University of Edinburgh Medical School – undergraduate entry

  

A level 

3 A Levels grade AAA including Chemistry plus Grade B at AS level, plus one of Biology (or Human Biology), Maths or Physics. Biology at AS level is required as a minimum. General Studies is excluded. Edinburgh medical school will only accept candidates who have been successful in achieving these grades in their first sitting, although very exceptional circumstances may be considered.

 

AAAAB including Chemistry and two of Biology (or Human Biology), Maths or Physics.

 

Overall score of 37 points (including TOK and EE) including 667 at HL in Chemistry and at least one other science subject (preferably Biology). Biology should be taken to at least SL.

Applications are assessed by two selectors against academic and non-academic criteria and a weighting for the UKCAT is added before applications are ranked. Offers are made to the highest scoring applicants. 

 

Undergraduate school leavers are not normally interviewed and decision are largely based on the strength of the personal statement which must reflect the candidates’ interest, commitment and motivation to study medicine.

 

The University of Edinburgh, established in 1583, is one of the few ancient Universities in the UK.  Edinburgh medical school was established in 1726 and is one of the oldest and most established medical schools in the world, with a reputation internationally for its medical education and research.

 

The medical degree programme boasts a modern curriculum which focuses on the areas of clinical skills, personal and professional development, public health, pharmacology & therapeutics and the psychological aspects of medicine, with teaching from some of the leading clinicians and researchers in the world.

 

The new medical school was completed in 2002, is situated adjacent to the Royal Infirmary and offers state of the art teaching facilities, library and computing facilities.

 

The City of Edinburgh is considered a highly desirable place to live with a colourful history, world heritage status architecture and world famous festivals year round.  The University is considered to be one of the leading academic institutions in the UK.  It is cosmopolitan and attracts thousands of students from all over the world.

 

The University of Edinburgh medical school undergraduate course is 5 years duration and consists of the following:

 

The first two years are mainly taught at the University main campus and concentrate on the scientific, sociological and behavioural principles of medicine as well as the socio-ethical aspects of practising medicine. 

 

Students study the biomedical and clinical sciences in the first two years, such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology and microbiology together with the social and ethical aspects of clinical practice.  In Year 2 students also have a weekly GP attachment, giving them the opportunity to take histories and practise clinical skills.

 

Students take one SSC in Year 1 which can be selected from a wide range of topics from infection control after surgery to patient-doctor communication. This is assessed by examiners and other students with an opportunity to present or publish findings.

 

In Year 2, two SSCs are taken which involve reviewing research literature and applying that information in a clinical scenario and then a piece of original research in groups. The topics may be on any relevant subject of interest. Students would then be expected to produce a group report on the research work carried out and conclusions derived.

 

In Years 3 and 4, students will take modules which focus on the major systems-based clinical specialties and will undertake hospital and community attachments. They will further their clinical experience by developing skills in diagnosis and management. By Year 5, students are expected to have developed sufficient clinical acumen and skills to manage patients who present with a wide range of problems through attachments in general and acute medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, anaesthetics, intensive care and general practice.

 

Cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and locomotor.

 

The SSC in Year 3 gives students the opportunity to shadow a health professional and produce a report and presentation.

 

Neurology, general practice, psychiatry, O&G, renal/urology, haematology, oncology, senses and breast disease

 

In Year 4 the SSC comprises 8-weeks to complete a piece of research or an audit in an area of interest.

 

Paediatrics, medicine, general practice, geriatrics, surgery, A&E, ITU and anaesthetics.

 

The SSC in Year 5 is the 8-week long elective.

The Anatomy Lecture Theatre is the oldest working lecture theatre in the northern hemisphere and is designed like a fish bowl, allowing students to look down to see bodies being dissected with video screens to enable real close up views.  Edinburgh use prosections for their teaching rather than dissecting, but for those students who would like the opportunity to practice their dissection skills, it is possible to choose an SSC in Year 2 where students get to dissect, or work for the University over the summer months, dissecting the cadavers to prepare the prosections.  There is usually an anatomy lecture each week during Years 1 and 2, to cover areas in the practical class.  The practical classes involve identifying cadaveric prosections including the use of embryology and histology.  The anatomy teaching laboratory is available to students outside of usual teaching hours to help with further learning and revision.

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Students are taught through problems-based learning of case studies which one case of PBL a week.  The main focus of PBL is to reinforce the theory covered in lectures.  PBL is not the main focus of teaching and practical, clinical and research skills are developed through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, practical classes, individual and group project work, problem-based learning sessions, clinical attachements, bedside teaching, community projects, time spent in general practice and via e-learning programmes.

 

Students are examined and assessed on the following criteria:

 

End of course – written exam (essay, short answer, MCQ), questions requiring data interpretation, OSCE and other clinical exams

In course – reports on project work and case studies entered in student portfolio.

 

End of course – OSCEs in Years 2, 4 and 4. Clinical practice exam in for Year 5

In course – assessment of clinical skills on attachments, Structured Clinical Evaluation Exercises (SCEEs)

 

End of course – Portfolio viva exam in Year 5, OSCEs in Years 2, 3 and 4.

In course – continuously assessed and reported on during group work, project work, clinical attachments and peer assessed in group work

 

Students take an 8 week elective in Year 5, which most split into two 4-week blocks. Students are normally attached to a hospital during their elective or may work for a charity-based organisation. The elective may be taken abroad and popular destinations are Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, India, Samoa, the United States and South America. Students are then required to produce a two page report.

 

The top 90 students (about 40%) wishing to intercalate are accepted to study for a Batchelor of Medical Sciences honours degree after Year 2 and study a science subject in greater depth.  The degree programmes available include: