Foundation Year Overview
We are now offering an exciting gateway route into medicine for students from some under-represented groups. This course offers standard medical training with the addition of a foundation year (a total of six years).
This tab provides information relating to:
- Indicative modules for the Foundation Year
- Foundation Year entry requirements
- Information on how to apply
- UCAS code for this course
Course Content
The Medicine with Foundation Year is aimed at students whose educational and social experiences have prevented them from achieving the GCSE requirements for our standard course (A100) and provides additional teaching in the first year to enable them to catch up. Students entering this Foundation Year will undertake a range of modules and at the end of the foundation year will need to achieve 70% or above in all these modules in order to progress to the five-year MBChB programme.
Applicants who meet the social and educational criteria for the health foundation year but meet the academic criteria for A100, are strongly advised to apply for A100 as these candidates are unlikely to benefit from the additional year of study. They should qualify for an automatic interview and, if successful, a reduced offer. See our widening participation information section for more details about applying for A100.
This Foundation Year is a is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the MBChB Medicine. For example, in the Academic and Professional Development for Health module you will begin to develop an awareness of professional standards that you will be working to in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.
On this Foundation Year, we will advance your knowledge of human biology and chemistry, giving you a solid grasp of body systems, science and lab work. You'll develop safe, professional laboratory skills and get to know the mathematical techniques and quantitative methods used across health science-related and social care programmes. You will also be introduced to concepts relating to organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry
Throughout the programme, you will develop subject-specific and broad based skills that will be invaluable in your academic career and beyond. You can find out more about our Foundation Year, including information on learning, teaching and assessment methods and further opportunities available to you by visiting our homepage.
Note: This route is no longer open to graduates, or students who have already commenced or completed another HE programme, or overseas candidates.
Criteria
Applicants must meet the following Essential Criteria from Group 1 and 2 to be considered for this route. Applicants must provide evidence of meeting the essential criteria at the point of application. We will send you an email to request this information.
Re-application for 2021
Students who were unsuccessful at interview or failed to get the required grades for 2020 may re-apply for 2021.
Group 1: Essential criteria
- Ordinarily resident in the UK
- Attended a non-selective maintained school for GCSEs and A levels
- Attended a school with an attainment 8 score below national average (level set on an annual basis).
- For schools without an attainment 8 score we will consider schools where the % of students on free school meals is above the national average OR if this is not available, we will consider POLAR 4 data, quintile 1 of the school.
Group 2: Any one of the following
- Parent(s) or guardian in receipt of means-tested benefit(s)
- Time spent in local authority care (more than three months) within the last five years (i.e. in Years 9–13)
- Eligibility for free school meals at any point in Years 9–13
- Receipt of 16–19 bursary for purpose other than meals
- Receipt of UCAT bursary. Bursaries are available to cover the test fee for applicants from less well-off families. We strongly advise applicants to apply for the UCAT Bursary if they are eligible. Please check the UCAT web site for details.
In addition:
- Students on the Keele Steps2Medicine scheme or those leaving local authority care will be eligible for consideration for this route and should include this information in their UCAS application.
- Applicants from military families will be considered if they have attended a non-selective school and meet the academic criteria.
Module Summary
The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.
First Semester
Second Semester
Year-long modules (Across Semester one and Semester two)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
We advise applicants to read these pages in conjunction with our Medicine admissions pages.
| Qualification |
Requirement |
| GCSEs |
5 GCSEs at grade B/6, including double/triple-award science or three separate sciences (including a pass in practical endorsement)
minimum of C/5 in maths and english language (including a pass in speaking and listening) |
| A levels |
BBC from three A levels including chemistry or biology |
| BTECs |
DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science, Health & Social Care, or Sport & Exercise Science
or DM in BTEC Diploma plus B in A level (chemistry or biology)
or M in BTEC Foundation Diploma plus BB in two A levels (including chemistry or biology)
or D in BTEC Extended Certificate with BB at A level (including chemistry or biology |
| Scottish Highers |
Advanced Higher: minimum of BB from two subjects (including biology or chemistry)
Higher: minimum of BBBBB and
National 5s: 5 x B including sciences; minimum of C in maths and english language |
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.keele.ac.uk/medicine/mbchb5years/healthfoundationyearformedicine/
UCAT
All home/EU applicants for courses A100 and A104 must take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year of application (i.e. in 2020 for entry in 2021 or deferred entry in 2022). Details of the test, along with fully timed practice tests, are available on the UCAT website. Please note the test dates and ensure that you can complete the test within the range of dates. Allowances will not normally be made for inability to take the test (or poor performance) owing to illness, family circumstances, etc., if it would have been possible for you to take the test on an alternative date. Please note that you cannot take the test more than once in a single calendar year.
Bursaries are available to cover the test fee for applicants from less well-off families. We strongly advise applicants to apply for the UCAT Bursary if they are eligible. Please check the UCAT web site for details.
Applicants with a total UCAT score lower than 2280 or a situational judgement test (SJT) result in band 4 will not be considered.
A104 applicants who meet all of the eligibility criteria will normally be selected for an MMI interview. Our interviews take the form of multiple mini-interviews (MMIs), where candidates undertake a series of short interview stations. Please see webpages for full details:
Health checks
A satisfactory health check will be required for successful candidates.
Other
Candidates who progress from the Health Foundation Year onto year 1 of the degree course will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check (Enhanced plus Barring Lists). All candidates will be required to complete a Roles and Responsibilities Form detailing their work experience as part of a selection process. Please see webpages for full details.
How to Apply
Applications must be made through UCAS by the deadline of 15 October.
Course UCAS code: A104
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