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Pharmacy students in white coats by a computer screen

Medicine BM BS

  • Intro
  • Course
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  • Careers
  • Entry
    criteria
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Intro

The Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is a partnership between the University of Brighton, the University of Sussex and NHS Trusts across the Surrey and Sussex region.

The BSMS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BM BS) degree integrates the development of academic knowledge with clinical experience. From the first term, you learn to apply your knowledge of the biomedical sciences to real-life patient care.

Successful completion of the course entitles you to provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC), subject to demonstrating your fitness to practise. You are then able to undertake further training to become a GP or medical consultant.

Key facts

Location Falmer and the University of Sussex

UCAS code A100

Full-time 5 years

Closed for 2019

This course is closed for 2019 applications. Applications for 2020 open in May 2019.

More routes into medicine

These courses offer a guaranteed interview to study medicine at BSMS for eligible students.

  • Biological Sciences BSc(Hons)
  • Biomedical Science BSc(Hons)
  • Pharmacy MPharm 

Course content

Course structure

The course is split into three phases:

  • Phase 1 covers years 1 and 2;
  • Phase 2 covers years 3 and 4; and
  • Phase 3 covers the final year.

We use a range of teaching and learning methods, but the emphasis throughout is on small-group teaching. The curriculum is designed to develop your ability to relate clinical findings to underlying clinical and social sciences, and to use information from different disciplines and sources.

Subject to satisfactory academic performance, you can take an intercalated BSc to study a subject of your choice in greater depth, for example neuroscience, molecular medicine or pharmacology. This is taken in one year between years 3 and 4 and provides the necessary academic background for a career combining medical practice with medical research.

In years 3, 4 and 5, you have access to hand-held computers (PDAs) so you can access information resources while working on wards or in clinics. BSMS is a leading medical school in the UK with regard to the development of technology-based learning support.

Full details of the course can be found on the BSMS website.

 

Phase 1

In the first two years, academic and clinical studies are based in Falmer. You gain clinical experience in both primary and acute care settings, and carry out two individual family studies: in year 1 with a family looking after a new baby, and in year 2 with a family caring for a dependant.

Academic studies are based on a series of systems modules focused on the normal and abnormal functioning of the human body. These include the core material that every doctor must know, together with student-selected components allowing the exploration of certain topics in depth.

Year 1 modules

  • Clinical Practice 1
  • Foundations of Health and Disease
  • Heart, Lungs and Blood
  • Nutrition, Metabolism and Excretion

Year 2 modules

  • Clinical Practice 2
  • Neuroscience and Behaviour
  • Reproduction and Endocrinology
  • Musculoskeletal and Immune Systems

Phase 2

Years 3 and 4 are based at the Education Centre of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and in the teaching hospitals of Brighton and Sussex universities.

In year 3, you undertake four eight-week clinical attachments in medicine, surgery, elderly care/mental health, and women's and child health. You also maintain a logbook and personal portfolio which will be used to assess progress and help you reflect on how your personal strengths are developing alongside your clinical experience.

During year 4 you will undertake a rotation of clinical placements in the specialist subjects of musculoskeletal medicine and surgery; ophthalmology and ear, nose and throat (ENT) medicine; infectious diseases, HIV / genito-urinary medicine, and health protection; dermatology; oncology, haematology and palliative care; and neurology and neurosurgery. There will also be a year-long module dedicated to primary care and population medicine.

A major component of year 4 is an individual, in-depth research study. You will join a BSMS, University of Brighton or University of Sussex research team with whom you will undertake a personal research project throughout the year on a topic of your choice.

In the spring of year 4, you will be able to apply for Academic Foundation Programme posts.

Year 3 modules

  • Scientific Basis of Medicine
  • Clinical Foundation Course
  • Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Elderly Medicine and Psychiatry
  • Student Selected Components
  • Revision and Exams

Year 4 modules

  • Specialist Rotations: 8 rotations x5 weeks
  • General Practice, Global Health and Public Health Medicine
  • Individual Research Project
  • Revision and Exams

 

Phase 3

The final year prepares you for your first postgraduate year as foundation year (FY) doctors under the new foundation scheme. It is organised in regional attachments, which consist of clinical placements in district general hospital and community settings in Sussex and its adjoining counties, including periods spent shadowing an FY doctor.

Final year modules

  • Regional Attachments 3x8 weeks
  • CAPSULE (Clinical and Professional Studies Unique Learning Environment)
  • Seminar Programme
  • Clinical Elective

Careers

The degree equips you with the knowledge, clinical skills and attitudes to complete your foundation training successfully and qualify for registration with the GMC. You are then able to undertake the postgraduate training necessary to become a GP or a medical consultant in a clinical speciality.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2019. They should be used as a general guide. 

BSMS gives equal emphasis to applicants' academic qualifications and their personal qualities and potential. Based on information from applications, candidates will be recommended by the admissions board to be invited to interview. Individual offers will depend on interviewers' recommendations.

GCSE 
English language or English literature and maths at grade B or grade 6, or above.

A-levels
Most standard offers for entry to us are conditional on gaining three A grades at A-level (to include biology and chemistry). We do not specify the nature of the third A-level subject and the vast majority of our applicants will choose to study maths or physics, however we strongly encourage applications from students who study humanities or the arts as we recognise their value in broadening academic horizons. It should be noted that general studies and critical thinking is not acceptable at any level.

We reserve the right to make alternative offers where appropriate. 

International Baccalaureate
We very much welcome applications from students who have taken, or are taking, the International Baccalaureate Diploma. You will normally need to pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with 36 points overall to include both Biology and Chemistry at Higher level. A grade 6 must be achieved in both.

