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5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of PlymouthThe University of Plymouth's BMBS is a five-year program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes essential for a successful career in medicine.
Program Structure
Years 1–2:
Focus on the core scientific foundations of medicine within a clinical context, structured around the human life cycle. Early clinical exposure is a key component, with placements beginning in Year 1.
Years 3–4:
Emphasize patient-centered learning through hospital and community-based placements. Students apply their scientific and clinical knowledge in real-world healthcare settings.
Final Year:
Focuses on the practical application of clinical skills and knowledge. Students work as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, preparing for their role as junior doctors.
Teaching Methods
The curriculum follows an integrated model, combining problem-based learning, clinical case discussions, and early patient contact. Students also develop essential professional skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and decision-making.
Clinical Placements
Clinical experience is embedded throughout all five years. Placements occur in a wide range of healthcare settings across the South West of England, including hospitals and community practices, offering exposure to a diverse patient population and a broad scope of specialties.
Medical students at Plymouth benefit from placements across a number of key hospitals and community settings in the South West of England, including:
Derriford Hospital (Plymouth)
The primary teaching hospital affiliated with the medical school. It is a major trauma center and offers specialist services including cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, renal transplantation, and neonatal intensive care. It also houses a Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit, providing insight into military medicine.
Mount Gould Hospital (Plymouth)
Focuses on rehabilitation and community health. Students gain experience in geriatric care, chronic disease management, and multidisciplinary healthcare.
Torbay Hospital (Torquay)
Offers full hospital services including surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care. Many students undertake placements here, particularly in the later years of the course.
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Exeter)
A large teaching hospital with a full range of acute medical and surgical services. It is used for a variety of student placements throughout the program.
Royal Cornwall Hospital (Truro)
Provides exposure to a busy district general hospital, serving a broad demographic and offering placements in many specialties.
These placements provide a mix of urban and rural experience, helping students build adaptability and clinical competence in varied healthcare settings.
Additional Opportunities:
Intercalation: Students have the option to undertake an intercalated degree, allowing for in-depth study in a chosen field.
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 - A*AA–AAB at A-level (incl. A in Biology and a second science); 7 GCSEs at C/4+ incl. English, Maths, and two sciences (Double or single awards).IBDP - 36–38 points overall to include the following: Higher Level 6 in Biology Higher Level 6 in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.Indian - CBSE/CISCE Class XII: 85% overall with 80% in Biology and a second science.American - AHSD: 7 subjects at 70%+ (GPA 2), including Maths, English, and 2 sciences; APs: 5,5,5 with 5 in Biology and one other science.Students must be 18 at the start of the course.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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