MBChB Medicine
Course Overview
The five-year undergraduate medical degree programme offered by the University of Bolton results in a Primary Medical Qualification (MBChB), enabling you to apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC). The course is delivered by our School of Medicine in new, state-of-the-art facilities in The Institute of Medical Sciences building, situated on the grounds of the Royal Bolton NHS Foundation Trust hospital in Greater Manchester. You will learn from expert scientists and clinicians in our world-class facilities while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural university. Bolton and the surrounding areas have a rich industrial and multicultural heritage, reflected in diverse patient profiles and clinical teaching staff.Our philosophy is 'Teaching Intensive, Research Informed', and we are committed to excellence in learning and teaching. Using the new and respected medicine curriculum from the University of Leicester, you will benefit from enhanced patient contact time and a programme focused on meeting future challenges in medicine. We will also support you in building vital lifelong learning skills so you can keep abreast of future developments in medicine, take ownership of your professional development and specialist knowledge, and maximise your career potential.
This integrated medicine course builds knowledge of scientific theory alongside clinical practice so you can understand the mechanisms underpinning the functioning of the human body and see how this understanding applies to clinical practice. Our expert team will deliver the patient-centred curriculum through a carefully balanced mixture of lectures, small group work, and clinical teaching. From an early stage of the course, you will work with patients to learn how disease and injury can affect the body.
We will provide you with a tablet or iPad at the outset of the course, and your course study materials will be accessed electronically via the virtual learning environment, Moodle. In the first two years (Phase 1), teaching will be mainly based on campus. There are clinical experiences in years one and two that will be undertaken at our partner trusts and GP surgeries. Years three to five (Phase 2) will take place primarily in clinical placements with regular university contact days.
During Phase 1 (in years one and two), you will focus on building your understanding of health care, the systems of the body, and relevant sciences (including molecular, cellular, applied, population and social sciences), alongside developing your skills and knowledge for compassionate and holistic diagnosis.
During Phase 2, you will spend most of your time working full-time in clinical environments. In year three, you will undertake a series of clinical clerkships, including medicine, surgery, and primary care. Year 4 will focus on speciality placements, allowing you to gain experience in a wide range of health and care disciplines in physical and mental health. During year 5, you will focus on foundation assistantships in emergency medicine, medicine, surgery and primary care, alongside an elective of your choice.
As a new UK medical school, our MBChB programme is subject to the General Medical Council's (GMC) quality assurance process (GMC Quality Assurance for New Medical Schools).
The GMC publication Promoting Excellence: Standards for Medical Education and Training details the standards that all UK medical schools must achieve. As is compulsory for all new medical schools in the UK, we have a contingency agreement with the University of Leicester Medical School so that students enrolled in our programme can continue their studies at Leicester should the need arise.
Highlights
- The Institute of Medical Sciences is a brand new £40 million development providing state-of-the-art facilities for the University of Bolton's School of Medicine. These include our clinical simulation suites and area, where you will practice skills and develop knowledge using clinical equipment and simulators.
- Phase 1 lasts two years. You will study a series of integrated, interdisciplinary modules on human structure and function in health and disease. You will also undertake community attachments to illustrate medicine's social and psychological context. Theoretical study of social and behavioural science will supplement your learning in the community. By the end of Phase 1, you will be able to communicate with patients and examine them clinically, have a good understanding of the structure and function of the human body and how this relates to health and illness, and appreciate the psychological and social context of health and disease.
- The learning in Phase 1 provides you with essential knowledge and skills that will underpin your clinical practice. You will learn professional communication and physical examination skills by working first with simulated patients (actors trained to help you learn) and other volunteers. Very soon, you will begin working in hospital wards with real patients. You must pass a formal clinical examination at the end of Phase 1 to demonstrate you have attained the basic clinical skills necessary for the clinical phases.
- Integrated teaching ensures you learn all disciplines (anatomy, physiology, etc.) within the context of patients' presentations. You will benefit from an early clinical junior clerkship with clinical attachments and the development of clinical skills, alongside integrated teaching of key theoretical concepts such as systems of the body, molecular and cellular science, infection, pharmacology and therapeutics, and the social, behavioural and population sciences.
- While you will learn how the human body is put together and how it works in health and illness, you will also come to understand that patients are much more than the illnesses they suffer from. They have social and psychological dimensions to their lives that affect how they become ill, how they react to illness, and the consequences of illness for them. Learning about social and behavioural medicine will help you understand the whole person in the context of health care. Early patient contact will help you to understand these issues.
