There are so many reasons why people choose to study Medicine, whatever your reasons are, studying medicine in any of the medical schools in Scotland is a long term commitment and a decision that shouldn’t b taken lightly.
The healthcare sector as a matter of fact is expected to grow considerably over the next decade.
The employment expansion is projected to be 14% much higher than the average growth rate for all other occupations.
I have made my research and I have come to realize some of the reasons why people choose to attend medical schools.
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Reasons why you should go to a medical school
Improving the lives and health of other people.
Being able to perform surgery
Amazing clinical and non-clinical job options.
Being a leader in a healthcare team.
Being a lifelong learner in an intellectually stimulating career.
Interest in improving the Lives of Human beings
As we all know doctors are interested in improving the lives of their patients. Sometimes you find these doctors going the extra mile of helping the family cope.
Therefore through medicine, they get to change not one life but many lives by finding a cure or discovering a new medicine that in turn helps the whole world.
Being able to perform surgery
Most students choose a medical school in order to be able to perform surgery. In the medical schools in Scotland, you are taught hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity and how to pay close attention to details.
You are equally taught good communication skills to be able to carry out a smooth operation through talking to his or her team professionally.
To build Patience and Stamina
One of the things medical schools in Scotland will do for you is to help you build patience and stamina-enough to get you through some gruelling operations.
A common extremely long surgery is spinal cord surgery which takes a whopping 14 hours or more to complete.
Other procedures in the process might take up to four or five hours. They have to always stay focused to avoid errors.
Amazing clinical and non-clinical job options
After your medical school, you can decide to go with the non-clinical job options such as Medical Transcriptionist, Medical Coder, insurance Claims Examiner, Pharmacy Technician, Patient Advocate, Health Information Technician, Healthcare Administrator, Medical, Administrative Assistant, Corporate Wellness Coordinator, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Medical Administrative Assistant, etc.
Being a lifelong learner in an intellectually stimulating career
Medicine changes all the time, therefore physicians have to ensure that they continually learn in order to improve their patient’s health.
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List of Medical schools in Scotland
- University of Aberdeen School of Medicine
- University of St Andrews School of Medicine
- Dundee Medical School
- University of Edinburgh Medical School
- Glasgow Medical School
University of Aberdeen School of Medicine
The School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, and Nutrition provide a world-class environment for students, tutors and researchers to come together from many different disciplines and create opportunities for greater knowledge that will underpin maintaining good health and treating disease.
The School is committed to developing excellence in our students and has expertise in the teaching of Medicine, Dentistry and Science students in a range of disciplines.
They have 780 staff, providing teaching and research excellence and clinical expertise, who support a community of almost 2,000 students.
Their dynamic 5-year course is delivered using a systems-based, integrated approach, with a key emphasis on student feedback and participation.
The first two years provide students with knowledge of the body systems and disease processes. The third year deals primarily with the study of organ systems.
Students take a 5-week Clinical block in many clinical areas in their fourth year. The final year comprises of the specialist attachments.
University of St Andrews School of Medicine
The school of Medicine at St Andrew’s provides students with the unique opportunity to graduate after three years at St Andrew’s with a BSc Honours degree in Medicine.
After that, they then move to one of the university’s partner medical schools to complete a further three years of medical training and graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB/MBBS).
This is one of the medical schools in Scotland that has excellent anatomical facilities. Their directing rooms is equipped with a technology infrastructure that enables students to access teaching resources at each table.
Their first year explores the preclinical sciences while the second year focuses on the normal function and dysfunction of special physiological systems. The third-year focuses on the more complex physiological systems.
Dundee Medical School
This is one of the medical schools in Scotland that delivers a wide-ranging programme aimed at those new to teaching and training, as well as those who wish to advance their skills and knowledge in medical education.
Over a thousand students are currently studying at Dundee, and they have many thousands of graduates worldwide.
They are one of the medical schools in Scotland that offers either a Certificate, Diploma, or Masters in Medical Education. They have options for online classes as well.
The first three years at this university runs a course called system practice which is based on the different organ systems of the body. The last two years focuses on core clinical placements.
University of Edinburgh Medical School
Edinburgh Medical School is one of two schools at the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Established in 1726, they are internationally renowned for both our teaching and research.
It is one of the medical schools in Scotland that runs its degree programme for 6 years and is designed to prepare students for the contemporary challenges you will face in the medical profession.
The first two years at the university covers biomedical sciences while in the third year, students begin an intercalated research-based degree. In their fourth year, students study all aspects of clinical medicine and healthcare.
The 5th year comes with medical specialities while the final year comes with students developing their practical skills and general knowledge.
Glasgow Medical School
Their School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing is renowned for pioneering teaching methods and superb facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
They have one of the largest and most prestigious undergraduate medical schools in Europe. They have a unique undergraduate curriculum that makes use of study-based learning techniques.
Glasgow medical school is one of the largest in the UK. Ranked second in The UK Times University League Table 2018.
It is one of the medical schools in Scotland with a large Dental school. In fact, they have the second-largest dental school in the UK.
