Enter OTP
Phase 1 (Years 1–2): Foundations of Medicine
Focuses on core medical sciences such as physiology, pharmacology, and public health, along with systems-based teaching (e.g., musculoskeletal system). Clinical exposure begins early through primary care placements, supporting the development of consultation and communication skills.
Phase 2 (Years 3–5): Clinical Application and Specialisation
Students transition to hospital-based learning across multiple specialties. They work closely with healthcare professionals, applying theoretical knowledge in real clinical environments. Includes Student Selected Components (SSCs) and research opportunities through the Aston Medical Research Institute.
Teaching Methods
Blended learning approach including lectures, group work, problem-based learning (PBL), clinical skills sessions, and independent study. Anatomy is taught using cadaveric dissection for hands-on experience.
Clinical Placements
Integrated throughout all years.
Years 1–2: Focus on primary care exposure.
Years 3–5: Rotations across hospitals and healthcare settings in a variety of medical and surgical specialties.
Assessment
Students are evaluated through written exams, computer-based assessments, OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations), coursework, and ongoing assessment of professional behavior and engagement.
Aston Medical School collaborates with several NHS trusts and healthcare providers to facilitate comprehensive clinical training:
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH): In October 2020, ROH welcomed its first cohort of third-year students from Aston Medical School for a two-week orthopaedic placement. This initiative marked the beginning of a collaborative relationship, providing students with exposure to orthopaedic medicine and perioperative care.
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust: Offers students experience in a variety of medical and surgical specialties within a diverse patient population.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust: Provides placements across multiple hospital sites, exposing students to a wide range of clinical environments and specialties.
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust: Enables students to engage with community-based healthcare services, emphasizing the importance of primary care and public health.
Experiential Learning at Aston Medical School
Student Selected Components (SSCs):
From Years 3 to 5, students participate in SSCs that allow exploration of specific areas of interest beyond the core curriculum. These include both clinical and research-based projects. Students can engage with research themes such as maternal health, mental health, cardiovascular medicine, and regenerative medicine, often in collaboration with the Aston Medical Research Institute.
Clinical Placements:
Clinical experience begins in Year 1 and continues throughout the program. Early exposure focuses on primary care, while later placements cover a wide range of specialties in hospital and community settings. These placements enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to patient care in real-world environments.
Internships and Insight Experiences:
Aston University offers support for students to undertake short-term internships and insight experiences. These are designed to expose students to different medical specialties or research environments and help develop professional skills and career insight.
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.
A Levels - A*AA at A-level with Chemistry and Biology (incl. practicals); third subject excluding General Studies/Critical Thinking. GCSEs: 6 at B/6+, incl. English, Maths, Chem, and Bio/Double Science.IBDP - 37 points with 7,6,6 at HL (incl. Chem and Bio); one must be HL grade 7. Remaining from 3 SL subjects and Core.Indian - Overall score 85%, including Biology and Chemistry with 85% in one science.American - GPA 3.75 with 3 APs at 5,4,4 (incl. Bio or Chem at 5); Grade 10 with 6 subjects at A incl. Maths, English, 2 sciences (2 years at A); no SAT needed.Students of 17 years are accepted into the programme. The university requires the UCAT, followed by an MMI.PhysicianSurgeonFamily Medicine DoctorEmergency Medicine PhysicianMedical ResearcherClinical Trials CoordinatorEpidemiologistPublic Health AdministratorMedical EducatorHospital AdministratorMedical Science LiaisonHealthcare ConsultantTelehealth PhysicianHealth AdvocateForensic PathologistOccupational Health PhysicianSports PhysicianMedical WriterHealth Informatics Specialist
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Aston University
