Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has announced that they’ll be accepting the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) instead of the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) for their admissions test starting from the AY2024-2025 intake. The BMAT conducted by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing will no longer be accepted from the 2024 admissions exercise.
This is great news for potential applicants because the UCAT is a computer-based test that’s more accessible for international students who may not be able to travel to take the BMAT.
The switch to the UCAT is expected to widen the pool of applicants who can apply to LKCMedicine.
If you haven’t heard of LKCMedicine, it’s a joint medical school between NTU and Imperial College London that offers a six-year medical program that includes a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree as well as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Global Health.
So, if you’re interested in studying medicine in Singapore, now’s a great time to check out LKCMedicine! More news on the new UCAT requirement for LKCMedicine admissions will be available on their website by April 2023.
What does it mean for you as an applicant?
Beginning in AY2024/25, students applying to UK and Singapore medical schools no longer have to prepare for both the UCAT and BMAT. This change has come as welcome news to many aspiring medical students. These students have long faced the challenge of studying for both entrance exams in order to be considered for admission.
While some UK medical schools still accept BMAT scores, this list is becoming shorter. As of October 2023, only a handful of institutions, including Imperial College London, Lancaster University, University College London, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (to be confirmed), and University of Leeds (to be confirmed), will require BMAT scores for 2024 entry. As such, students are encouraged to pay close attention to the admissions requirements of the schools they are interested in.
With the BMAT set to be discontinued, students preparing to apply to medical schools in the UK should instead prioritize studying for the UCAT. This is particularly relevant as there is news that the BMAT will be replaced by an alternative arrangement for UK medical schools. The UCAT is likely to be the preferred exam going forward.
Overall, these changes to the entrance requirements for certain medical schools will be a welcome relief for many aspiring medicine students. By focusing their efforts on preparing for the UCAT and keeping up-to-date with changes to the admission process, students can maximize their chances of securing a place in the medical school of their dreams.
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