How to obtain British citizenship: What you need to know

 Moving to the UK comes with a lot of appeal; from exploring the country’s rich history to enjoying pub culture or exploring Europe on your 28 days of paid vacation, there’s no wonder so many permanent residents hope to make their ties with the country more official.

Regardless of whether you’re moving to the UK for a job, if you’re hoping to start a UK business, looking into a future with a UK citizen or if you’re just hoping for a change of pace, it’s important to understand the nuances of becoming a UK citizen.

This guide outlines all of the most important points and steps to keep in mind as you undertake the process of obtaining your UK citizenship.

Why become a UK citizen?

Being a UK citizen comes with a ton of excellent benefits. For one, it means free access to the National Health Service (NHS). This cost-free health care system means you and your family are well protected in case of sickness or injury.

UK citizens also have full rights to voting in parliamentary and local elections, meaning they have some sway in the country’s general direction.

Most importantly, and unlike UK residents, UK citizens are allowed to hold UK passports, which means unrestricted travel between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Effect of Brexit

With just over 4.5 million Brits living abroad, and a reported 1.3 million of them residing in Europe, many UK citizens will be affected by the upcoming Brexit changes for British expats.

As the separation is made official, those citizens will no longer have the unhindered right to live in EU countries. Equally importantly, it means that when you become a UK citizen your passport won't serve as automatic access to Europe - you’ll be forced to undergo the same tourism procedures as other non-UK passport holders.

Ways to obtain UK citizenship

There are numerous ways to become a British citizen if you’re not born as one. The most common way is called naturalization.

You’re eligible to apply for naturalization if you’re 18 years of age or older, you’re of good character, have no serious criminal record and you’ll continue to live in the UK for a requisite period of time. You must also have met the knowledge requirements of the English language during the application process, including the ‘Life in the UK’ test requirements. Language learning apps like busuu can help you improve your skills in English.

In most cases, you must also have lived in the UK for at least five years prior to your date of application, and have spent no more than 450 days outside of the UK during these five years. It’s also required that you’ll not have spent more than 90 days outside of the UK in the 12 months prior to your application.

If you’re a citizen of an EEA country, you must hold permanent residence status for the last 12 months and be able to provide a permanent residence documentalongside your citizenship application.

If you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), you must have had settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK for at least 12 months.

Finally, you must never have broken any immigration laws within the UK.

Children under 18

If you’re planning to move your family to the UK with you, you may apply on behalf of a child under 18, assuming they meet the other eligibility criteria. Children who are under 18 aren’t required to pass the Life in the UK exam.

Become a citizen by marriage

Marrying a UK citizen does not automatically make you a citizen yourself. You’ll need to apply as the spouse of a British citizen, a process that does require some time and documentation to push through.

In order to meet the requirements, you must be 18 years of age or older, and be of “sound mind and good character.” You must also have met the residency requirement and met the English knowledge requirements, and you’re still required to take (and pass) the life in the UK exam.

You must also have been granted indefinite leave to stay in the UK – or permanent residence if you’re an European Economic Area (EEA) national and have been granted a permanent residence card.

Unless your spouse or civil partner works abroad for the UK government or an organization closely aligned to government, typically you must also have lived in the UK for at least three years prior to the date your application is received. During that time, you must have spent no more than 270 days outside of the UK in those three years and spent no more than 90 days outside of the UK in the past 12 months.

You must also not have broken any immigration laws while in the United Kingdom to be eligible.

What’s the application process?

There are three ways to apply for British citizenship by naturalization.

First, you can apply as an individual by completing the Form AN - application for naturalization as a British citizen. For more information, read the guidance notes and the requirements booklet,which tell you how to fill in the form and what other documents you need to provide.

You can also use the Nationality checking Service (NCS), which are run by local councils. Check if your local council has an NCS.

Finally, you can use an agent or representative from a private company. You can find out which agents or representatives are properly registered at the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).

Note: you must also provide your fingerprints and a photo as part of your application. This is known as biometric information and has a cost of £19.20.

