MB ChB Medicine (4.5-year degree)

About our MB ChB Medicine 4.5-year degree programme

Our MB ChB Medicine 4.5-year degree programme is designed to train highly ethical, honest and compassionate doctors who will put the patient first. The Medical School received General Medical Council (GMC) accreditation in May 2019.

The course is divided into Phases 1 and 2.

Phase 1 consists of a series of integrated and interdisciplinary units mostly based around the systems of the body and presented in a clinical context. By the end of Phase 1, our students will be able to communicate effectively with patients, examine them clinically, and have a sufficient understanding of how the body works in health and disease to embark on full-time clinical work.

Phase 2 is about building on the foundations of Phase 1 through intensive work with patients and doctors in the clinical environment. Over a series of themed blocks, our students will be given a structured exposure to all aspects of medicine in both the hospital and the community.

The placements take place in hospitals and general practices. In keeping with the Buckingham ethos, the ratio of students to clinical teachers and patients are kept low so that our students have the best chance to interact with a wide variety of patients and doctors.

Amongst our partner hospitals near Buckingham are Milton Keynes University Hospital, St Andrews Hospital in Northampton, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and Stoke Mandeville Hospital; and near Crewe – The Railings, Macclesfield General Hospital, East Cheshire Trust and Leighton Hospital, Mid Cheshire Hospitals.

Click here for more information about the Medical School.

Curriculum overview

See 4.5 year course overview below – click to enlarge.

In the case of applicants offering UK A-levels, they should have (or be likely to obtain before the medical course begins) a minimum of grades ABB, including Chemistry or Biology.

In the specific case of the International Baccalaureate, they should be expected to achieve or to have achieved a total score of at least 34 points with Higher Level 6 in Chemistry & Biology. Please note that the overall point score does not include theory of knowledge or extended essay.

For applicants offering a degree – they should have a Bachelor degree in a subject cognate to Medicine, and have or be predicted a minimum classification of 2.1.

For country-specific requirements, please see our Entry Requirements Document.

English language requirements

Medical students whose native language is not English must hold an IELTS UKVI or IELTS Academic certificate with a minimum overall score of 7 and no less than 6.5 in each component (IELTS General Training is not suitable for this level). Alternatively, they can provide a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Certificate of an overall average score of 185, with a minimum of 176 in each paper.

Students whose native language is not English will be exempt from providing an English Test Certificate only if they have successfully completed a UK Bachelor degree, or are a national of one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and USA.

Student Contract for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract.

Admissions process

The selection processes operate in three stages. The first stage is Academic Selection and the second stage is a digital Multiple Mini Assessment and the third is an Objective Structured Selection Examination, the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).

Stage One: Academic Selection

This first stage involves judgements on the basis of the written application, primarily related to academic achievement as an indicator of intellectual suitability for a medical course and the practice of medicine. Applicants may offer a variety of qualifications, but the overriding principle is that achievement should be at the highest level, and comparable to entrants to other medical schools in the United Kingdom. It is not intended that ability to pay the fees for the course should compensate for academic achievement that is less than usual for entry to a medical course in the UK.

Stage Two: Multiple Mini Assessment

The second stage of selection applies only to those who meet the academic threshold and is intended to judge personal attributes relating to suitability for practice as a doctor. It is a computer-based test, made up of a series of tasks intended to test applicants’ analysis, interpretation and judgement abilities related to ‘Good Medical Practice‘, published by the UK General Medical Council.

Applicants who are satisfactory at this point will be able to progress to the third and final stage of the MMI application process.  Exceptionally high performing applicants may receive an offer at this stage in the process.

Stage Three: Objective Structured Selection Examination

The third stage of selection is intended to judge personal attributes relating to suitability for practice as a doctor. It consists of an Objective, Structured Selection Examination (OSSE), made up of a series of tasks intended to test abilities related to ‘Good Medical Practice‘, published by the UK General Medical Council.