Their Nursing & Health Care School was established with the purpose of producing Graduate Nurses who are grounded in health-related scientific theory and therefore must have acquired a national and international reputation for nursing education and research with patient/client as the focus of health care.
They are equally one of the medical schools in Scotland with Forensic Medicine and Science.
The first two years cover the physiology of major clinical systems while the last three years in the university is structured around 5 to 10 weeks of clinical attachments.
FAQs
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What is the GCSE requirement for medical schools in Scotland?
| Medical School | GCSE requirement |
| University of Aberdeen | A minimum grade of 5 in English and Maths |
| University of Glasgow | A minimum grade B (grade 6 on a numerical scale) in English |
| University of Edinburgh | A minimum grade B (grade 6 on a numerical scale) in English, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics |
| University of St Andrews | Minimum of five A grades (grade 7 in the numerical scale) |
| University of Dundee | A minimum grade B (grade 6 on a numerical scale) in English, Mathematics |
Are Medical schools free in Scotland?
Medical schools are not free in Scotland. It is subsidized for domestic students. however, if you are an international student, you have to pay the full tuition. Except you are on some scholarship of financial aid.
How many years is a medical school in Scotland?
It takes between 5 to 6 years to graduate from any of the medical schools in Scotland. However, at the University of St Andrews School of Medicine, students are given the opportunity to graduate with a BSc Honours degree in Medicine, after three years at St Andrew’s.
Which Scottish Medical School is best?
From the newly published Complete University Guide 2021 rankings, the University of Dundee has been ranked joint 1st for Medicine in the United Kingdom.
Dundee sits alongside Glasgow at the top of the Medicine rankings and is also number one for Medical Technology.
This caps a strong performance across their wider life and medical sciences. The University is equally among the top 5 in the United Kingdom for Dentistry, 2nd for forensic science, 2nd for pharmacology and pharmacy with the biological sciences coming 3rd.
What is the A-Level requirement for Medical schools in Scotland?
To be offered admission in any of the medical schools in Scotland, you must have a minimum of AAA except in the University of Dundee that accepts ABB as their minimum.
| Medical school | A-Level subjects required |
| University of Dundee | Chemistry and one other from Biology, Physics or Mathematics |
| University of Aberdeen | Chemistry and one other from Biology, Physics or Mathematics |
| University of Glasgow | Chemistry and one other from Biology, Physics or Mathematics |
| University of St Andrews | Chemistry and one other from Biology, Physics or Mathematics |
| University of Edinburgh | Chemistry and one other from Biology, Physics or Mathematics (But biology preferred) |
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What are non-clinical health care jobs?
Non-clinical health care jobs are jobs in the health field that do not involve the treatment and observation of patients.
It includes a wide range of roles, from the administrative staff that keeps the doctor’s office running to the insurance company that pays out for your treatment.
Even the equipment experts make sure a hospital’s equipment is working properly.
Many clinical workers like doctors and Nurses transition into non-clinical jobs later in their career for a greater work-life balance and much more standard work-hours.
Non-Clinical Healthcare positions you should consider
Medical Transcriptionist
Medical Coder
Insurance Claims Examiner
Pharmacy Technician
Patient Advocate
Health Information Technician
Healthcare Administrator
Medical Administrative Assistant
Corporate Wellness Coordinator
Biomedical Equipment Technician
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Who is a Biomedical Equipment Technician?
Most hospitals rely on expensive and complex equipment in order to diagnose and treat patients. The Biomedical Equipment Technician inspects, maintains and repair these types of equipment.
They keep them in a proper working condition and minimize downtime. They can be employed directly by the hospital or the equipment supplier. they teach clinicians how to use the machinery properly.
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Who is a Corporate Wellness Coordinator?
The Corporate Wellness Coordinator plans, implements and analyzes wellness programs for organizations.
A Corporate Wellness Coordinator is responsible for designing programs that help meet the organization health goals, especially for its employees.
They organize gym memberships, mental health programs and other wellness benefits. They track the performance of these programs over time and ensure that they are cost-effective.
Who is a Medical Administrative Assistant?
They are sometimes called the medical secretary. They are experts in terms of tackling health care practice’s clerical duties. Duties like scheduling, taking phone calls and keeping documents organized.
They equally see to the transfer of lab results to the appropriate physician and equally helps with routine office maintenance like when stocking supplies.
who is a Healthcare Administrator?
While the doctors and nurses are serving patients, the healthcare administrators work behind the scene in ensuring the system is working.
they oversee the day-to-day operations of a healthcare organization. They plan, supervise medical service programs and ensure they fit very well into the organizations budget.
who is a Health Information Technician?
The healthcare field is responsible for a massive amount of data, and in this age, it’s of utmost importance to keep that data safe and secure.
The data they handle includes the physical and digital records which most times will include medical forms, test results, treatment plans and examination reports.
This job falls to the health information technician, who compiles, processes and maintains the medical records of health organizations.
A health information technician ensures that a hospital or clinic’s practices are up to par with all legal requirements and industry regulations.
Who is a Pharmacy Technician?
