Medicine

UCAS code: A100

Here's what Aston University, Birmingham says about its Medicine course.

The Aston Medicine MBChB programme prepares you for the demands of a medical career, with a strong emphasis on working compassionately with patients as partners within a multi-disciplinary team. You’ll experience working in clinical settings through a series of clinical placements each year and develop a wide range of skills and a broad knowledge base.

Our patient-focused curriculum is taught over five years in two phases. It starts by expanding and deepening your existing science education, covering topics such as the fundamentals of body structure, infection and pathological processes. As you move into the second phase, a large proportion of your learning will take place in clinical environments where you will work with practising doctors and healthcare professionals in clinical placements ranging from cancer care to integrated medicine.

Beyond medical knowledge, we’ll help you grow into a confident, independent thinker with the critical thinking skills and empathy needed to thrive as a future doctor. After graduation, you'll be fully prepared to take on your first role as a Foundation Doctor.

Key course benefits

• GMC approval – Aston’s MBChB Medicine programme is accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC).

• Triple Gold TEF rating - Aston University received the highest rating for teaching quality (TEF 2023).

• Cutting-edge facilities - Train in our state-of-the-art clinical skills centre, complete with hospital simulation suites and the latest medical equipment.

What you will learn Our patient-centred, five-year curriculum is taught in two phases. It builds on your science background, covering body structure, infection, and pathology with clinical relevance throughout. You'll meet patients from the start. In Phase 2, most learning occurs in clinical settings with doctors and healthcare professionals, across placements from primary to integrated care. We aim to prepare you for a medical career focused on compassionate, team-based patient care.

Phase 1: Years 1 and 2 Throughout Phase 1 you will develop your clinical skills and knowledge in blocks covering topics such as physiology, pharmacology, public and global health, and the musculoskeletal system. You’ll be introduced to clinical practice, learn how to interact effectively with patients, carers, colleagues and other healthcare professionals, develop consultation skills as well as an introduction to diagnostic reasoning. The very early clinical experience placement gives you an opportunity to develop an understanding of what it’s like to be a patient and to gain real-world experience of the work carried out by doctors and other members of the general practice (primary care) team.

Phase 2: Years 3, 4 and 5 Much of your learning in Phase 2 will take place in clinical environments, working with practising doctors and healthcare professionals. This will be supplemented and supported with lectures, group work, workshops, independent study and other learning opportunities. The Student Selected Components (SSC) delivered in this phase, offers you the chance to study an area of particular interest. You will also have the opportunity, as an option within the SSC, to complete a research-based project with Aston Medical Research Institute.

Facilities We have invested heavily to ensure that our facilities and equipment, including: • A high-tech clinical skills centre with a range of equipment including Sonosite ultrasound machines and life size anatomical models. • Simulated hospital ward with mid-fidelity manikins. • SMOTS camera technology that allow discreet recording during medical simulations to provide instant feedback. • Powerlab for physiological testing including blood pressure, lung capacity, ECG readings, EMG and pulse oximetry. • State-of-the-art group work rooms, which include C-touch screens. • Private study spaces available to students 24/7. • State-of-the-art critical care simulation unit.

For a full list of modules and course objectives, visit the course page on Aston University's website: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/medicine-mbchb/

We employ a range of teaching, learning and assessment methods. There is an emphasis on working with peers to apply learning and solve problems, and we use technology and digital resources to make materials more accessible, to enhance learning and to make it fun. Modes of assessment include in-course assignments, computer-based knowledge exams, practical clinical skills tests, and continuous assessment of professional behaviour.