10 Best Medical Colleges in London for International Students in 2024



The world was already reeling from a physician and medical worker shortage pre-COVID-19. The pandemic pushed that over the edge.

Let’s take the U.S. as an example. A report published by the Association of American Medical Colleges in 2020 stated that by 2033, the country could witness a shortage of 54,100 to 139,000. The worldwide figure is a lot scarier. It is estimated that there will be a shortfall of 10 million healthcare workers worldwide by 2030 (mainly in low- and middle-income countries)

The fact, however, is that despite the high demand, medicine is not for everybody, as it is a career that requires passion, motivation, and zeal to go through with it.

The students who do aspire to become doctors and are looking to study in the UK can apply to medical schools in London that offer hands-on training, an outstanding curriculum, and expert faculties to help dedicated students achieve their dream of becoming a surgeon.

There are great medical colleges in India as well as abroad – be it in Canada, UK or Australia – which is also home to some top medical colleges. Today, we’ll look at the UK.

Here’s a list of the top 10 medical colleges in London to help you in your research.



Why choose to study at a medical university in London?


Doctors who have studied at prestigious UK universities are looked upon and trusted by people all over the world. Here are some other reasons why you can study medicine in London.

  • With a large number of hospitals, students have access to a wide range of clinical experiences and exposure to diverse medical conditions.
  • London is a hub for the medical community, providing students with opportunities to network with professionals and make valuable connections.
  • London medical universities provide an intensive curriculum with world-class facilities helping them consistently secure a place in the QS world university rankings.
  • Universities in the UK provide employment opportunities to students right after they complete their graduation.
  • In addition to exceptional medical education, London offers a wealth of cultural, historical, and recreational attractions for students to enjoy during their studies.

What are the best medical colleges in London for international students?


Medical institutions in London have consistently ranked in the top 10 universities in the world with more than 40,000 international students studying medicine and allied subjects.

Here’s the list of the top Medical institutions in London that foreign students can apply to

QS World Ranking Name of the University
6 University College London
8 Imperial College London
13 King’s College London
14 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
55 Queen Mary University of London

If you are looking at the United Kingdom as a whole, here are the top 10 universities for studying medicine.

QS World Ranking Name of the University
2 University of Oxford
5 University of Cambridge
6 University College London
8 Imperial College London
13 King’s College London
18 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
22 University of Edinburgh
32 University of Manchester
48 University of Glasgow
55 Queen Mary University of London
67 University of Birmingham

Source: QS World University Rankings by Subject for Medicine. TC Global will update this article as soon as the 2024 rankings are published.


Top Medical Colleges in London

1. University College London


Source: UCL

Founded in 1826 for students in the UK, now One-third of the students of UCL are from foreign countries making it truly a global university. UCL is also the proud home of 29 Nobel laureates. Moreover, UCL is not famous just as the university, the campus has been used for many film shoots such as Inception, Batman Begins, etc.!

Why is it good to study here?

UCL aims to produce highly-qualified and competent  350 distinctive ‘UCL Doctors’ each year.  It has one of the widest ranges of integrated BSc opportunities in the UK. You will have access to the UCL Careers Service to help and advise through activities provided by the medical school in each year of the program.

Also, It is recognized as one of the primary medical qualifications by the General Medical Council (GMC). In fact, 99% of graduates from UCL have gone on to become medical practitioners with the help of campus placements.

Fees & Scholarship options

The tuition fees for this course start at £50,300 excluding other costs. To cover the fees, Global Undergraduate scholarships are provided based on financial need, and UPC progression scholarship is provided based on merit.

Eligibility and Duration

  • Class 12 completion with A in Biology and Chemistry
  • BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
  • IELTS Overall score of 7.5 or TOEFL Overall score of 109
  • Duration: 6 academic years

Courses offered & admission process

The main medicine courses are,

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Other than the above, more than 34 medical subjects are offered at UCL.

Students can make the application through UCAS along with the required documents. Your application will be assessed and qualified applicants will be called for multiple mini-interviews which take place between December and March. For more details visit this page.


2. Imperial College London


Source: ICL

The foundation of Imperial College London was made in 1907 and since then it has been producing highly sought-after graduates. One of the top 10 colleges in the UK,  ICL has specialization in the subject of medicine, engineering, and science.

