Undergraduate study

The aim of the Medicine course is to produce doctors who are equipped to practise into the second quarter of the 21st century. The emphasis is on self-education, development of critical faculties and communication skills. From the outset, studies will be centred on patients and patient problems. Understanding human life requires study of the human body at all levels: molecular; cellular; systems; the complete organism and interactions with the environment and other members of society. Many different specialities contribute to this pool of understanding, and an integrative approach is used to enable acquisition of the understanding of people, health and disease which is necessary for the effective practice of medicine.

The MBChB Honours degree at Keele University is designed to ensure graduates meet the necessary standards in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes that new doctors should have. The curricular outcomes for undergraduate medical education are set out in Tomorrow’s Doctors (GMC, 2009) see: www.gmc-uk.org and the principles of professional practice as set out in the GMC document Good Medical Practice (GMC, 2006). These are:

• Good clinical care – Doctors must practise good standards of clinical care, practise within the limits of their competence, and make sure that patients are not put at unnecessary risk
• Maintaining good medical practice – Doctors must keep up to date with developments in their field and maintain their skills
• Relationships with patients – Doctors must develop and maintain successful relationships with their patients
• Working with colleagues – Doctors must work effectively with colleagues (from all health and social care professions)
• Teaching and training – If doctors have teaching responsibilities, they must develop the skills, attitudes and practices of a competent teacher
• Probity – Doctors must be honest
• Health – Doctors must not allow their own health or condition to put patients and others at risk

The Keele curriculum is a modern, highly-integrated medical curriculum, which combines a range of learning strategies, including problem-based learning, early clinical experience, integrated communication and clinical skills teaching, lectures, seminars, practical sessions and clinical placements in major specialties. The medical curriculum integrates biomedical, behavioural, social and clinical sciences, healthcare delivery and professional developments. Integration occurs at all levels and is guided by five themes.

Themes

The overall structure of the course comprises five compulsory modules taken over five years. The five themes running through the whole course are:

• Scientific basis of medicine
• Clinical, communication and information management skills
• Individual, community, and population health
• Quality and efficiency in health care
• Ethics, personal and professional development

There is a phased integration of basic science and clinical experience throughout the year-long modules 1, 2 and 3, with increasing exposure to clinical practice throughout the course.

Interprofessional learning will occur at several stages, commencing in module 1 with a series of interprofessional group activities involving medical, nursing, pharmacy and physiotherapy students at Keele.

These sessions promote mutual understanding of roles and effective collaboration, both essential to developing the professional teamwork required in modern, high-quality healthcare. Interprofessional learning in more senior years will involve collaborative clinical assessments and working with students in other health profession courses.

Diversity of student interest and career options is fostered through the student-selected component (SSC) programme. During each academic year of the course, students are offered a choice of learning experience that allows either breadth (including exposure to wider areas of clinical practice but also the opportunity to learn within the context of, for example, the arts and humanities) or depth (more specialist clinical experience). Over the whole five years students will be able to gain a diverse range of such experiences, building on natural aptitudes and providing a basis for future career interest. Further opportunities for diversity are encouraged through intercalation.

This Medicine table is an indication of course content. Some of the details may change over time.

Our Facilities

Keele School of Medicine is spread across various sites in Staffordshire and Shropshire. The three principal buildings are located at the University main campus and at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS) three miles away. There is also a substantial Medical School at our associate teaching hospital at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust in Shropshire, at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust at both Stafford and Shrewsbury. All medical students can expect to spend varying periods of time at all of these sites during their five years on the course.

The Medical School building at Keele Campus was opened in September 2003. It contains everything that one would expect in a modern purpose-built facility, including a large lecture theatre, seminar rooms, IT laboratory, an anatomy suite, multi-user laboratories, a resource room, student common room and refreshment area. In addition to this the University provides library and information services in the nearby Information Services building.

At the University Hospital of North Staffordshire Campus, there are two educational buildings: the Keele University Medical School (UHNS Hospital Campus) building, opened in 2003, and the Clinical Education Centre, opened in 2004. As well as the usual teaching rooms, the hospital campus provides a multi-professional Health Library and superb clinical skills laboratory facilities which have recently been extended.

The Harplands Hospital (North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust) building behind the Clinical Education Centre includes a dedicated student commom room/IT facility, seminar rooms and a small skills laboratory.