Selection Days

The Selections Days for January 2024 Entry are:

Campus Allocation

Throughout your first two years as a University of Buckingham Medical School student, you will be based at your allocated campus, Buckingham or Crewe. From Year 3 of the Medicine programme onwards, you will be mainly off-site at your placement locations. Campuses are allocated to students by a random ballot unless there are mitigating circumstances.

In the interests of maintaining a balanced number of students at each campus, it may be necessary occasionally to alter the allocated campus when the A-level results are published. In the event of this being necessary, volunteers will be sought in the first instance and any imposed change of campus shall be the last resort.

Phase 1 Placement Allocation Policy

January 2024 entry applications: Open from 1 October 2022 until 1 July 2023

In keeping with the Buckingham ethos, the ratio of students to academic staff, clinical educators and patients is kept low throughout Phases 1 and 2.

We will assess your progress rigorously throughout the course so that you, the Medical School and the public can be confident that you are meeting the high standards required of a doctor.

There will be a combination of written examinations, structured clinical examinations and the use of an e-portfolio of evidence of progress, all chosen to make the most valid and reliable test of your abilities.

The other main purpose of the assessment system is to drive the learning of all students, and the Medical School has therefore chosen to place a high weight on educational impact in the design of the assessment system.  The aim is to assess students in ways that will drive deep, contextual and constructive learning that will last into life-long practice.

Through workshops and career education talks we aim to provide all medical students with the resources that they will need to make the right decision in their medical career or in selecting their chosen speciality.

The Student Support Team will assist you in providing advice or guiding you to the most appropriate person to talk to about:

• Career choice
• Applying for electives
• CV checking
• Interview skills

The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering educational services. If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and so on. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

Fees

The University of Buckingham is a not-for-profit educational charity that receives no government subsidies. Tuition fees are invested fully into providing a first-class medical education and student experience.

Additional Expenses

IT Requirements

Students must use their own IT devices for studying and assessments. Please ensure your device meets the following minimum standards to be compatible with Medical School software requirements.

Please note the minimum system requirements to run the current version of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences applications.

Stethoscopes

Our students need to purchase a stethoscope as part of their medical training. Students can seek advice from clinical staff.

Costs of stethoscopes typically start from around £60.

Visits to Hospitals and GP Practices

Our students will rotate across our partner hospitals and a number of local GP practices throughout the Clinical Skills Unit in Phase 1 of the course.

Travel costs are incurred once a week in Phase 1 and it is around 45p per mile. We reimburse students whose travel is longer than 25 miles where we refund any mileage over 25 in one direction.

Patient Visit

As part of the Narrative Medicine component of the course, each of our students is assigned a patient whom they will visit on a regular basis. The frequency of the visits and the distance they need to travel vary from patient to patient.

Travel cost is around 45p per mile. We reimburse students whose travel is longer than 25 miles where we refund any mileage over 25 in one direction.

On-campus accommodation

We guarantee on-campus accommodation to all new students for their first four terms of study, as long as it is booked and paid for in good time, so you’re assured of a safe and secure home from home when you arrive at the University. Most new students choose this option.

Living on campus enables you to become involved in University activities, make friends, and integrate with the University community. For some of you this will be your first time in the UK; for others it will be the first time living away from home – and independence brings its challenges as well as its excitements. Whatever your circumstances, we know how important it is for you to feel comfortable in your accommodation.

What’s included?

All our study bedrooms are fully furnished, centrally heated, and connected to the internet. With few exceptions they have a wash basin and small refrigerator. We have a large number of ensuite rooms, and are upgrading more rooms each year. There are shared kitchens for when you wish to cook for yourself.

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more, visit our Accommodation pages or get in touch with our Accommodation Team.

We recommend that all prospective students visit our campus if they are able to, at one of our open days or a Campus Tour, campus tours include a typical student room.

Apply directly

You can apply directly using our online application form – all you need to do is click the ‘apply’ button at the bottom of this page.

Help and support

If you need any help making your application or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by email at FMHS-admissions@buckingham.ac.uk, or by phone on +44 (01280) 820227. We are available between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday.

You may find it useful to download these great tips from Which University? on writing your personal statement.

Current applicants

If you would like to make any changes to your current application, please email (and make sure you have your application number ready!).