Aston

Overview of the Medical School

• This was the 34^th Medical school to be founded in the UK, taking undergraduate MBChB students from September 2018.
• It is situated in Birmingham City Centre in the West Midlands.
• The curriculum was developed by Leicester Medical School.
• 40% of their places are offered to students meeting the widening participation criteria.

Campus and Facilities

• Clinical Skills Rooms and Study Spaces
• Library facilities 7 days a week
• Martin Luther King Multi-Faith Centre
• Medical School Building
• Extensive GP practices across the region
• Hospital placements across the region
• Based in the city centre

National and International Rankings

• 33^rd in the Times Higher Education’s ‘International Outlook’ rankings

MBChB Programme Information

General Overview:

• Patient centred curriculum to help develop the core competencies in medicine.
• Allocated a Personal Tutor to look after personal wellbeing and study support.

Number of Students on Course:

• 100 Home/EU Students (40% reserved for widening participation)
• More places for international fee-paying students

Course Structure and Length:

• 5 years
• Years 1 and 2: Phase 1, Fundamentals of Medicine
• Years 3, 4 and 5: Phase 2, Clinical Apprenticeships

Course Content:

Year 1

• Medical Cell Biology & Genetics
• Sociological & Psychological Aspects of Health
• Fundamentals of Body Structure
• Public & Global Health 
• Introduction to Physiology and Pharmacology 
• Cardiovascular System 
• Musculoskeletal
• Infection 
• Metabolism, Endocrinology & Haematology 
• Pathological Processes 
• Introduction to Clinical Processes 1a 
• Introduction to Clinical Processes 1b.

Year 1 clinical placements: two one-week placements in a primary care setting. The first takes place early in Term 1 to give insight to UK clinical practice and the experience of patients. In Term 3 there is an opportunity to practise some early clinical skills.

Year 2

• Gastrointestinal / Immune System
• Reproductive System
• Urinary System
• Respiratory System
• Head, Neck & Neuroanatomy
• Clinical Pharmacology & Prescribing
• Sociological & Psychological Aspects of Health  
• Integration for Clinical Applications
• Nervous System & Neuropsychiatry
• Introduction to Clinical Practice 2a
• Introduction to Clinical Practice 2b.

Year 2 clinical placements: a total of nine days are spent in primary care throughout Year 2. This experience focuses on developing consultation skills to carefully explore medical problems while taking into consideration the needs and wishes of the patient.

Year 3

• Hospital specialties 1: such as Cardiology, Respiratory, Rheumatology, Renal, Infection, Diabetes
• Hospital specialties 2: such as Musculoskeletal, Urinary, Perioperative care
• General Practice
• Student Selected Component including Health Leadership.

Year 3 clinical placements: Three 12-week blocks are undertaken, with one in primary care and two across a range of medical and surgical specialties in hospitals giving you an excellent experience of the general principles of clinical practice, and building on theoretical learning from Phase 1.

Year 4

• Senses: Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Dermatology
• Child Health 
• Community Medicine
• Psychiatry 
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology 
• Nephrology and Neurology
• Student Selected Component including Health Leadership.

Year 4 clinical placements: Spend five weeks in seven specialty placements such as obstetrics and gynecology, child care and psychiatry to gain comprehensive experience in these specialist areas.

Year 5

• Acute Medicine / Medicine of the Elderly
• General Practice
• Emergency Medicine / Intensive Care Unit / Anaesthetics
• Foundation Assistantship
• Student Selected Component including Health Leadership / Elective.

Year 5 clinical placements: Before Finals, complete three blocks of six weeks: one in primary care and two in hospital settings. After  Finals, complete a 6-week Elective which may be undertaken anywhere suitable worldwide, and a 6-week Foundation Assistantship where Foundation level work is undertaken under very careful supervision. The focus on Year 5 is on developing diagnostic and management skills in preparation for Foundation training posts.

Teaching Locations:

• Aston Medical School
• Extensive GP practices across the region
• Hospitals across the region

Open Day Dates:

• Friday 6^th July 2018
• Saturday 6^th October 2018
• Saturday 3^rd November 2018

Term Dates:

• First Term: 17^th Sept 2018 – 15^th Dec 2018
• Second Term: 13^th Jan 2019 – 6^th April 2019
• Third Term: 29^th April 2019 – 15^th June 2019

MBChB Admissions

Application Procedure:

• Applications must be submitted via the UCAS website and submitted by 15^th October 2018.

Entry Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs at a Grade B / Grade 6 or above (English Language, Maths, Chemistry, Biology or double science must be included.

• UCAT must be taken in year of application

• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate an excellent command of the English language.

• A Levels:The normal requirement is a minimum of AAA-AAB including chemistry and biology (including passing the practical elements) and any third subject excluding general studies and critical thinking. If you are taking more than three A Levels, the chemistry, biology and the next best grade in a science subject, if taken, will be the grades considered.

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Total of 35 points with grades of 6,6,5 in three subjects which must include chemistry and biology at Higher Level and the remaining points from Standard Level subjects and Diploma Programme Core.

• BTEC: Applicants with a BTEC qualification will normally be considered on a case-by-case basis but will need to obtain a minimum of DD in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science in combination with chemistry and biology A Levels with grades A and B in any order.

• Overseas equivalents: Discover the wide range of recognised equivalent overseas qualifications that Aston Medical School accepts.

• Foundation programmes:We only accept certain UK foundation programmes, please see here for more information. 
• Postgraduate applicants:An upper second class honours degree (2.1) or equivalent. In addition, students will normally be required to demonstrate adequate knowledge in chemistry and biology with grades B, at A-levels and GCSE or equivalent. Although we are happy to consider applications from graduates, there is no accelerated graduate entry available at Aston.
• Deferred entry and gap years: Deferred entry and gap years are permitted with prior agreement from the Admissions Team, however interviews, UCAT and academic qualifications must be obtained in the year of application.
• Resits: Resits for GCSEs, A Levels and equivalent qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis, please contact us first before applying to discuss things further. 

Candidate selection:

• If academic and other requirements are met, you will be invited to the Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) which are a compulsory part of the selection process. 

Interview Procedure:

• MMI Style, made up of 7-10 stations
• Some stations may involve actors which you will interact with, or you may be given a scenario to read and then discuss with the assessor.
• Performance at each station is scored according to a check list, defined in advance, by the trained interviewer who may be a doctor, scientist or simulator.
• The number of marks available at each station are the same; the scores will be added up at the end of the interview.
• They are looking for qualities such as communication skills, listening skills, empathy, compassion, problem solving and motivation.
• For each applicant a total score is cumulated across stations and applicants are ranked according to total score. The rank of an applicant is part of the main factors influencing whether an offer of a place is made.

Admissions contacts

• Telephone: +44 (0)121 204 3284
• Email: [email protected]

• Website: http://www.aston.ac.uk/aston-medical-school/