)

Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts (German speaking) There is a variety of grading systems but most commonly 10 (maximum) to 1

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Chemistry, Biology, Maths, English plus French/Flemish/German

minimum 9 in sciences and 8 in non-sciences

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

sciences non-sciences score

10 (100%) 10 (100%) 10

10 (100%) 9 (90-100%) 9

9 (90-100%) 10 in Chem/Biol 9 (90-100%) 8

9 (90-100%) 9 in Chem/Biol 9 (90-100%) 6

9 (90-100%) 10 in Chem/Biol 8 (80-89%) 4

9 (90-100%) 9 in Chem/Biol 8 (80-89%) 2

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

52

BULGARIA

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Bulgarian Diploma za sredno obrazovinie, normally graded out of 6, is considered to be at AS/Higher level and is not acceptable on its own as an entry qualification. Applicants will normally offer A-levels or IB in addition.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

IB- 37 points over all with 667 in Higher Level subjects

A Levels – AAA (b)

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

For those offering IB the normal IB scoring system should be used.

For those offering A-levels but not with GCSEs, the score should be awarded as follows.

Diploma za sredno obrazovinie max 5 points

4.0 1

4.5 2

5.0 3

5.5 4

6.0 5

PLUS

A & AS LEVELS Max 5 points

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and A* 5

normally only the first sitting will be considered unless there are very exceptional and verified circumstances. It is usually expected that the exam board should take into account any extenuating circumstances

if not offered at GCE A level, all applicants must have achieved a pass at GCSE (B grade) or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, English and Mathematics

GCE A level Biology may be replaced by A level Human Biology, Social Biology or Zoology

Only one Maths out of Maths and Further Maths will be accepted

General Studies is not accepted.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

53

CYPRUS

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Cypriot Apolytirion, normally graded out of 20, is considered to be between GCSE/Standard Grade and AS/Higher level and is not acceptable on its own as an entry qualification. Applicants will normally offer A-levels or IB in addition.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

IB- 37 points over all with 667 in Higher Level subjects

A Levels – AAA (b)

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

For those offering IB the normal IB scoring system should be used.

For those offering A-levels but not with GCSEs, the score should be awarded as follows.

Apolytirion max 5 points

Overall grade 18.0 1

Overall grade 19.0 3

Overall grade 19.5 5

PLUS

A & AS LEVELS Max 5 points

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and A* 5

normally only the first sitting will be considered unless there are very exceptional and verified

circumstances. It is usually expected that the exam board should take into account any extenuating circumstances

if not offered at GCE A level, all applicants must have achieved a pass at GCSE (B grade) or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, English and Mathematics

GCE A level Biology may be replaced by A level Human Biology, Social Biology or Zoology

Only one Maths out of Maths and Further Maths will be accepted

General Studies is not accepted.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

54

CZECH REPUBLIC

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Maturitní Zkoušce / Maturita is normally undertaken in four subjects with Czech and another language as compulsory. The grading system is 1 (excellent) to 5 (fail).

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

at least a grade of 2 (chvalitebny) in all academic subjects and a majority of grade 1s (vyborny)

a grade 1 (vyborny) in Chemistry and one of Biology/Mathematics/Physics

recognised English test

Preference will be given to those specialising in science.

ACADEMIC SCORE

sciences non-sciences score

1, 1 1, 1 10

1, 1 1, 2 6

1, 1 2, 2 3

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

55

DENMARK

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS STUDENTEREKSAMEN HOJERE FORBEREDELSESEKSAMEN (HF) HOJERE HANDELSEKSAMEN (HHX) All of the above are acceptable but the studentereksamen is the most common.

New System

Old System

equivalent

12 13-11 exceptionally independent and excellent performance A

10 10 very good but not particularly independent performance B

7 9-8 good performance C

4 7 fair performance D

02 6 minimum E

00 5-03 does not meet the minimum Fx

-3 00 performance unacceptable in all respects F

Students study up to 10 subjects over 3 years. The examinations in each subject can be taken at three levels (A – highest, B and C) with three subjects at level A required to attain Studentereksamen.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Chemistry, Biology and Maths at grade 12

English and Danish at grade 10

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

Based on new system scoring

Sciences Non-sciences Points Awarded

All 12s All 12s 10

All 12s 11s and above 8

All 12s 10s and above 6

All 12s 10 in English and Danish but some scores 7 and above 4

All 12s 10 in English and Danish but some scores 4 and above 2

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

56

ESTONIA

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Gümnaasiumi Lõputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) is the Estonian general HE entry requirement and is normally combined with the compulsory Riigieksamid (State Examination). Five subjects with three at state examination level is expected to be the norm. These are considered to be below A-level standard and are not acceptable on their own so applicants will normally offer A-levels or IB in addition. The grading system is a 100 point scale: 90-100 (or 5) is very good, 70-89 (or 4) is good, 0-24 (or 1) is poor.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

IB- 37 points over all with 667 in Higher Level subjects

A Levels – AAA (b)

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

For those offering IB the normal IB scoring system should be used.

