Medicine (Graduate Entry), MBBCH

Program Overview

Swansea University's Graduate Entry Medicine program is a unique four-year accelerated medical degree designed for graduates of any discipline. It follows an innovative, integrated spiral curriculum that emphasizes clinical and communication skills, preparing students for a career in medicine with confidence and competence. The program includes extensive clinical placements and partnerships with NHS organizations across Wales, providing high-quality clinical experience and teaching. Upon graduation, students receive an MBBCh degree and are eligible to enter the UK Foundation Programme for newly qualified doctors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Our Graduate Entry Medicine programme is unique in Wales and one of just a handful of similar programmes of medical study in the UK open to graduates of any discipline from the UK, EU and overseas. This accelerated, four-year medical degree follows an innovative, integrated spiral curriculum designed to reflect the way in which clinicians approach patients and how patients present to doctors. You will study the basic biomedical sciences in the context of clinical medicine, public health, pathology, therapeutics, ethics, and psycho-social issues in patient management. Together with a strong focus on clinical and communication skills, you will develop the academic, practical, and personal qualities to practise medicine competently and with confidence. Our entry interview process is structured to take account of these qualities needed as a doctor, as set out in ‘Good Medical Practice’, and the capacity to meet the outcomes of ‘Outcomes for Graduates’. In summary: Communication skills Problem solving skills Coping with pressure Insight and integrity Passion for medicine/resilience to succeed Organisation and research Ethics and values

Outline:

The Programme consists of Phase I (Years 1 + 2) and Phase II (Years 3 + 4). Each year is mapped onto the GMC’s Outcomes for Graduates (2018) where 3 Modules reflect the outcome areas: Scholar and Scientist Practitioner Professional Scholar and Scientist Practitioner Professional Phase I Learning Weeks (Case based, includes Integrated Clinical Method) Community-Based Learning (CBL) in General Practice for one day every fourth or fifth week LOCS - Learning Opportunities in the Clinical Setting LORS – Learning Opportunities in a Research Setting Early Apprenticeships (1-3) Phase II Case of the Week (Case Based Learning Weeks) Clinical Apprenticeships and Assistantships(Medicine, Surgery and Primary Care) (4-8) including 8 weeks in CBL Specialty Attachments– Eight 5 Week placements in Medicine (at Singleton, Morriston and Prince Phillip Hospitals), Acute Surgery, Women’s Health, Child Health, Mental Health, Sub-Specialities of Medicine and Surgery, and Frailty. These include Integrated Clinical Method and simulation. Elective in Year 4 (5 Week Clinical Placement mostly taken overseas) Senior Assistantship / Shadowing period at end of Year 4 prior to F1 (5 Week Clinical Placement where students “shadow” F1 doctors in their allocated post in Wales or join the all-Wales ‘shadow’ programme) Year 1 (Level 5) FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDipStudents choose 150 credits from the following:Compulsory Modules Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeDoctor as Scholar and Scientist 1Medicine Extended Week 1 - 4650PM-239FDoctor as a Practitioner 1September-June50PM-240F Optional Modules Optional modules Choose Exactly 50 credits from the following Modules:NOTE : Choose exactly 50 credits from the following modules. Note: select according to English or Welsh speaking placements. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidanceDoctor as a Professional 1Medicine Extended Week 1 - 4650PM-241FMeddyg fel Gweithiwr Proffesiynol 1Medicine Extended Week 1 - 4650PMW241F Year 2 (Level 5) FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDipStudents choose 150 credits from the following:Compulsory ModulesNone found.Optional Modules Standard Choose Exactly 50 credits from the following Modules:NOTE : Select according to English or Welsh speaking placements.Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidanceDoctor as a Professional 2September-June50PM-351DMeddyg fel Gweithiwr Proffesiynol 2September-June50PMW351D FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / HonoursStudents choose 150 credits from the following:Compulsory Modules Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeDoctor as Scholar and Scientist 2September-June50PM-349DDoctor as a Practitioner 2September-June50PM-350D Optional Modules Optional modules Choose Exactly 50 credits from the following Modules:NOTE : Choose exactly 50 credits from the following modules. Note: Select according to English or Welsh speaking placments.Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidanceDoctor as a Professional 2September-June50PM-351DMeddyg fel Gweithiwr Proffesiynol 2September-June50PMW351D Year 3 (Level 6) FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / HonoursStudents choose 150 credits from the following:Compulsory ModulesNone found.Optional Modules Standard Choose Exactly 50 credits from the following Modules:NOTE : Select according to English or Welsh speaking placements.Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidanceDoctor as a Professional 3September-June50PM-360IMeddyg fel Gweithiwr Proffesiynol 3September-June50PMW360I FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCertStudents choose 150 credits from the following:Compulsory Modules Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeDoctor as Scholar and Scientist 3September-June50PM-358IDoctor as a Practitioner 3September-June50PM-359I Optional Modules Optional modules Choose Exactly 50 credits from the following Modules:NOTE : Choose exactly 50 credits from the following modules. Optional modules Choose Exactly 50 credits from the following Modules:NOTE : Choose exactly 50 credits from the following modules. Note: select according to English or Welsh speaking placements. Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidanceDoctor as a Professional 3September-June50PM-360IMeddyg fel Gweithiwr Proffesiynol 3September-June50PMW360I Year 4 (Level ) Students choose 150 credits from the following:Compulsory ModulesNone found.Optional Modules Standard Choose Exactly 50 credits from the following Modules:NOTE : Select according to English or Welsh speaking placements.Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidanceDoctor as a Professional 4September-June50PM-369CMeddyg fel Gweithiwr Proffesiynol 4September-June50PMW369C FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCertStudents choose 150 credits from the following:Compulsory Modules Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeDoctor as Scholar and Scientist 4September-June50PM-367CDoctor as a Practitioner 4September-June50PM-368C Optional Modules Optional modules Choose Exactly 50 credits from the following Modules:NOTE : Choose exactly 50 credits from the following modules. Note: select according to English or Welsh speaking placements.