You can find out more about applying for citizenship at the British government’s website.

Citizenship Test – “Life in the UK”

As mentioned above, application for citizenship in the UK does require you to take and pass an exam, known as the “Life in the UK” test. The approval of your citizenship is contingent on completing the exam successfully.

Exams can be booked online, and must be scheduled at least three days in advance of the date you wish to take the test. Taking the test comes with a fee of £50.

All you need to make your exam booking is an email address, debit or credit card and an accepted form of ID (such as a passport or UK driver’s license).

If you need help with your booking, contact the Life in the UK Test Helpline at 0800 015 4245 between Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Note: the name you give on your test booking must be an exact match with the name on the ID you use to book the test. You must also include any middle names on the booking form or your test will be rejected and you won't be issued a refund.

Citizenship Test Exceptions

You don’t need to take the test if you’re under the age of 18 or over the age of 65. If you’ve passed the test before when completing your settlement application, there’s no need to take the test again. Finally, if you have a long-term physical or mental condition, you're exempt from needing to take the test, however, you must provide either a form or letter from a doctor confirming your physical or mental condition.

Preparing for your test

Review the official handbook for the Life in the UK Test in preparation. You’ll have 45 minutes to answer 24 questions about British traditions and customs.

Can I have dual citizenship?

The UK permits dual citizenship (or dual nationality). This means that if you're applying for citizenship in the UK, you don't necessarily have to give up your home country's citizenship, or the citizenship of another country.

Although the UK may allow this, many other countries don't allow their citizens to have more than one citizenship. So in order to make sure what the situation is with other countries, you can check with their consulate or embassy in the UKbefore you apply for citizenship in the UK.

Where can I apply for citizenship?

You can apply for a UK citizenship at your local UK consulate, or alternatively, you may send the application form, fees and necessary supporting documents to the following address:

UKVI
Department 1
The Capital
Liverpool L3 9PP

What’s the process of applying for citizenship?

After you’ve applied for citizenship, you’ll get a letter confirming your application. The letter can take up to four weeks to arrive. A decision about your application will typically take six months, but can take longer.

Should you need to provide additional information to support your application, you’ll be notified and told where to send the necessary documents. In some cases, you may be asked to attend an interview. It’s possible to speak with an interpreter if necessary, however, inability to speak fluent English may affect your eligibility.

Citizenship ceremony

Upon receiving approval for citizenship, if you’re over the age of 18, you’ll be invited to book a place at a citizenship ceremony. Typically you’re allowed to invite two guests to attend the ceremony with you, and there’s a ceremony fee of £80. Your local council organizes citizenship ceremonies, and you can ask for a private ceremony if you wish. You can book your citizenship ceremony with your council close to where you live. During the ceremony itself, you’ll make an oath of allegiance and pledge promising to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the United Kingdom.

At the end of the ceremony, you’ll be presented with your certificate of British citizenship and a welcome package. You may also have the opportunity to purchase photographs or videos of the event, which are sold at certain local councils. If you’re not living in the UK, you can ask to have your ceremony at the embassy or consulate of the country you're currently living in. However, if you’ll be returning to the UK within a few months, you may be asked to postpone your ceremony until your return.

Next Steps

After you’ve received your certificate of British citizenship, you must send your biometric residence permit back to the Home Office within five working days of attending your citizenship ceremony or physically receiving your certificate.

Proper procedure involves cutting your biometric residence permit (BRP) into four pieces and sealing it in a windowless envelope. Include a note indicating that you’re returning your permit because you’ve become a citizen. The note needs to include your name, date of birth and the document number (located on the front of the card).

Note: you’ll be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t return your permit within five working days.

Application Fees

The application fees vary greatly depending on the application type. For standard naturalization applications, the cost is £1282. For a complete list of types of applications with associated fees, consult the gov.uk website. In most cases, you can pay the fee for your visa application online.

How can I apply for a UK passport?

You can apply for a British passport if you have British nationality. However, there are some extenuating circumstances where your application can be refused or your existing passport can be retained.

