Studying at Cambridge Medical School

Overview

The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest universities in the world, dating back to 1209. As one of the most prestigious in the UK, notable alumni include Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin and David Attenborough. Teaching places a heavy emphasis on biomedical research with the hope that graduates will become world-leaders and embrace scientific advancement throughout their careers. Cambridge is a collegiate university so students will additionally benefit to membership to one of the 31 colleges. Your college will provide accommodation and other facilities including dining halls, study rooms and libraries. Studying at Cambridge is a unique experience based on tradition and the traditional experiences.

Cambridge attracts the strongest applicants from across the globe. With a strong emphasis on academics and BMAT score, Cambridge is an ideal choice for strong all-round applicants keen to experience a traditional Oxbridge education.

Key Points

• UCAT (changed from BMAT for 2024 after the BMAT was discontinued)
• Traditional Course
• Compulsory Intercalation
• Oxbridge

Insider’s Guide to Cambridge Medical School from Natasha T, Cambridge Medical Student

What makes Cambridge unique to other medical schools?

Not only are you studying at a university which is making significant contributions to advancing medical science, but you are also surrounded by people on other courses who are at the top of their respective field’s. This creates an amazing environment of likeminded people with a huge range of interests making the city a very exciting place to live and work.

Course Structure at Cambridge Medical School

Year 1 at Cambridge Medical School

In first year, you study the core medical sciences: Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry. The course is taught through lectures, practical’s and college organized supervisions. You also do courses in the social and ethical context of health and illness, the foundations of evidence-based practice and get the opportunity for some GP experience.

Year 2 at Cambridge Medical School

Second year follows on from the first and is taught using a similar approach. The courses are pathology, pharmacology, Human reproduction, neuroscience and Head and neck anatomy. You also have the opportunity have two afternoons experience in hospital.

Year 3 at Cambridge Medical School

Intercalculated BA of your choice. Most people choose subjects closely related to medicine such as Pharmacology, Pathology or Anatomy. However, there are opportunities to do something different for example Zoology or Law. You also get to follow a person’s experience of pregnancy through four spaced interviews.

Year 4 at Cambridge Medical School

This is the first clinical year, focused on developing core clinical practice. You rotate through placements in Medicine, Surgery, Emergency medicine, General Practice. There is also a 6-week block where you complete a research project of your choice.

Year 5 at Cambridge Medical School

Specialist clinical practice. You rotate through placements in Maternal and child health, Specialist medicine, Neurosciences and mental health, Specialist surgery and General Practice. The year ends with a 7-week elective

Year 6 at Cambridge Medical School

Advanced clinical practice. You rotate through placements in Acute care, Medicine, Surgery and General practice. After finals you have a 6-week apprenticeship before Graduation and starting work as a foundation Doctor.

Teaching Style at Cambridge Medical School

What is the general teaching style at Cambridge? E.g. is it PBL/Traditional? etc.

Very traditional. The first three years are a lecture-based course focused on developing strong foundations in the clinical sciences. There is limited clinical exposure and some of the courses are shared with the natural science students. The final three years use a very different style which relies more on learning on the job through placements in a range of specialties both in Addenbrookes and a range of regional hospitals.

Does Cambridge offer dissection?

Yes, in the first year the course ‘Functional architecture of the body’ is taught using twice weekly full body dissection. You are with the same group throughout the year and end up building really close relationships as you work together to both learn dissection skills and understand the anatomy you are uncovering.

Does Cambridge offer a BSc? If so, how is the BSc year?

All Cambridge students have to complete a BA in your third year. This can be in subjects ranging from Physiology to Pharmacology or even Zoology or Law. It is only called a BA owing to Cambridge tradition. Students choose between doing a single subject with a project or the BBS which involves a Major subject a minor subject and a 5000-word dissertation.

What is the pre-clinical / clinical split like? Do you get early clinical exposure?

There is a significant pre-clinical clinical split. In your first three years the focus is on becoming excellent scientists and at times this can mean you have to learn subjects to a level of detail which you are unlikely to need unless you chose to specialize in a particular area. Your pre-clinical exposure comes through the preparing for patients course which provides two GP visits, two afternoons in hospital and the opportunity to speak to a pregnant person. However, once you reach the clinical years you have a huge number of placements and the structure of the course prepares you very well for these.

Social Life at Cambridge Medical School

What are the clubs and societies like? What is the social life like?

Your name it there is a club or society that does it and if it does not exist, yet you will be able to get the funding to set the society up and run it yourself! There is a work hard play hard attitude at Cambridge. We have a lot of contact hours, but this does not mean we miss out on the university experience.

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