Plymouth (Peninsula)

Overview of the Medical School

• The medical school was run in partnership with the University of Exeter from 2000 until 2013, when the two became separate.
• They offer an intercalated degree, namely a BSc in Urgent and Emergency Care.
• The style of teaching is Problem Based Learning in small groups, where experts facilitate discussion between medical students.

Campus and Facilities

• Clinical Skills Resource Centre
• Life Sciences Resource Centre
• Libraries
• John Bull Building (medical school)
• Virtual Dissection Tables

National and International Rankings

• 30^th in the Complete University Guide, 2019 Medicine League Table.
• 14^th in The Guardian University Guide.

MBChB Programme Information

General Overview:

• Early patient contact, starting from Year 1.
• PBL format, with student centred learning.
• Use of an online logbook and recorded lecture slides and notes to supplement learning.
• Special Study Unit available for students to pick at the end of the year.

Number of Students on Course:

• Around 80 in one year.

Course Structure and Length:

• 5 years BMBS, with optional year intercalation making 6 years in total.

Course Content:

 Year 1

• The core scientific foundations of medicine within a clinical context.
• Human physical and psychological development from conception to old age.
• Learning from real-life clinical case studies and experience healthcare in a range of community settings.

Modules are:

• MED410 Medical Knowledge 1
• MED411 Clinical and Communication Skills 1
• MED412 Personal Development and Professionalism 1
• MED414 Student-Selected Component 1 (SSC1)

Year 2

• Revisiting the human life cycle with an emphasis on disease, pathological processes, and the human and social impact of illness and disease.
• Series of placements in general practice

Modules are:

• MED520 Medical Knowledge 2
• MED521 Clinical and Communication Skills 2
• MED522 Personal Development and Professionalism 2
• MED524 Student-Selected Component 2 (SSC2)

Year 3

• Learning more about clinical practice and spend more time in a patient-centred learning environment.
• Completing a series of hospital and general practice-based community placements
• Year three focuses on three ‘Pathways of Care’: Acute Care, Ward Care and Integrated Ambulatory Care.

 Modules are:

• MED630 Medical Knowledge 3
• MED631 Clinical and Professional Development 1
• MED634 Student Selected Component 3

Year 4

• Working and learning in hospital and general practice settings
• The three ‘Pathways of Care’ continue in year four with a focus on: Acute Care, Palliative Care/ Oncology and Continuing Care.

Modules are:

• MED640 Medical Knowledge 4
• MED641 Clinical and Professional Development 2
• MED644 Student Selected Component 4

Year 5

• Working ‘on the job’, as part of a healthcare team in action, based in either Derriford or Torbay hospital.
• Supplement independent learning with a portfolio of indicative presentations,
• Opportunity to do an elective in a different social or cultural context.

Modules are:

• MED650 Medical Knowledge 5
• MED651 Clinical and Professional Practice
• MED654 Student Selected Component 5

Teaching Locations:

• Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
• South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Extensive GP practices across the region
• John Bull Building (Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry)

Open Day Dates:

• Saturday 29 September 2018
• Saturday 20 October 2018
• Saturday 10 November 2018

Term Dates:

• Term 1 : 10^th September 2018 – 21^st December 2018
• Term 2: 7^th January 2019 – 12^th April 2019
• Term 3: 29 April 2019 – 31^st May 2019

MBChB Admissions

Application Procedure:

• All applications must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
• All applications for the BMBS programme must reach UCAS between the beginning of September 2017 and 15 October 2017. Applicants should apply to no more than four of the same clinical degree programmes.

Entry Requirements:

• The typical offer is A*AA – AAB at GCE A level
• Must include an A grade in biology and one further science from chemistry, physics, maths, and psychology.
• Third GCE A level can be from any subject area including the humanities, languages, music, sport, science and the social sciences. 
• 7 GCSE passes at grades A-C/9-4 which must include English language, mathematics and either GCSE double award science or two from single award chemistry, biology, or physics.
• Typical offer is 36-38 points overall including six in biology and one further science from chemistry, physics, maths, and psychology at the Higher Level.
• The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry uses the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in order to make more informed choices from amongst the many highly qualified applicants who apply for a place on the BMBS programme.

Candidate selection:

• UCAT test results will be used, alongside the academic information contained on your UCAS form to select direct school leavers for interview.
• Required to meet a minimum overall target score which is set and reviewed annually by the Admissions Advisory Panel.

Interview Procedure:

• The interview should take approximately 20 minutes.
• The interviews follow a structured and formal process and is made up of clinicians, the public and patients.
• The interview process is patient and public inclusive.
• Students should demonstrate the values set out in the NHS constitution including: working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion and improving lives
• It aims to explore attitudes, outlook and way of thinking.

Useful Information for Applicants:

• Feedback is only given directly to unsuccessful applicants who request it in writing.
• Feedback provided includes the numerical score from the interview and the position of this score in the overall ranking, which determines which students received a conditional offer of a place of study on each of the programmes.

Admissions contacts

• Telephone: +44 1752 437333
• Email: [email protected]

• Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/bmbs-bachelor-of-medicine-bachelor-of-surgery