Types of British nationality

You may apply for a British passport if you’re a:

• British citizen
• British overseas territories citizen
• British overseas citizen
• British subject
• British national (overseas)
• British protected person

Note:****** Having British nationality doesn’t guarantee you a passport.

Your eligibility and entitlement to a British passport will be considered when you apply. Passports belong to the government and can be cancelled or withdrawn at any time.

Other relevant information

If you’re not already familiar with money and banks in the UK you’ll want to do a bit of research or, if you haven’t already, make sure to open a bank account to help cut down on costs.

Good luck on becoming a UK citizen!

African countries with the highest number of dollar millionaires as of 2022

 

Henley & Partners recently collaborated with New World Wealth to release the 2022 Africa Wealth Report which contains some very interesting statistics. We at Business Insider Africa got a hold of the 75-paged report, and hereby bring you the highlights.

First, a total sum of $2.1 trillion is currently held by Africa's private sector. And the number is expected to jump 38% come 2032.

Another fascinating revelation from the report is that 50% of Africa's wealth is currently concentrated in just five countries. We shall be focusing on these countries shortly.

Also, there are currently some 136, 000 individuals with net worths of over a million dollars living across the African continent. In the same vein, the continent has about 6, 700 multimillionaires, with net worths of at least $10 million.

Here are 10 African countries with the highest number of dollar millionaires as of 2022

1. South Africa: There are some 39, 3000 high net worth individuals in South Africa who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 2,080, with 94 centi millionaires as well as 5 billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered at a staggering $651 billion, the largest in Africa.
2. Egypt: There are some 16, 900 high net worth individuals in Egypt who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 880, with 57 centi millionaires as well as 7 billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered $307 billion.
3. Nigeria: There are some 10, 000 high net worth individuals in Nigeria who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 510, with 28 centi millionaires as well as 4 billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered $228 billion.
4. Kenya: There are some 8,500 high net worth individuals in Kenya who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 340, with 15 centi millionaires and zero billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered $91 billion.
5. Morocco: There are some 5, 000 high net worth individuals in Morocco who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 220, with 22 centi millionaires as well as 3 billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered $125 billion.
6. Mauritius: There are some 4, 800 high net worth individuals in Mauritius who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 210, with 6 centi millionaires and zero billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered $44 billion.
7. Ethiopia: There are some 2,900 high net worth individuals in Ghana who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 140, with 4 centi millionaires and zero billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered $52 billion.
8. Ghana: There are some 2,900 high net worth individuals in Ghana who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 120, with 4 centi millionaires and zero billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered $59 billion.
9. Tanzania: There are some 2,400 high net worth individuals in Tanzania who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 80, with 8 centi millionaires and 1 billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered $56 billion.
10. Angola: There are some 2,400 high net worth individuals in Angola who have net worths of over $1 million. The total number of multimillionaires in this country stands at 110, with 3 centi millionaires and 1 billionaires. Meanwhile, the total private wealth in the country is registered $53 billion.

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The Best Ways to Invest Your Money in 2022, According to the Experts

Investing can be a great way to set yourself up with a retirement fund, down payment fund, or college tuition savings. The longer the time your money has to grow, the less you have to invest. 

It’s best to start investing as soon as possible – even today if you can. Start by making sure your high-interest debt is under control and you have an adequate emergency fund (cash you can access quickly if you lose your job or face an unexpected event). 

Historically, investments easily outpace inflation — even with the normal ups and downs of the market. You just have to know how to spread out your risk and choose the right methods to help your money grow.

We asked the experts, and here are the best investments to get your money growing today. 

Why and When to Invest?

First, let’s first look at when you should start investing.

“Your money makes money over time when you invest. That’s how you accumulate wealth,” says Katharine Perry, certified financial planner and advisor at Fort Pitt Capital Group, an investment management firm in Pennsylvania.

Pro Tip

Before investing, it’s important to understand your risk tolerance, timeline, and which account to use. For many people, that could mean low-cost index funds in a Roth IRA account until retirement.

