Academic qualifications

WMS seeks motivated students who possess the ability, willingness and commitment to academic and personal growth.

The demand for places on the Warwick MB ChB programme is significantly greater than those available and therefore we use an innovative admissions process to assess the potential of each individual applicant and to determine which students will gain the most from, and contribute to, all that WMS has to offer. To apply you should have, or expect to gain, at least an upper second class honours (2:1) degree (or overseas equivalent) in biological, natural, physical or health sciences. We do not consider A level and GCSE examination results.

Candidates with lower second class degrees and a doctoral qualification may be considered for entry to the MB ChB.

• See the full list of acceptable degree subjects for entry in 2011

If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of your degree please email The University of Warwick Admissions Office at: pgteam4@warwick.ac.uk. Please include details of your degree title, awarding institution and modules studied. You may be asked to provide a transcript of the subjects you have taken in order for your query to be answered.

Personal qualities

In addition to strong academic ability, the Selectors for WMS are looking for a clear awareness of the demands of medicine as a profession, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and significant work experience in a caring environment. Our admissions procedures are designed to consider all these factors.

We are looking for students who are able to:

• empathise with patients
• communicate effectively in a wide range of situations
• treat others in a caring manner
• work well as part of a team
• organise and problem solve
• show initiative and resilience
• develop self-directed learning styles.

Candidates can discover whether they have these qualities by acquiring significant work experience in the caring professions – perhaps as a ward volunteer, as an auxiliary nurse or as an active first aider. We have found that in the past students have learnt a great deal about themselves and their commitment to medicine in these types of placements.

To judge whether candidates have these appropriate qualities, we carefully consider the written material on the UCAS form, the UKCAT score and candidates' selection centre scores.