簡介：The introduction of A* grades at A level has produced another step change in the already fearsome entry grades at UK medical schools. Entrants at 20 of the 30 schools average more than 500 points in the latest table, compared with nine last year, and none comes close to dropping below 450 points. No other subject has such high standards. Yet only four subjects attract more applications, even though candidates are restricted to four medical schools, and a decline of less than 3 per cent for courses beginning in 2012 hardly dented the level of competition. The opening of new medical schools a decade ago was expected to ease this pressure on places, but there were still nearly 11 applications to every place in 2011. The top four remain the same for the third year in succession, with Oxford ahead of Cambridge thanks largely to satisfaction levels that are 8 percentage points ahead of any other medical school. Cambridge has the highest entry standards and recorded the best results in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. At least 80 per cent of its research was considered world-leading or internationally excellent in all but one of the eight specialisms in which it submitted work. Universities were able to submit research in up to 12 areas (called units of assessment, UoA). Full details can be seen for UoA 1–9, 12, 14 and 15 at www.rae.ac.uk/results. Employment scores are no longer used as a measure (although they are still shown for guidance) to avoid small differences distorting positions in a subject where virtually all graduates become junior doctors or researchers. Only four schools registered less than full employment in 2010 and none dropped below 98 per cent. Undergraduates have to be prepared to work long hours, particularly towards the end of the course. But student satisfaction is generally high, even if it does not reach the levels seen in some subjects. Just Oxford managed to satisfy more than 85 per cent of undergraduates, but only five dropped below 70 per cent on this measure. Medicine is also second in the earnings league, with average starting salaries of more than ￡29,000 in 2010. Nearly all schools demand chemistry and most biology. Physics or maths is required by some, either as an alternative or addition to biology Universities will want to see evidence of commitment to the subject through work experience or voluntary work. Almost all schools interview candidates, and several use one of the two specialist aptitude tests (see chapter 1). The figures for Exeter and Plymouth, in joint 14th place, relate to the Peninsula Medical School, which has been run jointly by the two universities. From 2013, the school will separate and applications should be made to the University of Exeter Medical School or Plymouth University Peninsula Medical School.以下是2013年times英國大學排名醫學專業排名。