The Health Foundation Year is designed to provide entry to the MBChB programme for students without the conventional science A levels which are normally required for direct entry. Students who have previously applied for direct entry to the 5 year MBChB programme and failed, may not apply through this route.
A levels AAB not to include Chemistry. A level Biology is acceptable if combined with non-science A levels. A limited number of re-sit candidates are accepted. They must have achieved at least BBB in the first sitting and AAA after 3 years of A level study.
Scottish Highers AAB required at Advanced Highers, not including Chemistry.
International Baccalaureate Minimum of 34 points. 6, 6, 6 at Higher level which must not include Chemistry.
Applications are screened by the Admission team to ensure they meet the minimum academic requirements. They are then passed on to the Admissions Tutors who will score each application based on the content of the personal statement and reference. They are specifically looking for evidence of the following areas (in both the personal statement AND the reference) which are each scored, with some given greater weighting than others:
Keele pay particular importance to the presentation and style of personal statements submitted, and state that they will mark down applications for careless errors of grammar and spelling.
Keele does not use an absolute UKCAT score cut off point to select candidates for interview. They would normally assess all aspects of each application before deciding which candidates to select for interview, so those invited for interview will show a broad range of UKCAT scores. The UKCAT scores are often used to help the Admissions Tutors decide between borderline applicants.
Once all applications have been assessed and scored, the scores for each applicant are placed in rank order and the top 400 applicants are invited for interview. Interviews take place in December, February and March and the date which applicants are called for interview does not correspond to their rank position.
The interview lasts 20 minutes and the panel consists of 1 academic, 1 clinician and 1 lay person. Only one of the panellists will have seen the candidate’s personal statement. The interviewers assess the following areas:
No offers are made without interview.
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The University of Keele has one of the largest and most attractive campuses in the UK and is located in beautiful surroundings. The University is renowned for its world-class education and research and particularly for its teaching. Although large in physical size, Keele is one of the smallest Universities in terms of student numbers. Many students and staff live on campus, making for a good atmosphere and the sense of community helps new students feel at home very quickly.
Keele medical school is one of the most modern in the country. The medical school building was opened in 2003 and is a modern, purpose built facility. The new MBChB course started in 2007 and is a new curriculum. Prior to 2007, students at Keele medical school studied a Manchester University validated course and graduated with a Manchester degree.
Students on the Health Foundation Year at Keele will study academic modules closely related to the principal medicine course such as Chemistry and Biology. They also receive training in communication skills, counselling skills, IT and numeracy.
Students must pass the Health Foundation Year with at least 70% (grade A) in all modules in order to progress to the standard 5 year medical degree programme.
Keele medical school undergraduate course is 5 years duration and consists of the following:
Topics covered in Year 1 (Phase 1): Students will study a module entitled ‘Challenges to Health’ in Year 1, which aims to teach them how the body works normally includes the following 4 week blocks in:
The SSC in Year 1 is a period of 3 weeks in which students undertake a literature review of 2,000 words and a 5 minute presentation. Students can choose a topic from a list, or develop the own topic.
Topics covered in Year 2 (Phase 2a): Students will study a module entitled ‘Integrated Clinical Pathology 1’, where the focus shifts to how the process of disease disrupts the normal body function and includes:
The SSC is year 2 runs throughout the year and takes the form of 8 half days on placement in a non-clinical setting, either in a voluntary or work shadow role within a local voluntary or statutory organisation in the health or social care field. Students must prepare and deliver a poster presentation about the organisation in which they spent time, and write a 1,500 word reflective report based on their placement experiences.
There are exams at the end of each Semester in Years 1 and 2, which comprise a 3-hour written paper (Single Best Answers, MCQs and short Answer Questions) and an OSCE.
Topics covered in Year 3 (Phase 2b): Students will study a module entitled ‘Integrated Clinical Pathology 2’ in blocks of 4 weeks which includes:
The SSC is in 2 blocks of 4 weeks where students can choose from 3 types of SSC:
Topics covered in Year 4 (Phase 3): Students will study a module entitled ‘Integrated Clinical Practice’ in blocks of 8 weeks which includes:
The SSC is a 4-week block of clinical career exploration where students spend time with doctors of different grades and in different specialties. They must submit a reflective account on how this time has informed their career choice.
Topics covered in Year 5 (Phase 4): Students will prepare for professional practice in their final year, by undertaking the following units:
Students will take their Elective in the final year.
There are written exams at the end of Year 3 and the written finals (Single Best Answer, EMQs, Short Answer Questions) at the end of Year 4, which also include an OSCE component. Clinical finals take the form of a long OSCE which is taken in the February of the Final year.
Keele is one of the few medical schools in the UK where anatomy is still taught by cadaveric dissection, with about 2 hours of dissection each week following by resource room activities.
Problem-based learning (PBL) is a major component of the curriculum at Keele. Students work in small groups of 10 to study a clinical scenario which is the focus of learning for a week, with two or three tutorials. From Year 3, PBL develops into Case-based learning where scenarios are replaced by discussions of patients encountered by students during their clinical placements.
PBL is supported by plenary lectures, seminars, lab practicals and clinical placements. The emphasis is on student-led and self-directed learning.
Students will develop their clinical skills in a clinical skills laboratory, which offers training through simulated exercises, such as examining other students and performing practical procedures on manikins. Communication skills are taught through role-play.
Throughout the programme students will have placements with community services (such as schools, chemists/pharmacies, residential homes, gyms and drop-in centres) and general practices with over 20% of teaching in Years 3, 4 and 5 taking place in general practice. This time is currently allocated as follows: Year 1 – 6 half days in general practice Year 2 – 24 hours working with community services Year 3 – 4 weeks in general practice Year 4 – 5 placements of 1 week in general practice Year 5 – 15 weeks in a general practice
Students take an 8-week elective in Year 5 in any subject of interest which is related to medicine. There is no restriction on the location and the majority of students choose to experience a healthcare environment in an overseas setting.
Students can opt to study an intercalated degree at the end of Year 2 or 3, providing they have passed all their assessments and been ranked in the top half of their class overall. The intercalated degree courses available include:
The information on this page is correct as of August 2010
