The University of Exeter Medical School offers a five-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) programme designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes required for a successful career in medicine.
Programme Highlights:
Early Clinical Exposure: Students begin clinical placements within the first month, gaining experience in diverse settings such as hospitals, general practices, and community health environments.
Integrated Learning Approach: The curriculum combines medical sciences with clinical context through a systems-based methodology, utilizing small group learning to foster collaboration and critical thinking.
Intercalation Opportunities: Students have the option to undertake an intercalated degree, allowing for in-depth study in a chosen field.
The University of Exeter Medical School provides a comprehensive clinical education through partnerships with hospitals and healthcare facilities across Devon and Cornwall. This structure ensures that students gain diverse and practical experience in various medical specialties and healthcare settings.
Core Teaching Hospitals
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford), Exeter
A major teaching hospital offering services in emergency medicine, surgery, neurosciences, and is home to the Exeter Children's Hospital.
Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske), Truro
Provides a wide range of services including emergency care, surgery, and maternity services.
Torbay Hospital, Torquay
Offers comprehensive services in general medicine, surgery, and elderly care.
North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
Provides various services and supports clinical placements for students.
Yeovil District Hospital, Somerset
Offers a range of services including emergency care and general surgery.
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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