Medicine: The University of Manchester

Course description

The aim of the medical programme is to produce doctors who are well-prepared to enter the profession and who can manage their own future education and career. The School aims to recruit from a broad range of the community. The Outreach programmes are designed to encourage applications from able students from all backgrounds.

The present integrated curriculum was introduced in 1994 and is organized around problem-based learning, which encourages self-directed study. Students receive a four-week induction in Essential Skills at the beginning of the programme to prepare for the problem-based approach to learning.

Intercalated degree option

A range of Intercalated degrees are available within the 5-year programme, enabling students to interrupt the MBChB for one year (after either Year 2, 3 or 4) to complete a BSc (Hons) or a Masters degree within a medically-related specialist area. From 2005, a Masters in Research was developed to focus on medical research, giving students the skills they need to pursue a career in academic medicine.

MBChB (with European Studies)

In addition to studying on the MBChB, students can apply to enrol on the European Studies option during the first semester of Year 1. Linguistic ability to AS or A2-level standard or equivalent in French, German or Spanish is required. During Years 1 to 4, students will maintain and enhance language skills by weekly tuition in a selected language. There is the option to study in a European country, which speaks the language being studied, during two of the Special Study Components in Years 3 or 4, and in Year 5 students undertake a 16-week placement at one of our partner universities in Europe.

Current European partners include the University of Rennes, the Faculty of Medicine Xavier Bichat in Paris, the University Claude Bernard 1 in Lyon, the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris, the University of Nantes, the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, the University of Saarland in Homburg and the Medical University of Hannover (both in Germany), the University Miguel Hernandez in Alicante and the Autónoma University in Madrid.

Career opportunities

After graduation, doctors are provisionally registered by the General Medical Council in approved posts. The University is responsible for continued education at this time and organises, together with the hospital authorities, a scheme which places all newly-qualified doctors in their compulsory foundation years. On satisfactory completion of the first year of the foundation programme, full registration is awarded by the General Medical Council.

Entry requirements

• English language:
  All students must have one of the following qualifications in English Language:
  • GCSE at Grade B or above
  • Cambridge Syndicate: Grade B or above in the Certificate of Proficiency, Advanced Certificate in English or IGCSE First Language
  • International English Language Testing Service [IELTS] with a minimum average score of seven and with no less than seven in any one component taken at the same sitting.
• A level: The School's normal A-Level offer after successful interview would be grades AAB with minimum Grade A in Chemistry, with exams taken at the same sitting after no more than two years of study.
• Subjects required: Chemistry plus one from Biology, Human Biology, Physics or Mathematics, plus one further subject (not Critical Thinking or General Studies).
• Achieved A Level Grades: Students applying with known A Level grades (AAB with Grade A in Chemistry) will be considered, even though their GCSE grades do not reach the required standard.
• Subjects welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
• Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications.
• GCSE: At least seven subjects are required at Grade C or above; at least five must be at A or A*. English Language and Mathematics are required at GCSE minimum grade B.
• Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification.
• International Baccalaureate: Higher Level in Chemistry plus 1 from either Biology, Physics or Maths plus 1 further subject. Any sciences not offered at Higher Level must be taken at Standard Level or at GCSE. Or, a referee's statement confirming proficiency at intermediate level in 1 unexamined science subject is accepted. 35 points required overall, including 3 Grade 6 passes at Higher Level including Chemistry, 1 other science and 1 other academic subject, plus grades of 6,6,5 at Subsidiary Level.