Enter OTP
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) offers a five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program designed to develop skilled, professional, and compassionate doctors. The program emphasizes early patient contact, with clinical placements starting in Year 1.
Program Structure
Years 1–2:
Students are primarily based at the Preston Campus, where they focus on the core medical sciences and begin early clinical exposure alongside academic learning.
Years 3–5:
Clinical training continues at either the Burnley or Westlakes Campus. Students undertake placements in a variety of healthcare settings, gaining practical experience with diverse patient populations across multiple medical specialties.
Teaching Methods
UCLan uses a spiral curriculum, which revisits core topics with increasing depth and complexity. Teaching combines lectures, seminars, practical labs, and clinical placements. Emphasis is placed on developing clinical, communication, observation, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Clinical Placements
Placements take place across hospitals and community settings in Lancashire and Cumbria. These provide exposure to both urban and rural healthcare environments. In the final year, students take on more responsibility in preparation for medical practice, enhancing confidence in clinical decision-making and patient care.
UCLan medical students undertake clinical placements across various healthcare settings in the North West of England. These placements are integral to the program, offering students hands-on experience in different medical specialties and patient care environments. Key hospitals and healthcare providers involved in the clinical training include:
Royal Preston Hospital (Preston)
A major teaching hospital providing a wide range of acute medical services, including emergency care, surgery, and specialized treatments.
Blackpool Victoria Hospital (Blackpool)
Offers comprehensive healthcare services, including cardiology, oncology, and neurology, serving as a vital training ground for medical students.
Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital (Blackburn)
Provides diverse clinical experiences across various specialties, enhancing students' exposure to different patient populations and healthcare challenges.
Undergraduate Research Internship Programme (URIP):
This summer initiative offers medical students the chance to engage in supervised research projects over a ten-week period. Interns work on real research with academic staff, gaining hands-on experience in data collection, analysis, and community engagement. The program concludes with a student poster exhibition.
Clinical Placements:
Extensive clinical placements are integrated throughout the five-year MBBS course. These take place in hospitals and community healthcare settings across Lancashire and Cumbria, offering exposure to a wide range of clinical specialties and diverse patient groups.
Global Internships:
UCLan supports students in undertaking international internships lasting 4 to 12 weeks during the summer. These placements help develop adaptability, independence, and global healthcare insights. Financial support is available to make international experiences more accessible.
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 - AAA at A-level with two sciences incl. Chemistry; IGCSE English and Maths at grade B/6 accepted.IBDP - 36 points overall, including 144 UCAS points from HL Chemistry, another HL science, and one additional HL subject.Indian - 90% overall from any State Board, based on best 4 core subjects incl. English, Chemistry, and two sciences (e.g. Bio, Physics, Psych) with 90% in the sciences.American - GPA 3.3/4 with Chemistry via AP 5, 6 college credits (A), or SAT Chem 680; plus SAT 1270/ACT 26 and two APs/SATs/college credits (incl. second science) at required grades.Students of 17 years are accepted. PhysicianSurgeonFamily Medicine DoctorEmergency Medicine PhysicianMedical ResearcherClinical Trials CoordinatorEpidemiologistPublic Health AdministratorMedical EducatorHospital AdministratorMedical Science LiaisonHealthcare ConsultantTelehealth PhysicianHealth AdvocateForensic PathologistOccupational Health PhysicianSports PhysicianMedical WriterHealth Informatics Specialist
Embark on your educational journey with confidence! Our team of admission experts is here to guide you through the process. Book a free session now to receive personalized advice, assistance with applications, and insights into your dream school. Whether you're applying to college, graduate school, or specialized programs, we're here to help you succeed.
University of Central Lancashire
