The 4 year MBBS programme will equip you with the professional knowledge skills values and behaviours required to be a competent medical practitioner.
Ulster University launched its Graduate Entry Medicine programme in 2021 and is excited to offer 2024 entry: it is a unique development in medical education in Northern Ireland.
This 4-year course is open to graduates from a wide range of science and non-science backgrounds. You will be part of a cohort of students that have a diverse range of experience and skills, making this an exciting and stimulating entry route into the medical profession. Upon graduation you will be awarded a primary medical qualification, an MBBS degree, which enables you to start work as a medical practitioner in the United Kingdom. At the time of writing, you will be eligible to enter the UK Foundation Programme, but with the planned introduction of the UK Medical Licensing Examination in 2024, the requirement for the UK Foundation Programme might have changed before you commence your studies.
The award of the final degree by Ulster University will be subject to satisfying the GMC’s rigorous quality assurance programme. In the unlikely event that Ulster did not satisfy the GMC’s rigorous quality assurance programme, the final degree would be awarded by our partner Medical School, St George’s, University of London.
The care of patients, as a doctor, requires a broad approach which includes a sound understanding of biomedical and social sciences, and the ability to provide comprehensive, compassionate "whole patient" care. Applicants with non-science backgrounds bring unique and important skills and experience to both their studies and their eventual care of patients. This is why we welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds.
The start date for the programme is 19 August 2024
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
The course is an intense full-time, four year programme leading to an MBBS degree, recognised by the General Medical Council as a Primary Medical Qualification in the UK. The award of the final degree by Ulster University will be subject to satisfying the GMC’s rigorous quality assurance programme.
We are delighted to be working with St George’s University of London as our partner medical school. St George’s has a long established reputation for delivering world-class medical education and has run a highly acclaimed Graduate Entry medical programme for many years.
Throughout the journey of the first cohort of students, we will be working closely with the GMC and St Georges to provide our students with the very best medical education; ensuring that they emerge as competent, caring, capable doctors.
Our 4-year MBBS programme can give you the opportunity to train as a doctor, even if this seemed like such a remote dream for you when you were at school that you did not even consider it. Perhaps you did not achieve the GCSE grades you had hoped for; or perhaps you were not sure whether to study arts or sciences at A level and opted for arts-based subjects. Maybe you just did not think you would ever be good enough to consider that you could be a doctor: but all along, you could not deny that this was really what you wanted to do.
In our School of Medicine, you now have a chance to fulfil your ambition to become a doctor. If you have a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in any subject or Masters qualification with an mnimum of 60% overall, are willing to work hard and want to know more about what it means to study medicine and become a doctor; then come along to our open days. There, you will have an opportunity to speak to us to find out more about being a doctor, what Graduate Entry medicine entails, and how you can prepare for our admissions process. You will need to sit the GAMSAT test and undertake a Multiple-Mini Interview process to demonstrate that you have the personal qualities required of a doctor. Once a student with us, working in mixed groups means that, whatever your background, you will have an unique perspective and bring all your prior learning and life experience to your studies.
Being a doctor is endlessly rewarding, hard work and at times challenging. We are pleased to welcome applications from a wide range of students. A long term health condition of your own is not in itself a reason not to apply to study medicine, although we will take an individual approach to applicants with health problems and/ or disabilities, using Occupational Health professionals, in order to make sure that you have all the support you require to maximise your success as an undergraduate and then moving into the workplace. There is strong ongoing support for you whilst a student through the University’s support services, and there is further support available through the Ulster University Students Union.
Studying medicine with us will provide you with an intensely practical medical education. Ulster’s MBBS programme will have a problem-based and interdisciplinary learning focus. This will enable you to graduate, not only demonstrating that you meet all the GMC ‘Outcomes for Graduates’, but that you are fully prepared to work as a member of an integrated health and social care team with a strong community focus, even for patients cared for by hospital specialists.
You will benefit from access to practice learning placements across the full range of medical specialist subjects, significant opportunities for primary care-based experience, and knowledge and appreciation of the interconnectivity between primary, secondary, social and community-based healthcare.
Graduate entry medicine is an intense course of study and this course is therefore not available for part time study. Placements are delivered across Northern Ireland and students will be placed in a number of primary, secondary and community placements and travel will be required.
Northern Ireland is facing an unprecedented medical workforce shortage that will continue to impact negatively on the care of patients, their families and communities. Our medical school will help to ease the workforce challenges and future-proof our health service.
The MBBS programme is funded through the Northern Ireland executive as one element of an approach to addressing this shortage of doctors in Northern Ireland. In addition, the University’s Civic commitment is to enhance the wellbeing and economic prosperity of our society. We therefore encourage applications from individuals who are keen to join the medical workforce in Ireland. Applicants will not have to demonstrate knowledge of the Northern Ireland health system during the selection process but, in common with other medical schools in the UK, applicants will be expected to demonstrate their insight into the work of a doctor, and their commitment to work as a doctor following graduation.
