Expand+How To Apply

Applications for admission to full-time undergraduate courses at Queen’s should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/...

Hide-How To Apply

Applications for admission to full-time undergraduate courses at Queen’s should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/apply.

When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in Autumn 2017 from 1 September 2016.

The normal closing date for the receipt of applications is 15 January 2017.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

Earlier applicants normally receive decisions more quickly, however, UCAS accepts that some applicants, especially those from outside the UK, may find this difficult. Late applications are, in practice, accepted by UCAS throughout the remainder of the application cycle, but you should understand that they are considered by institutions at their discretion, and there can be no guarantee that they will be given the same full level of consideration as applications received by the advisory closing date.

Take care to enter the details of the institutions and courses clearly and correctly on the application. For Queen's, the institution code name is QBELF and the institution code is Q75. These should be entered in the Choices section of your UCAS application. A Campus Code is not required.

Queen’s University Belfast Terms and Conditions 2017 Entry
The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/TermsandConditions/

Expand+Selection Criteria
Selection criteria for Medicine are reviewed annually and therefore in addition to the entrance requirements below, it is essential that you read the How We Choose Our Students pdf prior to submitting your UCAS application.

In...

Hide-Selection Criteria
Selection criteria for Medicine are reviewed annually and therefore in addition to the entrance requirements below, it is essential that you read the How We Choose Our Students pdf prior to submitting your UCAS application.

Interview: all applicants will be ranked on cognitive performance, and a proportion selected for interview. Interviews will take place between January and March in Belfast for home and EU applicants. Staff from the Medical School visit South East Asia in late January/February to interview and international applicants from other countries are encouraged to travel to Belfast for interview, as they will benefit from a tour of the Medical School and the University.

UKCAT: all applicants are required to sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) and the results achieved will be used as part of the selection process prior to interview.

A-level School Leavers: AAA at A-level + A in a fourth AS-level subject including A-level Chemistry plus at least one other A-level from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics. If not offered at A-level then Biology/Human Biology grade A as a 4th AS-level or grade B as a 5th AS-level. GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C and either GCSE Physics minimum grade C or GCSE Double Award Science minimum grades CC are required if not offered at AS-level or A-level.

Grade A in the EPQ or Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma or a grade B in a 4th A-level will be acceptable in lieu of the 4th AS-level.

A maximum of either one Applied A-level or one Applied AS-level will be counted. Please also note that only one Mathematics subject will be counted at A-level (the other would be acceptable as the fourth AS-level). A-level Critical Thinking and General Studies at both A-level and AS-level are not acceptable.

In considering applications, GCSE performance in the best 9 subjects will be scored with 4 points awarded for an A* (grades 8 and 9 on the new 9-1 grading scale) and 3 for an A (grade 7). UKCAT will be scored and used in conjunction with the GCSE score to rank for interview. AS-level performance, additional GCSE A grades and other factors may also be taken into account in borderline cases. Evidence of commitment to medicine, motivation, communication skills and initiative are important.

Graduates: applications from graduates or those in the final year of their degree are considered and the full academic background is taken into account. The minimum A-level threshold (or equivalent in other qualifications) is ABB at first attempt, i.e. prior to commencing degree studies, or BBB for those with a First Class Honours degree or PhD. Averaging out to these grades is not permitted. Applicants must have an appropriate science background at GCSE and AS-level/A-level or equivalent (see below) and at least a 2.1 Honours classification in their primary (first) degree, which can be from a wide range of different subjects. A-level Chemistry and at least one from A-level Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics, plus, if not offered at A-level, then Biology/ Human Biology to at least AS-level (or equivalent) are required. In addition, GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C and either GCSE Physics minimum grade C or GCSE Double Award Science minimum grades CC are required if not offered at AS-level or A-level. Graduate applicants who fulfil these criteria are then scored with their UKCAT. Graduate applicants from a non-science background but who fulfil the conditions in terms of grades achieved at the first attempt (i.e. in their original choice of A-level subjects) and degree performance will be considered if they undertake the appropriate Science qualifications on completion of their degree.

Transfers from other Medical Schools: applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and all normal entry requirements must be satisfied.

Irish Leaving Certificate: H1H1H1H1H2H2 including Higher Level grade H1 in Biology and Chemistry + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade 3 in Mathematics. Students not offering Physics as part of their Leaving Certificate must have an A grade in Junior Certificate Science.

International qualifications

For information on international qualification equivalents, (eg the International Baccalaureate Diploma, USA/Canadian High School Diplomas or Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education), please select Your Country from the list on our International Students website.

For students whose first language is not English

An IELTS score of 7.5 overall, with a minimum of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening and 6.5 in Reading and Writing, or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

Information For All Applicants
• All students admitted to this degree will be required to complete a Hepatitis B vaccination programme at the Occupational Health Service of the University.
• Medicine welcomes applications from people with disabilities. All applications will be treated on an individual case basis to ensure that the applicant has the potential to fulfil the demands of professional fitness to practise. Disability will not be considered as part of the selection process, however, it is strongly advised that applicants disclose their disability on their UCAS form and contact the School to obtain further advice. Applicants may also be required to provide relevant information which will be treated in the strictest of confidence. It is important that the University has an understanding of your support requirements to implement reasonable adjustments.
• As a result of current legislative requirements any offer made will be conditional on a satisfactory criminal history check (Access NI Enhanced Disclosure Check). To enable the University to request this check you will be required to provide some personal information which will be treated in the strictest of confidence and in line with Data Protection Principles. The current cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Check is £33. At the time of printing changes are due to be implemented and relevant procedures and/or costs may change. Applicants will be advised of the relevant requirements at the appropriate time. For international students, a Certificate of Good Conduct or equivalent will be required in lieu of an Access NI check.
• The degree is subject to the University’s regulations on Fitness to Practise.
• Applicants will be required to give permission for a check against the Excluded Student Database prior to offers being made. This is a national database which records those who have previously been excluded from professional programmes because of fitness to practise concerns.
• Selection criteria for Medicine are reviewed annually and therefore you should read the selection procedures which are available at http://go.qub.ac.uk/ugstudy, under ‘Entrance Requirements and Selection Criteria’ for further details and up-to-date information, prior to applying. This includes a pdf entitled ‘How We Choose Our Students’.

More detailed information on applying to Medicine at Queen’s is also available from the School website at www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/

Please note for 2017 entry the deadline for applications to this degree is 15 October 2016 and arrangements should be made to undertake UKCAT in advance of this.

Expand+Why Queen's?
Facilities: Medical students at Queen's have access to excellent teaching facilities and a dedicated medical library. Two of the city's teaching hospitals and several University Research Centres are located close to the University's Hea...

Hide-Why Queen's?
Facilities: Medical students at Queen's have access to excellent teaching facilities and a dedicated medical library. Two of the city's teaching hospitals and several University Research Centres are located close to the University's Health Sciences Campus. Additionally the University has invested more than £90m in research infrastructure, buildings, equipment and facilities on the Health Sciences Campus.

Study Abroad: students undertake an Overseas Elective at the start of Year 5, giving them the opportunity to travel abroad to work in a different medical environment. Students often choose destinations in Australia, India, the USA, and several countries in Africa.

150 Years of Innovation and Excellence: As a Medical student at Queen’s, you will be part of a long continuum of distinguished Medicine graduates who have contributed to developments in medicine and improved the health of generations of people across the world for more than 150 years

Alumni: many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures – one particularly notable graduate of Queen’s medical school was Professor Frank Pantridge, dubbed the ‘father of emergency medicine’ and inventor of the portable defibrillator.

Clubs and Societies: there are several medical based societies at Queen’s, including BMSA, Scrubs, Medsin and SWOT. In addition, the University has over 190 clubs and societies run by students, offering the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sports and activities.

Learning and Teaching
Queen's University Medical School has a long tradition of excellent medical education which is constantly updated in response to developments in medical science and practice. We aim to deliver a high quality course utilising innovative teaching methods and best practice to create a supportive environment designed to enable students to achieve their personal and academic potential. Queen's lays particular emphasis on the development of clinical skills. Students are introduced to patients and their problems from the beginning of the course. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course include:
•Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions and gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
•Practicals: there are practical classes throughout years one and two – these are designed to support learning in the basic sciences. Students will have the opportunity to undertake cadaveric dissection during the Anatomy components of the course.
•E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree. In years three, four and five, learning in the clinical environment is supported by on-line lectures and DVDs. An extensive suite of on-line clinical and communication skills training resources is also available. Interactive learning is supported by the use of audience response systems during lectures.
•Seminars/tutorials: Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in groups (typically 8-40 students). These provide the opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
•Self-directed study: This is an essential part of life as a medical student when important directed reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date, research and preparation work for assignments are carried out. The development of reflective skills is supported through the use of portfolios.
•Clinical Placements: Students undertake placements from year one and at the early stage of the course these are usually located in the greater Belfast Area. From year three students will have opportunities to undertake placements in hospitals and general practices throughout Northern Ireland.
•Placement Abroad. As part of the medical degree there will be opportunities for students to take a clinical module in a European institution participating in the ERASMUS programme. Student may also opt to travel to other counties as part of the final year Elective module.
•Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during years 1 and 2. During years 3-5 students will have a clinical mentor.

Expand+The Queen's medical graduate is a caring and compassionate doctor who is a critical thinker, problem solver and reflective practitioner with excellent clinical skills who values, above all else, service to patients.

On completion, the degrees of M...

Hide-The Queen's medical graduate is a caring and compassionate doctor who is a critical thinker, problem solver and reflective practitioner with excellent clinical skills who values, above all else, service to patients.

On completion, the degrees of MB BCh BAO are awarded, where MB is Bachelor of Medicine, BCh is Bachelor of Surgery and BAO is Bachelor in the Art of Obstetrics.

The degree, which extends over five years, is integrated, systems-based and student-centred. The scientific background to medicine is taught alongside clinical medicine.

The focus throughout our degree programme is on learning rather than teaching, and there is a strong emphasis on clinical skills with teaching in hospitals from as early as the second semester of first year. Clinical teaching increases in the third, fourth and final years of the course.

As well as early clinical contact with patients there is a dedicated Clinical Skills Education Centre. It provides both clinical skills training, revision and assessment and is used extensively by students. In addition, students have access to high fidelity simulation. A strong emphasis on bedside teaching and clinical skills underpin this, with learning materials delivered using the latest technologies.

In the early stages of the course, students have several opportunities to explore areas of personal interest for in-depth study through ‘Student Selected Components’ (SSCs). Modules include SSCs based in the community and clinical and research environment.

Years 1 and 2:
During the first two years of the degree you learn about the scientific basis of medical practice. You gain knowledge about each body system, focusing on the mechanisms of cellular structure and function. You also study pathology, microbiology, therapeutics and genetics. Teaching of basic science subjects is integrated with clinical skills training which you acquire through clinical simulation and practice with patients.

Year 3:
The third year begins to take greater clinical focus. Classroom-based and clinical teaching takes place in each of the medical and surgical disciplines, which is integrated with therapeutic, pathological and microbiological principles relevant to clinical medical practice.

Years 4 and 5 :
During the fourth and fifth years you gain further experience in a range of surgical and medical disciplines. Training in a range of specialities offers an opportunity for you to consolidate and advance your clinical skills and enhance your clinical and related knowledge. In fifth year you have the opportunity to undertake an assistantship, during which you complete the range of tasks undertaken by a Foundation Doctor. Teaching and learning in ethics, communication, teamwork, and related behavioural science is embedded throughout the curriculum.

Intercalated Degrees
At the end of second or third year, students may apply to take a year out of their medical degree to study for an intercalated degree. This extra research focused year will lead to either a qualification at Bachelor or Master's level.

Expand+Assessment (general): The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning Outcomes of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of co...

Hide-Assessment (general): The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning Outcomes of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations, which may include OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations). Details of how each module is assessed are outlined in the Study Guides which are provided to all students at the beginning of the academic year.

Feedback (general): As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources, including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:
•Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
•Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
•Feedback comment from Clinical Supervisors
•Online or emailed comment.
•General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
•Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
•Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
•Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services, such as Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

Expand+Career Prospects
On obtaining the MB BCh BAO degrees you are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council and may apply for a post as a Foundation Programme trainee.

On successful completion of the first year of...

Hide-Career Prospects
On obtaining the MB BCh BAO degrees you are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council and may apply for a post as a Foundation Programme trainee.

On successful completion of the first year of this training period you become a fully registered doctor, however, whichever branch of medicine you intend to pursue, you will be required to undertake further training. For example to enter General Practice you will require a further three years‘ training. To become a hospital consultant you may require a further seven years of specialty training. Further information about postgraduate training is available from the General Medical Council website: www.gmc-uk.org

Career outcomes include:
•Consultant working in a hospital(e.g: Surgery, General Medicine, Pathology, Biochemistry, Dermatology, Microbiology, ENT, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anaesthetics and Oncology).
•General Practitioner
•Academic Clinician
•Consultant in Public Health Medicine

Employer Links: The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency has close links with the School and provides guidance on careers and the Foundation Application Process.