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Oxford's Medicine programme includes a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree as a standard part of its six-year course. Unlike many other medical schools where an intercalated degree is optional, at Oxford it is built into the curriculum.
Course Structure:
Pre-Clinical Stage (Years 1–3):
Students focus on foundational medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and biochemistry. The first five terms cover the First BM, and the third year includes the Final Honours School in Medical Sciences, where students undertake advanced study and a research project. This stage concludes with the award of a BA Honours degree in Medical Sciences.
Clinical Stage (Years 4–6):
After earning the BA, students move into full-time clinical training, participating in placements and rotations across a range of medical specialties to prepare for professional practice.
This integrated BA is a distinctive and mandatory component of Oxford’s medicine course, reflecting its emphasis on a strong scientific foundation before clinical application.
Oxford University Medical School collaborates closely with several hospitals under the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, providing comprehensive clinical training for its medical students. These hospitals offer a diverse range of specialties and services, ensuring students gain broad clinical exposure.
Primary Teaching Hospitals
John Radcliffe Hospital (JRH)
Located in Headington, Oxford, JRH is the main teaching hospital for Oxford University. It houses the Oxford Children's Hospital, Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford Heart Centre, and Women's Centre. The hospital serves as the Major Trauma Centre for the Thames Valley region and hosts the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, facilitating cutting-edge research and clinical practice.
Churchill Hospital
Also situated in Headington, this hospital specializes in cancer treatment, kidney transplants, diabetes, endocrinology, and palliative care. It is home to the Oxford Cancer Centre and the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism (OCDEM), providing students with exposure to specialized medical fields.
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC)
Renowned for orthopaedic surgery, rheumatology, and rehabilitation services, NOC offers specialized care for musculoskeletal conditions. It is affiliated with the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, integrating research and clinical training.
Horton General Hospital
Located in Banbury, Oxfordshire, this hospital provides general medical services, including a maternity unit and the Brodey Cancer Centre. It extends the clinical training environment beyond Oxford city, offering students experience in district general hospital settings.
Intercalated BA in Medical Sciences:
After the first three years, Oxford medical students complete a BA degree, which involves an intensive research project in a medical science subject (e.g., neuroscience, immunology, pharmacology).
Students choose a specialization and conduct lab-based or literature-based research projects under supervision.
Final Honours School (FHS) Research Project:
During the third year, students undertake a significant independent research project, sometimes even contributing to published papers.
Summer Research Programs:
Students can participate in Wellcome Trust funded research internships or Oxford Summer Research Programmes.
Opportunities to work at renowned research institutes like the Nuffield Department of Medicine, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, and Oxford Vaccine Group.
Oxford Medical School Research Society:
Organizes talks, events, and connects students with research supervisors for term-time or vacation projects.
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 - The standard entry requirement is A*AA in three A-levels (excluding Critical Thinking and Thinking Skills) taken within the same academic year. Applicants must achieve at least a grade A in Chemistry and in one additional subject from Biology, Physics, Mathematics, or Further Mathematics. It is also expected that candidates have taken and passed the practical component in their chosen science subjects.IDBP - 39 (including core points) with 766 at HL. Candidates are required to take Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics to Higher Level. Indian - Overall grade of 90% or more, with grades of at least 95% or above in three subjects (including any relevant to the course applied for) and 85% or above in the other two subjects.American curriculum- applicants to have three AP scores of 5, including Biology, Chemistry, and one other Maths or Science subject, with no consideration of GPA or SAT/ACT.Students must be 18 by the start of the course intake. 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 Oxford