Working behind the counter in a drug store and hospital pharmacies, a pharmacy technician is the pharmacist’s right-hand man or woman.
They take prescriptions via phone and in person, help prepare the proper doses, measure the correct amount of medication, provide instructions and take payments from customers.
They act as a go-between between customers and the pharmacist, setting up consultations and conveying information.
Who is a Patient Advocate?
The world of healthcare can be confusing and frustrating for patients, especially those dealing with traumatic injuries and life-threatening illnesses.
A patient advocate is known for their ability to act as the liaison between patients, physicians, administrators, and insurance companies, helping provide guidance and support through the course of treatment.
Patient advocates routinely meet with patients, recommend doctors, discuss different treatment options, and help resolve issues with the patient’s care. Most times you have to have a degree in health administration or consumer advocacy to have a job in this field.
who is an Insurance Claims Examiner?
Once a medical coder works on an insurance claim, it’s time for it to be reviewed by an insurance claims examiner.
The examiner studies a patient’s policy to determine what’s covered and check that their medical documentation supports the claim being made.
Based on this information, they make a determination whether to approve or deny the claim and in the case of approvals, resolve the amount of the benefit due.
Who is a Medical Coder?
When it’s time to file a claim with an insurance company, hospitals and doctor’s offices rely on medical coders.
Medical coders convert patient information, like conditions and diagnoses, into standardized codes.
These codes are then used to file insurance claims and calculate the appropriate reimbursement.
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Medical Transcriptionist
Instead of writing down notes after each patient visit, many practitioners speak into a voice recorder.
It’s a medical transcriptionist’s job to listen to those voice recordings and transcribe them into written reports, which might include exam notes, procedure reports, referrals, discharge summaries and other documents
It’s more than just listening and typing, though. A medical transcriptionist needs a firm grasp of medical terminology, abbreviations, drug names, and interest to ensure that patients’ records are prepared accurately.
Admission tests in Medical schools in Scotland
The admission test for Medical schools in Scotland is the UCAT. These medical schools in Scotland often-times have no minimum requirements.
UCAT is usually considered with other aspects of the application and most times who meet their academic requirements are ranked on the basis of the global UCAT score.
Medical Schools in Scotland & societies you didn’t know existed
Polish School of Medicine
Although originally intended to meet the needs of students and doctors in the Polish armed forces, the School opened its doors to civilians from the outset.
Students followed a Polish curriculum, were taught mainly in Polish, and were awarded a Polish degree.
By the time the school closed in 1949, over 336 students had matriculated. 227 had graduated with a medical diploma (MBChB) and 19 obtained a doctorate or MD.
Only a few graduates returned to Poland after the war – most remained in Britain. Some emigrated to the US, Canada, Australia and elsewhere
Extramural medical education in Edinburgh
The Extramural School of Medicine of the Royal Colleges (1895-1948) was a body consisting of lecturers recognised by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, with its remit to assist in the provision of extra academic instruction in all branches of medicine and surgery.
The School effectively consolidated and formalised the ad hoc arrangements for extramural medical education in Edinburgh; from the late eighteenth-century extramural teaching activity flourished, with a considerable number of lecturers and private anatomy schools operating throughout the city by the nineteenth century.
The School of Medicine closed its doors in 1948, principally as a result of the Goodenough Report of 1944, which effectively concluded that universities should be the main entry portal for medical students (and thus single-location study).
The Report consequently set the wheels in motion that would bring extra-academical undergraduate education in medical schools to an end.
Edinburgh College of Medicine for Women
This used to be one of the best medical schools in Scotland that was founded In 1886
Six years before the first women were admitted to study medicine at the Scottish Universities, Sophia Jex-Blake set up the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women in Chambers Street.
During its existence, it educated approximately 80 women, with 33 of them completing the course.
During its existence, the school was never entirely free of financial difficulties and it closed its doors for the last time in 1898.
By this time the battle to gain access to medical education had largely been won and the Scottish Universities had been admitting women to study medicine since 1892.
Royal Medical Society
The Royal Medical Society (RMS) is an educational society run by medical students for medical students studying at the University of Edinburgh.
The RMS originated as a small group of students that met after their formal teaching to further their medical knowledge.
Together, they purchased a cadaver for dissection and met socially, developing into the fortnightly meetings we still run today.
Eventually, the society raised funds to build their own official rooms beside what is now the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
These were sold and the society moved to 7 Melbourne Place, just off the famous Royal Mile. The RMS has close connections with the Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians in Edinburgh, having shared so much over their histories.
As the city was redeveloped, the society moved its rooms from the High Street to above the student hub of Bristo Square.
Edinburgh has been a hub of medical advancement and it is a little surprise to see the names of so many influential medics in our roster: William Cullen, a founder of the Society and later Professor of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh; Sir James Young Simpson, discoverer of the anaesthetic properties of chloroform; Joseph Lister, Thomas Addison and Thomas Hodgkin are just a few of the members who were actively involved in the society and Charles Darwin, who originally studied Medicine at Edinburgh before dedicating himself to his evolutionary studies.
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