Ulster University has a global reputation for biomedical sciences research across the breadth of the medical sphere. Our School of Nursing, also based at the Magee campus in Derry~Londonderry, is ranked 7th in the UK. Our unparalleled personalised medicine research, which primarily takes place in the C-TRIC facility at Altnagelvin Hospital, is globally renowned for pioneering personalised treatments for chronic health conditions.
Highlights
Full-time: 4 years; at least 45 months from initial enrolment; and not less than 5500 hours of theoretical and practical instruction. Maximum 6 years.
The course follows an attendance policy that mirrors that of the workplace. The expectation is for 100% attendance at timetabled events and any absences should be reported in a timely, professional manner. Campus teaching is generally scheduled 09:15 to 17:15, Monday to Friday, and placements shifts will include some out of hours working, particularly later in the programme.
This course follows a Problem Based Learning model and is underpinned by three main themes:
In years one and two, the emphasis is on small group learning using clinical cases, independent study, clinical and communication skills tutorials and lectures. There are also clinical and community based placements in general practice and hospital trusts throughout Northern Ireland.
In year three (penultimate year) and year four (final year) clinical attachments take precedence, with complementary lectures running in parallel. Your exposure to clinical environments is maximised within general practice and hospital trusts throughout Northern Ireland.
In the final year all students undertake an elective. This is an opportunity to explore an aspect of medicine of particular interest to you, anywhere in the world. Elective plans are reviewed and approved by an academic member of staff, and a report is written upon completion.
The content for each year is outlined on the relevant module summary.
Assessment in the programme follows the three GMC Outcomes for Graduates domains: Professional Values and Behaviours, Professional Skills and Professional Knowledge. A range of assessment types are utilised to allow students to demonstrate competency across these domains, including Single Based Answer and Short Answer Question exams, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, Workplace Based Assessments and Professional Development Portfolio.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
The first year of the MBBS programme is the Clinical Science Year and introduces students, from a wide variety of backgrounds, knowledge and experiences, to the foundation knowledge required of a medical student and provides opportunities to put new knowledge and skills into practice on clinical placement in primary care setting. There is an emphasis on developing the relevant basic science necessary to recognise and understand signs and symptoms, the mechanisms that underpin these, and the ability to derive a set of pertinent differential diagnoses from their findings. The first year also introduces students to clinical and communication skills using models and simulated patients, and to appropriate personal and professional development and to the community and population context of care delivery.
Year: 2
Status: C
The second year of the MBBS programme is the Transition (T) Year, where students are transitioning into further clinical practice. T year includes an 18-week Problem Based Learning (PBL) programme which will rotate with 5-week clinical attachments in General Practice, Medicine and Surgery, followed by a 3-week Student Selected elective placement.
Teaching in T year links the learning within PBL with the underlying science, and primary and secondary care patient management. As with year 1, clinical and communication skills sessions continue to be carried out using models and simulated patients on-campus but are now also carried out in practice with real patients under appropriate supervision.
Year: 3
Status: C
The third year of the MBBS programme is the Penultimate (P) Year, where students spend the vast majority of their time on clinical placements, gaining practical experience of various medical and surgical specialties. Students extend the scope and depth of their learning in specialty placements and senior medicine and surgery. Clinical interviewing and examination increasingly support hypothesis generation, differential diagnosis skills and management planning. Students are supported to increase fluency in selected clinical procedures.
Year: 4
Status: C
The fourth year of the MBBS programme, the Final (F) Year, is a year of Advanced Clinical Practice where students are supported to achieve the mastery standard required for foundation practice, and expand their horizons with public health experience, the final year Student Selected Component, and an Elective. During the assistantships in medicine, surgery and general practice, a one-to-one apprenticeship with a foundation doctor or general practitioner, allows students to achieve the standard of teamwork and clinical practice expected in foundation years. Rotations in critical care and anaesthetics and accident and emergency complete the F year programme.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
This is a graduate entry programme. School leavers cannot apply for this course. Please see 'Additional Entry Requirements' for more details.
ILC profile to include:
Mathematics grade H6 or O4 or above or equivalent.
GCSE profile to include:
Mathematics grade C (or grade 4) or above or equivalent.
Please note that for the purposes of entry to this course, the Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Application of Number is NOT regarded as an acceptable alternative to GCSE Mathematics.
International and EU qualifications are assessed using UK National Information Centre (UK ENIC) and UCAS Overseas Qualifications manual. Applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to achieve IELTS grade 7.5 with no individual mark below 7.0 - this is inline with the GMC's requirements for overseas doctors seeking UK registration.
Applicants must satisfy the University’s General Entrance Requirements: University Entrance requirements - Ulster University
Specific requirements for admission are:
Prospective students should be aware of the GMC and MSC Medical students' professional values and fitness to practise guidance that considers behaviour both before and during a period of study. Failure to comply with this guidance could impair eligibility for a student to register with the GMC and affect continuation on the programme.