Teaching:

Our core modules are guided by the standards set out by the General Medical Council (GMC) for Medical Education. Modules build the foundation of scientific knowledge and clinical skills required for the practice of medicine. Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study. You will have a high level of structured clinical contact as your studies progress, covering the following areas: Clinical Apprenticeships, including one week of nursing practice Junior Assistantship Specialty attachments, including acute surgery, acute medicine, women’s health, child health, mental health, sub-specialities of medicine and surgery, and frailty. Community-based learning Senior Assistantship, shadowing F1 doctors Elective The Graduate Entry Programme works in partnership with NHS organisation across Wales to provide high quality clinical experience and teaching. The majority of clinical placements are a short distance from the University campus, but students are also expected to engage with clinical placements in several areas outside of Swansea, particularly in Mid- and West Wales. NHS Wales operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and many learning opportunities will arise outside of normal working hours. Attendance at all clinical placements is mandatory and closely monitored. Individual exceptional circumstances may be taken into consideration if attendance at remote or out of hours placements create specific difficulties for students.

Careers:

On successful completion of the course, you will graduate with an MBBCh degree from Swansea University, allowing you to progress to the UK Foundation Programme for newly qualified doctors, where you will begin training in a clinical environment.

Tuition Fees Tuition Fees Start Date UK International September 2024 £ 9,000 £ 43,850 Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government. Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study. You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page. You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page. Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page. Funding and Scholarships You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page. Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page. Foulkes Foundation Fellowships If you are an applicant with a PhD you may wish to also apply for a Foulkes Foundation Fellowship. The Foulkes Foundation is a registered charity established to further medical research and bring together science and medicine for the benefit of mankind. Visit the Foulkes Foundation Website for more information on eligibility and how to apply. Additional Costs Additional Costs Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up. You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to): Travel to and from campus Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks) Purchase of books or texts Gowns for graduation ceremonies