Studying at Aberdeen Medical School
Overview
Aberdeen Medical School was formally established in 1787 and has been training doctors ever since. The medical schools has one of the largest clinical sites in Europe, giving you ample opportunities to get involved in research and other activities. The course at Aberdeen takes an integrated, system-based approach based around a series of clinical cases to integrate clinical ideas into pre-clinical learning. Through the GP Enhanced programme you’ll experience teaching in primary care settings throughout all five years of the course, giving you a thorough understanding of the role of GPs within healthcare and the community.
Table of Contents
ToggleThe University of Aberdeen takes into account both UCAT score and academics when shortlisting candidates for interview. This makes it an ideal choice for high scorers, and those who scored very highly in either aspect.
Key Points
- Scottish Medical School
- Integrated Course
- Optional Intercalation
Insider’s Guide to Aberdeen Medical School from Karen, Aberdeen Medical Student
What makes Aberdeen unique to other medical schools?
The University of Aberdeen Medical School is one of the few that offer clinical exposure from the first year onwards, its one of the things that drew me here and made it my first choice. The Remote and Rural option, where you get to have placements in the highlands is a massive factor that pulled me in. The SSC in third year gives you the chance to look at medicine with an alternative take – there’s so much you could do and the options are endless, ranging from taking art classes to mindfulness and forensics. If you’re a graduate, Aberdeen is one of the only medical schools that doesn’t put a cap on the number of graduates. The summer research scholarship that’s open to medical students is an excellent opportunity if you’re into research.
Course Structure at Aberdeen Medical School
Year 1 at Aberdeen Medical School
You study ‘Foundations of Medicine’ in Term 1 which is module based on basic medical science and the main processes underlying disease. It involves learning relevant anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and microbiology. In Term 2, you cover the cardiovascular and respiratory systems alongside the relevant GP teaching and anatomy. You are taught clinical skills from first year too, which include clinical examinations, history taking and some practical procedures! There is also an SSC at the end of the year which is a group project essentially. You also have placements, subject to the COVID situation.
Year 2 at Aberdeen Medical School
You cover more systems in year 2 starting with GI, head and neck (which includes dermatology, ENT and ophthalmology), neurology, MSK, endocrine, urinary and infectious diseases. You have CBL sessions with the GP practice that you’re assigned to for each system. There’s two anatomy lab sessions weekly as well. You also have weekly placements that run alongside all this. There’s another SSC that takes place just before Christmas.
Year 3 at Aberdeen Medical School
The reproductive system is taught first, followed by a 6 week medical humanities course. After that, you focus on haematology, paediatrics, geriatrics, immunology, clinical genetics and clinical pharmacology. You also have bi-weekly placements alongside your GP teaching. You end the year with public health teaching on clinical effectiveness and start the first of 9 five-week long clinical rotations.
Year 4 at Aberdeen Medical School
You have 7 six-week clinical blocks during which you will get to experience from acute medicine and critical care, surgery and critical care, reproductive and child health, GP, long term conditions and integrated care, mental health and diagnostics. You can do these in Inverness.
Year 5 at Aberdeen Medical School
There are 3 eight week clinical attachments in broad areas of medicine, surgery and community health (GP or psychiatry) that you get to pick. One of these courses will be in Inverness or Elgin (the Highlands). You have a choice of speciality within these blocks but this is the apprentice year where you complete Student Assistantships in your medical, surgical and psychiatry attachments. The focus of these is to learn what is required post-graduation when you will be working as a doctor. This is also the year you do your 8 week elective in.
Teaching Style at Aberdeen Medical School
What is the general teaching style at Aberdeen? E.g. is it PBL/Traditional? etc.
The general teaching style of Aberdeen is an integrated systems-based approach. You do various systems starting right from Year 1, all the way to the third year and thereafter you will be revising and consolidating what you have already learnt through your placements. You do have CBL sessions with the GP practice you’re assigned to and problem solving sessions every now and then.
Does Aberdeen offer dissection?
Your anatomy teaching is done through prosection in lab sessions however you do have the option to do dissection in third year.
Does Aberdeen offer a BSc? If so, how is the BSc year?
Yes, you do have the option to intercalate between year 3 and 4 or between year 4 and 5. For your BSc, you can do Medical Sciences (Honors year or Medical Sciences year) . There are a wide range of Masters degrees that you can do after your fourth year as well, such as Public Health, Psychology, Drug Discovery, Clinical Pharmacology, Drug Discovery and Development, Genetics, Global Health and Management, Health Psychology, Medical Imaging, Medical Physics, Human Nutrition.
What is the pre-clinical / clinical split like? Do you get early clinical exposure?
In Years 1, 2 and 3, you learn many specialties and you learn the anatomy (and embryology where necessary), physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology. Years 4 and 5 are purely clinical. There is clinical exposure from first year onwards, which I found to be a massive positive.
Social Life at Aberdeen Medical School
What are the clubs and societies like?