For those offering A-levels but not with GCSEs, the score should be awarded as follows.

Riigieksamid/ Sciences Non-sciences Points

Gümnaasiumi 4s and 5s Not all 5s 1

Lõputunnistus 4s and 5s All 5s 2

max 5 points All 5s Lower than 4s 3

All 5s 4s and 5s 4

All 5s All 5s 5

PLUS

A & AS LEVELS max 5 points

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and A* 5

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

57

FINLAND

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS Ylioppilastutkinto / Studentexamen (matriculation certificate)

equivalent

7 L (laudatur) top 5% outstanding A

6 E (eximia cum laude approbatur) next 15% excellent A/B

5 M (magna cum laude approbatur) next 20% good B

4 C (cum laude approbatur) next 24% average C

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Chemistry, Biology and Mathsat grade 6 or E

English and Finnish/Swedishat grade 5 or M

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

Sciences Non-sciences Points Awarded

7 in Chem, Biol & Maths All 7s 10

7 in Chem, Biol & Maths 6s and above 9

7 in Chem, Biol & Maths 5s and above 8

7/6 in Chem, Biol & Maths All 7s 7

7/6 in Chem, Biol & Maths 6s and above 6

7/6 in Chem, Biol & Maths 5s and above 5

6 in Chem, Biol & Maths All 7s 4

6 in Chem, Biol & Maths 6s and above 3

6 in Chem, Biol & Maths 5s and above 2

6 in Chem, Biol & Maths 4s and above (5 in lang) 1

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

58

FRANCE

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The French Baccalaureate subjects are marked out of 20 The marking scheme used for the Baccalauréat is a scale of 0-20 (maximum) with a minimum pass-mark of 10 as follows:

16-20 Très bien very good (seldom awarded) Top 4%

14-15 bien good Next 12%

12-13 assez bien quite good Next 23%

10-11 passable pass

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

science - chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics (minimum 16)

non science - English, French (minimum 14)

recognised English test (IELTS 7.0 overall and 7.0in each component; TOEFL 100+ internet-based; GCSE or IGCSE Grade B; Cambridge ESOL CPE or CAE Grade A)

ACADEMIC SCORE

sciences non-sciences score

18-20 18-20 10

18-20 16-17 9

18-20 14-15 7

16-17 18-20 5

16-17 16-17 3

16-17 14-15 1

Biology is often referred to as Life Sciences

Combined Chemistry with Physics is acceptable Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

59

GERMANY

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

REALSCHULABSCHLUSS or MITTLERER SCHULABSCHLUSS

year 10 - graded 1 (very good) down to 6 (very poor)

1 sehr gut very good

2 gut good

3 befriedigend satisfactory

4 ausreichend adequate

5 mangelhaft (poor)

6 ungenügend (very poor)

ZEUGNIS DER ALLGEMEINEN HOCHSCHULREREIFE (ABITUR)

range of subjects studied in years 12 & 13 but only 4 in final Abitur examination

Abitur examination 4 subjects include 2 which are taken as main courses (one of which German or foreign language is compulsory) plus 2 taken at basic level (one written, one oral)

subjects each graded up to 15

15, 14, 13 sehr gut very good

12, 11, 10 gut good

9, 8, 7 befriedigend satisfactory

6, 5, 4 ausreichend adequate

3, 2, 1 mangelhaft poor

0 ungenügend very poor

final Abitur grade are based both the final examination marks and on class performance over final 2 years expressed as an average grade from 1 (very good) to 6 (very poor)

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Realschulabschluss/mittlerer schulabschluss, 2 in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, English, German

Abitur - 13 in science(s),10 in non-sciences, 1.3 in final average grade

ACADEMIC SCORE

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

Real- or Mittlererschulabschluss max 4 points

sciences and maths

all 1s (sehr gut) any 2s (gut)

2 1

non-science all 1s (sehr gut) any 2s (gut)

2 1

PLUS

Abitur Max 6 points

sciences and maths

13, 14, 15 2

10, 11, 12 1

non-science 13, 14, 15 2

10, 11, 12 1

PLUS

overall 1.0-1.2 2

1.3 1

60

GREECE

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Greek Apolytirion, normally graded out of 20, is considered to be slightly below AS/Higher level and is not acceptable on its own as an entry qualification. Applicants will normally offer A-levels or IB in addition.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

IB- 37 points over all with 667 in Higher Level subjects

A Levels – AAA (b)

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

For those offering IB the normal IB scoring system should be used.

For those offering A-levels but not with GCSEs, the score should be awarded as follows.

Apolytirion max 5 points

Overall grade 18.0 1

Overall grade 19.0 3

Overall grade 19.5 5

PLUS

A & AS LEVELS Max 5 points

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and A* 5

Normally only the first sitting will be considered unless there are very exceptional and verified

circumstances. It is usually expected that the exam board should take into account any extenuating circumstances

If not offered at GCE A level, all applicants must have achieved a pass at GCSE (B grade) or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, English and Mathematics

GCE A level Biology may be replaced by A level Human Biology, Social Biology or Zoology

Only one Maths out of Maths and Further Maths will be accepted

General Studies is not accepted.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

61

HUNGARY

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Érettségi vizsga (school-leaving examination) consists normally of five papers: Hungarian language and literature, mathematics, history, another language and one optional subject. The Érettségi is offered at középszintü (standard) or emelt szintü (higher) level. Students usually undertake three higher and three standard level subjects. A grade of 5 (jeles) at emelt szintü (higher) level corresponds to the range 60-100%.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Érettségi vizsga at emelt szintü (higher) level in three subjects.