As a general rule, applicants who have previously studied, or are currently studying, at another UK, Ireland or International Medical School will not be considered for entry and all applicants will be checked against the Medical Schools Council excluded student database before being offered a place.However, if you experienced an extenuating circumstance, such as an unforeseen health or caring responsibility, which caused you to withdraw from a medical degree, it is possible for your application to be considered if you have made this clear in your UCAS personal statement. Remember you must declare all courses of previous study on UCAS regardless of whether you completed the course. If shortlisted, we would also require a letter from your current / previous Medical School proving academic and professional standing at point of withdrawal and supporting your claim for extenuating circumstances.
Ulster University welcomes applications to our MBBS programme for entry in accordance with the UCAS equal consideration deadline of 15 October. All applicants must also have completed the GAMSAT by the 15 October deadline. The GAMSAT is held biannually in September and March of each year. More information can be found at https://gamsat.acer.org/
For each year of entry we will consider GAMSAT scores from the pervious 8 sittings (i.e. 4 years) e.g. for entry in August 2024 (UCAS deadline 15 October 2023) we will consider GAMSAT scores from the following test sittings: March 2020, September 2020, March 2021, September 2021, March 2022, September 2022, March 2023 and September 2023. If you have applied more than once and have not been shortlisted for interview we would suggest resitting your GAMSAT as it may be that your score is not competative enough to gain an interview.
While there is no limit on the number of times you can apply to the programme, there is a maximum of two attempts at the Multiple Mini Interviews. If you have undertaken the Ulster MBBS MMIs twice, and have not gained an offer, a further UCAS application is unlikely to be considered.
Northern Ireland is facing an unprecedented medical workforce shortage that will continue to impact negatively on the care of patients, their families and communities. Our medical school is part of the Northern Ireland Executive’s approach to addressing this shortage of doctors and therefore priority is given to students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland, with a smaller number of places for GB applicants. The number of places available for GB applicants differs year on year depending on the calibre of the applicant field. This approach has been taken to ease the workforce challenges in Northern Ireland and futureproof our health service. We also encourage applications from international applicants who are keen to join the medical workforce in Northern Ireland. Applicants will not have to demonstrate knowledge of the Northern Ireland health system during the selection process but, in common with other medical schools in the UK, applicants will be expected to demonstrate their insight into the work of a doctor, and their commitment to work as a doctor following graduation.
There can be no exemptions from any part of the approved programme.
In this section
Graduates from this course are now working for:
With this degree you could become:
On graduation you will have gained an MBBS primary medical qualification, with both the practical and clinical skills specific to medicine and the personal and professional attributes necessary to become a doctor. There are a wide variety of professional roles which you can choose to specialise in upon completion of your Foundation Training.
Career options can be found at:
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/studying-medicine/after-medical-school/specialties
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/medicine
You will benefit from access to practice learning placements across the full range of medical specialist subjects, significant opportunities for primary care-based experience, and will develop knowledge and appreciation of the interconnectivity between primary, secondary, social and community-based healthcare. The programme will prepare you for 21st Century healthcare including the challenges of managing an ageing population, caring for patients with multiple Long Term Conditions, and managing the profound impact of mental health and distress on patients; and there will be an added element of cross-border collaboration focusing on remote and rural medicine. Students will spend over 83 core weeks on clinical placement, with the opportunity of spending up to 30 per cent of this within a primary care setting.
In Final Year you will undertake a medical elective, which can be taken in the United Kingdom or Ireland, with a number of students taking the opportunity to experience medicine from a global perspective. Although an international elective is optional and is funded by the student, it is hoped there might be bursaries available to students to support the cost of overseas electives.
Accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC), this primary medical qualification entitles the holder to apply to the GMC for registration to practise medicine in the UK.
£4,750.00
£9,250.00
£37,000.00
A limited number of Scholarships will be available for 2024 applicants. Information on these scholarships will be available soon.
PhD science graduates may also be eligible for the Foulkes Foundation Fellowship. The scheme provides financial support for recently qualified PhD science graduates with research experience who want to take a medical degree. For further information visit www.foulkes-foundation.org.
Entry to the course is subject to a satisfactory medical check and a criminal record check. Students will be required to meet these costs. AccessNI currently costs £33. Mandatory Occupational Health screening costs £35 and required vaccinations can cost up to £50 if you have not arranged these via your GP before the start of the programme. Additional screening and vaccinations can cost up to £170 if a student wishes to become EPP cleared, however this is not mandatory. Full details of OH requirements will be communicated to offer holders in advance.
Students will be required to meet the costs of accommodation and transport while attending placements during the programme. Students will also have printing costs and will be required to purchase required reading materials and certain clinical equipment such as a stethoscope and scrubs. Students will be expected to have a smart-phone or other hand-held device which can be used for assessments and accessing materials while on clinical placement.
MBBS programme is longer than the usual 33 weeks for student accommodation which could attract higher living expenses.
**The fee for International students DOES NOT include the mandatory clinical placement levy to cover access to clinical placements in the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care system. The University subsides this levy, but international students will be expected to pay their share of this mandatory levy as per the following schedule on top of their international fee:
Year 1 £3100
Year 2 £8000
Year 3 £8000
Year 4 £8000 **
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
