BMBS, 5 years, UCAS: A100
Typical A level offer: AAA
Subject overview
Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) accepted its first intake in 2003 and now has over 650 students across five years. BSMS is a partnership between the Universities of Sussex and Brighton and NHS trusts across the Sussex and Surrey region. Our students are full members of both universities and enjoy access to the academic and recreational facilities of each.
Why medicine?
Medicine is a demanding profession, but one that repays the hard work and dedication it involves through the rich variety of career opportunities it offers and the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a positive contribution to society.
Why medicine at BSMS?
Medicine at BSMS was ranked 5th (84 per cent) for organisation and management in the 2012 National Student Survey (NSS).
Medicine at BSMS was ranked 23rd in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2014 and 30th in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2014.
Our integrated degree combines academic knowledge and clinical experience from Year 1.
We foster a student-centred personal approach to learning with small class groups.
Real cadaveric dissection, practised as part of the degree course, gives you a thorough understanding of anatomy.
BSMS research features significantly in the curriculum. We believe that your decision-making must be informed by up-to-date clinical evidence. We also encourage our students to present at local, national and international meetings and publish, where possible.
We offer a wide variety of teaching and learning methods – from lectures and small-group work to self-directed, problem-based learning. This means students with different aptitudes can develop a range of additional skills throughout their studies.
BSMS has the combined expertise of two universities and local NHS trusts across Sussex and Surrey. We also work closely with a number of other local NHS trusts.
Programme content
How will I learn?
We offer a variety of teaching and learning methods from lectures and small-group work to self-directed problem-based learning. This means that whatever aptitudes you already bring to your studies, you can be sure of developing a range of additional skills throughout the degree.
At Sussex, the scheduled contact time you receive is made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes, laboratory and practical work, and group work; the exact mix depends on the subject you are studying. This scheduled contact time is reflected in the Key Information Set (KIS) for this course. In addition to this, you will have further contact time with teaching staff on an individual basis to help you develop your learning and skills, and to provide academic guidance and advice to support your independent study.
For more information on what it's like to study at Sussex, refer to Study support.
What will I achieve?
- The degree develops key personal skills and attitudes including learning how to learn and understanding the need for lifelong learning; reflective practice; communication and IT skills; working effectively in multi-professional teams; the personal and ethical attitudes essential for good professional practice; and an appreciation of doctors’ responsibilities to their patients, to professional colleagues, to society and to themselves.
- You also develop clinical skills in history-taking, physical examination, diagnosis, and effective communication with patients. Experience of medical practice in hospital settings includes visits to a busy accident and emergency unit and other clinical settings.
- In Year 3, you are introduced to research methodology, essential for the practice of evidence-based medicine, and join a BSMS, University of Brighton or University of Sussex research team to carry out an individual research project in Year 4.
Core content
In the first two years, academic and clinical studies are based on both Universities’ campuses at Falmer. You will gain clinical experience in both primary care 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 including a dependant requiring continuing care.
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 enabling the exploration of selected topics in depth.
In Years 3 and 4, your studies will be based at the Education Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, and in the teaching hospitals of the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.
In Year 3, you undertake four eight-week specified clinical attachments in medicine, surgery, elderly medicine, mental health or women’s and child health, as well as student-selected components and weekly teaching sessions on the scientific basis of medicine.
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.
Year 4 includes a medical elective, in the UK or abroad, offering the opportunity to experience medical practice in a different cultural and clinical setting. Recent destinations have included India, Cambodia, Peru, Jamaica and the Solomon Islands. You also undertake research projects, go on clinical placements in hospital and community settings, and develop your primary care experience.
Subject to satisfactory academic performance, you have the opportunity to take an intercalated BSc in order to study a subject of your choice in greater depth. This is taken in one year between Years 3 and 4 of your BM BS studies and provides the necessary academic background for those wishing to embark on a career combining medical practice with medical research. You might choose global health, neuroscience, molecular medicine, pharmacological sciences or experimental psychology.
Year 5 prepares you for your first postgraduate year as a Foundation Year (FY) doctor under the Foundation scheme. It is organised in regional attachments comprising clinical placements in district general hospital and community settings in Sussex and its adjoining counties, including periods spent work-shadowing an FY doctor.
In Years 3, 4 and 5, we have Dr Companion software to put on your smartphone, or the option of a PDA if you require one, so you can access relevant information resources at the point of need while working on the wards or in clinics. BSMS is a leading medical school in the UK in the development of technology-based learning support.