Grade 5 (jeles) in each individual subject at higher level and 4 at standard level. The optional subject should be Chemistry (Biology is acceptable as an alternative)

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

Higher Level Standard Level Points

555 444 3

555 445 5

555 455 8

555 555 10

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

62

ITALY

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS DIPLOMA DI ESAME DI STATO (formerly DIPLOMA DI MATURITÁ)

7 types classica, scientifica, tecnica, linguista, professionale, magistral, artistica

obtained after 13 years of schooling

for school work marking is on a scale of 0 to 100 with 60 the pass mark

final examinations, organised by the Ministry of Education, are marked externally (2 written and 4 oral) on a scale 0 to 100 with 60 the pass mark

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

95/100 in opzione scientifica – must have Biology and Chemistry related subjects in final year

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

Score Points

95 2

96 4

97 6

98 8

99 9

100 10

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

63

LATVIA

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo isglītību is the Latvian Certificate of General Secondary Education which although considered equivalent to SQA Advanced Higher/GCE A-level by the Latvian authorities is only considered equivalent to SQA Higher/GCE AS-level by the UK National Recognition Information Centre. Five subjects is the norm.

Numerical grade Alpha grade

8-10 A

7 B

6 C

5 D

4 E

0-3 fail

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

IB- 37 points over all with 667 in Higher Level subjects

A Levels – AAA (b)

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

For those offering IB the normal IB scoring system should be used.

For those offering A-levels but not with GCSEs, the score should be awarded as follows.

Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo isglītību max 5 points

Any below 7 1

Any 7s 2

Any 8s 3

9s and 10s 4

10s 5

PLUS

A & AS LEVELS max 5 points

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and A* 5

normally only the first sitting will be considered unless there are very exceptional and verified

circumstances. It is usually expected that the exam board should take into account any extenuating circumstances

if not offered at GCE A level, all applicants must have achieved a pass at GCSE (B grade) or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, English and Mathematics

GCE A level Biology may be replaced by A level Human Biology, Social Biology or Zoology

Only one Maths out of Maths and Further Maths will be accepted

General Studies is not accepted.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors.

64

LITHUANIA

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

The Brandos Atestats (Maturity Certificate) is only considered equivalent to SQA Higher/GCE AS-level. Students take normally 10 subjects in one of four streams (humanities, maths/natural science, fine arts or technology) and are assessed on a 10-point scale (10 highest, 5 minimum pass).

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

IB- 37 points over all with 667 in Higher Level subjects

A Levels – AAA (b)

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

For those offering IB the normal IB scoring system should be used.

For those offering A-levels but not with GCSEs, the score should be awarded as follows.

Brandos Atestats max 5 points

Any below 7 1

Any 7s 2

Any 8s 3

9s and 10s 4

10s 5

PLUS

A & AS LEVELS max 5 points

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and A* 5

normally only the first sitting will be considered unless there are very exceptional and verified circumstances. It is usually expected that the exam board should take into account any extenuating circumstances

if not offered at GCE A level, all applicants must have achieved a pass at GCSE (B grade) or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, English and Mathematics

GCE A level Biology may be replaced by A level Human Biology, Social Biology or Zoology

Only one Maths out of Maths and Further Maths will be accepted

General Studies is not accepted.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

65

LUXEMBOURG

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS Diplome de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires has normally 7 to 9 subjects Proportions achieving the different grades in 2004/5 were

60-48 très bien very good top 10% A

47-40 bien good next 49% B

39-35 assez bien fair next 31% C

34-30 satisfaisant satisfactory next 10% D

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, English and another European Language at tres bien (48-60)

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

sciences non-sciences score

As As 10

As 1/2 Bs 8

As 3 or more Bs 6

1 or more Bs As 4

1 or more Bs Any Bs or below 2

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

66

MALTA

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

Secondary Certificate of Education (SCE) is equivalent to Int 2/GCSE

Matriculation Certificate (MATSEC or MC) is taken in o two subjects to A-level and o four subjects at intermediate level, three optional and one compulsory paper

“Systems of Knowledge”.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

In the SCE examinations, a grade of 2 or better in English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and a language other than English (which may be Maltese) and

In the MATSEC, grades AA at advanced and AAB at intermediate level with Chemistry required at advanced level and Biology and one of Maths/Physics required at intermediate level or better.

recognised English test

The three intermediate level subjects considered will be the three optional subjects and not the Systems of Knowledge paper.

ACADEMIC SCORE

SCE max 4 points

science and maths all 1s any 2s

2 1

non-science all 1s any 2s

2 1

PLUS

MATSEC max 6 points (AA adv.)