At the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, the Learning Centre was opened in 2008. It contains seminar rooms, a clinical skills laboratory, a student common room/resource room, and an integrated Health Library. New, high standard living accommodation for students opened in August 2009 at the Shrewsbury site.

At Stafford, Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust has an excellent postgraduate Medical Centre with a formal lecture theatre, several teaching rooms and library facilities, which are all available to medical students. In addition, the development of another building on the site to add a common room, administrative office, teaching rooms, IT facilities and a skills laboratory, will enhance the existing facilities. Residential accommodation is also provided on site. The South Staffordshire and Shropshire Foundation Trust is also planning to develop dedicated space for Keele medical students at St George's Hospital site in Stafford.

Short movies of life at Keele School of Medicine can be viewed or students can take a virtual tour of the school.

Student Support and Guidance

There is a dedicated student support service at the School of Medicine. The team will be pleased to help with a wide range of issues and support is available on an individual basis at the University and all major hospital sites.

There is a comprehensive network of pastoral and academic support. This is a vital resource, as you will be taking much of the responsibility for your own learning during a challenging course that introduces you to many new experiences.

Courses available:

 How to apply

All applications must be made through UCAS by 15 October for applicants wishing to enter the following September and for those wishing to defer.

Download our School of Medicine course brochure or order via our web 'Contact us' form or telephone 01782 734651.

Teaching and assessment

The programme is based on a ‘hybrid’ approach that uses many methods.

• Themes are present in each module/year
• Students will be allocated to a ‘study group’ each year for modules 1-3
• Of the 40 expected study hours each week, approximately half are devoted to independent and group study
• Maximum of five to six lectures each week
• Emphasis on practical sessions, including anatomy and laboratory sessions
• Clinical/communication/information skills starts early in module 1
• Approximately 20% community-based experience throughout the course
• Problem-based learning (PBL) with groups of about 11 in modules 1-2
• Small case-based learning groups in module 3, and case-illustrated learning in module 4 
• Each week, in modules 1-2 ends with an ‘integrating’ event for the week, e.g. debate, panel presentation, clinical case presentation and clinico-pathological cases (CPCs)
• In modules 3, 4 and 5, students work in small groups or pairs, based in a variety of clinical settings

The assessments have two main aims: first to help students achieve the learning objectives of the course (formative) and secondly to certify those students who have achieved those learning objectives (summative).

Formative assessment is a key, integrated component of the course and there is regular, web-based material on which students can assess their understanding. These assessments will reinforce what you need to know, reassure those students who are on track and point out any areas which require extra study. They will help to guide students in their professional development. Students will meet all different methods of testing in this formative way before they encounter the same method in a summative examination.

We use a variety of different testing methods at Keele. We will test students' ability to apply knowledge with written methods such as multiple choice questions, extended matching questions and key feature problems. We will examine students' ability to comprehend a medical text and paraphrase it in lay terms. From an early stage in the course we will examine students' practical and clinical skills in the laboratory and clinical arena. These tests include OSSEs (objective structured skills examination) and OSCEs (objective structured clinical examination). Students will have an opportunity to learn and practise these skills and receive feedback throughout the learning year and prior to the summative exams.

Students will keep a portfolio detailing the development of their clinical practice including reflections on the new situations that they encounter. This will be linked to appraisal. Students will also participate in multi-source feedback that will help them understand how they perform as a team member and to assist them in developing professionalism.

In the final year of the course (module 5) there will be a final OSCE exam but throughout the year a series of 'real-life' examinations of clinical performance in the workplace. This will help both us and the students to know whether they are ready to take on the role of a Foundation Year doctor.

Programme specifications (new window)

After graduation from an approved degree programme, medical graduates apply to the General Medical Council (GMC) for provisional registration. Graduates are entitled to provisional registration with the GMC with a licence to practise, subject to demonstrating to the GMC that their fitness to practise is not impaired. Please see the GMC website at www.gmc-uk.org for more information. After satisfactory completion of the first year of postgraduate training, graduates achieve full registration with the GMC. The learning objectives of the first year of the Foundation Programme are set by the GMC. At the time of print, the responsibility for setting the standards for the second year of the Foundation Programme and for further postgraduate training falls on the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB).

