The University of Sheffield
The Medical School

Course Structure

MBChB Pre-Medical Year

This is undertaken at Sheffield College and is designed for candidates who have taken mainly Arts subjects at A Level or graduates who have studied non science subjects. The Pre-medical Year is a modified Access to Science course, which has been tailored to give students with a non scientific background the necessary basic knowledge to undertake the medical course. It is designed to prepare students for Phase 1 of the medical course and is studied at Sheffield College. During the course students will visit local hospitals to see the clinical relevance of the sciences they are studying.

There will also be teaching input by tutors from the University of Sheffield to introduce students to the problem-solving skills essential to succeed on the Medical Degree course. Several visits will also take place using the medical facilities of the University of Sheffield.

The course is delivered over two semesters and students are assessed through formal examinations and, to a lesser extent, through coursework. This is a stimulating and rewarding course with an emphasis on medical applications and techniques.
Throughout the year, students are given support and guidance by experienced and highly motivated tutors.

Phase 1 (Sept Year 1 - May Year 2)
Introductory Clinical Competency

The structure of Phase 1 follows the General Medical Council's (GMC) Guidelines and is largely 'systems-based'. Information is presented in a series of modules which cover the basic systems of the body and also involves 'Medicine and Society', Student Selected Components and a research project. Each of these takes place not only in the Medical School which is sited next to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital but a significant part of Phase 1 involves working outside the main campus for example at the clinical skills units at the Northern General Hospital and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, on the wards of nearby hospitals or within a community setting including general practice and some social service locations. Particularly Phase 1 includes three weeks of Intensive Clinical Experience (ICE), which introduces you to working on the ward with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Whilst it is obviously important to cover subject disciplines such as Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, these are presented in an integrated way within the relevant body system under study. For example, in the cardiovascular system module, the structure, function, pathology and metabolism of the heart will be studied. In addition, aspects of Public Health, Ethics and other relevant topics are integrated into the course through the Medicine and Society module. Learning is by practical classes (including dissection of the human body), lectures, tutorials and self-directed study. Computer-based learning is used routinely within Phase 1 and student evaluations of these packages show that they are very well received.

Formal assessment in Phase 1 consists of a written examination paper (multiple- choice and clinically related 'scenario' questions) and a practical examination. The whole examination must be passed before progression to the next stage. However if a student fails there is opportunity to resit the examination during the summer vacation period.

Phase 2 (June Year 2 - Dec year 3)
Basic Clinical Competencies

This is the stage of the course where students really begin to feel like trainee doctors.  You will spend most of your time in hospital wards, operating theatres and outpatient clinics, learning the skills that you will need to join the medical profession.

Phase 2 starts with an introduction to basic clinical skills. Over a 3-week period, you will receive training from specialists in history-taking and physical examination of all of the major body systems.  This teaching is delivered to students in small groups, at the bedside, with the assistance of real patients who volunteer to assist with your training.  You will also receive intensive training in a large number of practical clinical skills in our Clinical Skills Centre (e.g. venepuncture, catheterisation).  This introductory course will equip you with the basic skills that you need before your start your clinical attachments.

Medical Sciences feature strongly in Phase 2.  Your knowledge and understanding will be developed through both lectures and clinical experience in hospitals.  You will build on the knowledge that you gained in Phase 1 by learning about the clinical presentation of disease (symptoms and signs), the investigations that are used in diagnosis and the way that specific diseases are treated.

You will also attend four 3-week clinical placements, during which you will be attached to consultants working in hospitals in Sheffield and the surrounding districts.  This will give you further experience in history-taking and clinical examination, with real patients in hospitals.  You will be encouraged to use the information that you have alreay gained to formulate diagnoses.  You will become part of the clinical team and are encouraged to attend and observe many of the everday activities of the team, such as ward rounds, surgical operations, pathology meetings, and outpatient clinics.  During this time, you will also continue to develop the professional attributes that are essential to becoming a successful practicing doctor.

Phase 2 will give you a firm foundation for all future clinical Phases of the course.  By the end of Phase 2, you will have gained a knowledge and understanding of disease and a set of clinical skills (history-taking, physical examination, procedural skills) that you will continue to use throughout your career.

Phase 3 (Jan Year 3 - Dec Year 4)
Extended Clinical Competencies

Phase 3 lasts two years and is clinically based. It is a period of study and clinical experience taking students into both primary and secondary care of the patient with an emphasis on 'hands-on' medicine.

The primary care element involves community placements centred on General Practice.

The secondary care of patients covers mainly hospital work in sub-speciality subjects including child health (Paediatrics), women's health (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), mental health (Psychiatry) and General Practice. It also provides teaching and experience in many medical and surgical sub-specialities including ophthalmology, cardiology, rheumatology, accident and emergency medicine, orthopaedics, dermatology, urology and consolidates earlier experience in general medicine and surgery. Students rotate in small groups through these disciplines and receive various forms of back up including small group work, seminars, tutorials and lectures.

The emphasis is on evidence-based learning and you are encouraged to learn by investigation and teamwork. The speciality teaching includes projects and team presentations. You also have an opportunity to study areas of particular interest to you in the Student Selected Components elements of the course.

Phase 4 (Jan Year 5 - June year 5)
Advanced Clinical Competencies

From January till June of the final year, you will be immersed in clinical medicine. The written part of the final examination will be behind you and you will be able to concentrate on furthering your clinical skills and on preparing yourself for becoming an F1 doctor. Through a series of clinical attachments, you will develop advanced clinical competencies. You will shadow junior doctors in a manner that will allow you to develop the skills you require to become a Foundation Year 1 doctor. Increasingly 'hands-on', you will become confident in your ability to be a junior doctor. The confidence of the University in you will be when it awards you the degree of MBChB after you have been successful in the clinical examination in May. Phase 4 s an exhilarating, exacting and rewarding time and will prepare you well for your duties as a junior hospital doctor.