MEDICINE GAP YEAR SHORT TERM

Updated 25th Nov, 2025

The Gap Year Medicine Course and Shadowing Programme is running as normal, with no disruption to the timetable. Students interested in January 2026 entry are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as many dates are already full or have limited availability.

Students seeking a course that includes a medical internship are advised to register for the 6-week programme, which offers an additional 2-week or 4-week clinical internship. This internship is designed to reinforce classroom learning with valuable hands-on clinical experience. All students will receive credit-bearing certificates, as well as an official certificate from the hospital or clinic where they complete their internship—an invaluable addition to any UCAS application for an MBBS programme.

This intensive gap year course is suitable for students aged 17+ who aspire to become doctors, nurses, dentists, or any other medical professionals, as well as for current medical students who wish to strengthen their knowledge or gain additional clinical and shadowing experience in the UK. It is also ideal for those taking a gap year to travel or re-sit exams before entering an MBBS programme. The course takes place at the University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU.

The programme is perfect for UK and international students who have completed their A Levels, IB, or equivalent qualifications and wish to take a one-term medical course during their gap year while exploring university options in the UK.

The course is primarily aimed at students who have finished secondary or senior high school and are taking a gap year before applying to medical school in the UK or abroad. It is also suitable for students who wish to deepen their medical knowledge and skills. The programme runs for 6 to 10 weeks, consisting of 6 weeks of medical studies, followed by an optional 2-week or 4-week full-time internship, during which students will shadow doctors in clinics or hospitals.

The academic component covers all essential knowledge needed to confidently apply to a top medical university. Students will study key areas of the university-level medical syllabus, including Pathology, Anatomy, Immunology, Cardiology, and Genetics, along with hands-on practical workshops such as suturing and patient-doctor communication.

The course also provides UCAT preparation, personal statement guidance, interview practice, and guided tours of leading UK medical schools, including UCL, King’s College London, Imperial College London, the University of Manchester, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge.

For students already enrolled in medical school who do not require UCAT or medical-school entry preparation, the programme offers supplemental clinical skills workshops and advanced medical procedure training. This includes laparoscopic (“keyhole surgery”) skills training, with clinical demonstrations and hands-on practice using artificial and real animal tissue. These sessions are designed to significantly strengthen and develop students’ practical laparoscopic abilities.

This course is suitable for and attended by UK and overseas students who would like to enter Medical School and have decided to take a year out – a gap year before their application. It is mainly for:

This course includes everything student needs to have the confidence and think like a doctor.

This intensive course will be a condensed study of the material learned in 1^st year of Medical School and cement all the information learned at A level / IB or equivalent (if overseas student).

In order to gain a place at a top Medical School, it’s necessary to demonstrate exceptional grades in Science subjects (especially Chemistry and Biology), as well as showing evidence of commitment to the field. This will usually mean gaining work experience. This course will include a 2-week  or 4-week Internship / shadowing programme with a fully qualified doctor at a London clinic / or Hospital.

This 1 term Gap Year Intensive Medical Preparation Course will focus on intensive and fun lessons and hands-on laboratory clinics and workshops to make medicine understandable and visually interesting. Students will be involved in hands-on experience in suturing, testing vital signs, blood pressure testing and simulation exercises to test diagnosis and treating patients that will prove invaluable when the student is put with real patients and doctors during the Internship / shadowing programme in a clinic or hospital.

You will learn concepts on:

• organisation of the body and Human Anatomy
• Physiology, Genetics, Immunology and Pharmacology
• Biochemistry and Medical Genetics
• Medical Sociology
• workshops on medical techniques such as suturing

In this leading Medical Gap Year course, you will cover an overview of the medical syllabus of first year at University while exploring topics ranging from:

• Endocrinology
• Anatomy
• Gastrointestinal and Renal Systems
• Brain Anatomy
• Neural processes
• Cardiology
• Respiratory Functions
• Immunology
• Histology
• Suturing
• Organs and Body Cavities

 UCAT and GAMSAT

A good score in UCAT / GAMSAT is essential in obtaining a place in a top Medical School. Whatever exam you need to sit or improve your score on, our tutors and top Medical teachers will give you practice papers and techniques and thorough preparation in these general admission exams for UK Medical Schools so that you can improve your current score and be totally confident on the day of the real exam.