Other equivalent qualifications
A wide range of other academic qualifications equivalent to A-levels, Advanced Highers and the International Baccalaureate are also welcome. If you are intending to offer such qualifications, please check on the BSMS admissions webpage for advice on their eligibility and the grades expected. If you have any further queries, contact our admissions team.

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
We welcome candidates who have successfully completed an Extended Project, recognising the effort that they have expended and the valuable skills and knowledge that they will have gained. However the EPQ will not form part of any offers that we make.

Scottish Highers
You will normally be required to have three Advanced Highers including biology and chemistry grades A plus a Higher Level subject at grade B or above, or two Advanced Highers in biology and chemistry at grades A plus two Higher Level subjects at grades A.

Welsh Baccalaureate
We welcome applicants applying to us with the Welsh Baccalaureate. Normally you will be required to achieve an A grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma as well as 2 A grades at A-level to include both Biology and Chemistry.

Irish Leaving Certificate
Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate at Higher/Honours level with (old 2016 system) at least grades A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 A2 at Higher/Honours Level including grades A1 in Biology and Chemistry. Or at least (new system) grades H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including H1 in both Biology and Chemistry subjects. You will also need at least (old system) grades B2 in English and Maths or (new system) grades at least H3/O3 or above in the Leaving Certificate at Ordinary/Standard Level.

English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with at least 7.0 in each section. This must have been achieved no more than two years before the date that you intend to enrol with BSMS.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country
 
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Widening participation 

BSMS is committed to widening participation into medicine, so along with assessing your academic profile, we will also be looking for any contextual data that may enhance your application. If you are identified as having any two from the following key pieces of data, then you will be considered separately from the rest of our applicants. For these applicants, we will accept AAB at A-level (including biology and chemistry); and English and mathematics at GCSE grade 5 or C.

  • You live in a neighbourhood that has low participation into higher education or live in an area that falls within the lowest 20% of the Index of Mass Deprivation. Eligibility will be identified by BSMS Admissions. 
  • You attended an 11–16 state school that performed below the national average at Progress 8 score. Eligibility will be identified by BSMS Admissions. 
  • You (or a parent or guardian) are in receipt of a means-tested benefit. Eligibility should be self-declared and evidence submitted via our admissions portal. All applicants will receive information on how to do this after submitting their UCAS application.
  • You are in receipt of the 16 to 19 bursary. Eligibility should be self-declared and evidence submitted via our admissions portal. All applicants will receive information on how to do this after submitting their UCAS application.
  • You are (or have been) eligible for free school meals at any point between Year 9 and Year 13 Eligibility should be self-declared and evidence submitted via our admissions portal. All applicants will receive information on how to do this after submitting their UCAS application.

Applicants who are (or have been) looked after in local authority care for more than three months will automatically be invited for interview, subject to satisfying academic criteria.

Mature and graduate entry  

Access to HE Diploma
Mature entry: Pass with distinction on a recognised Access to Medicine course. Details in BSMS prospectus.

Degree and experience
Graduate entry: Applicants should hold, or expect to hold, a first or upper second class honours degree and be able to demonstrate an adequate knowledge of biology and chemistry equivalent to A grade pass at A-level in both. This may be achieved through having studied these subjects to A-level or through relevant degree modules. Graduate entrants are assessed on their recent achievement and do not have to satisfy other academic entry requirements (ie they are not required to have AAA at A-level). Applicants should however note that the integrated nature of the BSMS degree in medicine does not normally allow advanced entry to a different year of the programme. If offered an interview, they may be asked to supply a transcript of their degree results. If applicants hold (or expect to hold) a first or upper second class honours degree but do not have the necessary knowledge of biology and chemistry, they are invited to consider entry via the Access to Medicine route, see prospectus for more details.

EU or Channel Island applications are considered on the same basis as UK applicants. BSMS has six places per year for international students from outside the European Union. Applicants should possess academic qualifications equivalent to those required from UK and EU applicants. We may be able to interview overseas applicants by video link at their local British Council office.

Biomedical admissions test (BMAT) 

BSMS requires all UK and EU applicants to sit the BMAT, in the year that you apply, in order to be considered for interview. You are required to register with BMAT assessment centres before the test. Check the BMAT website for key dates and additional information.

International applicants are not required to sit the BMAT. Check the entry requirements on the BSMS website for additional information.

Fees

Fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

Channel Island students (full-time) 19,000 GBP

International (full-time) 32,886 GBP

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location

Location

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

Brighton North Laine
Brighton Beach sunset

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. 7,000 students are based here taking subjects including criminology, English, education, nursing and medicine, paramedic science, psychology and sociology. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. Psychology students learn in our applied cognition and flexible creative method labs.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes, and a students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre and there is a BTN BikeShare hub on site. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

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Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

All eligible 2019-entry students are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Falmer campus is linked to the halls on Falmer campus and at Varley Park.
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls are on Falmer campus and offer a range of room types and catering options
    • Varley Park offers a mix of room and catering options. Varley Park is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there's a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
    • Find out more about our halls at Falmer and Varley Park.

Unihomes and unilets
Unihomes and unilets are student houses that we let to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option can work particularly well when you're balancing learning with placements and other commitments. We have unihomes and unilet properties across the city.

Find out more about our accommodation and confirm your eligibility.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private rented accommodation. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Students dining at Westlain

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Brighton and Sussex Medical School map

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Statistics

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

Related 4 courses

  • Biomedical Science BSc(Hons)

    Biomedical Science BSc(Hons)

  • Biomedical Science BSc(Hons) (with integrated foundation year)

    Biomedical Science BSc(Hons) (with integrated foundation year)

  • Pharmacy MPharm

    Pharmacy MPharm

  • Pharmacy MPharm (with integrated foundation year)

    Pharmacy MPharm (with integrated foundation year)

‹ ›

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