Why is it good to study here?

Ranked 4th in the world for Medicine by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, 2024, ICL offers an integrated course that lets the students graduate with both an MBBS and BSc qualification. Students with exceptional academic performance may also be offered the opportunity to include a Ph.D. as part of their studies.

This college specializes in the case-based learning approach with many practical training sessions on hospitals such as Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust – Ealing Hospital, Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust, etc. Along with the main Imperial degree, students also receive the award of the Associateship of the Imperial College School of Medicine (AICSM) making them perfectly qualified to practice medicine all over the world.

Fees & Scholarship options

The fees excluding other costs for overseas students is £53,700. ICL offers more than 5 in-house scholarships to foreign students like Adrian Taylor Scholarship valued at £3000 per year.

Eligibility and Duration

Students are required to have completed class 12 with 95% / 90% in Biology and Chemistry and 90% in Mathematics or Physics along with the score. Students also need to take the BioMedical Admissions Test to study this course. The English language requirement consists of an IELTS score of 7.0 overall or a TOEFL iBT score of 100 overall. The Duration of this full-time course is 6 years.

Courses offered & admission process

MBBS/BSc Medicine

This highly competitive course has 2,400 applications each year and about 850 candidates are called for an interview. Out of them, approximately 600 offers are made to deserving students. The application is made via the UCAS portal within the deadlines. The students are selected based on their academic excellence and called for an interview. Successful candidates will receive an offer letter after the interview.


3. King’s College London


Source: KCL

King’s College London (KCL) was founded in 1829 and is one of the oldest and largest universities in the UK. KCL has a diverse community of over 31,000 students from over 150 countries and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields of study.

Why is it good to study here?

The course is divided into 4 stages along with a one-year intercalated degree. The integrated curriculum lets medicine students interact with patients from three popular hospitals –  Guy’s, King’s College, and St Thomas’ Hospitals.  Students are also placed at general hospitals across the southeast of England and over 350 general practices right after graduation as medical practitioners.

This course is also accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC) and entitles the holder to apply to the GMC for registration to practice medicine in the UK. 100% of students of this university are at work or doing further study 15 months after the course. There is also an option to study abroad supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in King’s Global Mobility Office.

Fees & Scholarship options

The tuition fee for the 2024-2025 academic year is £48,600 per year with a £5000 fixed deposit.

Students can directly apply for Undergraduate International Scholarship or Perseverance Trust Scholarship once they receive their offer letter. To have more options, students can opt for external scholarships.

Eligibility and Duration

Grade XII with 90% overall with 85% in Biology and Chemistry.
Passing UCAT examination
IELTS score of 7.5 and above or TOEFL iBT score of 109 and above
Duration: 5 years (6 if you choose to do an intercalated degree)

Courses offered & admission process

King’s College offers Full-time MBBS in Medicine. Other than that, they also offer Pharmacy (MPharm), Biomedical Science (BSc), and Sport & Exercise Medical Sciences (BSc).

The application requires your mark sheets, personal statement, and reference and it can be made through the UCAS portal. Previous work experience in any medical institution has a high chance of getting selected. Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview held between May and November. More than 5500 applications are received for roughly 410 places and so the competition will be severe. The final decision on the admission will be notified to the application by the end of May in the next cycle. For further information, click here.


4. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine


Source: University of London

Located in Bloomsbury, Central London, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is a public research university that specialises in public health and tropical medicine. According to QS World University Rankings 2023 for medicine, LSHTM ranks 14th in the world for the study of medicine. However, it is important to note that this university only offers masters level programmes and research degrees in the field of medicine.

Why is it good to study here?

Considering that the university offers only masters and research level programmes, it is a place where academics, professionals and students meet from all over the globe. The university is renowned for its collaborative atmosphere, emphasis on research that has real-life impact, and its programmes in global health. Their student support team also offers specialised help to international students.

Fees and Scholarship Options

The fee for masters programmes ranges between £29,960 and £37,368, depending on the specialisation. There are a number of scholarship options including 2024-25 LSHTM Fund Scholarship and 2024-25 GSK Scholarships for Future Health Leaders that are open for international students. You can access the complete list of scholarships here.