UCAT exams for 2026 are normally in the Autumn and dates for 2026 are: 6th July 2026 to 25th September 2026 with registration in Mid May 2026

UCAT Exam 2026 Dates

UCAT exams for 2026 are normally in the Autumn and dates for 2026 are: 6th July 2026 to 25th September 2026 with registration in Mid May 2026 

More information about UCAT

Students will be thoroughly prepared for this exam and feel they have prepared for this thoroughly with our course. UCAT exams take place between July and October each year.

Admissions Talks and UCAS, University Tours and Guidance

Students will receive help with their UCAS application, personal statements, and interview practice so they feel confident. Students will be given guidance on application to various UK Medical Schools. Tours of top Medical schools in the UK will be included in the course.

Recommended Reading List

1. Netter – Atlas of Human anatomy (6^th edition)
2.Guyton and Hall – Textbook of Medical Physiology (13^th ed)
3.Gilroy, Basic Neurology (3^rd ed)
4.Ellen Rothman, White Coat,
5. Basic Life support Provider Manual

This Intensive Medical Gap Year Preparation course includes an optional 2-week or 4-week full time Medical Internship / shadowing that will allow the medical student to obtain the necessary placement experience when they apply to Medical School. The students will intern and shadow with a fully qualified doctor minimum MBBS. By shadowing of the doctor student will gain the experience needed in any application to Medical School.

Students will receive a fully written report of what they have achieved from their clinic and doctor they have interned with. The written report will include details of what they have done and covered during their Internship period, which will prove invaluable for their future applications to Medical School.

Internships will normally be within one of the London NHS hospitals or London clinics. We will find placement normally within one of the large teaching hospitals to give students an ideal volunteering role as well as insight into working within large teaching hospital or Doctors clinic.

The internships  and shadowing programmes will normally be in one of the following:

Students who choose the residential type of study will be accommodated in one of the London University campuses (Bloomsbury, central London).

Accommodation is provided in premium single en-suite rooms (twin / sharing en-suite room can be organised upon request should students wish to share with a friend). Typically students will be accommodated on single-sex corridors or floors.

Breakfast and dinner is served and eaten in the campus dining hall, which provides a bright and comfortable space for communal meals. Students will enjoy a varied and healthy diet: all meals are freshly prepared and special diets can be catered for with advance notice. Lunch is provided near the place of study  or clinic / hospital throughout the internship period.

1. Students  must be aged 17+ and interested in going to do an MBBS / Med School or in a Gap year before entry to Med School
2. Registrations accepted from the UK or Overseas - For overseas students is a visa is needed LRE provide admissions letters to gain entry into the UK to attend the course
3. Students must have good Grades - A Levels, SAT over 3 , IB score of 30+ or equivalent, 3 A level's
4. All nationalities with a good level of English B1 minimum on CEFR
5. For all Non EU nationals our placement team will help students obtain the necessary Visa and UK entry clearance papers necessary to attend the Gap Year course.
6. Students must be highly motivated and be thinking seriously of applying to Medical School or related - Dentistry, Nursing, Psychology, Veterinary Science or already an undergraduate already in Medicine School year 1-5 MBBS
7. Students must command a good level of English: minimum– IELTS 5-6, TOEFL iBT 35-59, TOEIC 526-750, Cambridge FCE, IGCSE English grades A-C. If the student has attended a school / college outside of the UK and the lessons were taught in English ie International School then they are exempt from this.  If you are unsure of your English level please contact us.