Course Overview
Your degree course will help you develop independent learning skills, through problem-based learning, as well as communication and clinical skills. You will experience early patient contact and can choose to study abroad during your Elective or take a year out from the programme (between Years 4 and 5) to study a medicine-related topic at BSc, MSc or MPhil degree level.
In addition to studying the core medical curriculum, you can pursue your own areas of interest through four Special Study Modules (SSMs). SSMs allow you to broaden your experience while developing skills in retrieving and critically appraising information from a variety of sources. These skills are essential for applying scientific rigour in your future medical practice.
You'll begin your degree with the Foundation of Medicine, where you will learn key concepts in biomedical and social science. You'll also choose the first of four SSMs to study.
For the next three years, you'll continue your studies learning how to diagnose and manage illness. You will develop your knowledge and skills through interaction with patients, spending time on clinical placement for most of your second year and throughout your third and fourth years.
In your second and third years, you will continue to pursue your own areas of interest through three more SSMs. At the end of your fourth year, you'll undertake your Elective, which includes the opportunity to study abroad.
Throughout your final year you will gain intensive clinical experience in hospitals and the community to prepare you for your future career as a doctor. You'll undertake five different rotations, two of which are Selectives in Advanced Medical Practice (SAMPs). You can choose to follow SAMPs in a wide variety of clinical specialities, giving you the opportunity to explore different potential medical careers during the course of your undergraduate degree.
Related Courses
Modules
Detailed module information for this new undergraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.
Entry Criteria
Entry requirements for our medical degree programme include both academic and non-academic criteria.
We do not use the UKCAT score in our selection process.
Academic criteria: Evidence of excellent attainment in general (e.g. GSCE) and advanced secondary (e.g.A-level) education.
Subject requirements: Biology, Chemistry and one other subject at A-level (or equivalent).
A level: AAA plus B in 4th AS subject and must include Biology and Chemistry
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher: at least AAAAB plus AA in Biology and Chemistry at Advanced Higher Level
International Baccalaureate: Biology, Chemistry + one other (6, 6, 6 points) at Higher level, plus 3 subjects at SL (5,5,5 points) minimum points score 36
Irish Leaving Certificate: Not accepted on its own
BTEC National Diploma: Not accepted on its own
Access: Specified Access to Medicine courses acceptable
General Studies: Accepted as 4th subject at AS level only
GCSE: Minimum score of 15 points from 9 subjects (A or A* = 2 points; B = 1 point). The 9 subjects must include Core & Additional Science (or Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Maths and English (grade B or above).
Key Skills: At level 3
Graduate entry: (i) a 2i degree in Biomedical/Health Sciences plus normally a minimum of BBB at A-level including Biology and Chemistry. (ii) a 2i degree in any other subject plus normally AAB at A-level including Biology and Chemistry. In addition, all graduate applicants must meet the GSCE requirements (see above).
Please see the Lancaster Medical School web pages for further information about admissions
Careers
Most medical graduates work in clinical practice, either in hospitals or in the community. There are more than 60 different clinical specialities to choose from. All medical graduates that work in clinical practice must undertake specialist postgraduate training to prepare them for their chosen clinical speciality. Approximately half of all UK medical graduates work in general practice. For those who decide against a career in clinical practice, the transferable skills acquired during this degree prepare our graduates for a wide variety of possible careers in fields such as public health or medical research.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments which include the traditional lecture-tutorial , interactive workshops, laboratory and practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based delivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2014, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2014 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2013.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page