Studying at Leeds Medical School

Leeds Medical School offers 5-year medical degree taking an integrated approach to learning. Students are taught using a combination of problem based learning, traditional lectures and clinical placements. Early patient contact is a key part of the Leeds curriculum, enabling you to build your confidence in communication and management of patients from the very first year.

Leeds uses a holistic selection process, taking into account previous academic performance as well as UCAT score (previous to the 2024 entry, Leeds required applicants to take the BMAT). Therefore applicants who have a strong all-round application are ideal candidates.

Read our UCAT guide for more information on What is UCAT.

Key Points

• UCAT
• Optional Intercalation
• Integrated Course

Insider’s Guide to Leeds Medical School from Ellie, Leeds Medical Student

What makes Leeds unique to other medical schools?

Leeds has such a good teaching programme which actually prepares you for life as a junior doctor. Some universities focus very heavily on the science side which is of course important, but can neglect practical and personal skills-  feeling prepared and ready to be a doctor is the most important thing, which is what leeds is really good at. Senior doctors frequently commend on how leeds FY1s perform brilliantly, and this is due to the fantastic course. Early placements in first year mean you are exposed to patients from the start, and can start building your skills.

Course Structure at Leeds Medical School

Year 1 at Leeds Medical School

The first modules cover Introduction to Medical Science (IMS) and Body Systems. These are core knowledge modules about how the body works, to prepare you for starting pathology in year 2. Body Systems is supplemented with anatomy teaching using prosections. RESS (research module), Individuals and Populations (I&P) and IDEALS (communication, safety, innovation etc) also start here, which introduce important concepts such as research, population medicine and patient safety. These 3 continue into second year and beyond. The exams are in June and consist of 2 multiple choice papers and an anatomy spot test.

Year 2 at Leeds Medical School

Essential Medical Science (EMS) is a continuation of IMS and builds on core knowledge including genetics and in depth content. Clinical Pathology is an introduction to pathology which covers main body systems including respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal etc. RESS, IDEALS and I&P continue and build on first year skills. Control and Movement focuses on anatomy with neuroanatomy and musculoskeletal, again supplemented with prosections. The exams are in June and are multiple choice, with an anatomy spot test.

Year 3 at Leeds Medical School

Clinical years start here, with 5 rotations- elderly medicine, GP, medicine, surgery and special senses (ENT, dermatology and opthalmology). These rotations are 5 weeks long and allow you time to get to grips with each specialty. There is a list of core conditions to learn for each rotation, as well as a list of drugs to go through. RESS and IDEALS continue, mainly consisting of group presentations and feedback sessions. The exam is in May/June and is multiple choice.

Year 4 at Leeds Medical School

Clinical placement continues with different rotations which explore different specialties- acute (A&E, anaesthetics and ICU), obs &gynae, paediatrics, psychiatry and cancer & continuing care. The structure is the same as year 3 with core conditions and drug profiles, with an emphasis on management plans. ESREP starts, which is an extended research project over years 4 and 5, with a good opportunity to be published at the end.

Year 5 at Leeds Medical School

The final year consists of finishing ESREP and continuing placement to prepare for finals and becoming a doctor.

Teaching Style at Leeds Medical School

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

Leeds uses a mixed approach, with traditional aspects (lots of lectures in first and second year to teach theory) as well as lots of useful group work to discuss the theory. In year 1 and 2, tutorials supplement lectures and allow you to cement your knowledge with case studies and formative assessments. Clinical years do have a larger element of self-study for core conditions/drugs, but this makes sense alongside placements and does not feel overwhelming.

Does Leeds offer dissection?

At Leeds, anatomy teaching is delivered via prosections, which are cadavers that have been dissected by professionals to allow you to see all the structures. This is useful as there is a massive number of prosections that are really easy to learn from. You can do dissection yourself if you choose to intercalate in Clinical Anatomy.

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

Leeds does not have a compulsory BSc however you can choose to intercalate after second, third or fourth year. The list of courses is extensive and includes BSc, BA and masters options. From experience, my intercalated year has been very well structured and organized, and goes well alongside the medicine course.

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

At Leeds, there is early clinical exposure from first year; you have one day of placement per week after Christmas which is one medical/surgical and one GP rotation. This allows you to build confidence and communication skills from early on. In second year you have one day of placement per week all year, consisting of two GP, one medical and one surgical rotation. These placements allow you more time to become familiar with different clinical environments before third year and work on core skills. At the end of second year there is a full week block of placement as a ‘practice’ for third year. From third year onwards, the majority of time is placement based, with a week between rotations to do RESS/ESREP and catch up on work. Placements are well structured and cover a very wide range of specialties; they are supplemented by ongoing clinical skills teaching for mandatory and desirable skills from first year onwards.

Social Life at Leeds Medical School

What are the clubs and societies like?

There is a very extensive selection of clubs at Leeds, both within Medicine and the wider University. For (almost) every sport there is a medics & dentists club as well as the main uni team, which usually has less time commitment to enable you to balance it with your work. There are many medical societies for specialties e.g. Cutting Edge (well known surgical society) as well as Medsoc, which organises huge yearly events such as spring ball, halfway ball and cocktail party.

What is the social life like?

The social life at Leeds is great and everyone is super friendly. Within uni and in general there are many non-drinking activities to do, as well as (I’m told) lots of welcoming religious communities in the area. 

FAQs