There are so many clubs and societies, the list is endless! There is a society for everything. The medical school also has so many societies, there’s even sports clubs for medics only. There’s always something you can do here, with the proximity to the beach and the mountains- hiking, climbing, bouldering, surfing, skiing, etc. You name it, you can do it!
What is the social life like?
The social life is also really good, there’s something happening every other day and I guarantee you that you’ll never be bored.
FAQs
The admission requirements for Aberdeen Medical School include high grades in core subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as a successful performance in the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Aberdeen Medical School offers a five-year undergraduate medical degree programme that covers basic and clinical sciences. The curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in medical knowledge and skills, with a focus on patient-centered care.
Aberdeen Medical School employs a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, small group tutorials, practical sessions, and clinical placements. These methods are aimed at providing students with a well-rounded education that includes both theoretical and practical training.
Yes, Aberdeen Medical School offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students with the cost of their education. These include academic scholarships, hardship funds, and travel grants.
Aberdeen Medical School offers a range of support services to students, including academic support, pastoral care, and health and wellbeing services. The school also provides career advice and guidance to help students prepare for their future careers.
Aberdeen Medical School is home to a range of research centers and institutes, providing students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge medical research. Students can also undertake research projects as part of their undergraduate degree program.
Graduates of Aberdeen Medical School are highly sought after and have a range of career opportunities available to them. Many go on to work as doctors in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, while others pursue careers in research, academia, or public health.
About the university
Key Information | |
Website | Website |
[email protected] | |
Phone number | 01224 437923 |
Course Information | |
Teaching style | Integrated Aberdeen uses a systems-based integrated approach with clinical cases to act as a focus for teaching. Teaching methods are varied including traditional lectures, seminars and tutorials and peer learning. You'll also experience patient contact from very early on, with clinical attachments beginning in your first year. |
Course length | 5 years |
Courses offered | 2 courses offered: A100 Standard-Entry Medicine - 5 years A1A1 Gateway2Medicine - 1 year + 5 years |
Graduate entry | No |
Foundation or access | Yes |
University Life | |
Local area | Aberdeen Aberdeen is a coastal Scottish city. Teaching is split between the Foresterhill Medical Campus and the University’s main Old Aberdeen Campus. It's a medium sized city, so it's big enough that there's always something to do but not so big that it feels overwhelming or touristy. You'll have the opportunity to do clinical placements in more rural environments including the Scottish Highlands too. |
Social life | There are societies for everything at Aberdeen - from sports to more academic medicine, there will be a society for everyone to meet like-minded people. MedSoc is the main medical society for all medical student and arrange big events (such as formal balls) throughout the year. Year 1 students typically live in Halls of Residence at the Old Aberdeen campus which is a great way to meet and make friends from other courses. |
Interview | |
Interview style | MMI Stations each lasting 7 minutes, with breaks between each station. The MMI experience will last approximately 1 hour for each candidate. |
Interview dates | Dec-Mar |
Admissions Tests | |
UCAT | UCAT Required UCAT scores are used alongside other factors such as actual/predicted grades when inviting candidates to interview. There is no minimum cut-off score but decisions are made in comparison with other applicants' UCAT scores. SJT is not usually scored but may be taken into account at offer stage when candidates have a similar score. |
GAMSAT | N/A |
Academic Requirements | |
GCSE | GCSE Grade 6 passes in English Language and Maths are required. Biology is recommended; Physics is recommended (or Dual Award Science) A combination of Grade 6-9 passes at GCSE is expected, especially in science subjects. National 5s: English and Maths are required (Grade B minimum); Biology and Physics are recommended but not compulsory (Grade B minimum). A combination of Grade A & B passes at Standard Grade / National 5 is expected, especially in science subjects. |
A-level | AAA offer Subjects required: Chemistry and one other from Biology/Human Biology, Maths and Physic AAA including Chemistry and one from Biology, Maths or Physics, and one other subject |
Scottish Advanced/Highers | AAAAB AAAAB in Chemistry and two of Maths, Biology/Human Biology or Physics plus two other subjects. |
IB | 36 points Subjects required: 3 Higher Level subjects at grade 6 to include Chemistry plus one of Maths, Biology or Physics. If only two sciences are offered at Higher Level, an additional science must be offered at Standard Level. |
Bachelor's Degree (Gradutes Only) | 2:1 Honours degree Graduates must hold at least an upper second class honours (2:1 Hons degree) or equivalent. Chemistry to at least B grade in Scottish Higher or B grade in GCE A-Level examinations is required also, although this requirement may be satisfied in individual cases by appropriate courses of study and achievement during the first degree. |
Statistics | |
Number of applicants per interview | Home: 2, International: 3 |
Number of applicants per place | Home: 6, International: 19 |
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
5 October 2021
Does Aberdeen look at Scotland and rest of Uk students differently when making offers?
AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor
5 October 2021
Does Aberdeen look at Scotland students and rest of UK students differently when making offers?