AAB at intermediate B Biology 2

AAB at intermediate A Biology 4

AAA at intermediate B Biology 4

AAA at intermediate A Biology 6

Systems of Knowledge should not be considered as one of the three intermediate subjects. In addition you may award a bonus point for academic flair and creativity not recognised by the examination score. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

67

THE NETHERLANDS

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) in common with other Netherlands school exams is scored on a 10-point scale (10 highest, 6 minimum pass).

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Chemistry, Biology and one of Maths/Physics

minimum 9 in required sciences and 8 overall

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

sciences overall score

All 10s All 10s 10

All 10s 9 9

9s and above 10 7

9s and above 9 6

9s and above 8 5

8s and above 9 3

8s and above 8 2

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

68

POLAND

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS Old Matura (pre-2005):

an overall grade of 6 (celujacy) in the Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci (Matura); and

at least grade 5 in each individual subject. These should include Chemistry and Biology. The New Matura (2005 onwards) Results are expressed in terms of percentages which equate to 9 Stanines with 9

th Stanine containing

the top 4% for that subject and the 8th stanine containing the next 7%. The conversions from

percentage to stanin for 2005 are detailed below and further information is available at www.cke.edu.pl.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Advertised minimum grades are 75% at extended level and 85% at standard level, but it should be recognised that the level varies from subject to subject (see table below). Chemistry should be offered at extended level. The Admissions Office will score on the advertised basis. Selectors may wish to use the table below when considering scores (justifications for changes must be made on the scoring sheet)

2005

standard extended

8th

9th

8th

9th

Polish 74% 83% 70% 80%

English 95% 98% 86% 92%

Maths 88% 96% 62% 76%

Physics 86% 92% 60% 74%

Biology 88% 94% 76% 84%

Geography 81% 88% 71% 79%

Chemistry 93% 97% 82% 90%

History 75% 83% 54% 64%

French 94% 98% 81% 88%

Spanish 97% 99% 87% 91%

German 93% 97% 84% 91%

Russian 93% 97% 87% 92%

History of Art 81% 88% 84% 92%

History of Music 87% 91% 84% 92%

Civic Education 73% 79% 71% 79%

At both Matura and earlier levels we are looking for:

5+ (old system) or 8th/9

th (new system) in sciences

5+ (old system) or 7th/8

th/9

th (new system) in non-sciences

ACADEMIC SCORE

Level Performance Points

Standard/Basic

85-90 in all standard subjects 1

85-90 in some and 91-100 in some standard subjects 2

91-100 in all standard subjects 3

Extended

75-79 in all extended subjects 1

75-79 in the majority of subjects but Chem/Biol >79 2

80-89 in the majority of subjects but Chem/Biol <80 3

80-89 in the majority of subjects incl Chem/Biol 4

80-89 in all extended subjects 5

90-100 in the majority of subjects but Chem/Biol <90 6

90-100 in majority or all subjects inc Chem/Biol 90+ 7

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors.

69

PORTUGAL

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS Diploma de Ensino Secundário (previously known as Certificado do 12o Ano) Nine years of compulsory ‘basic’ education is followed by 3 years of secondary education which may have either a technical or an academic/professional emphasis. All applicants for Higher Education must sit national entrance examinations. The Diploma is awarded on the successful completion of year 12. In the final year the academic stream focuses on the areas to be followed in higher education. SCHOOL GRADING SYSTEM

18-20 muito bono excellent

17-14 bom good

13-10 suficiente pass

9-5 mediocre poor

4-0 mau very poor

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Pre-2006: the Certificado do 12° ano in English, Portuguese, Chemistry and Maths achieving grade 18 or better in all subjects.

2006 onwards: the Diploma de Ensino Secundário with an option that includes Chemistry with a grade of 18 or better in all subjects.

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

Sciences Non-sciences Points Awarded

Mostly 20s

Mostly 20s 10

Mostly 19s 9

Mostly 18s 8

Mostly 19s

Mostly 20s 7

Mostly 19s 6

Mostly 18s 5

Mostly 18s

Mostly 20s 4

Mostly 19s 3

Mostly 18s 2

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

70

ROMANIA

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS While the Romanian Diploma de Bacalaureat is required to graduate from high school, it is often less than 50% of the weight for HE entrance in Romania, with each institution placing more weight on its own entrance examination. The Diploma includes two or three oral and four or five written subjects on a scale of 0.00 to 10.00 with a pass mark of 6.00 overall and 5.00 in each subject.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

IB- 37 points over all with 667 in Higher Level subjects

A Levels – AAA (b)

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

For those offering IB the normal IB scoring system should be used.

For those offering A-levels but not with GCSEs, the score should be awarded as follows.

