Queen’s Belfast

About The Course

Queen’s Belfast’s Medicine five year integrated system-based programme offers various teaching styles from lectures, clinical experience and tutorials. It is one of the few medical schools in the UK that teaches students about anatomy through cadaveric dissections.

During the first two years, the ‘pre-clinical’ phase, the foundations of medicine and clinical practice being established is the primary focus. Students gain knowledge about each body system, with a particular focus on the mechanism of cellular structure and function. Pathology, genetics, therapeutics and microbiology are also studied. The core science principles are integrated with clinical skills training which is acquired through practise with patients and clinical simulations.

Year three is about immersion in practice – which means there is a greater clinical focus. Teaching takes place in every medical and surgical discipline, integrated with pathology and microbiological principles that align with clinical medical practice.

Students have an opportunity to undertake an optional intercalated degree after year two or three.

The two ‘clinical’ years that follow allow students to develop investigative skills through placements at GP surgeries and hospitals. In year four and five students will deepen their knowledge in mental health, cancer, women’s health, child’s health as well as ageing and health. Integrated teaching between primary and secondary care gives students a chance to consolidate and advance their clinical knowledge and skills. An Assistantship is also offered in the final year of this programme in order to slowly ease students into the roles and responsibilities of a junior doctor as well as pursue particular areas of interest.