Eligibility and Duration

For most of the programmes at LSHTM, you must have a degree in medicine and be a registered medical practitioner. A minimum of 2 works of work experience in clinical medicine will definitely boost your resume. The minimum IELTS requirement is between 6.5 and 7.0 for most courses. Like in most of the UK, a master’s programme is one year long.

Courses offered and admission process

They have over 25 courses at the MSc level, ranging from Control of Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology, to Tropical Medicine & International Health. You can access the entire list of courses here.

In addition, the school also offers research degrees, short courses and professional development programmes. The application is made online through the university website. A non-refundable application fee of £50 will be charged and the application deadline for international students is 21 July 2024.


5. Queen Mary University of London


Source: QMUL

Four universities merged to become Queens Mary University and its history goes back to 1785 making it one of the oldest universities in England and Wales. Students from over 170  countries are studying at Queens Mary University in London making it a global university. It is also one of the parts of the prestigious Russel group of universities.

Why is it good to study here?

According to the NSS 2022 report, QMUL is  2nd in London for overall student satisfaction with their studies. QMUL is a research-intensive university with prominence in Medicine and Dentistry. There are also four international campuses of the Queen Mary University of London, located in China, Singapore, Malta, and Paris out of which students can choose to study. Moreover, it is one of the first Higher Education Institutions in the United Kingdom to deliver Degree Apprenticeships to help medical students earn money while learning live experiences.

Fees & Scholarship options

The tuition fee is around £48,700 and can vary depending on the year of study. International students can also take advantage of payment plans. Various scholarships such as the Talented Athletes program, Chevening scholarships, etc. are provided to foreign students based on their academic performance and sports performance. You can also check the university database for an eligible scholarship option.

Eligibility and Duration

Grade X including Biology, Chemistry, English, and Maths with 85% – 90% and above
Grade XII including Biology and Chemistry with an overall score of 90%
Clear the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
IELTS score of 7.0 overall
Both 4-year and 5-year MBBS courses are offered at QMUL. Further criteria can be checked here.

Courses offered & admission process

QMUL offers MBBS courses in London and Malta. Other courses like dentistry, pharmacology, and oral health are also offered here.

The application for this process must be made online via UCAS with institution code Q50.  Students can apply to four medicine and dentistry courses in their application.

Along with the application, the necessary documents shall also be submitted. Within 4 to 6 weeks the students can expect to hear back from the university. Check out the detailed process here.


Top Medical Colleges outside London for International Students

1. University of Oxford


Source: University of Oxford

Oxford University’s Medicine subject is ranked 1st by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for clinical, pre-clinical, and health sciences. This is the single non-North American institution to be top-ranked by THE in any subject discipline.

Why is it good to study here?

The entire course is divided into 9 terms, with the first five terms of this course called The preclinical stage. In this stage, students are introduced to the basics of the subject along with regular visits to GP tutors. In their final 4 terms, students are tested rigorously in analysis and critical thinking.

Tutorials usually have 2-4 students, classes and seminars usually contain between 10 and 50 students, while lectures are for up to 200 students making communication between students and faculty easier. Along with studies, students will also take part in research in a laboratory from a wide range of departments within the Medical Sciences Division.

Fees & Scholarship options

The average fee ranges from £39,740 to £52,490 for foreign students. Scholarships like Simon and June Li Undergraduate Scholarship and other external scholarships are available for qualified students.

Eligibility and Duration

Eligible students must have Year 12 qualification under CBSE or CISCE with an overall score of 90% or more along with grades of at least 95% or above in 3 subjects and 85% in 2 subjects (Mandatory subjects being Chemistry with either Maths, Biology or Physics). IELTS score of 7.0 or TOEFL score of 100 and above and passing BMAT is also necessary.

The course duration is six years.

Courses offered & admission process

Courses offered:
Bachelor of Medicine
Bachelor of Surgery (BM BCh)

The applications must be submitted through the UCAS portal along with registering for the BMAT test. Only 25% of all the applications are asked for an interview and out of them only 9% are accepted so that only the best individual is selected.

The interview will be conducted at two colleges, one of your choice and the other allocated randomly, and will be conducted by two academics at each college and by at least one practicing clinician. After the interview, the selected candidates will be informed via email. You can check the detailed process here.


2. University of Cambridge


Source: Cambridge University

Being one of the oldest and top universities in the world, Cambridge has produced more than 100 Nobel laureates since its inception in 1209. Some of its notable alumni include Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin.