Diploma de Baccalaureate max 5 points

8s and below 1

8s and 9s 2

9s 3

9s and 10s 4

10s 5

PLUS

A & AS LEVELS max 5 points

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and A* 5

normally only the first sitting will be considered unless there are very exceptional and verified circumstances. It is usually expected that the exam board should take into account any extenuating circumstances

if not offered at GCE A level, all applicants must have achieved a pass at GCSE (B grade) or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, English and Mathematics

GCE A level Biology may be replaced by A level Human Biology, Social Biology or Zoology

Only one Maths out of Maths and Further Maths will be accepted

General Studies is not accepted.

International applicants will also be required meet English Language requirements. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

71

SLOVAKIA

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Vysvedčenie o Maturitnej Skúšce / Maturita is normally undertaken in four subjects with mother tongue and literature as compulsory. The grading system is 1 (excellent) to 5 (fail).

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

at least a grade of 2 (velmi dobrý) in all academic subjects and a majority of grade 1s (vyborny)

a grade 1 (vyborny) in Chemistry and one of Biology/Mathematics/Physics

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

sciences non-sciences score

1, 1 1, 1 10

1, 1 1, 2 7

1, 1 2, 2 3

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

72

SLOVENIA

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) consists of

three compulsory subjects: mother tongue, maths and a foreign language, plus

two optional subjects Applicants should offer Chemistry and preferably Biology as their optional subjects for A100 programme. Exams are graded on a scale of 1-5 (5 maximum, 2 pass).

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

grade 5 (excellent) in each subject

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

Grades Points

5s including Chemistry and Biology 10

5s including Chemistry 6

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

73

SPAIN

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Graduado en Educación Secundaria is taken at the end of ten years’ compulsory education at age 16. The Título de Bachiller is taken after a further two years’ study and is in theory the entrance requirement for Higher Education. In practice the University entrance examination is normally also required. The university entrance examination is called the PAU, Prueba de Acceso Universidad although it is often referred to under its previous name of Selectivida. The following grading system is used for the Título de Bachiller:

Grade Description Translation

10 sobresaliente (matricula de honor) distinction

8.5 - 9 sobresaliente outstanding

7 - 8.4 notable very good

6 - 6.9 bien good

5 - 6 suficiente satisfactory

below 5 suspenso or insuficiente fail

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Graduado en Educación Secundaria including good passes in Spanish, English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology; and

Pass at 9 or better in the Título de Bachillerato. The Natural and Health Sciences specialisation is preferred.

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

sciences non-sciences score

10 10 10

10 9 8

9 10 6

9 9 4

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

74

SWEDEN

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Slutbetyg från Grundskola is undertaken at the end of lower secondary school before students proceed to three years’ upper secondary education. The Fullständig Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskolan (FSFG) is the upper secondary school leaving examination.

up to 15 subjects

continuous assessment Examinations may be re-sat thereby increasing final score Not uncommon to undertake a one year science course at university after school

equivalent

1 or MVG excellent top 7% A

2 or VG very good next 24% B

3 or G pass/average next 38% C

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Chemistry, Biology, Maths minimum MVG Must have MVG for all sittings of these subjects. Must have Chem and Bio in final year.

English, Swedish minimum VG

Some applicants will now come through a new scoring system with grades A-F. ‘A’ will substitute MVG and ‘B’ will substitute VG for our scoring purposes.

ACADEMIC SCORE

Qualification sciences non-sciences score

Slutbetyg från Grundskola Max 3 points

Mainly 3s Mainly 3s 0

Mainly 2s Mainly 2s 1

Mainly 2s Mainly 1s 1

Mainly 1s Mainly 2s 2

Mainly 1s Mainly 1s 3

PLUS

Slutbetyg från gymnasieskolan Max 5 points

MVG+ 2 VG 1 or more VG 1

MVG + 1 VG 1 or more VG 3

MVG > than 1 VG 5

MVG MVG or 1 VG 7

NB It would appear that whilst it is not uncommon for applicants to leave school and undertake a year of university study (normally in science) applicants may also continue to resit FSFG qualifications to improve the final grade. This can be difficult to detect but can possibly be discerned from age at application. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors.

75

SWITZERLAND

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS MATURITY CERTIFICATES no federal ministry of education many cantonal maturity certificates of variable currency federal maturity certificates required for medicine

Maturitatszeuhnis

Certificat de Maturite or Baccalaureat (Vaud Canton)

Attestato di Maturita involves examination in 9 subjects grading 0 to 6, pass 4

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

6 in the sciences

5 in the non-sciences

recognised English test

ACADEMIC SCORE

Sciences Non-sciences Points awarded

6s All 6s 10

6s 6s and one 5 8

6s 6s and two 5s 6

6s 6s and 5s 4

6s 5s 2

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

76

CANADA

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS Degrees Are awarded differently, depending on which state or even university the applicant studied in.

