Below are some the questioned we are frequently asked about the course. Please read this information carefully, as it may be useful if you have any questions of your own. If you cannot find the information you need on this page, then please do not hesitate to contact us.
- Which hospitals deliver clinical teaching?
Ealing Hospital, London and The Royal Gwent Hospital, South Wales are currently involved. Several additional hospitals will be coming on board in near future. - Where are candidates recruited from?
Candidates from all over the world are enrolled on the programme. - Do the candidates pay for their training?
Yes. The tuition fees are kept as low as possible and will be subject to annual review. The tuition fee reflects the true cost of the course without any subsidy. For candidates who are sponsored for full registration by the GMC, an additional administrative charge will apply each year on the programme over and above the standard tuition fee. - What is the programme structure?
These are modular programmes covering all sub-specialities of internal medicine, both theoretical and clinical, delivered over two or three years. - What structures are in place for assessment and examination of candidates?
Each candidate’s progress is monitored on an ongoing basis and the degree will be awarded subject to successful completion of the programme and passing exit examinations at the end of each course. These involve external examiners to maintain consistent, high standards and are mainly in an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) or Viva format. - What happens if a candidate does not meet the standard required for the award of an MD degree?
The award of a Clinical MD in General Internal Medicine is made to those candidates achieving a score of 50% or more in all eight courses. Every effort will be made to help and support candidates. However, those who fail to achieve the necessary marks to gain an MD but score 40% or more in every course are eligible for the award of Diploma in General Internal Medicine. Candidates are offered one opportunity per course to re-sit exit examinations. This incurs a charge of £500 to cover administrative costs. - Where do the students stay?
Fully furnished residential accommodation for students is provided at the prevailing market rent on campus at Ealing Hospital. Accommodation while on placement will be organised by the appropriate NHS trust. - At what stage should the students be in their career at the point of enrolment on these courses?
All candidates will have completed their undergraduate training and be fully registered with the Medical Council in their respective countries. - Will the candidates be registered with the General Medical Council, UK?
Yes, some candidates will gain full GMC registration. There is no necessity to pass the PLAB test but candidates may find it useful to do so. Selected MD candidates can be sponsored for full registration with the GMC. - What will I gain by studying on this programme?
The MMC programme introduced in 2006 for junior doctor training in UK, along with subsequent changes in Home Office rules have made it very difficult for international medical graduates to get structured medical training in the UK. An increase in the number of UK medical graduates competing with a large number of international medical graduates already in the UK for a reduced number of training posts means tougher competition for training posts in future years. The Clinical MD programme is designed to provide exposure to training in general internal medicine in the UK that would otherwise be extremely difficult to experience. - What are the opportunities for successful Clinical MD graduates?
It is envisaged that doctors will return to their home countries where experience gained in the UK will be invaluable. Those who pass the PLAB test during their stay in the UK (or are awarded full registration by sponsorship) will be eligible to enter further postgraduate training with the possibility of making a long term career in medicine in the UK. This may be in the form of junior doctor training posts with various UK deaneries, staff grade, trust grade, clinical research fellow or teaching fellow posts. Candidates completing the MD programmes will be at an advantage, not only for entering the junior doctor training system but also in helping them obtain possible exemptions for one to two years of formal Foundation and Core Medical Training. Our programmes may also put candidates at an advantage for further training in Australia and the United States. - Who provides theory teaching and clinical training?
Dedicated teaching fellows/clinical lecturers are appointed to assist course directors. External consultants, many of national eminence, are invited to deliver high-quality lectures. Some teaching is also provided by Specialist Registrars on each medical firm. - Is the training programme recognised for higher professional training?
The MD is not a standard junior doctor training posts. However, several candidates who have successfully completed the Clinical MD have obtained training posts in different medical specialities with different deaneries in the UK.
Higher education at the University of Buckingham, like at all UK universities, is audited by the Quality Assurance Agency to ensure quality standards. - Will candidates gain permission from the British government to stay in the UK for these courses?
The University sponsors candidates enrolled on the programme for the duration of their studies. No additional work permit is required, and students are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during holidays should they so desire. In addition, spouses of students are entitled to work full-time providing they are not taking up permanent employment in the UK.