Make sure you have your emergency fund situatedbefore you start investing. That way, you have access to cash should any problem arise. A good place to store an emergency fund is in a high-yield savings account. 

Once you’ve got some cash reserves and your high-interest debt is under control, there’s no time like the present to start investing.

The old adage says it’s time in the market, not timing the market. Invest as soon as possible,” Perry says.   

Here are the best places to start. 

The Best Investments in 2022

Index Funds (ETFs or Mutual Funds)

Experts recommend low-cost, diversified index funds. These are funds with low expense ratios, or fees, that are great for all investors. An S&P 500 index fund is a great place to start. It  tracks the top 500 companies on the stock market. Index fundsare a safer investment than trying to choose individual stocks because they broaden your investments over hundreds of companies. This process works well if you don’t have time or interest in picking individual stocks. Plus, over time this strategy tends to generate higher returns. 

There are several index funds to choose from, including those based on a specific industry, timeline, or sector of the market. You can buy an index fund that is an exchange-traded fund (ETF), which behaves like a traditional stock with market fluctuations throughout the day, or a mutual fund that closes at the end of the market day. Despite their small differences, either one could be a good choice. Just take note of the fees and investment minimums. EFTs tend to be an easier entry point for beginners due to lower costs and minimums.  

Other Types of Investment Strategies

As an investor, you may decide to add other types of investments to your portfolio. Types of securities you can add might be higher risk, but can compliment your index funds. Whatever other securities you decide to add, make sure you align them with your investment goals and do some research before to make sure you know what you’re investing in.

Small Cap Stocks

A small cap stock is one from a company with market capitalization under $2 billion. These stocks can be a way to invest in companies that are poised for long-term growth and fast gains. 

“REITs have done superbly well this year. They don’t usually do well with a pandemic, but surprisingly, they have,” says Luis Strohmeier, certified financial planner, partner, and advisor at Octavia Wealth Advisors. Part of the reason is you get access to properties, such as commercial real estate and multi-family apartment complexes, that could be out-of-reach for an individual investor.  

On the flip side, dividend payments earned through REITs are taxed as ordinary income instead of qualified dividends, which may cause you to have a higher tax bill if you invest through a taxable brokerage account. When you invest in a REIT, you’re also inherently trusting the management company to scout income-producing properties and manage them correctly. You don’t get a say in which properties the REIT chooses to purchase. But with that said, you don’t have to deal with tenants, repairs, or find a big down payment to start investing. And if you can invest through a tax-advantaged account, the dividends could grow tax-free. 

Where to Invest in 2022

Choosing what to invest in is one thing. You also have to choose what type of account to place your investments in. 

IRAs are recommended by financial experts because they help shield investors from taxes when saving for retirement or other long-term goals. There are a few different types of IRAs, also known as Individual Retirement Arrangements.

Roth IRA

A Roth IRA is a great savings vehicle for retirement. Whatever you put in, you can take out, and whatever money grows is tax-free when you take it out at 59 ½.  Each year, you can contribute $6,000 to your Roth if you’re under age 50 and $7,000 if you’re over 50, as long as your income doesn’t exceed $140,000 if you file single or $208,000 if filing jointly. 

It’s a particularly excellent strategy when you’re young or in a low tax bracket. You pay taxes on your contributions now, and then let them grow tax-free for as long as you can. “That’s a huge benefit, because you don’t have to pay tax on it again. That’s like free money,” says Perry.   

Traditional IRA

A traditional IRA allows you to claim a tax deduction on your contributions, but you’ll pay taxes when you withdraw at age 59 ½. It’s a good choice if you expect your future tax rate to be lower than it is now, or if you’d rather get a tax break now than in the future. 

Contribution limits are the same as a Roth IRA. 

SEP IRA

Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRAs are retirement accounts for small businesses or self-employed individuals. If you work for yourself or own a small business, it’s a way to put away savings for retirement, with higher limits than a traditional 401(k) or IRA. With a SEP IRA, you can contribute up to $58,000 per year. That could provide a big savings opportunity for small business owners. 

