Aston University Medicine: A Canadian Student’s Guide to a Birmingham MBChB
Aston doesn’t have the centuries-old prestige of Oxbridge, but it does have modern facilities, a central Birmingham location, and a strong focus on early clinical experience. If you want the advantages of a small medical school while still enjoying the resources of a major city, this could be the right fit.
🏥 Your Medical Journey at Aston
Aston keeps things hands-on from the start, with patient contact beginning in Year 1 and growing each year.
📖 Year 1: Learn the basics of anatomy, physiology, and clinical skills while meeting patients in GP and community settings.
🩺 Year 2: Dive into body systems, enhance your clinical skills, and spend more time in both hospitals and GP clinics.
🚑 Years 3–4: Rotate through hospital specialties and community placements, building experience in everything from surgery to psychiatry.
🎓 Year 5: Work alongside junior doctors in an advanced apprenticeship model, preparing for life after graduation.
🏆 Graduation: Earn your MBChB and eligibility for UK Foundation training.
🌱 Newer School, Big Advantage
For Canadian applicants, Aston’s newness can be an asset — smaller cohorts, more personalised teaching, and access to Birmingham’s large, diverse NHS network. While it doesn’t yet feature in high-profile medicine rankings, the university’s overall strong satisfaction scores and modern curriculum make it a smart choice for students who value both academic quality and real-world experience.
📊 Entry Requirements for Canadians
Grades: High school diploma with at least 85–90% in senior-level Biology and Chemistry, plus one other subject.
UCAT: Competitive scores usually in the top 25% of applicants; aim for around 2700+ to be competitive.
Interview: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) format.
Other: Evidence of volunteering, healthcare-related experience, and strong communication skills expected.
🗣️ Real Student Quotes
“Placements are varied and you get exposure to a wide patient demographic.” – TSR user
“The lecturers are approachable and genuinely want you to do well.” – Reddit r/medschoolUK
“As a newer course, there are occasional tweaks in organisation, but feedback is listened to.” – 6med review
🧑🎓 Student Life & Support Networks
Aston might have a smaller medical school, but the wider university offers a big variety of student societies. Faith groups include the Islamic Society, Christian Union, Jewish Society, and Hindu Society, alongside cultural communities like the African-Caribbean Society, Pakistani Society, and East Asian Society.
Medical students have MedSoc, plus specialist interest groups for surgery, global health, and primary care.
As a Canadian Muslim student reviewing Aston, I like that there are plenty of opportunities to connect with others — whether through faith, culture, or academic activities — while still having the benefits of a smaller, supportive environment.
🌆 Living in Birmingham
Studying at Aston means living in a city that’s always on the move. You can explore the Bullring shopping centre, grab halal street food in Digbeth, or take in live music at the O2 Academy. With trains and trams linking you to the rest of the UK, weekend trips are simple. Birmingham’s diversity means you’ll find communities and cuisines from all over the world, right on your doorstep.
🇨🇦 Canadian Applicant Tip
Aston’s smaller cohorts mean more personalised support, which can be a real advantage when adjusting to UK medical training. Its Birmingham location offers diverse clinical exposure that’s valuable for both UK and Canadian practice. Aim for a UCAT score of 2700+ and strong science grades to stay competitive in the international pool.
✅ Pros
Small cohort size for personalised support
Central Birmingham location with diverse patient exposure
Early patient contact from Year 1
Modern facilities and integrated curriculum
⚠️ Cons
Newer medical school with less historic prestige
Urban environment may be busy for some
Organisation is still evolving as the programme matures
🧭 Final Thoughts
Aston might be newer to the UK medical scene, but it offers something special — a small, supportive community in a big, vibrant city. For students ready to take advantage of early patient contact, diverse clinical experiences, and a modern curriculum, it’s a school that blends the best of both worlds.
– Malik Ulch
