If you are researching top UK universities for Medicine, you have likely come across Oxbridge – the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. These are regarded as the best universities in the UK and among the top globally.
However, several leading London universities also rival Oxbridge in terms of student satisfaction, academic quality, and global reputation. The G5 Universities consist of five of the most prestigious universities in the world, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, The London School of Economics and Political Science, and University College London.
G5 universities attract some of the best candidates worldwide, making them highly competitive, especially for those interested in studying Medicine – one of the most popular academic courses.
This guide offers a clear overview of how competitive Medicine admissions can be by analysing the 2023 and 2024 acceptance rates across each G5 university. Understanding these statistics is a crucial first step for any prospective Medicine applicant preparing for one of the most challenging and selective application processes in higher education.
What Is A G5 University?
Often referred to as the Golden Triangle universities, and occasionally the Loxbridge Triangle – a nod to the university cities of Cambridge, London, and Oxford – a G5 university represents one of the most prestigious and research-intensive academic institutions in the world. Although these terms are not official, they are commonly used to refer to the following universities.
Are there any other golden triangle universities?
The universities listed above are the most widely recognised as G5 or Golden Triangle universities. However, some sources, such as Wikipedia, occasionally include the following institutions in this group.
Rival Golden Triangle Universities:
Among these, King’s College London is the most frequently mentioned as an additional G5 university across platforms. In this guide, however, we will focus on the five core institutions that are traditionally recognised as the G5 universities.
Medicine Admissions Data Explained
Before diving into the numbers, it’s important to understand the key metrics used in this guide. We’ll be focusing on five main indicators for each G5 university: Applicants, Offers, Acceptances, Offer Rate, and Acceptance Rate.
- Applicants: The total number of applicants who applied to a university or course.
- Offers: The number of applicants who were offered a place.
- Acceptances: The number of applicants who accepted their offer and secured their place.
Offer Rate: The percentage of applicants who received an offer. This is calculated by dividing the number of offers by the number of applicants.
Offer Rate = Number of Offers / Number of Applicants
Acceptance Rate: The percentage of applicants who met their offer requirements and were ultimately admitted. This figure is always lower than the Offer Rate, as not all offer-holders accept their place or meet the final entry requirements (such as exam results).
Acceptance Rate = Number of admitted applicants / Total number of applicants
Where Is Medicine Admissions Data Published?
Admissions data for UK medical schools is available through official university websites, government education portals, and reputable third-party aggregators.
Univeristy reports are highly informative and accurate as they come from the primary source, but they can also be overwhelming, especially for those looking for data on niche topics.
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G5 Medical School Acceptance Rates
Medicine is one of the most sought-after courses in the UK and among the most popular globally, but how fierce is the competition?
Let’s take a closer look at the data for each of the G5 universities offering Medicine. As LSE does not offer a Medicine course, it is excluded from this analysis.
Oxford Medicine Acceptance Rate
2023 Entry
Applicants: 1,712
Offers: 162
Acceptances: 149
Offer Rate: 9.5%
Acceptance Rate: 8.7%
Given the high level of competition for Medicine programmes nationwide, it’s not surprising that the offer and acceptance rates for Oxford are so low. However, these rates are lower than those for Cambridge Medicine in the same year, largely due to Oxford’s significantly lower offers of 162 compared to Cambridge’s 288.
2024 Entry
Applicants: 1,500
Offers: 170
Acceptances: Currently Not Publicly Available
Offer Rate: 11.3%
Acceptance Rate: Currently Not Publicly Available
As you can see, in 2024 there were approximately 12.4% fewer applicants compared to 2023, while the number of offers increased by around 5%. This suggests a slightly more favourable admissions landscape for applicants. While acceptance figures are not yet available, the higher offer rate (11.3% compared to 9.5% in 2023) may indicate a modest easing in competitiveness, though Oxford remains one of the most selective medical schools in the UK.
Cambridge Medicine Acceptance Rate
2023 Entry
Applicants: 1,754
Offers: 288
Acceptances: 273
Offer Rate: 16.4%
Acceptance Rate: 15.6%
The Cambridge Medicine acceptance rates remain relatively low, though it is not the most competitive programme offered by the university. Additionally, most candidates who receive offers confirm their place, with only 15 applications being rejected in 2023. Notably, the acceptance rate for Cambridge’s Medicine programme is almost 79% higher than Oxford’s in 2023.
2024 Entry
Based on data released through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, some 2024 admissions data are also available.
Applicants: 1,783
Offers: 289
Acceptances: Currently Not Publicly Available
Offer Rate: 16.2%
Acceptance Rate: Currently Not Publicly Available
For more Cambridge statistics, check out our comprehensive guide Cambridge Acceptance Rates 2023.
Imperial Medicine Acceptance Rate
As of now, Imperial College London is the only G5 university without available admission data for the 2024 entry. Let’s have a look at the data for the 2023 entry.
2023 Entry
Applicants: 3,459
Offers: 648
Acceptances: 344
Offer Rate: 18.7%
Acceptance Rate: 9.9%
The number of applicants and offer rate for Imperial are significantly higher than Oxbridge, but interestingly, the university’s acceptance rate is not as high. This could be due to several factors, including offer-holders not meeting the academic requirements (e.g., A-level grades or exam results) or choosing to accept offers from other universities instead. For more Imperial admission statistics, check out our comprehensive guide Imperial College London Acceptance Rates 2023, or ICL’s official guide Facts and Figures.
