The MBChB Medicine programme at the University of Sheffield is a five-year undergraduate course that provides students with the clinical skills, scientific knowledge, and professional attributes essential for a career in medicine.
Programme Structure:
Phase 1 (Year 1):
Focuses on understanding human body systems (e.g. cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous systems), along with introductions to medical ethics, public health, clinical skills, and early general practice experience.
Phase 2 (Year 2):
Begins with a six-week research project followed by the study of diseases, diagnosis, and treatments, including pathology, microbiology, immunology, and pharmacology. Continued development of clinical and communication skills through additional GP placements.
Phase 3 (Years 3 and 4):
Includes extensive clinical placements across core specialties such as paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and other hospital-based disciplines.
Phase 4 (Year 5):
Prepares students for clinical practice and final exams through two long-term placements and a series of lectures, consolidating clinical skills and readiness for foundation training.
The University of Sheffield Medical School offers a thorough and well-rounded clinical education through a network of teaching hospitals and healthcare facilities across South Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Students gain hands-on experience in a wide range of specialties and patient care settings.
Core Teaching Hospitals
The main hospitals affiliated with the University of Sheffield Medical School include:
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Located next to the medical school, it provides services in general medicine, infectious diseases, neurology, and rheumatology.
Northern General Hospital
One of the UK’s largest hospitals and a Major Trauma Centre. It offers emergency care, cardiology, general surgery, and critical care services.
Jessop Wing
A dedicated women’s hospital offering maternity, obstetrics, and gynecology care.
Weston Park Hospital
A specialist cancer center offering oncology services, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Charles Clifford Dental Hospital
Offers dental care and training for dental students, supporting interdisciplinary medical-dental learning.
Sheffield Children’s Hospital
A specialist pediatric hospital providing care in a wide range of children’s health disciplines.
Students may opt to take an intercalated degree between Years 2 and 3 or Years 3 and 4, such as a BSc in Medical Sciences (Research or Surgery) or a relevant master’s programme. This provides valuable research and academic development experience.
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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