Entry requirements
A level
Typical offer: AAA
Specific entry requirements: A level offers normally require A grades to be obtained in three A levels. You must have studied both Biology and Chemistry, gaining an A grade in both of these subjects. General Studies A level is not included. BSMS offers are made to interview-selected candidates only. International Students must be interviewed via video link at a British Council Office. You will also be required to have GCSE grade B (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English. You will also need to take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) before application. The deadline for taking the test is before the UCAS application date. For more information visit www.ukcat.ac.uk. If you are taking Scottish Highers, the International Baccalaureate or other international qualifications, or are considering a graduate or mature student entry route, visit www.bsms.ac.uk or contact BSMS Admissions at the address shown on the 'Contact our School' tab.
Other qualifications
English language requirements
IELTS 7.5 overall and not less than 7.0 in each section.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex:
Undergraduate Admissions,
Sussex House,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 678416
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E ug.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Related subjects
Fees and funding
Fees
Home/EU students: £9,0001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £19,0002
Overseas students: £24,8603
1 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.
Funding
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.
Care Leavers Award (2013)
Region: UK
Level: UG
Application deadline: 31 July 2014
For students have been in council care before starting at Sussex.
First-Generation Scholars Scheme (2013)
Region: UK
Level: UG
Application deadline: 13 June 2014
The scheme is targeted to help students from relatively low income families – ie those whose family income is up to £42,611.
Careers and profiles
Career opportunities
Our Medicine degree equips you with the knowledge and clinical skills to successfully complete your foundation training and qualify for registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Dr Samuel Whitaker – Graduate 2009
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As a graduate, you are entitled to provisional registration with the GMC with a licence to practise, subject to demonstrating to the GMC that your fitness to practise is not impaired. Graduates are then able to undertake the further postgraduate training necessary to become a general practitioner or medical consultant in a clinical specialty.
Our recent graduates have taken up posts across the country, including:
- Derby Hospital
- Dorset County NHS Foundation Trust
- Durham & Darlington NHS Trust
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
- East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust
- Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust
- Jersey NHS Trust
- Kingston Hospital NHS Trust
- NHS Lothian
- Luton and Dunstable NHS Trust
- Royal Cornwall NHS Trust
- Salisbury NHS Trust.
Specific employer destinations listed are taken from recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education surveys, which are produced annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
For more information, refer to Brighton and Sussex Medical School: What's it really like to be a student here?
Careers and employability
For employers, it’s not so much what you know, but what you can do with your knowledge that counts. The experience and skills you’ll acquire during and beyond your studies will make you an attractive prospect. Initiatives such as SussexPlus, delivered by the Careers and Employability Centre, help you turn your skills to your career advantage. It’s good to know that 94 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study (Which? University).
For more information on the full range of initiatives that make up our career and employability plan for students, visit Careers and alumni.
Imran's perspective
‘I chose to study medicine at BSMS because of its friendly, close-knit atmosphere. With small-class teaching I’ve been able to build close relationships with my lecturers and professors, as well as getting to know most students in my year – something not possible at bigger medical schools.
‘The degree is built around a systems-based approach but with ample clinical exposure from Year 1. Being taught history-taking, examination skills and the science behind health and disease stands you in great stead for the clinical years, while studying anatomy through full-body dissection prepares you for clinical rotations like surgery.
‘State-of-the-art technology and simulators also allow you to keep up to date with the ever-changing world of medicine. Links with numerous hospitals in our area provide you with a varied and broad clinical experience, and plans to make the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton into a major trauma centre and leader in surgery mean it’s an exciting place to be a student.
‘My own interest lies in surgery and I’ve had every opportunity to get great experience in theatre by being able to scrub in and assist the surgeons, giving me a taste of what a surgical career would involve.’
Imran Mahmood
BM BS Medicine
Contact our School
Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)
Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is a partnership between the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, and the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. The School offers a dynamic, innovative undergraduate degree programme that will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities.
How do I find out more?
Full details on the curriculum, entry requirements, eligibility, and admissions are published in the Brighton and Sussex Medical School prospectus, available from:
BSMS Admissions,
Checkland Building,
University of Brighton, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9PH, UK
E medadmissions@bsms.ac.uk
T +44 (0)1273 643528
Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)