Keele

Overview of the Medical School

• Keele Medical School is based on campus at the Keele University near to Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, England. In 1978, the Keele Department of Postgraduate Medicine opened. This department conducted medical research, and played a part in postgraduate medical education, but did not teach undergraduate medical students.

• From 2002 the school began teaching clinical undergraduate medicine to clinical medical students who had completed their pre-clinical medical education at either School of Medicine, University of Manchester or the Bute Medical School (University of St Andrews). These students followed the curriculum of the Manchester School of Medicine clinical course, and after three years of clinical study at Keele, were awarded the degrees of MBChB by the University of Manchester. In 2003, Keele started teaching the full five-year course, using the Manchester curriculum. Both pre-clinical and clinical medical education were established in Staffordshire and Shropshire. Keele began to develop its own undergraduate medical curriculum in 2007.

Campus and Facilities:

• The school is spread across several sites in Staffordshire and Shropshire:
  • Three principal buildings are located at the University main campus
  • University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) three miles away
  • Medical School presence at our associate teaching hospital at:
    • Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust in Shropshire
    • North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust County Hospital
    • South Staffs and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust at both Stafford and Shrewsbury.
• Facilities:
  • David Weatherall building at Keele Campus:
    • lecture theatre
    • seminar rooms
    • IT laboratory
    • an anatomy suite
    • multi-user laboratories
    • resource room
    • student common room
    • refreshment area
  • University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) campus:
    • Keele University Medical School Building
    • Clinical Education Centre
    • multi-professional Health Library
    • clinical skills laboratory facilities
  • Royal Shrewsbury Hospital: the Learning Centre contains seminar rooms, a clinical skills laboratory, a student common room/resource room, and an integrated Health Library.
  • Stafford, County Hospital:
    • postgraduate Medical Centre with a formal lecture theatre, teaching rooms and library facilities.
• National and International Rankings
  • Complete University Guide ranking for medicine: rank 10 (2016)
  • Guardian University ranking for medicine: rank 6 (2016)
  • QS World ranking for medicine: rank 301-400 (2016)
  • Times Higher Education for medicine: NA

 MBBS Programme Information

General overview:

• The common entry route is through the A100 programme, but Keele also offers The Health Foundation Year for Medicine (A104):
• Established to provide an alternative entry route into the medical degree programme for students who have the right level of qualifications but are without the chemistry or biology A-levels that entry to the 5 year medicine course requires.
• Also open to students with other level 3 qualifications and to graduates with non-science degrees.

• The key features of the curriculum are:
  • Effective learning: modern, integrated, spiral curriculum using a blend of learning methods
  • Extensive clinical experience: approximately 100 weeks
  • Student-centred learning with emphasis on feedback and student engagement

• The spiral, integrated medical curriculum combines a range of learning strategies:
  • Early clinical experience
  • Integrated communication and clinical skills teaching
  • Practical sessions: dissection, problem-based-learning (PBL)
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Community and hospital placements across Staffordshire and Shropshire

• The integration at all levels, is guided by three themes which run throughout the whole course. They are:
• Doctor as a scholar and a scientist
• Doctor as a practitioner
• Doctor as a professional

Number of students on this course:

There are 129 available places for the A100 programme and up to 10 places for the A104 programme.

Course Structure and Length:

• The A100 programme duration is 5 years, and the A104 is a 6-year programme with health foundation year.

• The overall structure of the course comprises five compulsory modules taken over five years:
  • Year 1: Challenges to health
  • Year 2: Integrated clinical pathology 1
  • Year 3: Integrated clinical pathology 2
  • Year 4: Advanced clinical experience
  • Year 5: Preparation for professional practice

Course Content:

• Year 1: Challenges to health
  • Emergencies
  • Infection an immunity
  • Cancer
  • Lifestyle
  • Ageing
  • Complex family
    • Student Selected Component (SSC)

• Year 2: Integrated clinical pathology 1
  • Inputs and Outputs
  • Movement
  • Life support and defense
  • Sensation
  • SSC
  • Opportunity for intercalation at bachelor’s level (end of year 2) 

• Year 3: Integrated clinical pathology 2
  • Surgical Patient
  • Medical patient 1
  • Young patient
  • Elderly patient
  • Medical patient 2
  • Mental health
  • SSC
  • Consolidation of clinical skills 

• Year 4: Advanced Clinical Experience
  • Integrated medical practice 1 (medicine and neuroscience)
  • Integrated medical practice 2 (medicine and musculoskeletal)
  • Surgery
  • Women’s health
  • Child health
  • Mental health
  • Higher consultation skills (placement in General Practice)
  • SSC
  • Opportunity for intercalation at masters level (end of year 4)

• Year 5: Preparation for professional practice
  • GP assistantship
  • Acute and critical care (emergency medicine, critical care unit, and anaesthesia)
  • Medical student assistantship
  • Surgical student assistantship
  • Elective period

Teaching locations:

• Years 1 and 2 are predominantly based at Keele campus.
• The majority of clinical placements in Years 3 – 5 are based in Staffordshire and Shropshire. There are a small number of placements in adjoining counties.

