Studying at Lancaster Medical School
Overview
Lancaster Medical School is a relatively new medical school, having taken their first students in 2012. Lancaster is one of the smallest medical schools in the UK which fosters a supportive and tight knit community-like environment. The course is delivered through a mix of problem-based learning, traditional lectures and clinical anatomy teaching. Students benefit from early clinical contact, with the opportunity to meet their first patients within the first year. By year two, students will spend two days per week on hospital placement while also engaging in a variety of community-related activities. Early patient contact allows students to practise your history-taking and examination skills, whilst providing a real-life context for your learning.
Applicants meeting the minimum academic requirements are ranked according to BMAT score for interview shortlisting. Therefore, if you have performed well in the BMAT, you stand a good chance of gaining an invitation to interview.
Key Points
- BMAT
- Problem-Based Learning
- Optional Intercalation
Insider’s Guide to Lancaster Medical School from Shifa, Lancaster Medical Student
What makes Lancaster unique to other medical schools?
Lancaster is a rural area and the location makes it good to make a difference to the people in this area. Most residents are of low socioeconomic backgrounds and can present with conditions related to malnutrition, drinking, obesity and smoking. Having a role in this helps improve the overall public health of the county to prevent people for secondary related diseases like CHD and cancers. It also has ethical based coursework in year 3 which is a project which is best for people who enjoy writing up essays.
Course Structure at Lancaster Medical School
Year 1 at Lancaster Medical School
Year 1 involves learning the foundations of medicine, starting off with anatomy and normal physiology of the body. We are given 11 PBL modules to cover throughout the year and we have lectures, CALC and clinical skills teaching in each module too. CALC is our anatomy model teaching session where we have an anatomy teacher showing us the relevant anatomy. We can access the model at anytime for revision too. We then have an SSM spread over each term, building up in difficulty, working up until we write an SSM essay which we need to pass to progress to the second year. We start GP placement in the third term for 2 weeks.
Year 2 at Lancaster Medical School
In Year 2 we start to build on the foundations of medicine and learn the disease processes of different body systems, exploring the common diagnoses and management of certain illnesses. Hospital placement happens every week for two days, starting from the beginning of the year and rotating around each of the four partner hospitals. To supplement our PBL modules we also have four weeks of SSM at the end of term 1 and write an essay about an interesting medical topic. We still have community placement every two weeks.
Year 3 at Lancaster Medical School
Year 3 comprises five rotations of placement, clinical teaching, PBL and other teaching activities such as tutorials and lectures. These are ‘Women and Children’, ‘Care of the Elderly’, ‘Managing Long-Term Conditions’, ‘Therapeutics and Sexual Health’ and ‘Community Mental Health’.
In PBL, you will start to use real clinical cases, rather than exploring a written scenario. For some of your PBL modules, you will present information from your own patient histories and use this information as the stimulus for developing your learning objectives. You also have to complete a PPVE coursework for the second half of the year, reading up on a case and analysing the case.
Year 4 at Lancaster Medical School
In Year 4, you will spend a minimum of three days a week in the hospital setting, in two 15-week blocks. Each of these blocks will include patient contact, clinical teaching, PBL and other teaching activities such as lectures or tutorials.
You will also receive 30 days of Primary Care clinical teaching with experienced GP tutors, including case-scenario discussions, clinical reasoning, group work and critiquing academic papers. You also have finals exams in year 4 to prepare for.
Year 5 at Lancaster Medical School
In Year 5, you will undertake five clinical attachments, two of which are Selectives in Advanced Medical Practice (SAMPs) as well as Emergency Medicine and Primary Care. You will also have ward placement where you have the opportunity to shadow an FY1 doctor to prepare for the transition to work.
You also have your 6 week elective in the last part of the year where you can go anywhere in the world to experience healthcare in a different setting.
Teaching Style at Lancaster Medical School
What is the general teaching style at Lancaster ? E.g. is it PBL/Traditional? etc.
Teaching is mainly PBL which is problem based learning and it consists of being in a group of 6 to 8 students and reading a case about a patient with a certain disease from a specific background. We then discuss the case as a group and form learning objective surrounding the 4 themes: medical sciences, population health, HCS and PPVE. We will have two weeks to research and meet the learning objectives. Then we present our work to the rest of the group.
Does Lancaster offer dissection?
No, anatomy teaching is based on models.
Does Lancaster offer a BSc? If so, how is the BSc year?
Yes it does. After year 4 you have the opportunity to intercalate. Intercalation provides you with an opportunity to study a subject related to medicine at greater depth or engage in academic research for a year. You can go to any university in the UK to complete a degree for the year.
What is the pre clinical / clinical split like? Do you get early clinical exposure?
The pre clinical is mainly just year 1 and clinical years start in year 2 with hospital placements. I really like the early clinical exposure because it helps you to subconsciously learn things about being a doctor that you wouldn’t learn from lecture like bedside manners and communication skills. Giving ample opportunities to practice your clinical examinations.
Social Life at Lancaster Medical School
What are the clubs and societies like? What is the social life like?
