East Anglia

Overview of the Medical School

• Norwich Medical School (NMS) is a medical school based at the University of East Anglia, in Norwich. It was previously called University of East Anglia School of Medicine Health Policy and Practice. The first intake of 110 students was in 2002.
• The school is part of the Norwich Research Park which hosts research institutes including the John Innes Centre, The Genome Analysis Centre and the Institute of Food Research.
• Among its notable alumni are: D. N. Samarasekera, Chair of Surgery at the University of Colombo and Leah Totton (graduated 2011).

Campus and Facilities:

• Norwich Medical School – University
• Facilities:
  • Institute of Food Research (IFR)
  • John Innes Centre (JIC)
  • The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC)
  • Clinical Skills Centre (CSC)
  • Dow Simulation Suite
  • Biomedical Research Centre
• National and International Rankings
  • Complete University Guide ranking for medicine: rank 27 (2016)
  • Guardian University ranking for medicine: rank 24 (2016)
  • QS World ranking for medicine: rank 201-250 (2016)
  • Times Higher Education for medicine: NA

MBBS Programme Information

General overview:

• There are two entry routes to medicine:
  • MBBS Medicine (A100)
  • MBBS Medicine with a Foundation year (A104)

• The key features of the curriculum are:
  • Early patient contact – from the first month of your course
  • Clinical Practice in the anatomy facility, including undertaking dissection
  • Clinical placements on acute wards, specialist units and in general practice
  • Link theory with practice using small-group teaching, within primary care and Problem-Based Learning
  • Learn the art of communication through the consultation skills programme supported by dedicated tutors and actors
  • Intercalation available

• The course uses several teaching methods:
  • Keynote lectures, seminars and anatomy practical classes
  • Problem-based Learning
  • Consultation skills tutorials
  • Clinical placements
  • Shadowing – in the final year
  • Developing professionalism – guidance throughout primary and secondary care placements

Number of students on this course:

There are 154 places available for Home/EU and 13 for international.

Course Structure and Length:

• The A100 programme duration is 5 years and the A104 course is a six-year programme.

• This course is organised into modules based on body systems.
  • You will study the underpinning biological, social and clinical sciences alongside experiencing their application in hospital and general practice placements.
  • Each week, working in small groups in both university and primary care placements, you will apply problem-based learning techniques to virtual scenarios and real patients.
  • You will also participate in a weekly programme of lectures and seminars, supporting your learning of the relevant sciences and specialist skills.
  • In addition, you will undertake dissections and use specimens and models in order to understand the detailed structure and function of the human body.

• Assessment includes OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations), written coursework and presentations, together with more formal end of year written and clinical exams.

• The A104 programme with a Foundation year you will be introduced to the application of life and social sciences in health care. Subjects include Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and elements of the healthcare system. On successful completion, you will progress to the MB BS course (UCAS code A100).

Course Content:

• Year 1:
  • Fitness to practice
  • Integrative Period – consolidate and integrate what has been learned
  • Locomotion: science behind the system, as a basis for exploring the examination, diagnosis and treatment of patients with locomotory impairments.
  • The Human Life Cycle – topics include the human life-course, biological and behavioural sciences, consultation skills, and research methods.

• Year 2:
  • Blood and skin
  • Circulation
  • Fitness to practice
  • Integrative period
  • Respiration 

• Year 3:
  • Digestion / Nutrition
  • Fitness to Practice
  • Homeostatis and Hormones
  • Integrative Period
  • The senses

• Year 4:
  • Fitness to Practice
  • Growth and Development
  • Integrative Period
  • The Mind and Body: the Mind Palliative Care, Medicine for the Elderly, Oncology. The Mind addresses biological and psycho-social aspects of mental health and illness
  • Elective
  • Reproduction and Female Health

• Year 5:
  • Emergency Care
  • Final integrative period
  • Fitness to practice
  • MB/BS Introduction to year 5
  • Elective / Clinical Remediation
  • Preparation for F1

Teaching locations:

• Norwich Medical School
• Clinical practice:
  • Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
  • James Paget University Hospital
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn
  • Ipswich Hospital.Perth Royal Infirmary

Integrated BSc opportunities (courses on offer):

• Opportunity to take an intercalated after completing year 3 or year 4.
• Can undertake a masters level degree course.
• Courses available:
  • Masters in Clinical Science (MRes)
  • Master of Clinical Education (MCE)
  • Masters in Molecular Medicine (MSc).