Integrated BSc opportunities (courses on offer):

• At Keele, you can apply to take a year out of your medical studies after completion of Year 2 (bachelor’s degree only) or Year 4 (bachelor’s or master’s degree)
• This can be a taught or research-based option.
• In exceptional circumstances, they will consider intercalation after Year 3.
• You can choose to stay at Keele for your intercalation year or apply to another university.
• Intercalated taught master’s courses currently include:
  • MSc in European Scientific Research Training with international placement
  • MMedSci (Anatomical Sciences)
  • Master’s in Medical Education
  • MSc in Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology
  • MSc in Biomedical Engineering
  • MSc in Cell and Tissue Engineering
  • MSc in Blood Science
  • MA in Medical Ethics and Law
  • MA in Medical Ethics and Palliative Care
• Intercalated research master’s courses
  • MPhil Primary Care Sciences
• Intercalated bachelor’s courses
  • BSc in Medical Humanities
  • BSc in Natural Sciences with the following named routes:
    • Neuroscience
    • Psychology
    • Biochemistry
    • Studies in Biomedical Sciences 

Open day dates:

• Saturday 18th June
• Sunday 21st August
• Saturday 17th September
• Sunday 16th October

Term dates:

• Unpublished for 2016-2017 entry. As a guideline, for 2015-2016 are as follows:

• Semester 1: 28 Sep 2015 – 22 Jan 2016

• Semester 2: 25 Jan 2016 – 10 Jun 2016

• Christmas Vacation: 19 Dec 2015- 10 Jan 2016

• Easter Recess: 19 Mar 2016 – 10 April 2016

Extra Postgraduate MBBS Programme Information

• The School of Medicine has a range of taught Masters courses, all of which are modular in format and which can be accessed as short courses or with credits transferable between Masters level courses elsewhere in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
• Courses Available:
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cell and Tissue Engineering
  • Foundation Medical Practice
  • Health Professions Education: Accreditation and Assessment (FAIMER-Keele)
  • Medical Education
  • Medical Science (designed to facilitate the learning of the generic skills and knowledge essential to successful higher clinical practice)
  • Medical Science (Anatomical Sciences)
  • Medical Science (Clinical Audit) PG Cert
  • Medical Science (End of Life Care in Non-Specialist Settings) PG Award
  • Medical Science (Leadership and Management)
  • Medical Science (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
  • Medical Science (Stroke)
  • Medical Science (Surgery)
  • Individual Health Modules
• Doctorate in Medicine (DM) is available as a Postgraduate Research.

MBBS Admissions

Application process:

• Meet entry requirements
• Ensure that you have sat the UCAT for undergraduates and GAMSAT for graduates
• Submit the UCAS application:
• Attend the interview (if applicable)

Entry requirements:

A100 programme:

• GCSEs: 5 Grade As with Bs in mathematics, English and sciences.
  • Studied in Scotland: must have passed a broad range of subjects with a minimum of 5 subjects at Standard or National 5 grade A/1. English Language and Mathematics must be passed with a minimum of grade B/2. Any science subject not being offered at Higher or Advanced Higher level must also have been passed at Standard/National 5 Level B/2.

• A Levels: A*AA are required, including Biology or Chemistry plus another designated science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics/Further Mathematics/Statistics) and a third academic subject.

• Cambridge Pre-U:
  • Minimum of P1 standard in all components, including Global Perspectives and Independent Research (GPR).
  • Principal subjects should be offered at grades of D3 M1 M1 or D2 M1 M2, with Chemistry required at a minimum of M2.
  • A second science (Biology, Mathematics or Physics) and a third subject should also be offered, with no grades below M2.

• Welsh Baccalaureate: A grade Pass in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma and two full science A-levels at grade A*A taken at a single sitting. Chemistry or Biology is essential plus one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics/Further Mathematics/Statistics.

• Scottish Qualifications: Scottish Standard Grade/National 5 qualifications must have passed a broad range of subjects with a minimum of 5 subjects at grade A/1.
  • English Language and Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics must be passed with a minimum of grade B/2.
  • Any science subject not being offered at Higher or Advanced Higher level must have been passed at Standard/National 5 grade B/2.
  • Four subjects at Higher / Advanced Higher required at AAAA, to include two Science Advanced Highers (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics).
  • Chemistry or Biology must be offered at Advanced Higher grade A.

• Scottish Baccalaureate (science): AA required in 2 Advanced Highers (including chemistry or biology) plus AA in interdisciplinary project unit and 1 higher.

• European Baccalaureate: must offer Mathematics “5 hours” plus at least one science option. The subjects must include Chemistry. Overall we require a final result of 78%.

