Degrees Offered

• MB BCh BAO Bachelor of Medicine (UCAS Code: A100)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
T: +44 (0)28 9097 2676
E: medicaled@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/mdbs

Entrance Requirements

• Interview
  All offers are made on the basis of interviews. All applicants will be ranked on cognitive performance, and a proportion selected for interview. Interviews will take the form of MMI (Multi-Mini Interviews) and offers will be made on the results of the interview..
   
• UKCAT
  All applicants are required to sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) and the results achieved will be used as part of the selection process prior to interview.
  
  
• A-level
  AAA at A-level + A in a fourth AS-level subject including A-level Chemistry plus at least one other A-level from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics. If not offered at A-level then Biology/Human Biology to at least AS-level grade B. GCSE Mathematics and either GCSE Physics or Double Award Science are required if not offered at AS-level or A-level. A maximum of either one Applied A-level or one Applied AS-level will be counted. Please also note that only one Mathematics subject will be counted at A-level (the other would be acceptable as the fourth AS-level). A-level Critical Thinking and General Studies at both A-level and AS-level are not acceptable.
  
  In considering applications, GCSE performance in the best 9 subjects will be scored with 4 points awarded for an A* and 3 for an A grade. UKCAT will be scored and used in conjunction with the GCSE score to rank for interview. AS performance and additional GCSE A grades may also be taken into account in borderline cases. Evidence of commitment to medicine, motivation, communication skills and initiative are important.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  A1A1A1A1A1B2 including Higher Level grade A1 in Biology and Chemistry + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade B in Mathematics. Students not offering Physics as part of their Leaving Certificate must have an A grade in Junior Certificate Science.
  
  
• Graduates
  Applications from graduates or those in the final year of their degree are considered and the full academic background is taken into account. For 2013 the minimum A-level threshold will be ABB at first attempt ie prior to commencing degree studies, or BBB for those with a First Class Honours degree or PhD. Applicants must have an appropriate science background at GCSE and AS-level/A-level and at least a 2.1 Honours degree, which can be from a wide range of different subjects. A-level Chemistry and at least one from A-level Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics, plus, if not offered at A-level, then Biology/Human Biology to at least AS-level (or equivalent) are required. In addition, GCSE in Mathematics and either Physics or Double Award Science are necessary if not taken beyond this level. Graduate applicants who fulfil these criteria are then scored with their UKCAT.
  
  
• Transfers from other Medical Schools
  Applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and all normal entry requirements must be satisfied.
  

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 7.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the English Language requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will develop the language skills you need to progress. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here

All applicants
All students admitted to this degree will be required to complete a Hepatitis B vaccination programme at the Occupational Health Service of the University.

Medicine welcomes applications from people with disabilities. All applications will be treated on an individual case basis to ensure that the applicant has the potential to fulfil the demands of professional fitness to practise. Disability will not be considered as part of the selection process, however, it is strongly advised that applicants disclose their disability on their UCAS form and contact the School to obtain further advice. Applicants may also be required to provide relevant information which will be treated in the strictest of confidence. It is important that the University has an understanding of your support requirements to implement reasonable adjustments.

As a result of current legislative requirements any offer made will be conditional on a satisfactory criminal history check (Access NI Enhanced Disclosure Check). To enable the University to request this check you will be required to provide some personal information which will be treated in the strictest of confidence and in line with Data Protection Principles. The current cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Check is £30. At the time of printing the relevant legislation is under review and it is possible that in the future the vetting requirements and costs will change. Applicants will be advised of the relevant requirements at the appropriate time.

For international students, a Certificate of Good Conduct or equivalent will be required in lieu of an Access NI check.

The degree is subject to the University’s regulations on Fitness to Practise.

Further details on admission requirements are given in the Entry Profile on the UCAS website and this should be consulted: http://www.ucas.com/students/coursesearch.

More detailed information on applying to Medicine at Queen's is also available from the School website at http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/medicine/Prospectivestudents

The Subject

Queen's is an exciting place in which to study Medicine. Belfast is a vibrant city and boasts four major teaching hospitals, all centrally located. In addition, our students study at a number of hospitals and general practices throughout Northern Ireland from first year onwards. There are close bonds between the medical school and the Northern Ireland community and patients take an active interest in medical education through our 'Patients as Partners' programme.

Course Content

The Medical Degree
This degree programme in Medicine leads to a qualification which is registrable with the General Medical Council and allows the graduate to practise medicine in its various specialities. On completion, the degrees of MB BCh BAO are awarded, where MB is Bachelor of Medicine, BCh is Bachelor of Surgery and BAO is Bachelor in the Art of Obstetrics.

The programme, which extends over five years, is integrated, systems-based and student-centred. The scientific background to medicine is taught alongside clinical medicine. The focus throughout our degree programme is on learning rather than teaching, and there is a strong emphasis on clinical skills with teaching in hospitals from as early as the second semester of first year and the fourth and final years are entirely clinical. As well as early clinical contact with patients there is a dedicated Clinical Skills Education Centre. It provides both clinical skills training, revision and assessment and is used extensively by students. In addition, the School is developing a state-of-the-art simulation centre. We place a strong emphasis on bedside teaching and clinical skills and underpin this with learning materials delivered using the latest technologies.

