Medical Sciences Programme closed

What will I study?

The programme begins with a taught month which aims to give you an overview of the whole range of techniques used in medical research.

The first two weeks include lectures covering a variety of subjects from stem cell biology to ethics and clinical trails. You will also receive several days of statistics training.

Completing your research project

After the initial taught month, you will move to the laboratory or department relevant to your speciality. The range of research projects carried out is wide, and varies from bench research to clinical research. You will need to find a supervisor and project before starting the degree.

You can get an idea of the range of research opportunities available at the University of Edinburgh at Edinburgh Clinical Academic Training (ECAT), or contact the Programme Director for advice.

• Edinburgh Clinical Academic Track (ECAT)

Transferable skills training

We also offer transferable skills training. These take place during a series of half or one day meetings, subject to lab timetables.

Training skills covered include:

• effective presentations
• writing up science
• good research practice
• assessment

How will I be assessed?

Individual components of this programme are scored through the year. These are:

• background reading and project plan
• oral presentation
• laboratory book
• poster presentation
• final thesis

Each piece of work is marked by two examiners and ratified by an exam board.

As with most professional degrees, this is a degree you either pass or fail. Around 10% of our students may get distinctions.

• Clinical Academic Training Centre

How will I study?

The MMedSci programmes utilises:

• laboratory work
• lectures and workshops

The programme begins with a didactic series of lectures and workshops.

Students have two supervisors to ensure a broad range of supervisory support.

Facilities are dependent on the research project chosen.

The University has world class infrastructure and facilities across most research areas.

Dedicated time spent in research, and the award of a research degree, gives you significant career boost in the early and mid-stages of your career as a doctor.

There is also the possibility, decided on an individual basis, to continue research started during the MMedSci programme to PhD level. You may also have the opportunity to switch to a PhD during the programme.

Graduates of the MMedSci programme have had significant benefits to their career with acceptance onto competitive training programmes and progress into medical leadership positions.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

An accredited medical degree (MBChB or equivalent).

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money

  • taking out a loan

  • family support

• personal savings

• income from work

• employer sponsorship

• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status.

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding