Prospective Students

Medicine (MBBCh)

We offer a 5 year undergraduate programme (UCAS code A100) suitable if you have appropriate science A-levels (or equivalent), a 6 year programme (UCAS code A104) if you do not have a science background, and a four year graduate entry programme is also available for suitable candidates.

Dental graduates are able to apply for direct entry into year 2 of our 5 year programme. We also offer a number of places to graduates of our feeder courses: the BSc in Medical Pharmacology offered by Cardiff School of Medicine, and the BSc in Medical Sciences offered at the University of Glamorgan. Similar links with a number of degree programmes offered by Cardiff School of Biosciences and Bangor University are under consideration and further details will be available on the website in the near future.

The curriculum is based on the guidelines of the General Medical Council’s (GMC) publication Tomorrow’s Doctors (2009). It is delivered in partnership with the Schools of Biosciences, Psychology and Social Sciences. Clinical placement teaching takes place at hospitals, community medical centres and at over 150 general practices across the whole of Wales. This ‘hub and spoke’ model gives a unique diversity of clinical learning experience in both hospital and community settings.

The GMC, in “Good Medical Practice”, states that “good doctors make the care of their patients their first concern: they are competent, keep their knowledge and skills up to date, establish and maintain good relationships with patients and colleagues, are honest and trustworthy, and act with integrity”. Skills and professional behaviours are developed throughout the Undergraduate Curriculum so that graduates are prepared for the Foundation Programme and postgraduate medical training.

The curriculum blends basic medical sciences, pathological sciences and clinical experience. It is delivered using a variety of teaching methods, which include lectures, small group tutorials, laboratory based sessions, and cadaveric dissection. Many clinical skills are learned initially in clinical skills sessions, using models and simulators. These are then put into practical use on clinical placements in hospitals and general practices throughout Wales. Some aspects of the course are delivered by computer based methods of learning and other subjects are enhanced by e-learning.

Year 1

The first phase of the course introduces all the major systems of the body within which the teaching of basic sciences, pathological sciences, pharmacology and therapeutics, ethics, professionalism, and public health is integrated with the clinical aspects. Clinical experience is by placements in local hospitals and general practices, where you will have the opportunity to observe different health care professionals at work and meet with patients for the first time. You will learn basic clinical skills in clinical skills facilities.

Year 2

The scientific principles and clinical skills established in Year 1 are developed further. Basic clinical sciences are presented in conjunction with clinical exposure to integrate these major strands in the curriculum. Preparation for Year 3 clinical placements includes further clinical skills workshops, workshops on communication skills and a 2 week Foundation Clinical Skills placement in a hospital in South East Wales. You will also complete a week long nursing placement to experience ward work and management from the perspective of a nurse, and an extended case study of a family.

Year 3

Clinical placements in year 3 give experience in medical and surgical problems, cardiovascular and respiratory medicine, rheumatology and orthopaedics and primary care. Teaching in basic, pathological and clinical sciences continues, and basic clinical skills are acquired through simulation. A detailed case study of a patient with a serious illness such as cancer provides important insights into the patient’s experience of illness.

Year 4

Year 4 comprises placements in specialist clinical disciplines e.g. child health, reproductive medicine, psychological medicine, neurology and geriatrics, dermatology, haematology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and ear, nose and throat (ENT), linked by short periods of group teaching and consolidation integrating the basic sciences with clinical practice. As part of the Socrates Erasmus Scheme some students are able to undertake some of their Year 4 clinical placements in European Medical Schools, such as Lisbon in Portugal and Nantes in France.

Students assigned clinical placements outside of the South East of Wales will normally be provided with on-site accommodation for the duration of the placement.

Year 5

In order to prepare our students for work a new programme will link the final year of the undergraduate course with the first year of work as a doctor – currently known as FY1 (Foundation year 1). Students will take their final knowledge exams at the start of the fifth year. This will then be followed by extensive clinical experience. The emphasis of the final year is on consolidating the skills and knowledge required to graduate and work as a Foundation doctor, particularly on the assessment and management of acute clinical problems. Students will experience acute medicine and surgery, trauma and orthopaedics and general practice placements. They will work very closely with junior doctors so that they are well prepared for taking on that role. During that time there will also be an ‘elective’ period which is a unique opportunity to explore a subject in depth and experience medicine in different cultural situations, anywhere in the world. Finally, there is a period of time spent “shadowing” a Foundation doctor, easing the transition from medical student to doctor.