Why is it good to study here?

Cambridge is a world-renowned University for its syllabus and teaching methods. The faculty of medicine of Cambridge are also top researchers and experts in their subjects. 100% of medical graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course as per the discoverUni data.  More than 700 clubs are also available for students to enjoy their college years and socialize with diverse people.

Fees & Scholarship options

The tuition fee for the medicine course is £67,194 per annum. Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust has more than 500 scholarship options for foreign students. Partial financial support from colleges can also be obtained by contacting the admission office.

Eligibility and Duration

  • Class 12 completion along with passing IIT-JEE/College Board Advanced Placement Tests/STEP
  • IELTS overall grade of 7.5 or TOEFL IBT with an overall score of 110
  • Completion of  Biomedical Admission Test (BMAT)
  • Duration: 6 years

Courses offered & admission process

Bachelor of Medicine
Bachelor of Surgery (BMBCh)

Students may need to note that they cannot apply to the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford in the same year. The student can apply for 4 courses in their UCAS application at Cambridge. After the application, you will be asked to submit other required documents and called for an interview if selected. The deadline for application falls in October and the admission decision will be announced by January. The full application process can be seen here.


3. University of Edinburgh


Source: University of Edinburgh

Established in 1583, Edinburgh University has a long history of academic excellence. With over 50,000 students and a diverse international community, the University of Edinburgh is renowned for its research, innovation, and impact on society.

Why is it good to study here?

The modern and innovative curriculum made for the best of the students helps them to survive in the field of medicine and stand out. Having an MBChB degree from Edinburgh medical school gives the students Primary Medical Qualification to qualify for provisional registration with the General Medical Council Students of this university have gone on to become general practitioners, and hospital consultants, or begin a career in medical research after their graduation.

Fees & Scholarship options

The cost to study for an MBChB degree is £35,000 for year 1 and £49,900 for further years. The university offers only 4 scholarships for eligible students. International students can apply for popular external scholarships such as Hull York International Medical College Scholarship, Rhodes Scholarship etc to fund the program.

Eligibility and Duration

  • Grade XII with overall 80% with three subjects at 75%.
  • University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) (Earlier known as UKCAT)
  • IELTS total score of 7.5 and above or TOEFL-iBT with 110 and above
  • Duration: A 6-year program.

Courses offered & admission process

The courses offered at Edinburgh medical school include

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB)
  • MBChB for healthcare professionals (HCP-Med)
  • BSc (Hons) in Medical Sciences
  • Oral Health Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences programs

The application made through the UCAS portal is assessed by two members of the admissions staff against academic achievements, UCAT scores, and other necessary requirements. Approximately, 700 applicants will be invited to attend a half-day assessment day/interview at Edinburgh Medical School. The selected students after the interview will receive their offer letter via email.


4. University of Manchester


Source: University of Manchester

Since its founding in 1824, this university has become one of the UK’s largest and most respected institutions. Over 40,000 students from over 160 countries are enrolled at the university. The university is home to several prestigious research institutes and centers, such as the National Graphene Institute and the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. The university has produced 25 Nobel Prize winners, including in the fields of physics, chemistry, and economics.

Why is it good to study here?

The University of Manchester is the largest medical school in the UK with more than 2200 undergraduates currently studying in it. The study years at Manchester are a mix of Lectures, practical classes including anatomy dissection, and clinical experience that are taken in small groups ensuring sufficient attention from faculties for each student.

Moreover, Close links with Manchester Academic Health Science Centre prove to be an excellent chance for students to have live training experiences. Also, this course is accredited by the General Medical Council and so 98% of students have the opportunity to work for 15 months after the course.

Fees & Scholarship options

Tuition fees for overseas students are £38,000 for years 1 and 2 of study and year 3 is £58,000. Scholarships such as Global Futures Scholarship, Humanitarian Scholarship, etc are offered to foreign students. To see the qualification for these scholarships, follow this link.

Eligibility and Duration

Students are expected to have completed Grade XII with an 80-95% overall score and have an IELTS score of 7.5 and above. Passing the UCAT examination with high scores is also mandatory.