UCL Medicine Acceptance Rate (University College London)
2023 Entry
Applicants: 3,841
Offers: 439
Acceptances: 334
Offer Rate: 11.4%
Acceptance Rate: 8.7%
UCL had the highest number of Medicine applicants among the G5 universities in 2023, but also relatively low offer and acceptance rates. In fact, UCL’s offer rate is the second-lowest among the G5, after Oxford, highlighting the intense competition for a place in its Medicine program. To learn more about UCL’s 2023 acceptance rates you can check out the official UCL’s 2022/23 Undergraduate Entry statistics.
2024 Entry
Applicants: 3,585
Offers: 503
Acceptances: 334
Offer Rate: 14%
Acceptance Rate: 9.3%
As we can see, for 2024 UCL had a slight increase in its Medicine applicants, however, the acceptance rate remained proportionally low. To learn more about UCL’s 2024 acceptance rates you can check out the official UCL’s 2023/24 Undergraduate Entry statistics.
2023 and 2024 Entries
Below are the average admission figures for 2023 and 2024.
Applicants: 3,713
Offers: 471
Acceptances: 334
Offer Rate: 12.7%
Acceptance Rate: 9%
The following table summarises our findings.
| Oxford | Cambridge | Imperial | UCL | G5 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicants | 1,712 | 1,500 | 1,754 | 1,783 | 3,459 | N/A | 3,841 | 3,585 | 10,510 |
| Offers | 162 | 170 | 288 | 289 | 648 | N/A | 439 | 503 | 1,601 |
| Acceptances | 149 | N/A | 273 | N/A | 344 | N/A | 334 | 334 | 1,100 |
| Offer Rate | 9.5% | 11.3% | 16.4% | 16.2% | 18.7% | N/A | 11.4% | 14% | 15.2% |
| Acceptance Rate | 8.7% | N/A | 15.6% | N/A | 9.9% | N/A | 8.7% | 9.3% | 10.5% |
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G5 Medical School Acceptance Rates – Key Takeaways
If you are considering applying for Medicine at a G5 university, you’re probably wondering which one offers the best chances of success and which is the hardest to get into.
Based on the most recent G5 Medicine admissions statistics, there are some key differences in offer and acceptance rates across the group, which provide valuable insights for aspiring Medicine applicants.
Below, we break down the key facts to help you better understand this ultra-competitive admissions landscape and ultimately strengthen your preparation.
Most Competitive G5 University for Medicine
Oxford stands out as the most competitive university in the G5 for Medicine. Despite having a relatively low offer rate (at 9.5% in 2023), Oxford still manages to offer a substantial number of places to applicants. However, due to the sheer prestige and global reputation of this institution, applicants should expect a very high level of competition.
Applicants should focus on their academic excellence, UCAT performance, and Personal Statement to increase their chances of securing an offer.
G5 Universities With Best Odds For Medicine Applicants
While still highly selective, Cambridge offers the best odds of success among the G5. Its offer rate is among the highest (alongside Imperial), and its acceptance rate of 15.6% gives applicants a comparatively stronger chance of securing a place.
Imperial College London had the highest offer rate among the G5 universities at 18.7% in 2023, which might suggest that it’s easier to secure an offer here compared to Oxford or Cambridge. However, its acceptance rate of 9.9% is relatively low, indicating that even after receiving an offer, many students either fail to meet the academic requirements or choose to go elsewhere.
With 3,459 applicants in 2023, Imperial remains an attractive choice for prospective Medicine students, particularly those aiming for a prestigious London-based university. Applicants should ensure that they meet all academic and non-academic criteria to boost their chances of acceptance.
G5 Universities With Most Medicine Applicants
UCL attracts the greatest number of medical applicants among the G5 universities, with an average of 3,713 applicants across the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles. Despite this, its average offer rate for the same period is relatively low at 12.7%, and the average acceptance rate stands at just 9%. This makes UCL highly competitive and underscores the strong demand for its Medicine programme.
In second place is Imperial, which had 3,459 applicants in 2023, followed by Cambridge with 1,783 applicants in 2024.
G5 University With Most Medicine Offers
Imperial receives more Medicine applications than both Oxford and Cambridge and has the highest offer rate in the G5 group (18.7%). However, its acceptance rate is only 9.9%, suggesting that a significant number of offer-holders either do not meet their conditions or choose to go elsewhere.
G5 Universities vs Other UK Medical Schools
For 2023, the average Medicine acceptance rate across the G5 universities was 10.5%, with an average offer rate of 15.2%. In comparison, many other UK medical schools have higher offer and acceptance rates, often ranging from 12% to 25%.
G5 universities continue to attract some of the strongest applicants in the UK and globally, and the data clearly shows how competitive Medicine remains among these prestigious institutions. From Oxford’s razor-thin 8.7% acceptance rate to Imperial’s broad applicant pool, each university presents its own set of challenges and opportunities.
Preparation for G5 Medicine Universities
For aspiring medical students, understanding acceptance statistics is only part of the preparation. Applicants should also focus on academic excellence, meaningful work experience, strong Personal Statements, and outstanding interview performance to stand out.
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