Graduate applicants should have at least a 2.1 Honours degree in a life science discipline. However, competition for entry to Birmingham's graduate entry programme is so fierce that applicants are more likely to be considered if they have a first class degree. Good knowledge of Chemistry is required (equivalent to at least grade C at A level). Applicants are also expected to have a good knowledge of biological processes, cell function and cell interactions and the degress normally regarded as suitable include:
Many other degrees may be suitable, but each syllabus will need to be assessed individually. These include:
Selection is made on merit as well as academic achievement and is based on information provided in the UCAS application including the personal statement and reference. The interview process is largely used to drill down further into information provided in the personal statement, so it is essential that this is a descriptive and accurate reflection of applicant's motivation and desire to study medicine. Other commonly asked questions include things like “why Birmingham?” and “why medicine?” and candidates can expect to be asked about theri personal interests, hobbies and sports pursuits, which are some of the easier interview questions to prepare for and so Birmingham interviews have a reputation for not being the most challenging.
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Birmingham medical school is located in the West Midlands region which, with a population of 5 ½ million, is the country’s largest health region and students will be able to experience a wide range of specialist disciplines through the medical school's network of acute hospitals, including the liver unit, burns unit and neurosurgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, infectious diseases at Heartlands Hospital and The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. Birmingham is one of the largest Universities in the country, with about 26,000 students. The modern campus is situated just outside the large, busy city centre, but with easy access to it as there's even a University train on the campus.
The MBChB at Birmingham is the largest faculty at Birmingham & Medical Science and is a modular systems-based programme, which allows students to study special interests and personal preferences. Students have patient contact from Year 1 with an attachment to general practice one day per fortnight. Teaching takes place in a variety of styles from lecture-based, seminars, tutorials, laboratory work, clinical practice and bedside demonstrations. There is also the opportunity to learn through role-plays and by video feedback on patient-doctor interactions. There is a small amount of PBL.
The University of Birmingham medical school graduate entry course is 4 years duration and consists of the following:
Topics covered in Year 1 Students will be equiped with the basic science required to underpin clinical medicine. They will undertake case-based learning, working in a group of about 8 students to study 4 blocks of 6 themed blocks covering:
Students will be expected to undertake a large element of self-directed learning as well as group work, meeting tutors, lectures and a day a weekk in a primary care setting in direct patient contact learning basic communication and clinical skills.
There are formative assessments within each Semester. At the end of the year there are summative assessments on both clinical skills and also on the knowledge and interpretative aspects of student's learning.
Topics covered in Year 2 Students are based in teaching hospitals, spending the first Semester in one of the central teaching Trusts and rotating for Semester 2 to another teaching Trust and one day a fortnight in primary care. The year follows a similar programme to the 3rd year course for students in the 5 year course, but with more time allocated to case-based learning to further basic training. Graduate students will join with the students from the 5 year course in their lecture programme on clinical science and in the teaching and special study module in public health & epidemilogy.
At the end of this year you will undertake the same assessments as the students in the 5 year course. These will cover your clinical skills, your knowledge and the interpretative aspects of your learning. In addition there will be assessments on the case based learning you have undertaken through the year.
Graduate students are now integrated with students in Year 4 of the 5 year course.
The 3rd Year is divided into blocks of 4 weeks with an elective period at the end of the year. In Years 3 and 4 students will have the opportunity for clinical attachments in modules in internal medicine and surgery in medical sub-specialties.
SSAs in Year 3 involve a 4-week clinical placement in a specialty of particular interest. Students will be prepared to complete a clinical audit and prepare a poster presentation on their audit.
SSAs in Year 4 comprise a 6-week period to complete a student study project of a particular condition. Students will be expected to research their chosen condition, complete a clinical audit and evaluation and prepare a poster presentation.
Examinations in clinical years: Examinations in the clinical years consist of:
As for examinations in Years 1 & 2, the pass mark is 50%.
Anatomy teaching at Birmingham Medical School doesn't enjoy the greatest repuation and is based on a limited amount of prosection sessions in Year 1, where cadavers are pre-dissected by trained anatomy demonstrators. Students will join small group tutorials and spend time with an anatomy tutor who shows them a variety of cadavers which have been dissected in different ways and tests students on points of anatomy. Students are expected to have pre prepared questions and answers on anatomy for each tutorial.
Electives take place in the spring of Year 3 with 2 months given to students to study an area of their choice, which may be taken overseas. A 6,000 word report must be submitted in Year 5, based on students’ elective project.
The information on this page is correct as of August 2010