All new medical graduates in the UK should undertake the Foundation Programme. These programmes are run by Foundation Schools that cover geographic areas (such as Staffordshire). The Foundation programmes run nationally but delivery may differ a little between Foundation Schools. The usual model is to undertake six four-month attachments in different specialties over the two years to attain a wide range of competencies. There is an opportunity for students to choose their desired geographical location in which to undertake their Foundation Programme as well as some choice of specialties. However, applications are competitive so first choice locations and specialties are preferentially given to the better candidates. For more information on the Foundation Programme please see www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk

Applications to the main Foundation Programmes occur at the beginning of the fifth year. Help is provided in applying for these posts by the careers liaison co-ordinator, who has strong links with the postgraduate Foundation Schools. Locally, the West Midlands Workforce Deanery is active in supporting trainees in the West Midlands to pursue their suited career and the career pages of the website contain details and podcasts of careers in various specialties. http://www.workforcedeanery/westmidlands.nhs.uk/

Vocational training and education continues throughout professional life, and further postgraduate training is provided through recognised training schemes leading to the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). Attainment of a CCT allows the individual to apply for senior positions, such as consultant posts or general practice partnerships. These schemes vary in duration from three to seven years, commencing on successful completion of the Foundation Programme. It is crucial that students think about which speciality route they would like to follow as early as they possibly can. Important career decisions have to be made within two years of graduation and successful application to speciality training posts is more likely if students and trainees have structured their learning and experiences towards their final goal. Career support programmes and personnel are available at medical school to assist with this. 

Medical students at UK medical schools who are from overseas and do not have right of residence must check how the latest information on visa requirements affects their postgraduate training period. Please see theUK Border Agency website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Information about medical careers after graduation is correct at the time of going to press. For up-to-date information please visit: www.mmc.nhs.uk

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

Entry Requirements A100

Please always check our website at www.keele.ac.uk/health/schoolofmedicine/ for the most up-to-date details of our entry requirements.

UKCAT
All applicants must take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) in the year of application for A100 and A104. Further information regarding this test can be found at www.ukcat.ac.uk

AS and A-levels required
Three A-level subjects are required. Of these, Chemistry or Biology is essential, plus one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics, plus one further rigorous academic subject if only two sciences are offered. In addition a fourth AS-level grade B or above is required. Maths with Further Maths or Biology/Human Biology with PE will not be accepted in combination. If Chemistry is not taken at A-level, it must be offered at AS-level, grade B minimum. General Studies, Critical Thinking and applied subjects are not accepted. If only two sciences are offered, the science subjects not offered at AS/A-level are required at GCSE level, grade B or above.

Grades required
At Advanced Level (A2) we require A*AB/AAA from three A-Level subjects taken after two years of study.

GCSEs required
Science/Core Science plus Additional Science or Chemistry, Physics and Biology, English Language and Mathematics (grade B minimum) are essential. A broad spread of subjects is expected at GCSE with a minimum of 4 grade A passes.

Achieved A-level grades
Students applying with known A-level grades will be considered even though their GCSE grades do not reach the previously mentioned standard, with the exception of Mathematics, the Sciences, and English Language where minimum B grades are required.

International Baccalaureate (IB) 
Students undertaking the International Baccalaureate (IB) will be asked to achieve the IB Diploma with a score of at least 35 points from six academic subjects. Subjects should include Chemistry or Biology, plus one from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics and a third rigorous subject at higher level. Any Science not taken at the higher level must be offered at subsidiary level or GCSE. Three grade 6 passes at IB Higher level and grades 6, 6, 5 at subsidiary level are normally required. Points awarded for the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge are not taken into account.

European Baccalaureate
Applicants must offer Maths (‘5 hours’ or ‘8 hours’) plus at least one science option. Must include Chemistry. Overall we require a final result of 78%.

Students not offering GCSE English Language or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum average score of 7 (with not less than 7 in any one component taken at the same sitting) should contact the Admissions Office.

Irish Leaving Certificate
Students should offer at least five A1 or A2 grades at higher level, to include Biology, Chemistry, plus a sixth at a minimum of B1. Physics should have been studied at junior certificate level as a minimum. Chemistry and one other science at grade A is required.

Advanced Highers (Scottish)
At Advanced Higher Level we require grades of AAA from three subjects taken after two years of study. Of these, Chemistry or Biology is essential, plus one subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, plus one further rigorous academic subject if only two sciences are offered. Chemistry must be offered at Higher Grade B as a minimum. Alternatively, students may offer two Advanced Highers plus one new Higher at grades AAA, subjects to include Chemistry at Advanced Higher plus one other science at Advanced Higher and a further rigorous subject.

