| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-04-24 | 2023-02-10 |
| 2023-09-19 | 2023-01-27 |
| 2024-01-03 | 2023-11-25 |
Program Overview
Course overview
The University of Chester's medical degree is a four-year, graduate entry MB ChB programme, open to applicants with a previous degree in any discipline. Unlike many traditional MB ChB degrees, this allows more mature students to consider becoming a doctor after having completed a previous course of study towards a graduate degree. For example, even if you have a first degree in the arts, humanities or languages but would now like to study medicine, you are eligible to apply. We welcome people from a wide variety of backgrounds who wish to pursue a degree in graduate entry medicine in the UK, not just those with a background in science or allied health care disciplines.
Our first cohort will be welcomed in September 2024.
As a new medical school, we are required to undergo quality assurance by the General Medical Council (UK) to ensure that our medical education is of a high standard and that we meet the requirements for all UK medical schools set out in the document, “Promoting excellence: standards for medical education and training”. The GMC's quality assurance process has several stages, culminating in approval for a new medical school to award a Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ). This enables graduates (subject to individual status) to obtain GMC registration and practise medicine in the UK. Chester Medical School is progressing through the stages of the GMC approval process and have agreed the 2024 commencement date with the GMC.
To avoid any risk to students enrolled on a new medical programme, each new medical school is mandated to have a contingency school. The contingency school ensures that students continue and complete their course of study. The University of Chester's contingency school is Warwick Medical School. Warwick Medical School provides regular support to us and a guarantee that students can transfer to Warwick should the need arise.
We look forward to receiving your application!
For further information please call 01244 513860 or email
medicine@chester.ac.uk
.
Program Outline
Teaching methods
Based at a variety of sites in Chester, including Bache Hall (small group seminars), Wheeler Building (clinical skills and simulation) and Exton Park (larger lecture theatres). There are 160 teaching weeks over the four years, of which around 100 are in clinical placements, throughout Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales. Students are expected to study at least 35 hours per week.
At Chester, students have patient contact from very early on in the medical course. During the first term, you will receive extensive training in how to take a clinical history and how to examine patients in an efficient and proffesional manner. You will learn how patients are at the centre of everything we do as doctors.
From term 2, you will be taught in a small group in one of our main teaching hospitals. This will be an opportunity to practice your clinical skills in a real-world environment. You will start to learn important clinical procedures and resuscitation skills.
Clinical skills are taught in a variety of settings including our state-of-the-art simulation suites, hospitals, general practices, and the community. Students are assessed throughout the course in these skills, increasingly developing their ability and confidence to work under supervision. By the time they qualify, our students will meet all the requirements of the General Medical Council so they can work as Foundation Year 1 doctors in the UK, or in equivalent posts overseas.
Assessment
At the end of each teaching block, students undertake a formative assessment. This helps students understand what they have learnt and highlights any areas they need to study further in order to meet the necessary standard. Formative assessments do not count towards the overall pass/fail of students but are an important way for students and teachers to monitor progress.
Summative assessments take place at the end of year 1, end of year 2, and in year 4. The summative examinations consist of both a written and clinical element. The standard is set using validated criteria, to ensure only students that are safe and competent are allowed to progress and qualify.
In addition to these summative assessments, students must meet minimum standards related to attendance, engagement with the programme and both academic and professional development. Students who have any unresolved Fitness to Pratice issues cannot qualify or register with the General Medical Council.
Graduating students will receive a Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Chester. The final degree is unclassified. Awards of ‘with honours’ are based on a criteria determined by the Board of Examiners.
Work based learning
Case-Based Learning (CBL) is central to the MB ChB curriculum. It mirrors the way experienced doctors learn throughout their professional lives, by putting knowledge in the context of how people present with health concerns and illnesses. Throughout the 4 years, you will analyse a range of medical cases that will cover all the core information required for you to become a safe, competent and kind doctor. We will guide you to learn all the essential facts, whilst giving you the opportunity to spend time on those areas that you wish to explore further.
CBL will allow you to integrate the biomedical, social and clinical sciences with real-world medical problems, It will help you develop team-working, communication and professional skills...all vital to becoming a successful doctor in the future.
CBL sessions will be supported by lectures, seminars, clinical skills sessions and learning opportunities in the community and in hospitals.
Job prospects
Being a doctor is not just about scientific knowledge, you must develop both professionally and personally throughout your career. The Professionalism and Personal Development strand runs throughout our curriculum with this in mind. Important aspects that you will explore include
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability - Student Services aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.
Students and graduates of the University of Chester can use our services free of charge for up to two years after graduating.
The location
The campus is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student. While it is undoubtedly beautiful and packed with history, Chester is also a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping, eating and living with a thriving independent scene.
