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Pharmacy students in white coats by a computer screen

Medicine BM BS

  • Intro
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  • Careers
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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

This course is full for 2023

Our biomedical science, biological sciences and pharmacy degrees provide a guaranteed interview with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School to students who meet the entry criteria.

Find out more about alternative routes into medicine.

Course content

Course structure

Our five-year medical degree, awarded jointly by the Universities of Brighton and Sussex, leads to the qualification of Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (BM BS).

The BSMS course is designed to help you become a highly competent; strongly motivated doctor, committed to the highest standards of clinical practice, professionalism and patient care. By the time you graduate, you will have developed the knowledge and key personal skills and attitudes necessary to pursue a successful medical career.

Both universities are part of the UK Medical Act and our course has been approved by the GMC under its Quality Assurance of Basic Medical Education (QABME) processes.

We are a dynamic and vibrant school committed to new and innovative approaches to medical education.

Our purpose-built, modern facilities include anatomy and clinical science laboratories, simulated consultation rooms, multiple libraries, computer suites and state-of-the-art lecture theatres. Our enthusiastic and dedicated teachers will provide you with on-going feedback, continuously supporting you and ensuring that you develop to the very best of your abilities. A range of IT and mobile learning resources will support you on the go, from e-portfolios to smartphone apps.

 

Years 1 and 2

Introduction to clinical assessment and year 2: Learning from the patient journey

You will study the normal and abnormal functioning of the human body using a systems-based approach, with integrated modules covering the core biomedical and psychosocial sciences.

You will start to develop clinical skills in history taking, physical examination, diagnosis and effective communication with patients in a classroom setting and by gaining experience in primary, secondary and third sector placements. For example, you may spend time with a family looking after a new baby (year 1), and with a patient with dementia or a chronic health condition (years 2 and 3).

Your anatomy study will include a combination of cadaveric dissection, prosection, living anatomy and ultrasound sessions and 3D printed structures, where you will actively explore the human body and its relevance to clinical practice.

Student-selected Components (SSCs) will allow you to undertake individual studies and explore selected topics in depth, informed by the latest research.

Year 1 modules

  • Clinical and Community Practice 1
  • Foundations of Health and Disease
  • Heart, Lungs and Blood
  • Nutrition, Metabolism and Excretion
  • Personal and Professional Development
  • Year 1 Knowledge Test

Year 2 modules

  • Clinical and Community Practice 2
  • Neuroscience and Behaviour
  • Reproduction and Endocrinology
  • Musculoskeletal and Immune System
  • Personal and Professional Development

Year 3

Learning in increasing depth in core and general specialties

At the heart of year 3 are ward-based attachments including acute medicine, general medicine and cardiology; elderly medicine and psychiatry; and perioperative care, A&E, general and vascular surgery.

You will consolidate your increasing clinical experience with an understanding of the underlying clinical, social science and public health issues through weekly teaching sessions on the scientific basis of medicine. This module also consolidates and expands your research skills in preparation for your Individual research project in year 4.

You will also gain further experience in safe prescribing of drugs, an essential skill for your medical career. Time for Dementia continues through year 3 and you will begin Time for Autism. Regular meetings with your tutor will support your personal and professional development via your e-portfolio.

Year 3 modules

  • Clinical Foundation Course
  • Scientific Basis of Medicine
  • Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Elderly Medicine and Psychiatry
  • Student-selected Components
  • Therapeutics
  • Year 3 Knowledge Test
  • Year 3 OSCE

Year 4

Learning in specialist disciplines

You will develop your skills in more specialised clinical areas, completing rotations that include:

  • general practice
  • ophthalmology and ENT
  • infectious diseases, HIV GUM and health protection
  • dermatology/rheumatology
  • neurology and neurosurgery
  • oncology, haematology and palliative care
  • obstetrics and gynaecology
  • paediatrics.

The clinical focus in year 4 is on understanding patients’ integrated care and how primary, community and secondary care structures work together for the patient. You will also complete a year-long individual research project, supervised by a university or hospital research team, which can be laboratory based or more directly patient focused.

Year 4 modules

  • Specialist Rotations
  • General Practice and Population Medicine
  • Individual Research Project
  • Year 4 Knowledge Test
  • Year 4 OSCE

Final year

Learning in an apprenticeship role focusing on foundation skills and patient safety.

Year 5 provides intense clinical and professional preparation for your foundation years. Throughout the year, you will develop your clinical skills through direct patient contact and by using clinical skills laboratories and simulators.

Before sitting the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) you will undertake clinical attachments in a range of regional locations. Your learning will be based on a close involvement with routine clinical cases, acting as a member of the clinical team in medicine, emergency medicine, elderly medicine, surgery, general practice and psychiatry. Central to your study will be the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients in these different areas of practice.

After revisions and exams, you will spend the rest of the year as part of a clinical team at one of our regional partner hospitals, working closely with junior doctors and completing the Preparation for Practice module (Foundation 0), preparing you for the role of foundation doctor.

Year 5 modules

  • Regional Attachments
  • Year 5 Knowledge Test
  • Year 5 OSCE
  • Year 5 Portfolio
  • Preparation for Practice
  • 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

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.

COVID-19 vaccine requirement

The COVID-19 vaccination requirement has been removed. Find out more about this decision.

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. Find out more about Access to Medicine.

Degree and experience
Graduate entry: Applicants should hold, or expect to hold, a first or upper second class honours science degree and at least BBB at A-level including biology and chemistry. If applying with a non-science degree applicants should hold, or expect to hold, a first or upper second class honours degree and at least AAB at A-level including grades A in biology and chemistry. Applicants without the required science qualifications may like to consider the Access to Medicine diploma.

Applicants should note that the integrated nature of the BSMS degree in medicine does not normally allow advanced entry to a different year of the programme.

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 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 requirements

International candidates can find out more about BSMS entry requirements for international qualifications and detailed information on English language requirements on the BSMS website.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

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

International (full-time) 39,150 GBP

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. 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. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course at BSMS in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

While PCs and 4–6-hour loan Chromebooks are available at both universities, to enable you to make the most of the learning opportunities at BSMS we strongly recommend that you have a suitable laptop computer. Find out more including information about the software available to you free as a BSMS student.

You should add the one-off cost of buying a stethoscope (around £50). There can also be costs for travel, parking etc when on regional attachments, and travel, accommodation and living expenses for your fifth-year clinical elective. However, these costs will vary, depending on where you go, and reimbursement schemes and bursaries are available to support you.

For further guidance on rents, retail prices and other living costs, check our Budgeting for student life info.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

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 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.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. Students based here study a range of subjects – from 2024 these will include education studies, teaching, sport and exercise, nursing and midwifery, allied health professions and medicine. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes and the 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.

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. New facilities are being developed ready for September 2024 when all of our sport and health students will be based here. Learn more about the changes at Falmer.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre. 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.

Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

  • You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:
  • Falmer campus is linked to the halls on Falmer campus and at Varley Park. All halls are self-catered.
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls offer a range of rooms on our Falmer campus, minutes from your classes, and on the edge of the South Downs.
    • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Falmer 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.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

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

Local area

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.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Brighton and Sussex Medical School map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Students talking in a social area

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Statistics

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 below). You can find out also about the support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Course and module descriptions on this page were accurate when first published and are the basis of the course. Detailed information on any changes we make to modules and learning and assessment activities will be sent to all students by email before enrolment, so that you have all the information before you come to Brighton.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni enables you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Discover Uni data on their website.

Programme specification

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

Programme specification

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