Intercalated degrees

Approximately 100 students per year take the opportunity to participate in the Intercalated Degree Schemes between years 3 and 4 or year 4 and 5. A wide range of schemes is offered by Schools within Cardiff University e.g. pharmacology, genetics, public health, psychological medicine and many more! An MRes is launched this year to give an opportunity for some serious research immersion. We also have strong partnership arrangements with other Universities in Wales, and some students complete an intercalated degree at other Universities in the UK. The intercalated year gives students the opportunity to research a subject in depth and develop the intellectual and practical tools to prepare them to become a net producer rather than consumer of evidence. Medical students with a good academic record from other academic institutions are welcome to apply for entry to our intercalated programmes.

Typical Offer

AS/A level: AAA grades at A-level, minimum C in AS-level subject.

Specific Requirements

These are a summary, for full details, please view Entry Requirements on the Medical School website Please click here.

A-Level/AS-level

Students should offer three A2 Levels, which must include two science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Statistics can be offered instead of Mathematics. Students must also offer one AS Level in a fourth subject.

At least one A2 Level science must be either Biology or Chemistry. If not offered at A2 Level, Biology and Chemistry must be offered at AS Level

The typical offer will be AAA grades at A2 Level.If not offered at A2 Level, Biology or Chemistry must be with an A grade at AS level.

A ‘C’ grade must be achieved in an AS subject not offered at A2 Level provided the additional subject at AS is not Biology or Chemistry 

Key Skills Level 3 in three subjects is an alternative

GCSE
English Language or Welsh first language at a minimum of grade B. Mathematics at a minimum of grade B, AA in Dual Award Science or AAB in three separate sciences (Physics, Chemistry Biology).

UK-CAT
All applicants will be required to take the UK-CAT aptitude test before being considered. For more information please click here.

Non-academic Requirements
Students should demonstrate evidence of an understanding of medical training and practice; a caring attitude towards people; the ability to communicate effectively; a willingness to accept responsibility; evidence of team working and broad interests. All applicants selected for interview must satisfy the requirements with regard to health and a criminal records check. Applicants who do not quite meet some of the academic criteria may be invited if their Personal Statement is of a sufficiently high quality or there are extenuating circumstances.

Health Check
All applicants are required to have a medical check prior to starting the medical course. The Occupational Health Service oversees the screening process. All offers will also be conditional upon students being non-infective to Hepatitis B.

Criminal Record Check
All students will be required as a condition of acceptance to satisfactorily complete a University Criminal Record Disclaimer form and also a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure at the Enhanced level. CRB application forms will be sent to applicants given offers.

Disabilities/Special Needs
All applicants and applicants are encouraged to let us know if they have a disability including dyslexia. Advice can then be given as to whether the applicant can meet the "fitness to practise" criteria of the General Medical Council. All disclosures will be treated in a positive, sensitive and constructive way.

Alternative Entry Requirements

Applications from those offering alternative/vocational/overseas qualifications (eg Access, Vocational A-level) are welcome as are those who may have combinations of qualifications or other relevant work/life experience. For more information please click here to see the School of Medicine Admissions Policy. 

Detailed Admissions Criteria

Please click here for a full list of alternative entry requirements and admissions criteria for this degree programme.

Foundation Year (A104)

Applicants with more than one science A-level are not usually admitted. Entry is restricted to applicants who cannot meet the requirements for entry to the 5-year programme by virtue of having innappropriate subject combinations or depth of learning.  A-level and GCSE entry standards are the same to those for the 5-year programme. This is an integrated programme. (Foundation Year plus 5-year medical programme.)

Interviewing Policy

All students who satisfy the initial selection criteria will be required to attend for interview.

Next intake: September each year

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