At Sidney, we pride ourselves on creating a relaxed environment that allows our medical students to flourish. We stand out from other Colleges as our teaching programme is led by practising clinicians who understand the challenges of studying medicine.

Important Note Concerning Interviews for 2024

Please note, All undergraduate admissions interviews at Sidney Sussex for the 2024-25 admissions round will be held online. Further details regarding interview platform will follow.

There are approximately 320 medical students in each year at Cambridge. In the early years of the course, students from all colleges come together to attend lectures and practical sessions, such as human dissection. 

Students within each College then meet for small group teaching sessions called 'Supervisions'. These typically last an hour, and provide an opportunity to discuss the week's topics with an expert in the field. The supervisor will set assignments to help guide the students' learning. Importantly, the supervision programme at Sidney is, in significant part, delivered by practising clinicians who are able to show students the relevance of the basic science disciplines they are studying. 

Away from the classrooms, lecture theatres and hospital attachments, the Sidney Sussex Medical and Veterinary Society provides a supportive social environment and opportunities for networking and academic enrichment.

Sidney has an extensive pastoral care team that is always available to students should they need support.

So, if you would like to study medicine in a rewarding environment, in a year group that is neither too small nor too large, with an enthusiastic team of Directors of Studies, then Sidney is the College for you! 

Undergraduate Study

Supervision at Sidney is provided by academics who are dedicated to teaching. We aim to tailor our teaching programme to the needs of the students and always welcome their feedback and suggestions in doing so. Our staff are proud to have won several University teaching awards over the last few years. 

After the first three years, students graduate and move on to the Clinical School. Sidney medics have generally done very well in their clinical studies, ranking highly in their overall evaluations and being awarded prizes for their performance. Clinical students continue to participate in Sidney's biomedical activities through its Medical and Veterinary Society. One of the ways Sidney stands out is in integrating clinical students into our undergraduate teaching programme, which helps develop their professional and personal skills whilst giving back to the college community. 

Our clinical graduates go on to pursue successful careers in biomedicine, mostly based in the NHS as clinicians or clinician-scientists.

Written work

We will not ask you to submit any written work as part of your application.

Admissions assessments

You will need to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test.

You will need to register in advance for this test.

Visit our UCAT page for more information.

Interviews
  • All undergraduate admissions interviews at Sidney Sussex for the 2024-25 admissions round will be held online. Further details regarding interview platform will follow.
  • Two interviews; both will have a focus on Medicine and involve working through some practical problems.

Subject requirements
  • Learn about our standard entry requirements for Medicine on the University website.
  • In addition to the standard entry requirements, at Sidney applicants not taking A-level or IB Higher Level Biology may be asked to undertake additional reading prior to commencing their studies. The most common combination of subjects taken is Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.
  • Please note that offers are set on an individual basis using all of the information available to us in context of the entire field of applicants.
Work experience

We seek to admit students with an outstanding record in relevant biomedical science subjects, who will be able to take a scientifically sound, critical approach to the practice of medicine, and who may have the potential to become successful clinician-scientists. At the same time, we seek applicants who exhibit the human qualities of excellent clinicians, such as compassion, empathy, integrity and drive.

Accordingly, the admissions process evaluates the applicants’ academic background and scientific aptitude, as well as evidence of exposure to relevant medical environments through volunteering or shadowing experiences.

Work experience is about much more than 'ticking the box'. It is about making sure this is the right subject [and career] for you. You’re strongly advised (though not required) to undertake some relevant work experience (either paid or voluntary) in a health or social care organisation. We aren’t prescriptive about how this is obtained, recognising the widely differing opportunities available. 

Discover more on the University website.

Beyond the syllabus

Are you excited to learn more about the subject by delving beyond the school syllabus? Explore our Beyond the syllabus resource hub to discover interesting websites, podcasts, videos, and books related to the subject you love!

Typical undergraduate intake each year

9

Typical A-level offer

A*A*A

Typical IB offer

42 points overall, with 776 at Higher Level

Postgraduate Study

At the University of Cambridge applications for postgraduate study are processed centrally by the Postgraduate Admissions Office. The application form and supporting documents are submitted electronically via their website and the online self-service system, though academic decisions on applications are made by the Faculty or Department.

Funding

There are many funding opportunities at Cambridge from a wide variety of sources including the Cambridge Trust, Gates Cambridge, Colleges, Departments, Research Councils and central University funds. You can use the Postgraduate Admissions' Cambridge Funding Search to find out which type of funding you might be eligible for, and how and when to apply. They also operate a Postgraduate Funding Competition to co-ordinate some of these funding opportunities and make the process easier for you as an applicant.

To find information about the funds available for postgraduate students at Sidney, visit our Studentships and funding page.

Useful links

Course directory | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

Funding | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

How do I apply? | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

International students | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

Opportunities to work, travel, and study

Most of our students find it helpful to further explore their interests by gaining practical experience during university holidays. In recent years, Sidney Sussex students have secured internships in university research groups, leading technology companies, start-ups, and also in the financial sector. At Sidney Sussex, we have close relationships with a number of industries, which can provide valuable insight into the process of applying for internships.

Discover more on our Opportunities to work, travel, and study page.