During your early years you have several opportunities to explore areas of personal interest for in-depth study through 'Student Selected Components'. Examples of these modules include Sign Language, Arts in Medicine, Medics in Primary School, Medical Ethics, Physical Activity and Languages. At the end of second or third year, students may also apply to take a year out of their medical degree to study for an intercalated degree during your medical training. This extra research-focused year will lead to either a BSc or MRes qualification.

Programme Overview
Years 1 and 2
During the first two years of the degree programme you learn about the scientific basis of medical practice. You gain knowledge about each body system focusing on the mechanisms of cellular structure and function. You also study pathology, microbiology, therapeutics and genetics. Teaching of basic science subjects is integrated with clinical skills training which you acquire through clinical simulation and practice with patients.

Year 3
The third year begins to take greater clinical focus. Classroom-based and clinical teaching takes place in each of the medical and surgical disciplines, which is integrated with therapeutic, pathological and microbiological principles relevant to clinical medical practice.

Years 4 and 5
During the fourth and fifth years you gain further experience in a range of surgical and medical disciplines. Training in emergency medicine and general practice offers an opportunity for you to consolidate and advance your clinical skills and enhance your clinical and related knowledge. In fifth year you have the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship during which you complete the range of tasks undertaken by a Foundation Doctor. Teaching and learning in ethics, communication, teamwork, and related behavioural science is embedded throughout the curriculum.

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

Queen's University Medical School has a long tradition of excellent medical education which is constantly updated in response to developments in medical science and practice.  We aim to deliver a high quality course utilising innovative teaching methods and best practice to create a supportive environment designed to enable students to achieve their personal and academic potential.  Queen's lays particular emphasis on the development of clinical skills.  Students are introduced to patients and their problems from the beginning of the course.  Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course include:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions and gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• Practicals:  there are practical classes throughout years one and two – these are designed to support learning in the basic sciences. Students will have the opportunity to undertake cadaveric dissection during the Anatomy components of the course.
• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree.  In years three, four and five, learning in the clinical environment is supported by on-line lectures and DVDs.  An extensive suite of on-line clinical and communication skills training resources is also available.  Interactive learning is supported by the use of audience response systems during lectures.
• Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in groups (typically 8-40 students).  These provide the opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a medical student when important directed reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date, research and preparation work for assignments are carried out.  The development of reflective skills is supported through the use of portfolios.
• Clinical Placements:  Students undertake placements from year one and at the early stage of the course these are usually located in the greater Belfast Area.  From year three students will have opportunities to undertake placements in hospitals and general practices throughout Northern Ireland.
• Placement Abroad.  As part of the medical degree there will be opportunities for students to take a clinical module in a European institution participating in the ERASMUS programme.  Student may also opt to travel to other counties as part of the final year Elective module. 
• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during years 1 and 2.  During years 3-5 students will have a clinical mentor.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning Outcomes of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations, which may include OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations).  Details of how each module is assessed are outlined in the Study Guides which are provided to all students at the beginning of the academic year.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources, including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Feedback comment from Clinical Supervisors
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services, such as Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

Careers

On obtaining the MB BCh BAO degrees you are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council and may apply for a post as a Foundation Programme trainee. On successful completion of the first year of this training period you become a fully registered doctor.  However, whichever branch of medicine you intend to pursue you will be required to undertake further training.  For example to enter General Practice you will require a further three years training.  To become a hospital consultant you may require a further seven years of specialty training. Career outcomes include:

• Consultant working in a hospital(e.g: Surgery, General Medicine, Pathology, Biochemistry, Dermatology, Microbiology, ENT, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anaesthetics and Oncology).
• General Practitioner
• Academic Clinician
• Consultant in Public Health Medicine

Employer Links: The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency has close links with the School and provides guidance on careers and the Foundation Application Process.

The clinical placements undertaken throughout the course are located in the hospitals where graduates are likely to be employed in Northern Ireland as Foundation Doctors. Each Trust has appointed a Sub-Dean to oversee the delivery of high-quality undergraduate medical education in their hospital(s).

Further information about postgraduate training is available on the postgraduate page within the General Medical Council website.: 

Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures, for example:

• Dr Frank Pantridge
• Dr Jack Kyle
• Dame Ingrid Allen
• Sir Peter Froggatt.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullemployability statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including: recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe and learning development supports as well as involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies,  and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

GMC Registration: possession of the degrees of MB BCh BAO entitle the graduate to apply to be provisionally registered with the General Medical Council. All graduates who intend to practise in the United Kingdom are required to undertake a two-year Foundation Training Programme. On satisfactory completion of the first year, doctors are fully registered with the General Medical Council.

Alumni: a particularly notable graduate of Queen's medical school was Professor Frank Pantridge, dubbed the 'father of emergency medicine' and inventor of the portable defibrillator.

Study Abroad: at the end of Year 4 you undertake an Overseas Elective. This gives you the opportunity to travel abroad to work in a medical environment. Destinations include Australia, India, the USA, Africa and Indonesia.

Clubs and Societies: there are several medical-based societies at Queen's, including BMSA, Scrubs, Medsin and SWOT. In addition, the University has over 150 clubs and societies run by students, offering the opportunity to participate in a wide variety sports and activities.