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Medicine (5 Year Programme)

Entry Year: 2024

Key information

Degree
MBBS
Duration
5 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
A100
Institution code
Q50
Entry Requirements
Full entry requirements (including contextual admissions)
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£48,700
Funding information
Paying your fees

Overview

Study an innovative curriculum at a top medical school, and work with a diverse range of patients and clinical issues at some of London’s greatest hospitals.

Queen Mary University of London's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry is one of the oldest medical schools in the UK. We draw on our long experience to provide the best in modern medical training, with high-tech teaching facilities, and aim to prepare you for life as a qualified doctor.

Our strong core curriculum will equip you with clinical, communication, observation, teamwork and management skills. The curriculum is underpinned by research, linking your learning to the work of the faculty, from the laboratory bench to new drugs to public health interventions.

With less emphasis on traditional lectures, problem-based learning in small groups encourages you to take an independent approach to clinical scenarios. You’ll start seeing patients from your very first term, and progress to hospital and community placements.

You can follow your own interests by choosing student-selected components, from basic sciences to clinical specialities, community and public health, medical ethics and law.

More information about the course including full entry requirements and selection criteria.

UCAS application deadline: 16 October

Structure

Years 1 - 2

Phase 1 (Years 1 and 2)

You will take five systems-based modules and three student-selected components in each of the two years of Phase 1. 

You will be introduced to applied biological sciences and address key topics, including: 

  • normal biological structure and function of cells, organs and body systems 
  • the effect of illness on people and their families 
  • the impact of environmental and social factors on health. 

Our teaching methods have been chosen to help to prepare you for your working lives as doctors.  You will have lectures, practical anatomy teaching, small group work including PBL, clinical and communication skills teaching, and group projects.

Student-selected components (SSCs)

SSCs allow you to build a portfolio of core competencies while focusing on topics of particular interest. Some are carried out in blocks of two to five weeks, while others run throughout the year.

Clinical placements

Clinical placements are an essential part of your development as a medical student and you will have have patient contact in every year. You will learn theory and skills through your training and be able to apply those in your clinical placements. 

Clinical placements for MBBS students at Queen Mary start in September of year 1 with a group placement in a primary care setting. Students in groups of 8 work with a GP tutor on a fortnightly basis through the year.  You will be introduced to the practice team, the practice area and most importantly the patients.  You will learn about the impact of ill health on the patient, their family and their community. 

In year 2 you will take part in innovative online teaching on management of mental illness with the psychiatrists from our partner mental health trusts – ELFT and NELFT.  You will also have teaching on primary care with GP tutors. 

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Years 3 - 4

Phase 2 (Years 3 and 4)

Clinical placements

Once you progress to Year 3 the amount of time spent in clinical placement is increased, you will be allocated to one of our partner trusts for placement blocks lasting from 6 – 10 weeks.  You will return at regular intervals to the university for teaching blocks to support your learning in the clinical environment. 

Clinical placements will be in a variety of locations including inner city hospitals such as the Royal London, Homerton, Newham, Whipps Cross, Queens.  Placement at these sites are classified as in-firms and you would commute there every day.  

You will also be placed at out-firms including Southend, Colchester and Princess Alexandra Hospitals.  Most students will stay in hospital accommodation while on out-firms. 

In year 4 you will have a placement in one of our mental health trusts as one of your blocks.  You will also have primary care placements where you will build your clinical and consultation skills so that by year 5 you will be seeing patients independently under the supervision of your GP tutor. 

Each site will offer a different experience, with different patient demographics and different specialist services. 

Student-selected components (SSCs)

You will also have the opportunity to explore clinical topics of particular interest to you in your Phase 2 SSCs.   

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 5

Phase 3 (Year 5)

The final year of the programme provides you with emergency medicine, intensive care, surgical and anaesthetics placements and an eight-week GP apprenticeship where you will see patients independently under the supervision of your GP tutor. 

Throughout the year you’ll return to the medical school for teaching blocks. 

You’ll complete your SSC programme, which may include spending time in a specialism not previously experienced or gaining a deeper understanding in an area that already interests you. 

You will also complete your Intermediate Life Support qualification. 

Elective 

After your final examinations, you’ll complete a six-week elective in the UK or overseas. For many students, this is one of the most eagerly anticipated and memorable experiences at medical school – an opportunity to explore medicine in an entirely new environment, both socially and culturally. 

Student assistantship 

Following your elective, you’ll spend three weeks shadowing a current Foundation Year (FY1) doctor in the hospital where you’ll be based for your own FY1 training. 

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Intercalated degrees

Intercalated BSc

Take a year out of your medical studies to earn a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. You might choose this route to gain a deeper understanding of the scientific basis of medicine, demonstrate your commitment to a particular area, or simply broaden your career options.

You can apply for an intercalated BSc to start after your second, third or fourth years. Selection is based on your exam results and performance at interview. Browse our intercalated degrees.

A small number of students also take intercalated degrees at other institutions.

Intercalated MSc

We also offer Master of Science (MSc) degrees for intercalation, taken after your third or fourth years.

MB PhD programme

Our MB PhD programme is designed for medical students who are interested in clinical academic careers, You join this 3 year programme after the third year of your MBBS to undertake a research-based PhD, before returning to complete your MBBS degree. Find out more about MB PhD

Find out more about intercalated degrees.

 

Additional Costs

The elective period in your final year is self-funded.

For some electives the host institution charges up to £6,000, while others incur no additional expense. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of flights and accommodation. Placements taken within the UK can be a more financially viable option for students on a limited budget.

