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Medicine and Surgery

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Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2024 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students was 16 October 2023.

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Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) is a bachelor’s degee awarded for an undergraduate programme in medicine and surgery.

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Course overview

Study medicine at Liverpool and prepare to deliver outstanding patient care, in both current and future healthcare systems. Learn how to apply a compassionate, evidence-based and patient-centred approach to your clinical practice as a doctor. The main medicine programme is our A100 ( 5-year) programme but graduates with home-status may consider their eligibility to apply to our A101 (4-year) programme which is re-opening in August 2024 and is currently open to applications via UCAS.

Introduction

Your interest and skill in medical scholarship will be actively developed with us, underpinned by a vision to harness expertise from far and wide. You’ll learn the necessary knowledge, skills and professional behaviours to safely and ethically practice medicine.

Our students benefit from GP-led small group teaching sessions, access to some of the best specialist clinical units in the UK, and enhanced learning opportunities through our state-of-the-art facilities.

We ensure our graduates are able to meet the core requirements set out by the General Medical Council, and become lifelong learners committed to their own professional development.

Programme in detail

The curriculum is delivered under a spiral model, under which concepts are introduced at an appropriate level, and revisited with increasing levels of complexity as the course progresses.

The curriculum is organised and delivered through a number of supra-themes, which fall into specifically defined themes.

In years one and two, all students follow the same lecture timetable, and are allocated to smaller groups for workshops, seminars and practical skills (eg clinical skills and anatomy) sessions. All teaching in year one takes place on the University of Liverpool campus.

Throughout years two-five students undertake clinical placements. Local NHS Trusts, GP practices, hospices, specialist services and community services deliver the placement components of the programme. Each hospital placement takes place at one, or more, of the North West hospital sites. During the course of their studies, students will be expected to rotate through the different clinical providers for variable lengths of time, dependent upon placement block requirements and length. This block rotational model has been designed to allow improved student ability in managing transitions and working across different clinical environments to help prepare them for junior medical postgraduate training.

What you'll learn

  • How to deliver outstanding patient care
  • The knowledge, skills and values essential for a confident medical career in a 21st-century healthcare environment
  • A core foundation in basic and clinical science
  • An understanding of the human body that will underpin your future skills
  • An understanding of how illness and disease presents in different settings
  • How chronic disease is managed within the community using a team approach

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

The aim of the first two years is to ensure that students have established a core knowledge base, skills and understanding, fit for learning in the clinical environment and their future careers.

In years one and two, the emphasis of the programme’s study is on basic and clinical sciences. These are taught using an integrated ‘Systems’ approach. Each System Block includes physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and anatomy, genetics and cell and molecular biology. The emphasis of year one teaching is on the structure and function of the human body under ‘normal’ conditions. Teaching is delivered by lectures, practical and small group sessions and clinical skills sessions (where students will learn how to examine the components of the systems studied, as well as take part in simulation exercises). Communication for Clinical Practice sessions in small groups with simulated patients prepare students for the clinical placements. Students in year one also take part in a unique leadership development course, which is run in collaboration with 208 Field Hospital.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global Opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.

What's available on this course?

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

  • Learn Chinese
  • Study in a bustling world heritage city
  • Improve employment prospects
  • Study Chinese culture
  • 30 minutes from Shanghai
  • Learn new skills

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

  • A dedicated languages degree
  • A language as a joint or major/ minor degree
  • Language modules (selected degrees)
  • Language classes alongside your studies

Read more about studying a language

Intercalation available

Earn an additional undergraduate or master's degree by adding a year of intercalated study. Once you've completed your intercalation year - usually following your third year - you'll finish the rest of your programme.

  • Pursue in-depth study in a subject that interests you
  • Complete an additional degree in only one year
  • Available to students from any UK university
  • Pay the standard full-time fee for one academic year.

Learn more about intercalation

Your experience

The School of Medicine is one of the largest providers of medical education in the country. Students have access to facilities such as the unrivalled Human Anatomy Resource Centre and Clinical Skills Resource Centre, as well as our Virtual Learning Environment. We also offer access to a comprehensive placement network with nationally recognised centres of excellence.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

What students say...

It always said in the brochure that there would be early clinical contact, but I never really expected how much. It really is great to be on the ward - and that’s how you learn. The Medical School is very good and very supportive. It’s definitely set me up well for my future career, and I’m looking forward to getting into the job.

, MBChB Medicine and Surgery

Careers and employability

Our programmes are for individuals who wish to become qualified medical practitioners. A diverse range of careers are open to you as a medical graduate, varying from medical science, perhaps laboratory-based research, through public health and the development of health care strategies to clinical practice in the hospital and community.

99% of medical students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year £42,700
Year abroad fee £21,350
Fees are correct for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies..

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This includes the cost of a stethoscope, travel to placements, and any additional sets of scrubs.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This includes the cost of a stethoscope, travel to placements, and any additional sets of scrubs.

The School provides some equipment free of charge, but students should expect to cover the following costs.

Lab Coat: Each student will be given a lab coat for use in the Human Anatomy Resource Centre free of charge. There is a £15 charge for any replacement lab coats.

Stethoscope: Students will need to purchase a stethoscope (approximately £90 plus).

Scrubs: Five sets of scrubs are issued per student during the programme. They are issued as follows: one set in year one and the further four sets in year two. If students require an additional set then they are required to purchase this themselves at a cost of £29.95.

Travel to Placements: Placement travel costs will vary from student to student. Some students in receipt of a bursary from the NHS may be eligible to claim placement travel related expenses from the NHS too. For students who are not in receipt of any other funding/reimbursement for placement travel, the School of Medicine is able to provide a contribution towards placement travel costs. This contribution is capped and the cap is established each year based on the funding available. As a guide, in academic year 2022-23, contributions were made on the basis of calculated public transport costs. The average total travel costs for primary and secondary care placements for one year of the programme was calculated as approximately £775. The average contribution towards these costs provided by the School for 2022-23 was approximately £595.

For academic year 2024/25, placement travel contributions will be based on actual expenditure.
Electives: Elective costs will vary from student to student and could include, travel costs to the placement, agency costs to find the placement, accommodation and living costs, and public liability insurance costs.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.

Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.

Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Please note that individuals applying to our Medicine programmes must consult our full guidelines.

Please note: Non-graduate applicants applying to the A100 programme must sit the UCAT admissions test.  Graduates applying to the A100 programme are subject to different entry criteria. and are currently required to have taken GAMSAT. For further details please see www.liverpool.ac.uk/medicine/study-with-us/undergraduate/admissions-information

Compliance with GMC Guidance: Achieving Good Medical Practice

In the interests of public safety, and your own best interests, information pertinent to your educational achievements and to your fitness to practise may be shared by Liverpool Medical School with training providers, employers and regulatory organisations. In the event of termination of studies, student details are shared with regulatory bodies and other medical schools via the MSC Excluded Students Database. Any offer for the medical programme will be conditional on applicants having disclosed any previous fitness to practise findings against them.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

A levels

AAA to include Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics and a third academic subject. Alternatively A*AB also accepted but the A* A grades must include Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Maths; and a B grade required in the third academic subject.

If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to complete a foundation year which would allow you to progress to this course.

Available foundation years:

T levels

T levels are not currently accepted.

GCSE 9 GCSEs attained by the end of Year 11 which must include English Language, Mathematic, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (or Core & Additional Science, combined or triple science) at minimum grade B/6. A minimum score of 15 points from the best 9 GCSEs or equivalents (where A*/A/7/8/9 = 2 points; B/6 = 1 points). BTEC (Non-Science) Level 2 and OCR awards (Distinction*/Distinction = 2 points) BTEC (Non-Science) Level 2 and OCR awards (Merit = 1 point). Two points is the maximum score awarded in each subject area (e.g. only one of Maths and Further Maths). No more than two Level 2 BTEC qualifications or OCR awards will be considered as part of the 9 GCSEs/equivalents. These cannot be used as replacements for English Language, Maths and Science subjects. I.e. a minimum of 7 full GCSEs required
Subject requirements

A levels in three subjects taken at one sitting, usually after 2 years of study: at a minimum of AAA Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics and a third academic subject. Alternative offer conditions may apply. Please note that individuals applying to our Medicine programmes must consult our full guidelines.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

Not acceptable in lieu of A levels.