What to Consider Before Investing and Why Long Term Investing is Key

As you begin your investing journey, consider first where you’d like to hold your investments. That could be a taxable brokerage account, an employer’s 401(k), or a tax-advantaged IRA. If you want to invest in real estate, decide if physical properties or REITs match your investment style. 

Then, assess your risk tolerance and how long you want to invest. Keep in mind that, due to compound interest, investing long-term (10+ years) is the most assured way to grow your money. 

It’s perfectly fine to invest entirely in low-cost, diversified index funds. “Adequately diversified investments with a long track record of growth is the key to building wealth,” says Stohmeier. That way, you’re also able to withstand market dips while giving your cash the best chance to grow.

What Are the Entry Requirements for Medical Schools in Europe and the U.S.?

 The moment you decide you want to pursue a career in Medicine, you know you are expected to go through a lot of hard work and inevitably many hours of study. However, all your efforts will be worth it in the end. After all, being a doctor is one of the noblest and most rewarding professions in the world.

Applying to med school is not something you should do superficially. You have to choose your medical school wisely. To make your mission easier, we'll present the most common entry requirements to medical schools from Europe, the US and UK.

We’ll also throw in extra information like what GPA you’ll need to apply, what undergraduate degrees are accepted, and if you need an entry exam to get into medical school.

So, what does it take to get into a medical school?

1. Admission requirements for medical school studies in Europe

These are some of the most common admission criteria for Medicine degrees offered by European universities:

• High school diploma (certificate)
• Good marks in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math
• Letters of recommendation
• Letter of motivation
• Voluntary or work experience related to healthcare
• Candidates taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) must offer three subjects including Chemistry and Biology at Higher Level, plus three subjects at Standard Level. Not all universities require an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB).
• Minimum TOEFL and IELTS results

The requirements we’ve listed above are the most common, but Europe is a large continent, and some countries have different admission criteria or systems. Here are several examples:

Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in France

In France, each academic institution can have different admission criteria, and Medical studies are divided into 3 cycles.

The first cycle (PCEM) lasts 2 years. At the end of the first year, there’s a difficult examination which determines who goes into the second year. Usually, only 15-20% of Medicine students pass.

The second cycle (DCEM) lasts 4 years. It includes theoretical classes and exams, as well as training periods in healthcare institutions. In the last year, med students take a national examination and the grade determines their specialisation.

The third cycle is split into General Medicine and Specialised Medicine. The internships for General Medicine usually last 3 years. For Specialised Medicine, an internship can take 4-5 years to complete. At the end of the third cycle, all students receive a Specialised Studies Diploma (in French, DES: Diplôme d’Études Spécialisées).

The last step is writing and successfully defending a thesis before a jury, after which graduates receive their diplomas in Medicine.

Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in Germany

In Germany, you’ll encounter the Numerus Clausus (NC), which stands for Limited Number in Latin. It is a system used to determine the number of available Medicine places for students. The number of available places varies from one semester/year to another and you must have a certain overall grade to be admitted. 

Medicine degrees in Germany take at least 6 years and 3 months to complete, and they are not divided into Bachelor’s and Master’s courses. In order to graduate you will have to take a state examination.

The path to becoming a doctor in Germany can be split into several main stages:

• Stage I studies – 4 semesters followed by the first 3 sections of the state examination
• Stage II studies – 6 semesters
• Completion of a practical year (PJ) at a hospital or clinic
• The second and final state examination after which you receive your licence to practise Medicine in Germany

It’s very important to develop good German language skills, because most lectures and examinations are in German. 

You can find more information about studying Medicine in Germany on websites like Study in Germany and Deutschland.de.

Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, if you cannot prove you’ve studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Maths, you’ll need to take an exam that will test your competence in these subjects. You’ll also need to learn Dutch. This is necessary to complete your postgraduate studies and to communicate with your future patients.

Dutch Medicine degrees fall in the category of Numerus Fixus or Decentralised Selection programmes. This means the number of places is limited and you can only apply for two Numerus Fixus programmes.