Duration: 5 years

Courses offered & admission process

  • Medicine MBBS
  • Public Health

Each application made via UCAS should have an online information form concerning non-academic activities. All applicants will receive this form after the 15th October UCAS deadline from the School of Medical Sciences Admissions Office. Applications are first screened according to whether or not they meet our standard academic threshold and are called for the interview process. Unsuccessful applications will receive a notification of the same in due course within a few weeks.


5. University of Glasgow


Source: University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is one of the fourth oldest universities in London having been established in the year 1451 and moving to Gilmorehill in the year 1870.  9 Nobel laureates have had their college years at this university. Medicine, Art, veterinary medicine, cancer studies, accounting, and finance are some of the sought-after courses at this university.

Why is it good to study here?

Students of Glasgow university have the opportunity to experience a diverse mixture of clinical attachments that range from National Tertiary Referral services to single-handed rural General Practice. They follow a specialized curriculum called  “spiral curriculum” where each subject is revised at various stages of the study to increase the depth and focus that students have on the subjects.

Moreover, students are trained at World class clinical teaching facilities at Glasgow Royal Infirmary & Queen Elizabeth University Hospital during their study year itself. Thus, 99% of graduates of Glasgow University are at work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Fees & Scholarship options

The fee depends on the course chosen by the student. The average tuition fee is typically £56,520 per year. The scholarship option offered by Glasgow for medicine is limited. The International Leader Scholarship, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences Deans’ Award, and Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship are some of the few options that students can consider for applying.

Eligibility and Duration

  • Completed high school with 75% and above with A grade in Chemistry and Biology or Physics or Mathematics
  • IELTS score of 7.0 overall
  • Taking UCAT
  • This is a Full-time 5-year course.

Courses offered & admission process

  • Medicine MBChB
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology BSc etc

All the applications for the medical course are made through UCAS followed by an interview process for selected students. The step-by-step process to apply for this course and other details like getting a student visa can be found on the official website of the university.


6. University of Birmingham


Source: University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is one of the founding members of Universitas 21; the leading global network of research-intensive universities. 10 Nobel prize winners are from this original “Redbrick” university which is a  part of the Russel group.

Why is it good to study here?

Birmingham University has consistently ranked as one of the top 10 universities in the United Kingdom. As per the DiscoverUni statistics, 100% of students who graduated after a medical degree are working as doctors at various institutions with average earnings of £33,000. Direct attention of the faculties who are also world-leading researchers is given to every student to help them learn the subject in-depth.

Fees & Scholarship options

The fee for pre-clinical years i.e Years 1 and 2 £30,330 and clinical years 3, 4, and 5 are £48,660. Students with outstanding academic performance can apply for university scholarships like the Charles Wallace Trusts and external funding from the British Council to secure financial aid.

Eligibility and Duration

To be eligible to study medicine, the students should have completed Year 12 with 90% and above with A in Biology and Chemistry. Besides, students who do not have English as their first language are required to pass TOEFL with a score of 95 overall or IELTS with a score of 7.0 overall. All students (Both UK students and International students) must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test.

The duration of the MBChB course is 5 years. Other details can be found at this link.

Courses offered & admission process

  • Undergraduate Medicine and Surgery (MBChB)
  • Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery
  • Medical Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Science
  • Pharmacy
  • Human Neuroscience

The admission process is done through the UCAS portal. The student has to give the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year of applying for the course. Necessary documents and other details must be submitted to the university before the deadlines. Students might also need to attend an interview if required by the university. The final candidates are shortlisted based on the entry requirements and their performance in the interview.

How to apply to Medical Colleges in London with no Stress?


Have these reasons cemented your decision to do your higher education in the UK? Then here’s how you go about it. The easiest way is to sign up with TC Global.

We simplify international education, learning, and mobility through connecting students, universities, and a global community on a single platform where there are over 1000+ education providers and over 80,000+ courses.

Our platform enables students to study anywhere in the world in just a few steps. From search and discovery and finding the right course fit for you, to applications, visas and departure – we see you through it all.

To move forward with us, download our app or visit tcglobal.com and sign in to create an account on our student platform and onboard with us in quick, easy steps.! 🚀

Then simply set up a visit Calendly.com/tcglobal to pick a Relationships Team closest to you and choose a slot to meet with a Relationship Member.

Let’s shape your future together.

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Date added
13.12.2023

Filed under:

Global Ed

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