International Baccalaureate

36 points overall (at first sitting): Higher level (HL) a minimum of 6,6,6 to include Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics and a third academic subject. 5,5,5 at standard level (subjects not offered at HL)

Alternatively, 36 points overall (at first sitting): Higher level (HL) a minimum of 7,6,5 but the 7 and 6 grades must include Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics in any order and 5 in a third academic subject. 5,5,5 at standard level (subjects not offered at HL)

Generic advice on equivalency of your qualifications can be accessed above. However we advise that all international/EU applicants must consult our specific guidelines which can be found on our web-site at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/medicine/study-with-us/undergraduate/admissions-information/
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing a Foundation Certificate offered by the University of Liverpool International College, may equip you with the qualifications which would allow a future application to be submitted to the A100 MBChB programme.
European Baccalaureate 83% average with no less than 83% in Chemistry and 83% in either Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
Irish Leaving Certificate Six Higher Level subjects must be offered at a single sitting. Grades of H1 in two subjects to include Chemistry and either Biology, Maths or Physics. Grades of H2 in four further academic subjects. Subjects offered must include English Language, Biology, Maths or Physics if these subjects are not offered at GCSE equivalent (at a minimum of grade B/6).
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

Minimum of SCQF level National 5 (Intermediate 2) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language, Mathematics, and at least two others attained by the end of S4.

Highers (SCQF level 6) in five subjects taken at one sitting after 1 year of study: comprising Chemistry and one of either Biology, Physics and Maths; minimum of AAAAB.

Advanced Highers (SCQF level 7) in Chemistry and one of either Biology, Physics and Maths at grades AA.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced The Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate is accepted in lieu of a third academic subject.
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma D3, D3, M1 acceptable in principal subjects with D3 in Chemistry together with one of Maths, Biology or Physics. M1 usually acceptable in third academic subject. Up to two A levels at A grade may be substituted for Principal Subjects.
AQA Baccalaureate A (Chemistry); A (Biology); A (third A level).
Access Specified Access to Medicine courses acceptable (see our Admissions page for more information).
Work Experience Requirements

If applying to our medical school you are advised, as a minimum, to read the ‘statement on the core values and attributes needed to study medicine’ and ‘work experience guidelines for applicants to medicine’. These guidelines can be accessed via the Medical Schools Council web-site. In response to COVID-19 ‘Guidance on gaining relevant work experience to study medicine during the pandemic’ has been created.

Duty of Care

Applicants to programmes in the School of Medicine should be aware that the professional body governing the practice of medicine (The General Medical Council) has specific requirements relating to the protection of both staff and patients. Students will be required to undertake an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, undergo an occupational health check and be tested for and/or immunised against a range of infectious diseases prior to patient contact. See the General Medical Council website and the archived Department of Health guidance document.

International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

English language qualification Requirements
International Baccalaureate

36 points overall (at first sitting): Higher level (HL) a minimum of 6,6,6 to include Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics and a third academic subject. 5,5,5 at standard level (subjects not offered at HL)

Alternatively, 36 points overall (at first sitting): Higher level (HL) a minimum of 7,6,5 but the 7 and 6 grades must include Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics in any order and 5 in a third academic subject. 5,5,5 at standard level (subjects not offered at HL)

Generic advice on equivalency of your qualifications can be accessed above. However we advise that all international/EU applicants must consult our specific guidelines which can be found on our web-site at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/medicine/study-with-us/undergraduate/admissions-information/
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing a Foundation Certificate offered by the University of Liverpool International College, may equip you with the qualifications which would allow a future application to be submitted to the A100 MBChB programme.
TOEFL iBT 100 overall, with minimum scores of L24 W24 R24 and S26
Pearson PTE Academic 69 overall, with no component below 69
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 Grade 6 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.  
International Baccalaureate English B/English Language and Literature/English Language Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 4 at Higher Level

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new UCAS cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

Recent changes to government policy which determine the number of students individual institutions may admit under the student number control also have a bearing on our entry requirements and acceptance levels, as this policy may result in us having fewer places than in previous years.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. For this reason, we consider a range of factors in addition to predicted grades, widening participation factors amongst other evidence provided. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted in the prospectus and on the website.

Alternative entry requirements

Changes to Medicine and Surgery MBChB

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.