Course Overview
Your degree course will equip you with the core knowledge and key skills for modern medical practice. You will develop independent learning and successful teamwork skills, through problem-based learning. You will be trained in effective communication and clinical skills and have extensive opportunity to hone these skills through interaction with patients, supervised by senior medical staff. You will be on the wards and in GP practices, interacting with patients, from the beginning of year 2 onwards. Your hospital placements will be at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and at the Furness General Hospital. You will also attend various GP placements throughout your degree course, at GP practices in the region.
You'll begin your degree with the Foundation of Medicine in year 1, where you will learn key concepts in biomedical and social science. You will learn anatomy in weekly Clinical Anatomy Learning Centre sessions, through interaction with expert staff and various learning resources.
In years 2-4, you'll continue your studies learning how to diagnose and manage illness and developing your knowledge and skills through interaction with patients. At the end of your fourth year, you'll undertake your Elective, which includes the opportunity to study abroad.
You can choose to 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.
Throughout year 5, 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.
In addition to studying the core medical curriculum, you can pursue your own areas of interest through four Special Study Modules (SSMs) in years 1-3. There is a wide range to choose from, including basic Biomedical Science, Clinical Science, Social Science, Epidemiology, Public Health, and Medical Education. SSMs allow you to broaden your experience while developing skills in retrieving and critically appraising information from a variety of sources; essential skills for applying scientific rigour in your future medical practice.
More information about our course can be found on the
Lancaster Medical School webpage.
Related Courses
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 with; AAA 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 2013, 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 2013 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 2012.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