Percentage Alpha GPA

90-100 A+ 4.0-4.3

85-89 A 4.0

80-84 A- 3.7-3.9

77-79 B+ 3.3-3.6

MCAT The MCAT a test taken in the US and Canada. This covers 4 areas: verbal reasoning, physical sciences, biological sciences and a writing sample. The first three are awarded on a scale of 1-15. The writing sample is awarded between J and T, where J is the lowest and T is the highest. Further information on MCAT scoring can be found here: http://www.mcatscoring.com/how-the-mcat-is-scored.htm From 2013 onwards, the MCAT will not have the writing section. We do not accept school leaving applicants, unless they have studied the International Baccalaureate or A Levels. Canadian applicants are not currently interviewed.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Pass in a 4-year undergraduate degree with a science major and a GPA of 3.4 (or equivalent) or better

plus, MCAT score of at least:

Verbal 9

Biological Sciences 10

Physical Sciences 10

Writing Letter M

ACADEMIC SCORE

Degree

4 point GPA or equivalent Points

4.1-4.3 6 points

3.9-4.0 5 points

3.7-3.8 4 points

3.3- 3.6 2 points

MCAT

Strongly surpassing minimum requirements 4 points

Close to or matching minimum requirements 2 points

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

77

HONG KONG

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

Some applicants from Hong Kong may undertake A Levels. However, more and more applicants are now undertaking the Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education (HKDSE). Levels 1 and 2 may be considered at least comparable to GCSE (grades A*-C) and are comparable to A Level/ Higher where levels 3-5 have been obtained.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

HKDSE

Applicants for Medicine will require 3 elective subjects, with grades 5*5*5* to include Combined Science (Biology and Physics) plus Chemistry. Another combination which includes Chemistry and Biology is also acceptable.

ACADEMIC SCORE

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

HKDSE All subjects 5** 10

5** in Chemistry and Biology 8

5** in Chemistry or Biology 6

5* in all subjects 4

5* in Chemistry and Biology plus 1 other 2

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

78

MALAYSIA

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

Malaysian applicants are required to sit A Levels. Some applicants will apply with A Levels and GCSEs and therefore the standard GCE A Level/GCSE scoring can be used. However, some applicants may undertake the Malaysia - SPM - Certificate of Education. The table below assists with scoring these applicants.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

GCE CANDIDATES Minimum A level grades

A level Chemistry plus 2A levels

1 of Biology, Maths or Physics plus 1AS

Biology if not at A level 3A levels at one sitting in Upper Sixth

AAAb

Plus SPM B grades in English, Maths, Chemistry and Biology. A further English Language test will be required for visa puposes.

ACADEMIC SCORE

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

SPM (best 10 but must include English and Maths) Only count those taken in one year

B in Chemistry or Biology 1

B in any other subjects 2

All As and up to 4A+ (or 1As) 3

A’s and 5-7 A+ (or 1As) 4

>7A+ (or 1As) 5

PLUS

A Levels (best 3 A Levels taken in upper sixth and 4

th subject

AS/A Level)

AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

All As and at least 1 A* 5

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

79

SINGAPORE (INTEGRATED PROGRAMME ONLY)

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS The Integrated Programme is a fast-track programme for bright students. This means that students often by-pass GCSEs and therefore the UKCAT score is used in lieu of these.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

INTEGRATED PROGRAMME CANDIDATES

minimum grades

Integrated A Levels

Chemistry, Biology and one other subject at H2 (AL) and one subject at H1 (AS) In one sitting

AAAB

Applicants can be considered if they present either three H2 levels plus one H1 level subject or 4 H2 level subjects.

Applicants can also undertake the IB through the Integrated Programme. These can be scored as normal IB applicants.

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-10 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken. You may vary the score guidelines below on the basis of

the time taken to prepare for the examinations & the ease of attaining the grades

some schools limit the number of standard grades or GCSE examinations taken

some schools have a policy of accelerating bright pupils (not always to their advantage)

educational disadvantage not acknowledged elsewhere in the selection system. Achieved grades should be scored on the same basis as predictions.

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors.

UKCAT Score

Fourth Quartile 1

Third Quartile 2

Second Quartile 3

Top Quartile 4

PLUS

Integrated Programme AAAb – b in Biology 1

AAAb – b in other science 2

AAAb – b in non-science 3

AAAa 4

AAAa plus an H3 at merit 5

AAAa plus an H3 at distinction 6

80

SOUTH AFRICA

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS Candidates are required to take seven subjects. Two of these subjects must be South African languages, one of which is the language of instruction. In addition, candidates must sit life orientation and either mathematics or mathematical literacy. The remaining three subjects are selected from a list of national approved subjects within nine subject areas. Each subject is worth 20 credits, except life orientation which is worth 10 credits. In order to receive the National Senior Certificate (NSC) a student must have gained 130 credits exclusively in grade 12. Scores can be presented in a variety of ways: 7 Outstanding Achievement 80-100 6 Meritorious Achievement 70-79 5 Substantial Achievement 60-69 4 Adequate Achievement 50-59 3 Moderate Achievement 40-49 2 Elementary Achievement 30-39 1 Not Achieved 0-29

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of four NSC/IEB designated subjects at Grade 7, including Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Maths

minimum of a Grade 6 in English.

