The University of East Anglia's (UEA) MBBS Medicine program is structured over five years, combining theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical experience:
Year 1: Foundations of Medicine
Focus on the musculoskeletal system and introduction to biological, clinical, and social sciences.
Learning includes Problem-Based Learning (PBL), lectures, seminars, and cadaveric dissection.
Early clinical exposure through weekly placements in primary and secondary care.
Year 2: Systems-Based Learning
Covers body systems like cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal, integrating pathology and pharmacology.
Continued use of PBL and more advanced clinical skills training.
Increased time in clinical environments, including hospitals and community healthcare settings.
Year 3: Advanced Clinical Skills
Focuses on complex medical conditions and multisystem diseases.
Mix of specialty-specific teaching and self-directed learning.
Extended clinical placements enhance diagnostic and patient management abilities.
Year 4: Specialization and Integration
Covers areas such as geriatrics, psychiatry, and oncology, integrating learning across systems.
Involves seminars, PBL, and evidence-based medicine projects.
Rotations in specialized departments and multidisciplinary team experience.
Year 5: Preparation for Practice
Consolidates medical knowledge and practical skills in preparation for the foundation year as a junior doctor.
Includes student assistantships, elective placements, and simulation-based training.
Final clinical placements with increased responsibility, closely resembling real medical practice.
The University of East Anglia (UEA) Norwich Medical School offers a five-year MBBS program designed to integrate early clinical exposure with a systems-based curriculum. From the first year, students are involved in placements, helping them apply medical theory to real-life patient care.
Core Clinical Placement Sites
Students at UEA undertake placements across a range of healthcare settings in the East of England, including:
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH)
A major teaching hospital and the primary base for UEA’s clinical training. It offers comprehensive services in medicine, surgery, and specialist care.
James Paget University Hospital, Great Yarmouth
Provides general medical and surgical services and supports early and advanced clinical placements.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn
A district general hospital offering a wide range of acute care services and training opportunities.
Colchester Hospital
Supports student placements in emergency care, internal medicine, and surgical specialties.
Ipswich Hospital
Provides diverse clinical experience across various departments and specialties.
Students also complete placements in a wide network of general practices throughout East Anglia, giving them exposure to both urban and rural primary care environments.
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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