Open day dates:

• Saturday 18 June, 2016
• Saturday 2^nd July, 2016
• Saturday 10 September, 2016
• Saturday 22 October, 2016   

Term dates:

• Term 1: 16 Sep 2016 – 16 Dec 2016

• Term 2: 16 Jan 2017 – 17 Mar 2017

• Term 3: 24 Apr 2017 – 16 June 2017

Extra Postgraduate MBBS Programme Information

• The Norwich Medical School offers 6 full time Postgraduate taught programmes, 11 part-time and 5 clinical education.
• Also are available Masters by Research, MPhil and PhD, MD and ClinPsyD.
• Full Time:
  • MSc Clinical Research
  • PG Diploma Clinical Research
  • MRes Clinical Science
  • MSc Health Economics
  • PG Diploma Health Economics
  • MSc Physician Associate Studies
• Part time:
  • MSc Clinical Research
  • PG Diploma Clinical Research
  • MS Coloproctology
  • PG Diploma Coloproctology
  • MSc Health Economics
  • PG Diploma Health Economics
  • MSc Health Research
  • MS Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
  • PG Diploma Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
  • MSc Regional Anaesthesia
  • PG Diploma Regional Anaesthesia
• Clinical Education:
  • MClinEd Clinical Education
  • PG Diploma Clinical Education
  • MClinEd Clinical Education (Part Time)
  • PG Diploma Clinical Education (Part Time)
  • PG Certificate Clinical Education (Part Time)
• Research themes:
  • Cancer research
  • Cardiorespiratory medicine
  • Diabetes
  • Gastroenterology and clinical nutrition
  • Health Services research, including dementia
  • Microbiology
  • Musculoskeletal medicine
  • Nutrition
  • Public health

MBBS Admissions

Application process:

• Meet entry requirements
• Ensure that you have sat the UCAT the summer prior to submitting the application
• Submit the UCAS application
  • UCAS Code: E14
• Attend the interview (if applicable)

• Entry requirements:

A100 programme:

• A level: AAA at A level in one sitting. These A levels must include Biology/Human Biology, one further science (Chemistry or Physics), with a third A level subject of the applicant’s choice.

• GCSEs: minimum of six GCSE (or EU / International equivalent) passes at grade A or above to include English Language, Mathematics and two Science subjects.

• International Baccalaureate (IB): 36 points with 666 at Higher Level to include Biology and one other science from Chemistry or Physics

• Scottish Advanced Highers AAA inc Biology and one other science from Chemistry or Physics plus a minimum of grade B in a fourth standard Highers subject

• Irish Leaving Certificate AAAAAA at Higher level including Biology and a second science from Chemistry or Physics

• Graduates: should hold or be in the final year of their undergraduate degree and predicted to achieve a First class or 2.1 classification, in addition to meeting the GCSE.

• Applications from students holding or studying one of the following Access/Pre Medical Qualifications:
  • The College of West Anglia (Access to Medicine)
  • Lambeth College (Access to Medicine & Biomedical Science)
  • City and Islington College (Access to Medicine & Medical Bio Sciences)
  • The Manchester College (Access to Medicine)
  • Bradford University (Foundation in Clinical Science/Medicine)
  • Sussex Downs University (Access to Medicine)
  • City of Liverpool University (Access to Science)

A104 programme six-year programme:

• A level (typical offer): BBB

• International baccalaureate: 31

• GCSE requirements: Grade B in six GCSEs including English Language, Mathematics and a Science; General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted

Candidate Selection:

• They received approximately 1,400 applications, about 600 applicants are selected for interview and are made 300 offers.
• UCAT: there is not a cut off value, but from previous years it is unusual for an applicant with a score less than 2,400 be invited to interview.
• Applications are assessed with the UCAT score and academic results.

Interview procedure:

• Interviews are normally held between December and March for the A100 programme and in March for the A104 programme and in the Norwich Medical School.
• Each interview lasts approximately 50 minutes.
• The interview is MMI format (Multiple Mini Interview).
• During the interview, each applicant rotates through a series of rooms, known as ‘stations’.
• They will spend 5 minutes at each of the 8 stations, with a 1 and a half minute changeover/preparation time between each.
• If you are invited to interview you are required to bring with you this completed Work Experience Form.

Extra important information for candidates:

• Applicants who have previously studied, or are currently studying, at another Medical School (UK/EU or International) will not be considered for entry.
• Feedback is posted on UCAS Track and indicates to unsuccessful applicants at what stage their application was rejected.

Admissions contacts:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +44 (0)1603 591515

Extra important information on Specialty Programmes for medical students

iBSc:

• Intercalation is available after 4^th year, to obtain a master degree, not a bachelor.

MBPHd: NA

Other MBBS extras relevant to UK medical students: NA