ACADEMIC SCORE

The Academic Score (range 0-10 points) should reflect your assessment of academic potential and should be assessed on the examinations taken & to be taken. You may vary the score guidelines below on the basis of

the time taken to prepare for the examinations & the ease of attaining the grades

some schools limit the number of standard grades or GCSE examinations taken

some schools have a policy of accelerating bright pupils (not always to their advantage)

educational disadvantage not acknowledged elsewhere in the selection system. Achieved grades should be scored on the same basis as predictions. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

A (Excellent) 80 – 100% B (Very Good) 65 – 79% C (Average) 50 – 65% D (Poor) 35 – 49% F (Failing) below 35%

Grades in NSC Points

All 7s 10

7s plus one 6 in a non-required subject 9

7s plus one 6 in English 7

7s plus two 6s including 6 in English 5

7s plus three 6s including 5 in English 3

81

USA

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS Degrees Awarded out of a total of 4 GPA. MCAT The MCAT a test taken in the US and Canada. This covers 4 areas: verbal reasoning, physical sciences, biological sciences and a writing sample. The first three are awarded on a scale of 1-15. The writing sample is awarded between J and T, where J is the lowest and T is the highest. Further information on MCAT scoring can be found here: http://www.mcatscoring.com/how-the-mcat-is-scored.htm From 2013 onwards, the MCAT will not have the writing section. We do not accept school leaving applicants, unless they have studied the International Baccalaureate or A Levels. US applicants are not currently interviewed.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Pass in a 4-year undergraduate degree with a science major and a GPA of 3.4 or better

plus, MCAT score of at least:

Verbal 9

Biological Sciences 10

Physical Sciences 10

Writing Letter M (when the test was taken prior to 2013)

ACADEMIC SCORE

Degree

GPA Points

4.0 6 points

3.8-4.0 5 points

3.6-3.7 4 points

3.4- 3.5 2 points

MCAT

Strongly surpassing minimum requirements 4 points

Close to or matching minimum requirements 2 points

Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

82

LEAPS

MBChB Admissions Committee

University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS BACKGROUND The MBChB Admissions Committee is committed to collaborating with the LEAPS/Pathways to the Professions initiatives both of which aim to widen participation from those with educational and/or social disadvantage. The longstanding principles of the MBChB Admissions Committee are to (1) be as fair as possible in selection and (b) in respect of academic minimum qualifications, to avoid offering false hope. POLICY CHANGES Since its original commitment to LEAPS in the early 1990s the MBChB Admissions Committee has progressed through four stages in respect of LEAPS applicants.

Originally the Committee offered no dispensation in respect of minimum qualifications but rather encouraged selectors in using the indicative selection scoring scheme to recognise positively high achievement from disadvantaged backgrounds

Subsequently the Committee amended the minimum academic qualifications for such applicants to 4 Highers (AAAB) in S5 and created Admissions Interviews specific to such applicants.

In part reflecting a prior commitment to factor in measures of disadvantage to selection scoring and in part reflecting the introduction of UKCAT testing and a UKCAT selection score, in 2006/07 the Admissions Committee introduced additional academic selection points for the award of Educational Maintenance Allowance, attendance at a LEAPS 1 School and first in family to Higher Education but employed standard scoring for academic grades.

In 2008 the Admissions Committee amended the minimum academic qualification to AAABB in S5 (from AAAB) and undertook to base S5 scoring on best 4 (rather than best S5) Highers.

SELECTION STRATEGY The Scoring Guidelines below offer an indicative framework within which selectors are encouraged to use individual judgement. You may allocate up to 10 points for the academic score and up to 3 points for the personal score. Additional points will be awarded by the Admissions Office for UKCAT and contextual factors

83

ACADEMIC SCORE

The LEAPS/PATHWAYS minimum academic qualifications to enter the selection system are AAABB in S5 Highers. This does not include AAAAC.

The LEAPS/PATHWAYS scoring of S5 Highers is based on the ‘best 4’ S5 Highers.

Additional ‘academic disadvantage points’ may be added up to, but not beyond, the maximum academic score of 10 points.

Qualification Breakdown Points Awarded

Standard Grades/ Int 2s (best 8) S4 study

B/2 in Chemistry/Biology 1

B/2 in other sciences or non sci subject 2

All As/1s 3

PLUS

Highers (best 4) S5 study

B in Chemistry/Biology 1

B in other subjects 2

All As 3

PLUS

Advanced Highers S6 study (minimum 2AH and 1 H)

Any C grades 1

B in Chemistry/Biology 2

B in any other subject 3

All As 4

PLUS

Academic disadvantage (maximum of 10 points total)

Educational Maintenance Allowance +1

LEAPS 1 School +1 First in Family to HE +1

84

PERSONAL SCORING The Personal Score (maximum total 3 points) should be assessed on the basis of the reference and on the applicant's personal statement. Selectors should be looking for the level of reflection over the domains below. ‘Average’ is considered as average for the cohort. The following factors must not be considered: gender, ethnic origin, religion, social class, parental occupation, marital or parental status or relationship to a member of the University. Contextual scoring for disadvantage takes place within the admissions office, (see policy statements for further information). PERSONAL QUALITIES

suitability for medical practice

interpersonal relationships and skills

verbal and written communication skills CAREER EXPLORATION

application informed or naïve?

understanding of the nature of medical education and practice through reading and discussion

experience of working with diseased, disadvantaged and disabled people through work experience prior to application

NON-ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

broad range of interests and achievements for example in music, arts or sports

achievements at local, national or international level

evidence of leadership abilities, organisational skills, and social responsibility.

