Birmingham’s five-year Medicine programme allows students the opportunity to experience hands-on learning that teaches practical, communication and theoretical skills needed to become a doctor. From various illnesses to the diversity of our five million population, students will broaden their knowledge from researchers, clinicians and academics. Placements are available at the UK’s leading hospitals including Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Birmingham’s teaching style is varied, including traditional seminars and lectures as well as some problem-based learning too. The course structure is integrated with two pre-clinical years and three clinical years.
In the first two years, students will learn about the function and structure of the human body. This will include how each system is controlled, its responses and effects of diseases and treatments. In small groups, anatomy is taught and will involve experience of presection. Students will also study psychology and sociology of illness and health of patients as individuals and as a collective.
Key concepts of biomedical ethics (for example, genetic engineering) are also introduced too. Patient contact starts as early as week two to build skills and confidence when interacting with patients. This will involve working with GPs and patients and enable students to link biological and behavioural theoretical learning to clinical situations. Students visit various GP surgeries in rural, inner-city and suburban settings. This will also expose students to a range of illnesses from diverse backgrounds. Student selected components also open up opportunities for students to pursue specialised areas of interest.
From the third year, most teaching takes place in partner Teaching Hospital Trusts and involves an academy structure with junior doctors and senior clinicians. Students will receive training in each speciality whilst developing their clinical skills, including clinical history taking and learning how to deliver consultations—learning about common surgical and medical diseases and how to diagnose and manage them will also occur alongside theoretical work.
During the final two years, clinical attachments are undertaken in various specialities such as oncology, cardiology and neurology. These attachments prepare students for the problems they could face as a foundation doctor.
Intercalation opportunities are available after the second, third, or fourth year. Additionally, in the fourth year, there’s an opportunity for students to opt into elective studies for two months in a different country.
Birmingham has a brilliant Medsoc with roughly 2500 members. It offers around 50 different sports teams, charities and other societies for anyone studying within the college of Medical and Dental Sciences. It hosts an annual Medball at the ICC which is definitely not something to be missed. It also has many other great events throughout the year for example The Hop, The Riverboat Shuffle and The Harborne Run, as well as activities such as paint balling and go-karting for people that prefer non-alcoholic events. There is also a Medsoc weekend away every year.
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