Applying

Applying for medical school may seem intimidating, so we have divided the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine application process into 6 simple steps: FAQs, Eligibility, Apply via UCAS, Interview process, Accept your place and Apply for funding.

Applications are closed for 2025 entry, however, you may still find the information below helpful for 2026.

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6 simple application steps

01
Read our Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers you need in our Frequently Asked Questions.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions from applicants like you. Explore our FAQs to learn more about our school, programme, and whether PCSM is the right fit for you. We’re constantly updating this resource, so check back often.

02
Check your eligibility

You need to meet minimum academic requirements and be a home student. You may qualify for a score uplift as part of our commitment to remove barriers to studying medicine.

To apply for Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, you need to meet minimum academic requirements and be a home student.

As part of our commitment to widening access to medical education, we strongly encourage individuals from marginalised backgrounds to apply.

03
Apply via UCAS

Applications for our Graduate Entry Programme in Medicine are now closed and will reopen in September 2025 for entry in 2026.

When you are ready to apply, search for the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine on UCAS and you will find the Graduate Entry Medicine programme.

04
Interview process

If your application is successful, you will be invited to interview for a place at the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine. To help with your preparation, we have provided the interview assessment criteria.

Our Multiple-Mini interviews (MMIs) may be conducted in a blended format with a mixture of in person and asynchronous interviews.

The MMI sections will assess candidates across the following areas:

  • Commitment to medicine and understanding of the role of a doctor
  • Potential to contribute to the medical school and the region
  • Teamwork and leadership
  • Ethics
  • Empathy
  • Resilience and adaptability

Work experience with service-users is strongly recommended for candidates and will be assessed during the interview, together with other information from your personal statement.

Candidates who do not have links with the local area will be assessed on their understanding of and interest in improving the health outcomes for the people of Cumbria.

In line with Department of Health and Social Care guidelines, our admissions policy is not restricted to residents of Cumbria, and it promotes equality and fairness for prospective students nationally. Domestic students from all parts of the UK are encouraged to apply.

05
Accept your place

When you have received an offer and accepted your place, you will need to meet a series of requirements to ensure you are fit for practice.

We are required by the General Medical Council (GMC) to ensure you are not affected by a condition that would make you unable to acquire the skills to qualify and work safely as a doctor.

If you are offered a place, you must be immunised against a range of infections to meet health and safety standards necessary for working with patients. You will be sent details of the vaccinations you need with your offer.  

It may take up to eight months to complete the programme of vaccinations. It is advised to arrange with your doctor or a health clinic to begin this programme as soon as you receive this information. Medical students are also required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Chronic viral infections that are carried in the blood can be transmitted during surgery to patients from an infected healthcare worker. 

When you come to the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, to comply with NHS requirements, you will be offered blood tests to check you are not infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV, before you are cleared for direct surgical experience. 

If you test positive for any of these infections, you can continue your programme, but you will not be allowed to assist with or undertake surgery or other ‘exposure-prone’ procedures on patients. This will not prevent you from qualifying or practising as a doctor, except for the restriction on these procedures. 

All UK medical schools have a duty to ensure that no member of the public is harmed because of training medical students. The Imperial College London fitness to practise policy may be activated in cases where significant concerns have been raised about the behaviour of students, including prior to their admission to the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine. 

06
Apply for funding

There are student loans, bursaries and scholarships available to you, including an Imperial College London bursary open to Pears Cumbria School of Medicine students. Find out more from this funding overview.

FAQs

We’ve collated some of the most frequently asked questions about applying and studying at Pears Cumbria School of Medicine. Read through our FAQs here. 

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
Read our terms and conditions

Contact us

For enquiries on Admissions please email us at cumbriamedadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk