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).
Course Content
The medicine MBChB with health foundation year course will provide you with the requisite science knowledge, enhance your study skills and give you an introduction to the employability skills required by health professionals. The foundation year is a well established and successful course which offers progression onto the full range of health degrees at Keele.
The foundation year for medicine is a 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). Students entering the foundation year will undertake a range of modules to bring your academic level up to an equivalent standard to that of direct entrants to year 1 of the MBChB programme. Progression requirements are currently 40% (45 credits) in all semester 1 modules and 70% (75 credits) in semester 2.
By the end of this course you will have transformed your skills and knowledge to equip you to practise in the evolving healthcare environment. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the scientific foundations of medicine, enabling you to develop high levels of clinical expertise. The course is designed to ensure you meet the necessary standards in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes that new doctors need, as identified by the General Medical Council in ‘Outcomes for Graduates’. At Keele, we put an emphasis on feedback to help you improve your knowledge, understanding and performance of medical practice. The modern, highly integrated medical curriculum combines a range of learning strategies, including contemporary science, early clinical experience, integrated communication and clinical skills teaching, practical activities (including dissection), problem-based-learning (PBL), lectures and seminars. You will gain experience through clinical placements in primary and secondary care settings and in the community sector. Inter-professional learning and student interests are fostered throughout this programme.
You’ll get the opportunity for intercalation to pursue an additional qualification in a medicine-related subject that interests you in further depth. You could study at Bachelor’s level after second year or Master’s level after fourth year. You can focus on scholarship and research, publish scientific papers and present at conferences.
This course is only available for students who meet the widening access requirements designated on our School of Medicine website.
Essential Criteria
Please note that alongside the academic entry requirements, applicants must also meet an essential criteria which relates to under-represented groups. This criteria is currently being reviewed for 2022 entry - further information regarding our essential criteria will be added to this page in due course.
Module Summary
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
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). All sciences must be at B/6.
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 (a pass in the science practical endorsement is required) |
| 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 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 2021 for entry in 2022 or deferred entry in 2023). 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).You must meet fitness-to-practise requirements in order to progress. Please see webpages for full details. 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.
Our selection process requires candidates to be interviewed before any offer can be made. Our interviews usually take the form of multiple mini-interviews (MMIs), where candidates undertake a series of short interview stations. For 2022 entry we plan to use face to face interviews again. However, in the event that travel restrictions are imposed as part of the country’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we reserve the right to conduct interviews remotely via video conferencing.
How to Apply
Applications must be made through UCAS by the deadline of 15 October.
Course UCAS code: A104
Information for students returning to education
We are interested in a broad range of qualities, not just your points on entry. We would like to learn more about you, your interests, experiences and motivation to study.
We would be delighted to talk to you about your work experience (paid or voluntary) and qualifications, and help you to explore your options for study with us.
Contact us via admissions@keele.ac.uk
