We aim to graduate excellent clinicians who are equipped to practise in the 21st century, with a deep understanding of the scientific foundations of medicine and high levels of clinical expertise. The course is designed to ensure you meet the necessary standards in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes that new doctors need, as identified by the GMC in its publication, ‘Tomorrow’s Doctors’. Throughout the course there is an emphasis on feedback to help you improve your knowledge, understanding and performance of medical practice. The modern, spiral, highly-integrated medical curriculum combines a range of learning strategies, including early clinical experience, integrated communication and clinical skills teaching, practical sessions, including dissection, problem-based-learning (PBL), lectures and seminars. You will have extensive experience of clinical placements in both primary and secondary care settings and in the community sector. Inter-professional learning and student interests are fostered throughout the programme. Further opportunities for diversity are encouraged through intercalation. Opportunities for intercalation to pursue an additional qualification in a medicine-related subject are available and include studying at bachelor’s level after the second year or master’s level after the fourth year. Intercalation is a year out of your undergraduate medical studies in order to study a subject area in greater depth before returning to complete the medical course. An intercalated degree provides you with an opportunity to pursue an additional qualification in a medicine-related subject that interests you, acquire a better understanding of basic biomedical sciences, medical humanities and research methodologies, publish scientific papers and present at conferences.

What will this mean for my future? Successful completion of the MBChB course provides you with a primary medical qualification (PMQ). Holding a PMQ entitles you to provisional registration with the General Medical Council. Provisionally registered doctors can only practise in approved Foundation Year 1 posts. There is a national application process for Foundation Year 1 posts during the final year of the course, and posts are allocated on a competitive basis. So far, all suitably qualified UK graduates have found a place on the Foundation Year 1 programme, but this cannot be guaranteed. Successful completion of the Foundation Year 1 programme is normally achieved within 12 months and is marked by the award of a Certificate of Experience. You will then be eligible to apply for full registration with the General Medical Council. You need full registration with a licence to practise for unsupervised medical practice in the NHS or private practice in the UK. Medical students at UK medical schools who are from overseas and do not have right of residence must check how the latest information on visa requirements affects their postgraduate training period. Please see the Visas and immigration website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. Information about medical careers after graduation is correct at the time of going to press. For up to date information please visit www.mmc.nhs.uk.