UCAS is the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Each year we help our students to prepare their applications for their chosen universities. We advise them on their selection, making sure they choose the most suitable universities and courses. At the beginning of the Autumn term, an assembly is held to explain UCAS and the applications procedure. All students are given booklets detailing the application procedure and guidance for personal statements. This is followed by a UCAS talk to parents so they are fully informed on how to best support students.
Students are strongly encouraged to begin making appointments as early as possible and should ensure they have identified themselves as a potential early applicant in order that we help them prepare their personal statements and offer interview practice. Detailed information is given at each stage of the application process and on the exact requirements for entry to Medical, Dentistry, Veterinary and Law schools as well as for Oxford and Cambridge.
David Game College will ask applicants for Medicine/Dentistry, Law and Oxbridge to sit their own preliminary admissions tests similar to those used by universities to assess student potential prior to application.
In the Autumn term, an initial ‘Introduction to Oxbridge’ talk is held to explain what being a student at Oxbridge is like and what the college does to support applicants. In the summer term, potential applicants have one-to-one meetings with the Head of UCAS/Careers to discuss initial steps. This includes detailed advice on preparing personal statements and admissions tests. Students are given support preparing supplementary written work and mock interviews are organised in November and December.
Most students taking the UCAT and LNAT exams will be new to aptitude tests and so they are taught strategies on how to approach the tests. We explain the structure and content of each test and then focus on setting plenty of practice questions.
David Game Medical Programme
Students wishing to study Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and Pharmacy receive individual support throughout their studies to make sure that their application is successful. We also provide preparation and help with UCAT and BMAT admissions tests. The Medical Programme structure includes:
Typical A level choices for a medical degree:
BMAT is the BioMedical Admissions Test and is required for applicants to Medicine at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and UCL, and applicants for Veterinary Medicine at the RVC and Cambridge.
David Game College provides applicants with extensive advice and support to prepare for the test, and the College is registered as a BMAT test centre so students are able to sit the test in college.
Reforms to BMAT and Cambridge Assessment Admissions Tests
Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing is to withdraw from running a series of university admissions exams with effect from 2024-5. This includes BMAT (medicine), ENGAA (engineering), NSAA (natural sciences) and TMUA (mathematical skills) tests. These reforms do not affect 2023 entry. At present, they have not announced what alternative tests will replace these tests but it is likely that the UCAT will become the universal admissions test for medicine.
Almost all applicants will need to take the UCAT for one or more of their university choices. The UCAT is an aptitude test and has five subtests: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, decision analysis, and non-cognitive analysis.
The David Game Medical Programme is run by an expert team of tutors who have many years’ experience in sending students to medical and veterinary schools and to Pharmacy degree courses.
Required subjects: A Level Biology, Chemistry and Maths (or physics/psychology).
Students who sit the UCAT should achieve an average score of above 620 if their application is to be competitive.
Potential medics are not advised to take the one year Intensive A level course.
Applications through UCAS need to be in by 15th October, two months earlier than other degree courses. We will ensure you are prepared in time.
You are only allowed to apply for a maximum of four medical schools.
We will advise you on your choice.
Your Personal Statement is extremely important and therefore it must be carefully written to demonstrate that you have the necessary qualities for Medicine.
If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable English Language qualification.
You will almost certainly be interviewed and you will need guidance in interview technique.
You will need to demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to Medicine and show that you have had relevant work experience. We can even help you find voluntary work at a hospital or hospice in the London area.
www.bmat.org.uk
www.ucat.ac.uk
For potential law students we provide tailored advice for the LNAT as well as private tuition.
The LNAT is a non-subject-specific aptitude test used by the universities listed below to help them distinguish between applicants to Law undergraduate programmes. Questions are designed to test powers of comprehension, interpretation, analysis and deduction.
As of 2023 there are 10 UK universities that require LNAT:
