Course Overview
Our Pre-Medical Studies course is designed for students whose A level mix does not allow direct entry to Medicine, or whose circumstances affected their A level performance. It provides opportunities for students from a disadvantaged background or low achieving school or college as well as individuals who display a long term commitment to a career in medicine, for example mature students working in the NHS.
The course is designed to prepare you for successful entry to medical school and your subsequent career. Successful students on the course gain a Certificate in Higher Education.
There is potential for up to seven students from this course to enter the first year of the Liverpool University MBChB medical degree, studying at Lancaster or Liverpool. Subsequent admission to the medical degree is dependent on academic performance on this course and a successful Medical School admissions interview. Currently interviews take place during the Lent term (May).
On this one-year course, students take a total of 15 modules covering a range of subjects including: Anatomy and Tissue Structure; Introduction to Biomedical Science; Genetics; Hormones and Development; Infection and Immunity, and Human Physiology.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences department.
Year 1
- Molecules of Life
- Cell Structure and Function
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
- Protein Biochemistry
- Impact of Microbes
- Anatomy and Tissue Structure
- Infection and Immunity
- Hormones and Development
- Human Physiology
- Skills in Biomedical and Life Sciences
- Experimental Design and Data Analysis
- Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences
- Organic Chemistry
- Spectroscopy and Bio-inorganic Chemistry
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences department website.
Entry Criteria
Admissions criteria in terms of qualifications are flexible and evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but it is envisaged that the majority of students will be well qualified in terms of A-level points: AAB
Applicants are strongly advised to consult this webpage (and FAQs in particular), for detailed information:
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/shm/bls/teaching/ug/premedA900.htm
An important feature of this programme is that students are selected on the basis of their potential and suitability for medical training, rather than purely on their history of academic performance. This course gives an entry route to medicine for intellectually-able candidates who would not normally get an offer of a place.
For example they may:
- be doing the wrong mix of A-level subjects, e.g. only one science A level in the required group of Biol/Chem/Phys/Math.
- have circumstances that affected their A-level performance
- come from a disadvantaged background or geographical area and performed comparatively well at A-level but not attained the grades necessary for entry to medical school.
- display a long term commitment to a career in medicine, e.g. mature students in the NHS.
All applicants will be interviewed to determine their suitability prior to any offer of admission onto the Premedical Studies course being made. Applicants should be aware that we may seek further support for their application in the form of a dedicated reference from their school / college / employer, etc. Also admission to the medical degree after completion of the course is dependent on performance in terms of course grades and in the separate medical school admissions interview.
Preference will be given to UK and EU applicants. Mature students who already have a degree should have a minimum of a 2.1. Applicants must have at least a B grade at GCSE in Maths and English to be obtained at the first sitting; if these exams are retaken, Grade A in both will be required. A level General Studies will not be accepted.
Careers
If you continue on to a medical degree, you can look forward to a career in clinical practice, research, public health and more. Alternatively, transferring to and completing one of our Biomedicine degrees will open up doors in the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry and forensic science and research institutes.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
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.
