Medicine

Typical offer: A*A*A in A Levels (or equivalent). We may specify that an A* needs to be achieved in Chemistry and/or Biology

Required subjects: A Levels (or equivalent) in Chemistry and two from Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics

Typical number of Medicine undergraduates admitted per year: 6-7

Submitted written work requirements: see our Written Work webpage

Admissions assessment: Pre-registration assessment 

At Cambridge, you study the medical sciences first, before learning to apply that knowledge to medical practice as a clinical student. The preclinical course lasts three years and covers a range of subjects that include Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Medical Genetics, Neurobiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Psychology, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, Sociology and Statistics. The clinical studies course lasts a further three years, and is based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospital's NHS Foundation Trust. As well as being a tertiary hospital with an international reputation for medical excellence, Addenbrooke's is the site of several major biomedical research institutions. You also spend time in other regional NHS hospitals throughout East Anglia and in general practices in Cambridge and the surrounding region.

Find out more about the structure of the Medicine degree at Cambridge, including areas of focus and options in each year, by going to the University's Medicine webpage.

Corpus is centrally situated within three minutes walk of the Downing Site, where the majority of lectures and practicals are held. During the first two years, each student has three to four supervisions per week (usually in groups of two or three undergraduates); this teaching is often carried out by a Fellow of the College. Corpus has a large number of Fellows working in Medical and Biological disciplines, and so is well equipped for teaching in the necessary subjects. 

Corpus Medics form a lively group, who are usually to be found at the forefront of not only the academic, but also the sporting and social life of the College (for example in the JCR, Boat Club or the May Ball Committee). The Lewis Society of Medicine is an important feature of the College for medics. It organises a range of social and academic events such academic lectures, and an annual dinner. It runs a very successful placement scheme to allow undergraduates to get clinical experience in a range of settings during the summer vacation, and its alumni network is a valuable source of career guidance and support.

Medicine at Cambridge is a challenging but rewarding course, and we are looking for applicants who show the scientific aptitude and motivation both for the degree course and for a career in medicine. Although application on the basis of two science subjects (which may include Maths) and one or more Arts subjects at A level is technically possible, the vast majority of successful applicants are taking three or more sciences. 

We would encourage prospective applicants to invest time in exploring the field of medical science independently. We have put together a few suggestions below. This shouldn't be used as an exhaustive list; rather, these are some ideas of starting points.

• Journals such as BMJ and The Lancet
• Online resources such as The Physiological Society and the Institute of Biomedical Science
• BBC Radio 4's Inside the Ethics Commitee
• We advise that prospective medicine applicants try to get some practical work experience and then reflect on learning from this experience. The NHS has guidance on finding work experience.