Lancaster medsoc is very active we have a LUPALs which is a group of student in the upper years who organise revision sessions after every module in each year. To make sure everyone is on the same page after PBL because it is easy to miss key information out in PBL. They also organise loads of balls and events for everyone. We also have different specialty societies like GPSoc and Caridology Society. There are loads of medical sports teams like netball, basketball and football.
FAQs
Lancaster Medical School is a relatively new medical school that was established in 2019. It is part of Lancaster University and offers a 5-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) program that aims to produce competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Lancaster Medical School offers a 5-year MBChB program that combines traditional academic teaching with hands-on clinical experience. The program covers a wide range of medical topics, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical skills.
To be considered for Lancaster Medical School’s MBChB program, students must achieve AAA at A-levels or equivalent qualifications, complete the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), and pass the interview process.
The interview process for Lancaster Medical School’s MBChB program typically includes a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, which involves a series of short interview stations where students are assessed on different aspects of their personality, communication skills, and ability to think on their feet.
Lancaster Medical School’s MBChB program is unique in its approach to medical education. The program emphasizes the importance of research and innovation in healthcare, and students have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research projects throughout their studies. Additionally, the program offers students extensive hands-on clinical experience and opportunities to work with patients from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.
There are several reasons why students might choose to study medicine at Lancaster University:
Innovative approach to medical education: Lancaster Medical School takes an innovative approach to medical education, which emphasizes research and innovation in healthcare, patient-centered care, and hands-on clinical experience. This approach helps students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.
Strong reputation: Lancaster Medical School is part of Lancaster University, which is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK. The medical school has quickly established a strong reputation for producing competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.
State-of-the-art facilities: Lancaster Medical School is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a purpose-built clinical skills suite, anatomy lab, and simulation suite. These facilities provide students with the opportunity to practice and refine their clinical skills in a safe and controlled environment.
Research opportunities: Lancaster Medical School has a strong research program, with faculty and students actively involved in conducting cutting-edge research across a range of disciplines. This research informs the curriculum and ensures that students are prepared to address the latest challenges and opportunities in healthcare.
Supportive learning environment: Lancaster Medical School is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive community for all students, regardless of their background or identity. The school’s policies, programs, and initiatives promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of the institution.
Location: Lancaster is a vibrant university town located in the picturesque North West of England. It is easily accessible by train from major cities like Manchester and London and provides students with a safe and welcoming environment to live and study in.
About the university
| Key Information | |
| Website | Website |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone number | 01524 594547 |
| Course Information | |
| Teaching style | PBL The course is delivered through problem based learning initially. In small groups of usually 7 or 8, you will explore realistic patient-based scenarios that resemble the clinical situations you may face in the future as a doctor. Your group will identify what you need to learn in relation to the scenario, and then you will independently research the topics, drawing on resource lists, seeking information and critically appraising its worth. |
| Course length | 5 years |
| Courses offered | 2 courses offered: A100 Standard Entry - 5 years A104 Gateway Year - 6 years |
| Graduate entry | No |
| Foundation or access | Yes |
| University Life | |
| Local area | Lancaster Lancaster is a small, historic city in the county of Lancashire. Lancaster Castle is still owned by Her Majesty the Queen! The University is campus-based and divided into 9 colleges each of which has it's own character and traditions, acting as your home from home. |
| Social life | The campus contains all the facilities you'll need as new student including grocery store, gym and libraries. You'll spend your first year living within your chosen college, which is a great opportunity to make new friends. Another advantage of living on-campus is easy access to the wide range of sports teams and societies on offer. |
| Interview | |
| Interview style | MMI Including group task to assess suitability for PBL curriculum |
| Interview dates | Jan-Feb |
| Admissions Tests | |
| UCAT | UCAT Required |
| GAMSAT | N/A |
| Academic Requirements | |
| GCSE | GCSEs GCSEs: A minimum score of 13 points from eight subjects (A or A* or 7-9 = 2 points; B or 6 = 1 point). The eight subjects must include either combined science trilogy as two GCSE qualifications or Biology, Chemistry and Physics as individual subjects, plus Maths and English Language, all at grade B/6 or above. If Biology or Chemistry is not studied at A-level (see below), then applicants must have achieved at least grade 7/A at GCSE. |
| A-level | AAA AAA including two from Biology, Chemistry and Psychology or AAB in three A-levels (as above) plus an EPQ, 4th AS-level or 4th A-level subject at B. |
| Scottish Advanced/Highers | Scottish Highers National 5: At least seven subjects attained by the end of S4 including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language, Mathematics, plus at least two other subjects. Required grades: mostly As, none less than B. |
| IB | 36 points 36 points overall, including three higher level subjects at 6,6,6, and three standard level subjects at 5,5,5. Higher level subjects must include two from Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. |
| Bachelor's Degree (Gradutes Only) | 2:1 Honours degree If applicant has a 2:1 degree in a biological, biomedical or a health science subject then A level grades of BBB including two from Biology, Chemistry or Psychology will be considered; for any other degree subject A level grades should be AAB including two from Biology, Chemistry or Psychology. |
| Statistics | |
| Number of applicants per interview | Home: 2, International: 8 |
| Number of applicants per place | Home: 7, International: 61 |
Loading...