Program Structure – Swansea University Graduate Entry Medicine (MBBCh)
Phase I (Years 1–2):
Learning Weeks:
Case-based learning integrated with biomedical sciences, delivered through lectures, tutorials, anatomy sessions, and practical classes.
Community-Based Learning (CBL):
One-day placements in General Practice approximately every fourth or fifth week, providing early patient contact and real-world clinical exposure.
Clinical and Research Exposure:
Learning Opportunities in Clinical Settings (LOCS) and Learning Opportunities in Research Settings (LORS) offer experience in hospital wards and research environments.
Early Clinical Apprenticeships:
Shadow junior doctors to observe clinical duties, patient management, and healthcare teamwork early in the curriculum.
Phase II (Years 3–4):
Specialty Attachments:
Clinical rotations in acute medicine, surgery, women’s health, child health, mental health, frailty, and other sub-specialties build comprehensive clinical competency.
Elective Placement:
A five-week elective allowing students to explore healthcare in a different region or country, or focus on a specific area of interest.
Senior Assistantship:
A final five-week assistantship period where students work closely with Foundation Year 1 doctors to prepare for professional practice.
Swansea University Medical School has partnerships with several hospitals and healthcare providers for clinical placements. Key hospitals associated with Swansea University Medical School include:
Swansea Bay University Health Board:
Hywel Dda University Health Board:
Community Health Services: Students may have placements in various community health settings and smaller healthcare facilities in the region.
Learning Opportunities in Research Settings (LORS): Integrated into Phase I, LORS allows students to engage with research environments, fostering an understanding of medical research methodologies and their application in clinical practice.
Medical graduates in the UK follow a structured career progression pathway after completing their MBBS or equivalent degree. Upon graduation, they enter the Foundation Programme, a two-year paid training period (FY1 and FY2) where they rotate through various specialties to gain broad clinical experience. Successful completion of this leads to full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
After Foundation Training, doctors choose a specialty and apply for Core or Specialty Training. Core Training typically lasts 2–3 years and is followed by higher Specialty Training, while some fields (like General Practice or Surgery) offer run-through training from the start. Specialty training durations vary—General Practice takes around 3 years, while hospital specialties can take 5–8+ years, depending on the discipline. After completing training, doctors become Consultants in hospital specialties or General Practitioners (GPs).
In terms of further study, many graduates pursue postgraduate qualifications to enhance their expertise or academic profile. Options include:
Master’s degrees (e.g., MSc in Public Health, Medical Education, Clinical Research, or Global Health)
PhDs or MD(Res) for careers in academia or research
Diplomas and Certificates in fields like Tropical Medicine, Radiology, or Dermatology
Intercalated BSc or MBPhD programmes (during or after undergraduate studies for research-focused pathways)
This combination of structured clinical training and academic opportunities allows UK-trained doctors to build flexible, rewarding careers in medicine, academia, global health, and beyond.
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