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Testimonial

I love how practical and hands-on the degree is – we start placements straight away in year 1, and by year 3 we spend most of the year in hospital, learning from patients and doctors in real-life situations.

Carola Maria Bigogno, Medicine (2023)

Teaching

Teaching and learning

You’ll learn through:

  • lab work
  • lectures and symposia
  • independent projects
  • practical workshops covering clinical skills and patient communication.

Throughout your first two years you’ll apply your theoretical knowledge in problem-based learning sessions. Small groups of students and a facilitator work together to understand and explain a clinical scenario through teamwork and independent research.

You’ll have access to an extensive online medical knowledge base, which includes lecture notes from across the programme, papers and research.

Assessment

Your progress is monitored through a combination of continuous assessment and regular examinations, with final exams each year.

A scheme of merits and distinctions recognises excellent or outstanding performance across each sector of the curriculum. Prizes reward special ability both in the main examinations and in specialist subjects.

Resources and facilities

As a medical student you’ll learn across three Queen Mary campuses - Whitechapel, Mile End and West Smithfield - benefitting from the excellent resources of each to aid your studies:

  • the Blizard Building, which houses state-of-the-art facilities for students and staff, including open-plan research laboratories, a 400-seat lecture theatre and a café
  • dedicated teaching room equipped with anatomical specimens, medical images, videos and specialised computer imaging
  • extensive library facilities – the Queen Mary Library at Mile End, large medical archives at the Royal London and Barts hospitals, and access to the University of London library
  • multi-user labs with computers and CCTV for practical classes
  • a purpose-built Clinical and Communications Centre, where you can practise methods on mannequins and models, and develop your communication skills with the help of specially trained actors.

We have recently opened a new satellite campus in the heart of Ilford. The space will be used for education purposes, enabling medical students to learn both in the classroom and mock ward environment. 

Watch this video which showcases the facilities at Lynton House. 

 

Entry requirements

UCAT

Fourth decile or above, SJT Bands 1- 3.

A-Level

A*AA (results must be achieved in one sitting over a study period of no longer than two years)
Must include Biology or Chemistry, and a second science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics)

IB

38 points overall and three Higher Level subjects at 666 including Chemistry or Biology plus one further science subject from (Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths). Three further subjects at Standard Level including Chemistry or Biology if not both offered at Higher Level.

BTEC

BTEC qualifications are not considered for entry to this programme.

Degree

2:1 or above in any subject (achieved or predicted) with supporting science qualifications where necessary. Please see our degree title checker for subject specific information.

GCSE

Six GCSEs at grades 777666 (AAABBB pre 2017) including Biology, Chemistry, English Language or English Literature and Mathematics. The Science Double Award may substitute all sciences at GCSE.

Contextualised admissions

We will take into account some of your personal circumstances and background when considering your application. Find out more about contextualised admissions.

 

Non-UK students

To see a list of the international qualifications we accept, please see our full entry requirements.

English language

Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.

You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.

Individual circumstances

We will take into account some of your personal circumstances and background when considering your application.

Further information

See our general undergraduate entry requirements.

Candidates MUST be aged 18 or over by the end of the second week of course enrolment (end of September). If applicants are under 18 at the start of the course, they can request deferred entry if they will meet the age requirement the following year.

Funding

Loans and grants

Years 1-4: you can apply for the same package of student finance as students on other courses. Graduate students are not eligible for a tuition fee loan from the UK government.

Year 5 and beyond: the NHS will pay your tuition fees. Grants, loans and bursaries are available to cover living costs for UK and EU students, including graduate students.

Read more about financial support for medical students.

Scholarships and bursaries

The John Abernethy (Barts) Scholarship of £5,000 per year is available to two new medical students and one new dental student each year, on the basis of household income and academic achievement. All first degree home students who enrol in the School of Medicine and Dentistry are considered for the scholarships – you do not need to enter a separate application.

Find out about other bursaries and scholarships.

Find out more about fees and funding.

Support from Queen Mary

We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.

Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:

  • additional sources of funding
  • planning your budget and cutting costs
  • part-time and vacation work
  • money for lone parents.

Careers

Most graduates work as doctors within the NHS, following training programmes in general practice or hospital medicine. Some of our overseas students return home to work.

A small number defer starting work as a doctor to pursue a specialist postgraduate degree.

Recent graduates have been hired by a range of NHS Trusts and hospitals in London including:

  • Barts's Health NHS Trust
  • Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
  • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
  • Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
  • St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Our graduates also work across the UK and beyond from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust to Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales and States of Jersey. Other destinations include the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Department of Health, and Health Education England (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20).

Career support

You will have access to a bespoke careers programme, which includes a medical careers fair, talks by consultants and the opportunity to rotate through many different medical specialisms, covering both hospital and primary care.

In your final year we give you specific support in applying for foundation training.

The Queen Mary careers team can also offer:

  • support with finding work experience, internships and volunteering services
  • feedback on CVs, cover letters and application forms
  • interview coaching.

Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.

Course data

The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)

About the School

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry is one of the oldest medical schools in the UK.

We’re in an unrivalled position to offer you the very best student experience. You’ll be taught by experts who are passionately engaged with their subject, and our degrees have extremely high satisfaction rates – in the most recent National Student Survey, 92 per cent of our students were satisfied overall with the quality of their programme.

You'll also get exceptional support throughout your degree and as you transition into employment: we pride ourselves on being a friendly School, with excellent staff–student relationships and a General Medical Council-commended student support and mentoring programme.

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