Medicine MBChB A10C 2027 entry

Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.

• Year 1

  In Year 1 of the course, the modules emphasise the interrelationships between the pre-clinical sciences, and you will be introduced to key themes which run throughout the whole programme (for example, ethics, public health, health psychology).

  Foundations of Medicine 1: provides a general overview of the structure and functions of the body systems from the microscopic to the macroscopic level. It includes strands of microbiology, public health and health psychology.

  This module:

  • reviews fundamental aspects of molecular and cellular medicine
  • introduces medical ethics and communication skills relevant to medicine
  • uses clinical problems to develop an understanding of the levels of consciousness and the assessment of health status
  • includes an anatomical overview of the major body systems and the dissection of the back
  • provides opportunities to speak to patients with chronic health problems in the Medical School environment

  Foundations of Medicine 2: continues the introduction of fundamental topics, including the principles of disease mechanisms and therapy, and the development of communication skills.

  This module:

  • provides an in-depth study of the musculo-skeletal system, including nerve and muscle physiology (you will study the anatomy of the upper and lower limbs through dissection and lecture)
  • develops an understanding of the principles of disease mechanisms and therapy
  • introduces particular topics in behavioural sciences (for example, stress, coping and pain)
  • introduces concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacy
  • reviews genetics and the effects of genes on development and disease
  • includes an introduction to clinical placement, through either an in-person or virtual placement provision

• Year 2

  Year 2 of the course focuses, in detail, on the normal function and dysfunction of specific physiological systems.

  The two modules in Year 2 take an integrated approach to the scientific basis of medicine. They build on the material delivered in Year 1 and introduce new concepts related to specific body systems.

  • Medicine – Cardiovascular and Respiratory: covers the structure and functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
  • Medicine – Reproductive, Renal and Gastrointestinal Systems: covers the renal, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems.

  Both Year 2 modules:

  • introduce and build on normal form and function to explore disease mechanisms and therapy of disorders pertinent to the body systems covered
  • explore the body systems through cadaveric dissection, including the integration with clinical imaging
  • use relevant clinical problems and clinical skills to provide a clinical context
  • integrate the ethical, moral and behavioural aspects relevant to body systems
  • provide a series of community attachments in primary healthcare settings

• Year 3

  Year 3 focuses on complex integrative physiological systems (central nervous system and endocrine organs) before students move onto a community-based clinical block.

  Medicine – Central Nervous System and Endocrine System: revisits foundation knowledge and progresses to more complex systems.

  This module:

  • provides in-depth coverage of normal structure and function of the central nervous system and endocrine systems
  • introduces diseases and possible therapies pertinent to these important control systems
  • presents case studies associated with the central nervous and endocrine systems to highlight appropriate clinical skills for the identification of disorders
  • utilises cadaveric dissection and radiology to highlight relevant structural features of the systems
  • integrates ethical issues and behavioural science with clinical medicine
  • provides hospital (secondary care) clinical attachments

  Community Based Medicine 1: Centred at a community hospital in Fife, you will enter your first Academic Community Healthcare Hub. Time will be spent both centrally at the Hub and with healthcare services delivered in the community and across primary and hospital (secondary) care services.

  The module will be divided into four subunits focusing on:

  • aspects of medicine – medicine of older adult, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurosciences and neurology, and palliative and end of life care
  • aspects of surgery – vascular, orthopaedics and general surgery
  • paediatrics
  • psychiatry

  The disease mechanisms, management and treatment of disorders pertinent to the topics will be introduced. There will be regular contact with patients throughout the module. This will enhance theoretical knowledge and allow experiential learning of relevant clinical consultation skills. Learning will be supported by a team of clinical educators.

  Progress testing using Single Best Answer questions, emphasising critical thinking and decision-making, will be introduced from Year 3 of the programme. This format of assessment will ensure you are continuously building your knowledge in preparation for the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) in Year 5.

• Years 4 and 5

  Year 4

  Year 4 is divided into three distinct blocks, each offering a unique experience. You will engage in a further Academic Community Healthcare Hub block centred around a second community hospital, delve into Urgent Care with a community focus, and spend extended time based at a GP practice during your 'modified-Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship’ (m-LIC). There will be no set order for Year 4, with the year group split into thirds, rotating around the three blocks, each lasting 12 weeks. 

  Academic Community Healthcare Hub block

  This block will be based at a second community hospital located in a demographically different population within Fife, providing additional experience in community and hospital (secondary) care settings. Similar to Semester 2 of Year 3 the block will be divided into subunits, focusing on:

  • aspects of medicine – gastrointestinal including liver, renal, rheumatology, haematology and cancer
  • aspects of surgery and special senses – ophthalmology, ENT, breast surgery and urology
  • obstetrics and gynaecology (including sexual health)

  This block will build on practical experience of clinical medicine and healthcare delivery supported by a multidisciplinary team of clinical educators.

  Modified-Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (m-LIC)

  During the 'modified-Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship’ you will be based within a GP surgery, either in NHS Fife, NHS Borders or NHS Forth Valley, following patients through their illness journeys across primary and hospital care settings.

  The Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) methodology ensures that patients are at the core of your learning and promotes community-oriented education. During the m-LIC, you will have the opportunity to conduct a Quality Improvement project aligned with the course's vertical themes. This could involve activities such as a primary care prescribing audit, emphasising community and public health themes.

  Urgent and hospital care

  The urgent care block, whilst covering emergency presentations and their clinical management, will maintain a community focus of such presentations, incorporating NHS24 and triage, out of hours service provision, and the ambulance service. This will be complemented by secondary care experience within intensive care, accident and emergency, and peri-operative care. 

  The m-LIC and urgent and hospital care blocks will be based across our partner health board areas in NHS Fife, NHS Borders and NHS Forth Valley. You must be prepared to live and study away from Fife during this time. 

  Year 5

  Year 5 will focus on ensuring students are prepared to practise as foundation doctors, including completion of the compulsory National Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA). This year will provide revision opportunities, structured facilitated consolidation, and ‘apprenticeship-style’ shadowing. 

  There will be two foundation preparation blocks based in a hospital setting where you will work alongside foundation doctors and clinical teams assisting in duties undertaken by a foundation year one doctor. One foundation preparation block will focus on medicine related specialties and the other in surgical related specialties. These blocks may be located within NHS Fife, NHS Borders or NHS Forth Valley. You must be prepared to live and study away from Fife during this time.  

  Further time will be spent in GP practices re-enforcing the importance of the patient journey longitudinally. Completion of a student-selected component provides opportunity to explore an area of interest in greater depth, supporting critical analysis, data and research skills. Consolidation will be hosted between University and NHS sites, providing the opportunity to revise and practise skills and knowledge, with specific opportunities in a clinically simulated setting.

  Finally, students will complete an elective within healthcare either nationally or, potentially, internationally, further supporting student choice and depth of learning.

  Assessment in Year 5 will be centred around Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA). In order to join the General Medical Council (GMC) register after graduation, students must pass the MLA. This assessment is intended to set a common threshold for safe medical practice in the UK and is comprised of two components: the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and a practical Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA).