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Cardiff University's School of Medicine offers a five-year MBBCh Medicine programme, known as the C21 curriculum, designed to develop knowledgeable, skilled, and compassionate doctors ready for clinical practice.
Programme Structure:
Phase 1 (Years 1–2):
Focuses on core scientific knowledge and early clinical practice through Case-Based Learning (CBL), connecting theory to patient care. Students engage with patients from the outset in hospitals, general practices, and community settings across South East Wales.
Phase 2 (Years 3–4):
Involves longer clinical placements, where students follow patients through their care pathways in various specialties, enhancing diagnostic and management skills.
Phase 3 (Year 5):
Prepares students for their role as Foundation Year 1 doctors, integrating them into clinical teams to consolidate knowledge and refine practical skills.
Key Features:
Early Clinical Exposure:
Students are introduced to patient contact and healthcare environments early in the course.
Student Selected Components (SSCs):
Opportunities to pursue personal interests within medicine through research or specialty-based projects.
Elective Opportunities:
In the final year, students may undertake a clinical elective in the UK or abroad to broaden their global medical perspective.
Intercalated Degrees:
Optional BSc or MSc intercalated year available between Years 3–4 or 4–5 in subjects like Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Clinical Immunology.
Cardiff University School of Medicine offers a comprehensive and patient-centered medical education through its MBBCh program. The curriculum emphasizes early clinical exposure, a strong foundation in medical sciences, and a wide range of clinical placements across Wales.
Core Teaching Hospitals
Students undertake clinical training at several major hospitals and healthcare settings throughout Wales:
University Hospital of Wales (UHW), Cardiff
The largest hospital in Wales and the main teaching hospital affiliated with Cardiff University. It offers services in emergency care, specialist medicine, surgery, and critical care.
University Hospital Llandough
A key site for medicine and rehabilitation placements.
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales
A leading pediatric hospital providing specialist children's care and clinical training in pediatrics.
Morriston Hospital, Swansea
A major teaching hospital offering a range of medical and surgical specialties.
Neath Port Talbot Hospital
Supports student placements in general medicine, surgery, and integrated community care.
In addition, Cardiff medical students gain valuable experience in over 200 general practices and community healthcare settings across rural and urban Wales.
Cardiff University offers a wide range of experiential learning opportunities to support student development through hands-on experiences in research, projects, internships, and global programmes.
On-Campus Internships:
Cardiff's On-campus Internships Scheme allows undergraduate students to take part in paid summer placements (up to eight weeks) involving research or learning and teaching projects. These roles provide valuable practical experience, help build CVs, and develop transferable skills in a supportive academic environment.
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 - 3 GCE A levels which must include Biology and Chemistry at grades AAA (achieved or offer would be AAA if pending). Applicants are assessed on their best 9 GCSEs, including Maths, English Language, and Double Science or Biology and Chemistry, with only grades B/6 or above scored; resits are accepted if taken within 12 months, except for English Language, which may be retaken at any time.IBDP - 36 points overall, including HL 6 in Chemistry and Biology, and HL 5 or SL 6 in Maths; English A (Literature or Language & Literature) or English B with HL 5 or SL 6 is also required.Indian Cardiff - CBSE 85% + A Level/ IB / 5 APs or Cardiff Study GroupStudents must be 18 years at the start of the course.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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Cardiff University
