MBBS (Five year Programme)

At St George's we have long taken the view that the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for the practice of medicine are best acquired through multi-disciplinary teaching, based on the systems of the body rather than through departmentally-based subject courses. Since 1976 we have offered a course in which there has been full integration of the basic medical science teaching with the inclusion of aspects of the clinical relevance of certain topics.

In 1996 we introduced a new curriculum which aimed to enhance the degree of integration between subjects and between scientific and clinical disciplines, bringing forward into the first two years of the course the acquisition of some basic clinical skills. All students follow the core modules, and take several 'Special Study Modules' in years two to five. These allow you to study a topic of your choicein greater depth, giving you a special appreciation of a clinical specialty or scientific area and developing a questioning and self-critical approach.

Course Structure

Years One and Two

Four main themes underpin the whole course and they feature throughout the five years:

• Basic and clinical Sciences

• Patient & Doctor

• Community and Population Health

• Personal and Professional Development

The first term is a Foundation Module, known as the Common Foundation Programme (CFP) which is undertaken by MBBS students, and also students doing BSc degrees in Biomedical Science, Physiotherapy, Diagnostic Radiography, Therapeutic Radiography and Nursing. The aim of the Common Foundation Programme is to provide a multi-professional environment for the introduction of a broad range of topics common to the education of those working in health related areas. It will also familiarise students with the clinical environment and basic professional legislation of their chosen discipline.

Following the CFP, each term has several core modules running concurrently. Some of these are general, such as Molecular and Cellular Basis of Health and Disease (MCBHD) or Ageing and Disability; others are based around human body systems such as Alimentary, Cardiovascular, Kidney.

The traditional subject strands of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology etc are present within the modules, but the course is organised so that they are woven together to aid your broader understanding.

Years Three and Four

The third and fourth years of the course are each divided into three terms generally of fifteen weeks and, with an emphasis on clinical intervention and management, review the coverage of the core curriculum through body-system and other modules.
Most of the time within the modules is taken up with attachments to clinical 'firms', within which are organised bedside teaching sessions, ward rounds, out-patient clinic teaching and small-group discussions. In addition there are more formal teaching sessions, such as lectures, practicals and tutorials which aim to reinforce, in a clinical context, your understanding of the basic science learned in the first two years.

There are also non-modular teaching sessions which cover important themes such as preventive medicine, nutrition and ethics. During these years vital practical skills, including communication with patients and colleagues, will be acquired, making use of the skills laboratory facilities on the site.

Year Five

The fifth and final year of the course is a period for intensive clinical experience and honing of clinical skills, much of which is spent away from St George's. The fifth year consists of three periods. In the first you will be required to undertake two 'shadow' house officer appointments (one in each of medicine and surgery) of five weeks' duration. Included in the second period are attachments in Accident and Emergency medicine, an intensive course in Public Health and a further time spent in general practice. The third period is spent on elective study (often abroad), which is organised as part of the Special Study Modules programme.

Methods of Teaching

Organised teaching throughout the course is by a combination of small-group tutorials, lectures, practical classes, and instruction on the wards and in other clinical settings such as out-patient clinics and the community. You will spend an equivalent amount of time in independent study: reading, using computer software packages and discussing the course material.
By the third year you should be equipped to undertake medical practice under supervision, and both formal teaching and independent learning will concentrate on this. Throughout the course there will be problem-based learning, using a bank of 'scenarios' to focus teaching and learning on clinical material, and to develop your critical skills and learning techniques.

Methods of Assesment

You will be assessed progressively throughout the course by a variety of traditional and innovative examination methods. Examinations are designed to occur as close as possible to the learning, and to encourage continuous, systematic study without the requirement for intensive cramming once a year. In practice, this means that there are short formal written or practical examinations at the end of each term, and there may also be an element of in-course assessment throughout the term contributing to the term's mark. There are also synoptic examinations, designed to test your ability to integrate and apply knowledge.

Examination Schedule

The examinations are organised into five parts:

Part One:

Covers the core curriculum in the first year.
Three end of term examinations One Synoptic examination.

Part One must be passed in order to proceed to the second year.

Part Two:

Covers the core curriculum in the second year.
Three end of term examinations One Synoptic examination.

Part Two must be passed in order to proceed to the third year.

Part Three:

Covers the entire Special Studies Modules programme within the second, third, fourth and fifth years.
Each SSM will be assessed by an appropriate method (oral presentations and a report).

Part Four:

Covers the core curriculum in the third and fourth years Five end of term examinations (clinical and practical).
A synoptic assessment in September of the 4th year.

Parts Three and Four must be passed in order to enter for Part Five, together with the satisfactory completion of all clinical attachments.

Part Five:

Consists of clinical cases and other clinical and practical assessments.
Part Five is designed to complete the certification of competence to practise medicine safely.
If you pass Part Five you will be qualified as a Doctor provisionally registered with the GMC and able to enter the pre-registration year (see Intercalated BSc Degrees and The Pre-Registration Year/Careers and Opportunities in Medicine ).

Special Features

• Shared learning with other healthcare professional students.

• Fully integrated course, with clinical experience from year one.

• Special Study Modules allowing you to choose several areas to study in greater depth.

• Clinical experience in a range of sites including primary care, community and district general hospitals in addition to the main St George's site.

Selection Procedure

MBBS (five year programme) Specific entrance requirements

MBBS Student Entry Information

All students offered a place are asked to agree to a set of principals which enable us to deliver the teaching required for you to pass your course. You can view a copy of this agreement here.  MBBS5 Student Entry Information 2007-08 If you would like to discuss any of the issues contained in this you should contact the MBBS Admissions Officer in advance of an application.