These are the stages you go through to become a qualified doctor in the Netherlands:

• Graduate a Bachelor’s in Medicine – 3 years. You’ll attend lectures and prepare assignments.
• Finish a Master’s in Medicine – another 3 years, during which you take part in different internships. You also need to write a Master’s thesis.
• To start working as a medical specialist, you have to register with the Royal Dutch Medical Association (RDMA).

Here are a few medical schools in the Netherlands:

• Radboud University
• University of Twente (UT)
• Wageningen University and Research

Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in Italy

Italian universities use the Numerus Clausus system for both Medicine degree places and the professional training that takes place after graduation.

Some med schools in Italy require that students pass the IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) or a similar admission exam, which tests the applicants’ logical skills and their knowledge of English, Biology, Chemistry, and other Science-related subjects.

The Medicine degree takes 6 years to complete and is followed by a 6-month clinical placement. You must then pass a national exam to become a registered physician. After passing that examination, you can start the specialisation training, which takes between 3-6 years, depending on your area of expertise.

Here are a few medical schools we recommend in Italy:

• Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
• Humanitas University

Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in Finland

In Finland, you need to know Finnish for both basic studies and postgraduate training.

The only way to enrol in a medical school is to pass the entrance examination, which is held every year in May. The exam is in Finnish or Swedish.

The medical degree is a 6-year programme, which combines Bachelor’s and Master’s courses into a Licentiate degree. After graduation, med students can continue their education with postgraduate specialisation programmes.

Here are a few medical schools we recommend in Finland:

• University of Turku
• University of Oulu
• Tampere University

2. Admission requirements for medical school studies in the U.S.

In the US, Medical degrees are considered second entry degrees, meaning you cannot enrol directly in a Medicine Bachelor's. You first need to do a Bachelor's (undergraduate) degree in a related Science subject (popular choices are Biology and Chemistry) before you apply to a medical school. Then, you can enrol in a Medicine degree that usually lasts 4 years.

Here are the general med school requirements for the US:

• High school diploma
• Undergraduate degree in the field of Sciences (3-4 years)
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Good TOEFL language scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Extracurricular activities
• Minimum MCAT exam result (set by each university individually)

Some American med schools have additional requirements, like completing premedical courses, such as:

• College Biology with laboratory, one year
• General college Chemistry with laboratory, one year
• Biology, Chemistry – minimum of 24 semester hours in areas of Humanities
• Mathematics (Calculus and/or Statistics, one year (6-8 semester hours)
• General college Physics with laboratory, one year (8 semester hours)

Here are a few medical schools we recommend in the US:

• University of South Dakota
• Liberty University
• School for International Training

What is the MCAT?

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a multi-choice exam created by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Almost all US medical schools require applicants to submit MCAT exam scores during their university application.

The MCAT exam takes approximately 7 hours and a half to complete and it is comprised of 4 main parts:

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Becoming a doctor in the US

Throughout the Medical degree, students develop their soft skills (communication, empathy, cooperation, etc.) and advance their medical knowledge.

During the last year, students choose a specialisation based on their interests and other factors and apply to residency programmes. The vast majority are matched through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

During residency, medical graduates train in hospitals with other healthcare practitioners. The residency can take between 3-7 years to complete depending on their specialisation. After completing this stage, residents can undertake a fellowship, which lasts 1-2 years and focuses on a sub-specialisation.

To practise Medicine, physicians or doctors have to be licensed by the state in which they want to work. The criteria for certification are established by 24 Specialty Boards. These boards require regular recertification due to the fast changes that occur in Medicine and Healthcare.

3. Admission requirements for medical school studies in the UK

We’ve listed below some of the most common requirements for applicants to medical schools in Britain. Be aware that each university is free to set its own criteria, which is why we encourage you to check the admission details on the webpage of the study programme.

