Specialist preparation for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine degrees
The CATS Cambridge Medics Specialist Programme prepares ambitious A Level students to apply for competitive university degrees in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine.
Delivered alongside students’ academic studies, the programme combines personalised university application guidance, UCAT preparation, medical work experience, academic enrichment and interview coaching.
Students develop the knowledge, experience and communication skills needed to make a competitive application to leading universities in the UK and worldwide.
What is the Medics Specialist Programme?
The Medics Specialist Programme is a structured university preparation pathway for students who want to become doctors, dentists or veterinary professionals.
Students receive specialist support throughout the university application process, from choosing an appropriate degree and university to preparing for admissions tests and interviews. The programme includes:
- Personalised university and course selection
- UCAS application guidance
- Personal statement development
- UCAT preparation
- Medical work experience and volunteering guidance
- Multiple Mini Interview practice
- Academic enrichment and competitions
- Regular academic monitoring
- Talks, workshops and university admissions events
Who is the programme for?
The programme is designed for determined first-year A Level students progressing into their second year who plan to apply for:
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science
- Related medical, biological or healthcare degrees
It is particularly suitable for students who are committed to a healthcare or veterinary career, motivated to take on additional academic challenges and keen to develop a strong, well-rounded university application.
Personalised university application guidance
Students receive expert guidance from the Head of Higher Education from the beginning of their studies at CATS Cambridge.
Dedicated Medics sessions begin during the first year of A Level study. Students then receive ongoing one-to-one support throughout their first and second years.
Application support includes:
• Advice on selecting universities and degree courses
• Guidance on medical, dental and veterinary school entry requirements
• One-to-one UCAS application support
• Personal statement development
• Advice on building a competitive academic profile
• Guidance on extracurricular and super-curricular activities
• Support in finding relevant work experience
Students can also meet admissions tutors and representatives from leading medical schools, gaining direct insight into what universities expect from successful applicants.
Specialist Medics preparation classes
Dedicated preparation classes help students understand each stage of applying to medical, dental and veterinary schools.
Sessions cover:
• Choosing the right Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine course
• Understanding entry requirements
• Developing a competitive application strategy
• Preparing for the UCAT and other required admissions tests
• Finding relevant work experience
• Developing application content
• Demonstrating interest in a chosen profession
• Building academic knowledge beyond the A Level curriculum
These sessions are delivered alongside students’ A Level studies in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
UCAT preparation
The University Clinical Aptitude Test, or UCAT, is used by many UK medical and dental schools as part of their admissions process.
Students receive structured UCAT preparation designed to improve their familiarity with the test and their ability to work accurately under time pressure.
UCAT support includes:
• Understanding the test format
• Developing effective test strategies
• Time-management techniques
• Practice with different question styles
• Improving speed and accuracy
• Building confidence through guided
preparation
UCAT arrangements and testing dates can change, so students receive guidance based on the requirements applying during their application year.
Medical work experience and volunteering
Relevant work experience helps aspiring healthcare professionals understand their chosen career and reflect meaningfully on what they have learned.
Where possible, students may complete at least nine hours of relevant experience and participate in two medical-related workshops.
Opportunities may include:
• Insight visits and shadowing in healthcare settings
• Programmes connected with Cambridge hospitals, including Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Royal Papworth Hospital
• NHS insight programmes
• Clinical science workshops
• Volunteering with organisations such as Oxfam and the British Red Cross
Students are also supported in finding additional volunteering opportunities during school holidays in their home countries.
Availability may vary, and individual placements cannot be guaranteed. The focus is on helping every student build relevant experience and understand how to reflect on it effectively in their application and interview.
Academic enrichment and competitions
Medical, dental and veterinary schools look for students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engagement beyond their core curriculum.
Students can strengthen their academic profile through:
• An Extended Project Qualification in a medical or science-related subject
• Independent research projects
• Biology Olympiads
• Chemistry Olympiads
• Physics Olympiads
• Mathematics Challenges
• Medical and scientific lectures
• Subject-specific super-curricular activities
These opportunities help students explore their interests, deepen their subject knowledge and demonstrate academic ambition.
Workshops, events and visiting speakers
Students benefit from a range of activities designed to provide a deeper understanding of Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine.
Opportunities may include:
• Oxford and Cambridge online Medicine conferences
• Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science workshops
• Competitive application workshops
• Medical ethics sessions
• Surgical skills workshops
• Talks from current medical students
• Presentations from CATS Cambridge alumni
• Visits from university representatives and admissions specialists
These experiences help students understand university expectations and explore the academic and professional realities of their chosen pathway.
Medical school interview preparation
Students who receive an interview invitation are supported with personalised interview coaching.
Preparation includes:
• One-to-one mock interviews
• Multiple Mini Interview practice
• Subject-specific academic interviews
• Communication and critical-thinking exercises
• Detailed feedback from experienced teachers
Students normally receive at least two Multiple Mini Interview practice sessions when relevant, with additional support provided where needed.
Interview preparation helps students communicate clearly, respond thoughtfully under pressure and reflect confidently on their academic interests and relevant experiences.
Academic monitoring
Achieving strong academic results is essential for students applying to Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine.
Students’ progress is monitored regularly throughout their studies. Where additional support is needed, targeted academic guidance helps students remain focused on the grades required for their chosen courses and universities.
University destinations
CATS Cambridge students have progressed to Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and related degree courses at leading institutions in the UK and internationally.
Destinations have included:
• Imperial College London
• University College London
• King’s College London
• Queen Mary University of London
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Bristol
• University of Nottingham
• Newcastle University
• University of East Anglia
• University of Exeter
• University of Liverpool
• University of St Andrews
• Royal Veterinary College
• St George’s, University of London
• Queen’s University Belfast
• Cardiff University
Related degree destinations have included Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Genetics, Immunology and Medical Sciences
Prepare for a future in Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine
CATS Cambridge Medics Specialist Programme supports students at every stage—from choosing courses and gaining relevant experience to preparing for the UCAT, submitting a university application and completing admissions interviews.
- A level
- Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics
- Brunel University London
- Medicine
- A level
- Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics
- Queen’s University Belfast
- Medicine
- A level
- Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Brunel University London
- Medicine MBBS
Prepare for future in medicine
Applying for a medical, dental or veterinary degree requires excellent academic results, relevant experience, careful preparation and a clear understanding of the profession. CATS Cambridge Medics Specialist Programme supports students at every stage.