- We believe the best way to learn medicine is to work with practising doctors. You will spend virtually all your time in Phase 2 working full-time in clinical environments. Working with medical staff in hospitals and the community is the best way to apply your knowledge, gain experience and learn more. In each placement, you will be part of a team caring for patients. The range of patients and illnesses you see will reflect the demands on doctors, preparing you for the working environment after you qualify. We have placements in various hospitals in the city, county and region, as well as community attachments. This ensures you will experience a diverse range of environments, colleagues and patients.
- In year three, you will have more extended clerkship-style placements in medicine, surgery, and general practice, learning from experts in hospital or GP practices. Year 4 focuses on speciality blocks such as obstetrics and gynaecology, child health, cancer care, and psychiatry. In year 5, you will have time for extended foundation assistantships designed to fully prepare you for work as a foundation doctor. Learning in each placement will include structured activities, procedural skills training, and simulation experience. Your learning will be guided by workbooks and led by experienced clinical teachers.
Key Features
- The programme offers you opportunities to develop Early Clinical Experience (ECE) through the Healthcare Certificate programme where you will learn essential clinical skills from qualified health professionals.
- We offer an integrated curriculum. Teaching and learning are based around patients and their needs. It is not a problem-based learning course, but rather a patient-focused curriculum, delivered through a mixture of lectures, small group work, technology enhanced learning and clinical teaching. This ensures you learn the essential science underpinning how the human body operates, while learning how things can go wrong through the study of patients.
- Clinical placements, where you will learn from experts in their field working with a diverse patient population, will take place in hospitals, general practice and community settings across Greater Manchester and South Lancashire.
- Our course is patient-focused and enables you to take forward the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required to practise medicine effectively and successfully in the modern healthcare environment. You will be prepared for the challenges that we are experiencing today and the inevitable changes in practice that will continue to occur in the future.
- We will train you to be a holistic and compassionate doctor, putting the patient first while at the same time prioritising your own health and wellbeing through our Health Enhancement Programme.
- Towards the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to take an elective placement in a location of your choice. This could be anywhere in the world!
Entry Requirements
- 136 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Please note that for September 2025 entry, the University of Bolton is only able to offer this course to International applicants.
- Level 2 qualifications: You must possess at least five GCSE/IGCSE qualifications at grades 6-9. These must include Mathematics, English Language and two sciences (including Chemistry and Biology or Double Science). We will consider resits in GCSE English Language or Maths. If you are studying different Level 2 qualifications (or an international equivalent), please contact us for details of our requirements or to discuss your eligibility.
- Level 3 qualifications: We accept a range of level 3 qualifications. For example, we require at least three A-levels with a minimum of grades AAB, normally in three subjects, including Chemistry or Biology, and one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and the third in any subject. Grades can be in any order. We do not accept A-levels in General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies or Global Perspectives. Alternatively, if you are studying the International Baccalaureate qualification, we require a minimum score of 34 points overall, and a minimum score of 6, 6, 6 in three Higher Level subjects including Chemistry or Biology, and one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths. If you are studying different Level 3 qualifications (or an international equivalent), please contact us for details of our requirements or to discuss your eligibility.
- Graduate qualifications: We are also happy to consider applications from graduates. We require a minimum of an upper second-class (2.1) honours in your Bachelor’s or integrated Master’s degree. We will consider graduate applicants from any discipline, provided you meet our minimum GCSE requirements and have a BBB or ABC at A-level including a B grade in either Chemistry or Biology. If you are studying an international equivalent, or possess alternative level 2 or level 3 qualifications, please contact us for details of our requirements or to discuss your eligibility.
- Disruption to assessments after a conditional offer is made: If after you have been made a conditional offer your qualification assessments are substantially disrupted by events such as illness, you must contact the admissions tutor as soon as possible to agree mitigation. All mitigation requests should be sent with formal supporting evidence to mbchbadmissions@bolton.ac.uk. If you do not attain the required grades at the first sitting, your application will only be considered with resits if there is substantial mitigation that has previously agreed with the admissions tutor.
- English language requirements: If you have not completed your education in one of the countries that we accept as being taught in the medium of English, you must pass an English Language test at the required level. Our current requirements can be found here: Language Qualifications - University of Bolton – Institute of Medicine.
- Interview process: If your application is successfully shortlisted, you will be required to attend an interview. The interview process will be conducted online/virtually and involves a series of mini-interviews and tests. You will be assessed on your values, behaviours, communication and problem-solving skills. We are seeking students who can demonstrate a commitment to a career in medicine and lifelong learning, who have excellent communication skills, who are caring, compassionate, resilient and assertive, and who can remain calm and reassuring in stressful situations. Offers will be made based on your performance in these interviews and will be either conditional or unconditional.