Bachelor's degree in Medicine (MBBS) in the UK

• Previous (high school) studies it at least two Science subjects. Usually, Chemistry and Biology or Physics/Maths are mandatory.
• Proof of English language proficiency: IELTS – average score of 6.0 or 6.5, or PTE Academic
• UCAT test score. Each university can use it differently. Some establish a minimum UCAT score they’ll accept. Other universities use a “points system” for evaluating applications and will offer you more points for a higher UCAT result.
• International Baccalaureate, with at least 36 points overall, including three higher level subjects (including Chemistry and Biology), and three standard level subjects. Each subject must be passed with a minimum of six points. International Baccalaureate is not required by all universities from the UK.
• Successfully passing the interview(s)
• Evidence of voluntary or work experience related to medicine and healthcare
• Reference letter from teachers/academic supervisors

Here are a few medical schools we recommend in the UK:

• London South Bank University
• University of Birmingham
• Aston University

What is the UCAT?

The UCAT (previously called UKCAT, UK Clinical Aptitude Test) is an online test required by medical schools in the UK. It is designed to test cognitive abilities, attitudes, critical thinking, and logical reasoning.

The UCAT helps universities select applicants with the right abilities to pursue careers in the healthcare field. The UCAT test is not based on a science-related curriculum. The format of the test covers questions that assess logical skills, such as decision making, quantitative reasoning, and situational judgement.

Becoming a doctor in the UK

After completing the 4 or 5-year degree in Medicine, you get a provisional license.

The next step is the Foundation Programme, which involves different practical placements and training in healthcare institutions. The Foundation programme provides salaries, and it takes 2 years to complete (F1 – first year and F2 – second year). At the end of F1, you can apply for a licence and receive full registration from the GMC (General Medical Council).

You can then start General Practice or Specialty training, which can take between 3-8 years depending on what you want to focus on.

Top questions about medical school application answered

What degree do I need to graduate before applying for medical school?

It depends. The US is the only country where you need to have a Bachelor’s and/or premedical courses to apply for a Medical degree. This is not the case in the UK or other European countries, although you are required to have studied Biology, Chemistry, and other related subjects during high school and/or pass an admission exam proving your logical skills and knowledge in Science-related subjects.

What are the most common names for Medical degrees?

The name of your Medical degree can vary greatly depending on where you study. In the UK and countries that follow the British system, it’s common to encounter the abbreviations MBBS, MB ChB, MB BCh, BMBS. They all refer to the Bachelor of Medicine, which is awarded to medical graduates.

Other European countries can use different names, like Licentiate degree in Finland or DES (Diplôme d’Études Spécialisées) in France.

In the United States and countries that follow its model, the medical degree is called Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). The DO is only awarded in the US.

Do I need to take an exam to get into medical school?

In the United States, yes. Almost all medical schools require applicants to pass the MCAT exam.

In the UK, many but not all universities require you to pass the UCAT examination.

Other European universities might ask you to pass their own admission exams, a national test, or other international exams, like the IMAT.

What subjects are accepted when applying to med school?

Most universities worldwide require that you have prior studies in Biology, Chemistry, and other Science subjects, like Physics or Maths.

How many years do I need to study to become a doctor?

It varies from one country to another. It generally takes 6-7 years to graduate with a Medicine degree. In most countries, med students will then start the internship or residency period, which can take between 3-8 years, depending on your specialisation.

What grades do I need to get into medical school?

Most universities will pay close attention to the grades you took in Biology, Chemistry, and other Science subjects. They want to see if you have the capacity to understand complex notions and memorise a lot of information, which is essential for all medical students.

If the university requires an exam, like the MCAT or UCAT, each institution decides how the examination impacts the students’ applications. For example, some universities have a minimum score, while others allow all students to apply and only accept the top students with the highest results. Other med schools give students with great results at the exam more points, which makes their application stand out and increases their chances of being admitted. So, there’s no universal formula.

We encounter a similar situation with the GPA (Grade Point Average). You’ll find study programmes mentioning a minimum GPA, while others accept all students, select the best ones, and then draw the line.

Ready to become the next big-shot doctor?

Now, what are you waiting for? There are over 7,000 Medicine degrees waiting for you on our portals. Take advantage of the comparison tool and choose the best medical school for you. Studying abroad is a great experience and we hope you’ll make the best out of it.