• International Baccalaureate: score of at least 35 points from six academic subjects. Three grade 6 passes at IB Higher Level and grades of 6, 6, 5 at Standard Level are required.

• Irish leaving certificate: six A1 or A2 grades at higher level, to include Biology or Chemistry plus two more of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Science, Mathematics /Applied Mathematics.

• Graduate Entry: upper second-class (2i) honours degree or better in any subject. In addition:
• A-level (A2) grades of BBB, including Chemistry or Biology plus one further subject from: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/Further Maths/Statistics.
• GCSE English Language and Maths and all sciences/double-award science at grade B or better.
• Applicants with a 1^st/2i honours degree but without the required A-level subjects may take the GAMSAT.

A104 programme six-year programme:

• GCSEs: 5 As at GCSE, Mathematics and English at C.

• A Levels: A*AA. A-level combinations should not include Chemistry. A-level Biology is acceptable if combined with non-science A-levels. The combination of Mathematics and Physics is acceptable with another non-science subject. Applied Sciences is accepted.

• Cambridge Pre-U: required to perform to a minimum of P1 standard in all components, including Global Perspectives and Independent Research (GPR). Principal subjects should be offered at a minimum grades of D3 M1 M1 or D2 M1 M2. Chemistry must not have been taken.

• Scottish Qualifications: subjects with a minimum of 5 subjects at grade A/1. Four subjects at Higher / Advanced Higher required at AAAA, with a minimum of two Advanced Highers. Chemistry must not have been taken.

• Scottish Baccalaureate (languages, expressive arts or social sciences): Grades of AA required in 2 Advanced Highers plus AA in interdisciplinary project unit and 1 higher. Must not include chemistry.

• Welsh Baccalaureate: grade A Pass in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma and two full A-levels at grade A*A taken at a single sitting, Chemistry must not have been taken.

• International Baccalaureate: score of at least 35 points from six academic subjects. Three grade 6 passes at IB Higher Level and grades of 6, 6, 5 at Standard Level are required.

• Irish Leaving Certificate: at least six A1 or A2 grades at higher level, Biology and Chemistry in combination are not accepted. However Biology will be accepted in combination with non-science subjects at grade A.

• Advanced Diploma: The advanced diploma is acceptable for entry to A104. The Progression Diploma must be grade A or A* and Additional Specialist Learning must be an A-level in any subject.

• Ordinary (non-Honours) Degree: Graduates who entered an Ordinary Degree programme in any subject will be considered, subject to marks greater than 70%.

• Honours Degrees: 2.1 honours degree in a non-science subject. In addition, graduates must have achieved:
  • A-level (A2) or equivalent grades of BBB.
  • a minimum of GCSE grade C in English Language and Mathematics

Candidate Selection:

• The application will be assessed on the information provided in the UCAS application and the Roles & Responsibilities Form, which is sent electronically after the UCAS deadline.
• Admissions tutors will assess the Roles and Responsibilities form using the following criteria:
  • Commitment to work experience, voluntary work or exposure to a caring role
  • The value of the work you undertook
  • The level of responsibility taken in any of the above roles
  • An example of a situation where you did something that had an important outcome for the recipient
  • Any exceptional achievements or circumstances

Interview procedure:

• Approximately 450-500 applicants will be invited for an interview and approximately 180 offers made.
• Interviews are scheduled to take place in late December, January and March.
• Interviews take the form of multiple mini-interviews (MMIs), where candidates undertake a series of short interview stations.
• The stations will examine a range of skills and aptitudes.
• The format of stations may vary from a 1:1 traditional interview through to a role-play.
• The MMI assesses a range of attributes of applicants, including:
  • Motivation
  • Empathy
  • Insight
  • Professionalism
  • Responsibility
  • Ethical Awareness
  • Resilience
  • Comprehension and
  • Effective communication.
• In addition interviewees will complete a separate test which will assess the ability of applicants to perform clinically relevant calculations.
• Interview decisions will be communicated via UCAS track.

Extra important information for candidates:

• The earliest date they will confirm a decision is February.
• Some candidates may be placed on a waiting/hold list as their performance at interview was close to our offer threshold. However, all final decisions will be submitted by the 31st March UCAS deadline.
• Successful candidates will be sent a letter confirming their offer of a place, together with a health questionnaire.
• All offers made are conditional and may include both academic conditions and occupational health and Disclosure and Barring Service clearances.
• Feedback for unsuccessful applicants is available after Easter.

Admissions contacts:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +44 (0)1782 733937

Extra important information on Specialty Programmes for medical students

iBSc:

• You can apply to take a year out of your medical studies after completion of Year 2 (bachelor’s degree only) or Year 4 (bachelor’s or master’s degree)
• This can be a taught or research-based option.
• In exceptional circumstances, they will consider intercalation after Year 3.
• You can choose to stay at Keele for your intercalation year or apply to another university.

MBPHd: NA

Other MBBS extras relevant to UK medical students: NA