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The University of Edinburgh offers a 6-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree. The programme is designed to integrate scientific foundations, clinical skills, and professional development from the beginning.
Programme Structure: Divided into Phases
Years 1 & 2 – Phase 1: Biomedical and Clinical Foundations
Focus: Core biomedical sciences, early clinical exposure, and professional development.
Key Modules / Topics:
Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology
Health, Ethics & Society
Introduction to Clinical Practice
Patient contact through GP placements begins early
Problem-based and case-based learning integrated with lectures and practicals
Year 3 – Phase 2: Honours Year (Intercalated Degree)
Students complete a mandatory intercalated BMedSci (Bachelor of Medical Sciences) degree.
Choose from a wide range of specialisms such as:
Neuroscience
Infectious Diseases
Psychology
Global Health
Physiology
Involves research projects, data analysis, and academic writing
Builds scientific thinking and research skills
Years 4–6 – Phase 3: Clinical Practice & Advanced Patient Care
Students rotate through hospital and community placements
Covers all major specialties:
Internal Medicine
Surgery
Psychiatry
Paediatrics
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
General Practice
Emphasis on:
Clinical reasoning
Communication and teamwork
Patient safety and professionalism
Final year includes a Student Assistantship to prepare for the Foundation Programme
The University of Edinburgh Medical School collaborates with several hospitals across Edinburgh and the Lothians, providing medical students with comprehensive clinical training in diverse healthcare settings.NHS Scotland Medical
Primary Teaching Hospitals
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE)
Located in the Little France area, RIE is the main teaching hospital for the University of Edinburgh. It offers a wide range of services, including emergency care, surgery, and specialist treatments. The hospital is affiliated with the university and serves as a central site for clinical education.
Western General Hospital (WGH)
Situated in the Craigleith area, WGH provides general and specialist services, including oncology and neurology. It is affiliated with the University of Edinburgh Medical School and serves as a teaching hospital for medical students.
St John's Hospital, Livingston
Located in Livingston, West Lothian, St John's Hospital offers general and acute services. It is affiliated with the University of Edinburgh Medical School and serves as a teaching hospital for medical students.
Royal Hospital for Children and Young People
Also located in the Little France area, this hospital provides pediatric services and is affiliated with the University of Edinburgh Medical School. It serves as a teaching hospital for medical students specializing in pediatric care.
These hospitals, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh Medical School, offer medical students a diverse and comprehensive clinical education across various specialties and healthcare settings.
All medical students at the University of Edinburgh undertake a compulsory intercalated year in Year 3, resulting in the award of a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSci) degree. This year is academically intensive and allows students to develop deeper insight into a specialist area of biomedical or health sciences.
Purpose of the Intercalated Year:
To provide scientific depth and research experience
To develop critical appraisal, data analysis, and academic writing skills
To foster evidence-based practice by engaging with current research literature
To encourage intellectual exploration beyond the clinical curriculum
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 with A in Chemistry (A if meeting minimum entry), and A in Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics, or Physics (only one of Maths/Further Maths considered); GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry, English, and Maths at A/7 (B/6 if meeting minimum entry), or Combined Science at AA/77 (BB/66 if applicable).IBDP - 37 points overall with 666 at HL, including Chemistry at 7 (6 if meeting minimum entry) and one other science; SL: 666 (or 555 if applicable) including Maths (AA or AI), English, and Biology (if not at HL); if Maths and English are not part of the IB diploma, GCSEs or equivalent at A/7 (B/6 if eligible) are accepted.Indian - 85% overall with a minimum of 85% in each of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.American - A minimum of three AP scores at 5, along with an overall GPA of at least 3.5.Students who are 17 years old are accepted during the first year. 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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University of Edinburgh