We require a minimum of four subjects at Standard Grade/Intermediate 2, with a good range of subjects including English Language and Mathematics. Any science subjects not offered at Higher/Advanced Higher are required at Standard Grade/Intermediate Level 2 (grade 2 or higher).

Welsh Baccalaureate
We require grades of A*AB/AAA from the Baccalaureate and two full A-Levels taken after two years of study. Students should pass the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma including two science A2-levels with no grade below B. Chemistry or Biology is essential plus one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Mathematics. If Chemistry is not taken at A-level, it must be offered at AS-level, grade B minimum.

Resit applicants
Any applicant taking more than two years to complete three A-levels, or equivalent, will only be considered when they have achieved the required grades at Advanced Level of A*AB/AAA. It is not our policy to consider applicants who were unsuccessful at interview the previous year.

Graduate applicants
The School of Medicine will consider applications from graduates who hold or are expected to attain an appropriate science- based upper second class Honours degree (Chemical/Biological Sciences preferred). In addition applicants should ensure that they have the relevant subjects at GCSE and A-level as listed. Allowances will be made for those whose A-level grades do not meet the A*AB/AAA criteria, but have achieved an upper second class Honours degree in an appropriate Biological Sciences subject. However, we reserve the right to request details from applicants of the content of their degree course if we have concerns about the A-level grades obtained in specific sciences (e.g. Chemistry). Graduates should also have GCSE English Language, Mathematics and the sciences at a minimum of grade B.

Graduates with upper second-calss Honours degrees in other disciplines may be considered on the basis of their science A-levels, or for the Health Foundation Year (A104) if they have not taken the sciences to A-level standard or higher. Those applicants requesting consideration of qualifications equivalent to the sciences at A-level should note that they must provide this information to the Admissions Office at the same time they submit their UCAS application.

Access to Medicine and other qualifications
We are pleased to receive applications from applicants who are taking a recognised Access to Medicine Course. For information please refer to the Admissions Manager or see our website.

International applicants
Keele University School of Medicine will consider applications from international students who are overseas for fees purposes. We will have approximately 10 places available for entry in 2012 and 2013.

International students will be subject to the standard admissions procedure that involves application through UCAS. Shortlisted candidates are required to attend an interview. Currently these are held at Keele University Medical School, Staffordshire, UK.

All applicants should offer qualifications equivalent to the GCSE and A-level requirements. Applicants will be expected to provide evidence of the equivalence of your qualifications; this should be sent directly to the Admissions Office after submitting your UCAS application. International students offering the International or European Baccalaureate should refer to the relevant section of the prospectus or our web pages. English Language requirements are grade B at GCSE or IELTS with a minimum average of 7 (with not less than 7 in any one component taken at the same sitting).

Work experience

All applicants are required to have undertaken work experience in a caring role; this need not be hospital or general practice-based.

We encourage applicants to tell us how they became involved in such work, for how long, how much time they spend each week, and most importantly what they gained from it.

Criminal Record Bureau checks

Applicants offered a place on this degree programme will also be required to apply, through the University, for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). The University follows the CRB Code of Practice in these issues (see www.crb.gov.uk) and can provide a copy of this Code on request. The University also has a policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders. It should be noted that having a criminal record is not necessarily a bar to obtaining a place on this course. However, failure to disclose relevant details is likely to result in withdrawal of the offer of a place.

Immunisation/health requirements

All applicants who are given an offer of a place must complete a satisfactory health questionnaire, which is sent out to applicants with the offer letter. All required immunisations will take place post-registration through our Occupational Health Unit.

Semester dates

In modules 1 and 2, semester dates are as normal. However, in modules 3-5 longer semester dates are in operation. Full details are available on the

In common with other medical schools, students may expect some travel costs associated with placements throughout the course. Students will also need to purchase white coats and a stethoscope for laboratory work.

All courses are continually being improved and some details may change. For the most up-to-date course information and admissions requirements please see our website.

In module 2, all students undertake a community-based student-selected component (SSC) in which they work with an organisation involved in nonclinical care. These include patient support groups, medical charities, special schools, homeless shelters, groups supporting health and fitness, etc. Students contribute directly to the work of the organisations and learn about their
missions, the sections of society they serve, and how they fulfil their roles. The SSC provides an opportunity for students to find out about organisations outside the healthcare system that contribute to the support, rehabilitation and wellbeing of a wide range of people who have
significant needs.