How Universities use the BMAT
​2021/2022

University of Oxford


​​The University of Oxford uses an equal weighting system between GCSEs and the BMAT examination in assessing applicants for interview suitability. The BMAT Score is further weighted according to the section, with Section 1 weighted 40%, Section 2 weighted 40 % and Section 3 weighted 20%. In calculating the Section 3 score, double weighting is ascribed to the ‘Quality of Content’ score with single weighting given to the ‘Quality of English’ Score.
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A strong GCSE performance is vital for Oxford Medicine applicants with the average number of GCSE A* amongst those receiving an offer being 10.5, or 93% A* grades as a proportion of the total number of GCSE grades received. ​An algorithm is used to rank applicants according to GSCE and BMAT performance.
​Each year, Oxford receives approximately 1,500 Medicine applications with 425 invited to interview and approximately 170 offers (including 5-10 deferred offers).

University of Cambridge


​In contrast to the University of Oxford who have a centralised Medicine Application process, the University of Cambridge Medicine application process is dictated by the individual college. With Cambridge interviewing approximately 90% of Medicine applicants, the importance of the BMAT is generally later in the application process with BMAT scores used alongside interview score, GCSE score, personal statement and reference scores as well as predicted grades in deciding which candidates are suitable for Medicine offers. Students who achieve higher BMAT results are more likely to be invited for interview but there isn’t a pass mark for the BMAT at Cambridge. It would be beneficial to review the website and contact the Admissions Office of specific colleges that you are interested in, in order to obtain more college specific weightings and guidance.

Imperial College London


​​Imperial College London is one of the few universities to operate a strict ‘cut-off’ for each section of the BMAT examination, whereby applicants are required to score above the absolute minimum for each individual section in order to be considered for interview. Imperial also tend to further sub-divide their cut-off process into four distinct bands, with those in Band 1 being invited to interview first and having a significantly greater applicant to interview ratio. Applying this in numerical terms, historically 90% of applicants with Band 1 BMAT scores are invited to interview, compared to only 7.5% of those meeting the minimum Band 4 cut-off requirement.
Nb. In order to be classified as Band 1, each of your section scores must be above the Band 1 threshold; if two of your scores are Band 1 and one of your scores is Band 2, you will be categorised as Band 2 for your overall BMAT Band.​
​As such, with Imperial applications it is not only important to meet the minimum BMAT cut-off (Band 4), but preferably to meet the Band 1 cut-off, with a significant proportion of applicants who marginally meet the minimum cut-off not being invited to interview.
​The minimum cut-off is different for Home/EU applicants and Overseas candidates.

University College London (UCL)


​UCL do not operate a cut-off system for the BMAT examination, and tend to use it alongside other application factors in deciding which applicants to interview as well as offer spaces to. Of the approximately 2500 Medicine applicants, UCL interview a maximum of 700 for a total of 322 places. There is generally an additional emphasis on Section 3 of the BMAT for UCL applicants, with candidates often asked about their BMAT essay during their Medicine interview. As such, I would strongly advise UCL Medicine applicants to write down the key points from their BMAT essay following the examination and review these prior to the interview. UCL publish average BMAT scores on their website of candidates who have been interviewed or offered places as a guide.
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Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)

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  • BSMS introduced the BMAT to their application process in 2015, and operate a strict BMAT cut-off in considering applications suitability for interview.
  • BSMS use their own conversion of applicants’ BMAT results where applicants can score a maximum of 28 points: 9 marks for Section 1, 9 marks for Section 2, and 5 marks for each element of Section 3. Scores are then ranked in order and higher ranking applicants are invited for interview.

University of Leeds


  • The BMAT replaced the UKCAT in the University of Leeds application process in 2014
  • The University of Leeds do not operate a strict BMAT cut-off.
  • BMAT total score calculated through a sum of one’s BMAT Section 1 (40%), 2 (40%) and 3 scores (20%), although BMAT Section 3 is given half the weighting of the first two sections.
  • BMAT Section 3 score is also taken into consideration during the interview stage of the selection process.
  • Those in the top 20% of BMAT scores will receive the full mark available for this part of the application process, with those in the bottom 20% receiving the lowest mark available.
  • Overall BMAT weighting is equivalent to 50% of the personal statement weighting and 15% of the academic scoring weighting.
  • This means you can still get an interview if your performance in BMAT is below average.

Lancaster University

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  • Lancaster University first introduced the BMAT to their application process in 2016.
  • It is not clear how they use the BMAT score in determining who to invite to interview so it would be beneficial to review the website and contact their Admissions Office for up to date information and guidance.

Keele University

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  • International applicants hoping to study Medicine at Keele University are required to take the BMAT examination
  • The BMAT examination is used alongside one’s academic performance, personal statement and references in assessing candidates’ suitability.
  • UK Medicine applicants are required to take the UCAT examination.
  • Entry criteria is currently under review and as such, you should check the website regularly for updates.

Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine


​The BMAT examination is used alongside academic qualifications, personal statement, non-academic achievements and interview score in assessing applicants’ suitability for offer.

University of Malaya

BMAT (UMalaya) takes place once a year in February. Registration is through the University of Malaya website, with the test taken in English and using the same format as the conventional BMAT examination.
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BMAT scores are used alongside other application factors in assessing candidates’ suitability to study Medicine at the University of Malaya.

University of Navarra


  • Applicants can choose to sit the BMAT examination in February or November of the year of their application.
  • International applicants are required to sit either the BMAT examination or UNAV. National applicants are not required to sit the BMAT examinations
  • International applications will be assessed using a 70:30 weighting of BMAT/UNAV Score: Grade Point Average (GPA).
  • All candidates will also be interviewed as part of the admissions process.

Mahidol University

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  • Medicine applicants to Mahidol University are required to take the BMAT examination.
  • The BMAT is used alongside academic credentials to assess applicants.
  • Further details can be found on the Mahidol University website.

​Thammasat University (Chulabhorn International College of Medicine)

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  • Medicine and Dentistry applicants to Thammasat University are required to take the BMAT examination.
  • The BMAT is used alongside academic credentials to assess applicants.
  • Further details can be found on the Thammasat University website.

University of Melbourne

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  • International Dentistry applicants are required to take the BMAT examination.
  • The BMAT examination will be used in equal weighting with an applicant’s Grade Point Average (GPA) in allocating offers.