PERSONAL SCORE

Poor Average Good/Excellent

Personal qualities 0 1 2

career exploration 0 1 2

non academic achievement 0 1 2

POOR

no or minimal evidence of suitability for a medical course and career

no or minimal evidence of insight into medical education & practice

no or minimal relevant activities & achievements AVERAGE

suitable for a medical course

average evidence of insight into medical education & practice

most activities have been taken prior to application GOOD

highly suitable for a medical course

good evidence of insight into medical education & practice

high level of achievement and non-academic ability demonstrated prior to application EXCELLENT

clear evidence that the applicant is outstanding (top 10%) in the applicant pool

where the level of achievement is at an outstanding level or a high level in several areas of endeavour

COMMENTS It would be extremely helpful for the Admissions Office to have comments added in the notes field of the scoring sheet. If an applicant requests feedback then these comments can be used to form part of the feedback.

Approximately 30% of applicants should fall into

the good/excellent category

85

MATURE/GRADUATE INTERVIEWS

MBChB Admissions Committee University of Edinburgh

GUIDE FOR ADMISSIONS SELECTORS

The objective of selection interviews is to assess aptitude for medical training within a structured format and to award a non-academic selection score that, when added to the previously awarded academic score, allows applicants to be places in rank order alongside school leaving applicants.

BACKGROUND

The aim of selection is to identify high academic achievers with the greatest aptitude for medical training. Academic ability may be objectively assessed by grade achievement together with a score derived from UKCAT (presently a test of cognitive ability). It is the MBChB Admissions Committee policy normally to assess aptitude from the applicant’s personal statement and reference. Mature graduate and non-graduate applications are however most commonly associated with references of lesser authority and substance. For this reason, such applications are subject to short listing and interview. In recognition of the inherent low reliability of traditional interview formats, the MBChB Admissions Committee adopts ‘multiple mini interviews’ format (2007 onwards).

SHORT LISTING FOR INTERVIEW

All mature graduate and non-graduate applications will be subject to standard screening and assessment of the academic and UKCAT performance by the Admissions Office. All applicants for whom the award of a high interview score would bring the application into the offer range will be offered an interview.

INTERVIEW STRUCTURE

There will be an interview panel of six selectors working in three pairs. Each interview will be a rotational set of three 10 minute tests with two interviewers at each test station. Each interview will therefore last 35 minutes (with changeover times). The aim of interviews is to assess the personal qualities and aptitude for medical studies. The interview score will replace the personal score awarded at the initial short listing.

INTERVIEW DOMAINS AND SCORING

Each pair of interviewers will assess, in one of 3 interview, the domains (1) Critical and Ethical Reasoning (2) Communication Skills (3) Career exploration. Each interviewer will award a score independently. Although the points allocated for the scores will be groups into poor/average and good/excellent, the selectors can indicate performance within those two brackets, which can help with borderline cases and feedback. The total score from all six examiners will then be added to the academic and UKCAT performance for a total score.

SCENARIOS AND QUESTIONS

A series of standardised scenarios will be employed for the critical reasoning and communication tests. Sets of standardised questions will be employed for the career exploration test and employed in conjunction with the UCAS application. The communications skills scenarios will employ an actor.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

The interview scores will be subject to reliability testing (of both inter-interviewer and inter-test) thereby offering insights into the levels of validity and reliability of the process. The operation of this format of interviews will be reviewed by the MBChB Admissions Committee.

86

INTERVIEW MARKING SCHEDULES

Instructions to interviewers After the interview and without consultation with your fellow interviewer please place a single X in the box to indicate your assessment. In addition please record any comments that would be a value in responding to feedback requests from interviewees.

Critical and Ethical Reasoning

test objectives 1. test the viewpoint from which the applicant is arguing 2. test how the applicant handles the problem 3. test how the applicant views others or would treat others

Excellent Good Average Poor

identifies issues

analytical approach

insightful

tolerant

open

sympathetic

fails to identify issues

judgmental approach

lacks insight

intolerant

prejudiced

unsympathetic

comments

Communication Skills

test objectives 1. test how effectively the applicant presents factual information 2. test how effectively the applicant deals with emotions 3. test applicant’s sensitivity and listening skills:

Excellent Good Average Poor

articulate

good listener

sensitive to cues

aware

humble

caring

inarticulate

poor listener

insensitive to cues

indifferent

arrogant

uncaring

comments

Career Exploration

test objectives 1. test the applicant’s expectations of a medical career 2. test of the adequacy of career exploration and likelihood to persevere in medicine 3. test of the applicant’s enthusiasm and passion for medicine

Excellent Good Average Poor

realistic

informed

committed

focussed

dynamic

enthusiastic

unrealistic

naïve

half-hearted

ambivalent

passive

apathetic

comments