Medicine

The Aston MBChB Medicine programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed for a successful medical career, with a strong emphasis on working compassionately with patients and multi-disciplinary medical teams. You’ll gain experience in real clinical settings through a series of clinical placements each year and develop a wide range of skills and a broad knowledge base.

The patient-focused curriculum is taught over five years in two phases. It starts by expanding and deepening your existing science education, covering topics such as the fundamentals of body structure, infection and pathological processes. As you move into the second phase, a large proportion of your learning will take place in clinical environments where you will work with practising doctors and healthcare professionals in clinical placements ranging from cancer care to integrated medicine.

Beyond medical knowledge, we’ll help you grow into a confident, independent thinker with the critical thinking skills and empathy needed to thrive as a future doctor. After graduation, you'll be fully prepared to take on your first role as a Foundation Doctor.

Key course benefits

• GMC approval – Aston’s MBChB Medicine programme is accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC).

• Triple Gold TEF rating - Aston University received the highest rating for teaching quality (TEF 2023).

• Cutting-edge facilities - Train in state-of-the-art clinical skills centre, complete with hospital simulation suites and the latest medical equipment.

The course starts by expanding and deepening your existing science education, covering topics such as the fundamentals of body structure, infection, and pathological processes with the clinical relevance at every step. You will meet patients from the start of the course. As you move into the second phase, a large proportion of your learning will take place in clinical environments, working with practising doctors and healthcare professionals in placements ranging from primary care to cancer care to integrated medicine.

Phase 1 Years 1 and 2
Throughout Phase 1 you will develop your clinical skills and knowledge in blocks covering topics such as physiology, pharmacology, public and global health, and the musculoskeletal system. You’ll be introduced to clinical practice, learn how to interact effectively with patients, carers, colleagues and other healthcare professionals, develop consultation skills as well as an introduction to diagnostic reasoning. The very early clinical experience placement gives you an opportunity to gain real-world experience of the work carried out by doctors and other members of the general practice (primary care) team.

Phase 2 Years 3, 4 and 5
Much of your learning in Phase 2 will take place in clinical environments, working with practising doctors and healthcare professionals. Your progress will be supplemented and supported with lectures, group work, workshops, independent study and other learning opportunities. The Student Selected Components delivered in this phase, offer you the chance to study an area of particular interest. You will also have the opportunity, as an option within the Student Selected Component (SSC), to complete a research-based project with the Aston Medical Research Institute whose four themes of research include: maternal health, mental health, cardiovascular medicine and regenerative medicine. In Year 5 students will have an opportunity to complete a 6-week elective either abroad or in the UK. 
Facilities

• SMOTS camera technology that allow discreet recording during medical simulations to provide instant feedback.

• Powerlab for physiological testing including blood pressure, lung capacity, ECG readings, EMG and pulse oximetry.

• State-of-the-art critical care simulation unit, simulated hospital ward with mid-fidelity manikins and acute care simulation room.

Course Modules

For a full list of modules and course objectives, visit the course page on Aston University's website: Medicine | Aston University

https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/medicine-mbchb/september-2027

We employ a range of teaching, learning and assessment methods. There is an emphasis on working with peers to apply learning and solve problems, and we use technology and digital resources to make materials more accessible, to enhance learning and to make it fun. Modes of assessment include in-course assignments, computer-based knowledge exams, practical clinical skills tests, and continuous assessment of professional behaviour.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• General Medical Council