- UCAT: From 2026, all applicants to the University of Bolton School of Medicine are required to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year of their application. This test helps universities widen access and make fairer choices among the many highly qualified applicants who apply for medical degrees.
- Personal Statement, Academic Reference and Work Experience: Your personal statement will be assessed during the shortlisting process when determining whether you will be invited to interview. Predicted grades (including degrees) must be stated in the academic qualification part of the UCAS form and not in the reference. We cannot guarantee that predictions or mitigation will be picked up if they are in the reference. We think it is beneficial for applicants to undertake work experience of some form before applying so that you are aware of what a career caring for people may involve, and elements from this will be used during the selection process. We will ensure that any requests for relevant work experience will not negatively impact on disabled applicants. The Medical School Council guidance to applicants on relevant experience is inclusive and stresses that a wide range of experience can be used to support applications to medical school to give disabled applicants options as to how they can prepare for medical school.
- Welcome and Valued: We are committed to the principles defined in the GMC publication Welcome and Valued. We welcome applications from students with a disability or long-term health condition, which they must declare on the application form so we can advise and support them in all aspects of their application. Such a declaration will not affect eligibility for interview or selection onto the programme.
- Additional criteria: If you are successful at the interview stage, you’ll be asked to undergo occupational health screening and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you are an International student, you will also be required to provide a letter of good conduct. When we confirm that you are eligible for a place on the course, we will send you information about how to obtain these. Please note that you will need to complete all these processes as soon as possible as they are mandatory before the course commences.
- You will be required to satisfactorily pass occupational health screening.
- You will need to demonstrate that you are of good health and good character before enrolment and on an on-going basis throughout your studies and career.
- You will need to provide evidence of your ability to pay for the course.
- All offers to International applicants are subject to obtaining a UK study visa.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Medicine provides opportunities in 29 specialties and offers doctors a wide range of roles. Qualified doctors, after a two-year period of Foundation Training, can undertake core and specialty training to gain Membership of one of the Royal Colleges with higher training leading to Fellowship of a Royal College. On completion of your clinical training as a doctor, you will be able to apply for consultant roles in the NHS.
What can I do with this qualification?
Professional Recognition
The University of Bolton's undergraduate medical degree enables you to gain a Primary Medical Qualification (MBChB) and apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Fees & Funding
The School of Medicine will provide you with a standard stethoscope but you are free to purchase your own. You will need access to a range of key textbooks (please contact the School of Medicine for a list of texts and recommendations regarding stethoscope brands and suppliers). This undergraduate medicine degree may involve significant travelling, and you will be expected to cover your travel costs to and from the School of Medicine and your placements. For long journeys to placements, we may be able to reimburse mileage (please contact the School of Medicine for up-to-date details).
Home/EU Fees
Home applications are not possible for this course at present
This course is only available to International students.
International Fees
| Year of study | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | 2029/30 | |
| 2024-25 | - | ||||||
| 2025-26 | - | £45,000 | £45,000 | £45,000 | £45,000 | £45,000 | £225,000 |
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Home applications are not possible for this course
This course is only available to International students.
International Applicants
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below. Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this.
If you have any questions, please contact the School of Medicine on +44 (0) 1204 903239 or email schoolofmedicine@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton MBChB Medicine - 08 September 2025
Teaching & Assessment
In Phase 1, learning and teaching methods include tutorial sessions, individual and group work, teaching, blended learning, seminars, discussions, lectures and guest lectures. We will support you over the summer periods using a blended approach, using the University’s virtual learning environment and other suitable technologies.
In Phase 2, expert clinicians will deliver each area of the curriculum. We will deliver course content through a range of pedagogical approaches, including bedside teaching, group work, and didactic lectures. These teaching events will provide you with a rich learning experience and opportunities to fully engage with the learning process. Additional teaching on campus will support placement learning. Furthermore, we will require you to spend a significant amount of time in private study in addition to timetabled activities.
You can expect a range of assessment methods, such as coursework assignments, practice competencies, problem-based learning and examination of practice. A description of assessment practices, including standard-setting methodologies, is presented in the Code of Practice (CoP) for Assessment. Written examinations at the end of each year of the programme will comprise of items in Short Answer Question (SAQ) and Single Best Answer (SBA) formats. We will assess your clinical skills through Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE) and you will demonstrate evidence of practice skills attainment via an e-portfolio.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- MBChB Year 1
- MBChB Year 2
- MBChB Year 3
- MBChB Year 4
- MBChB Year 5
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Written exams 100% |
| Level 2 | Practical exams 40% Written exams 60% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 10% Practical exams 50% Written exams 40% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 50% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 50% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 50% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 50% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 30% Placement/study abroad 60% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 10% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
