Download a printable information sheet: MB BS Key Facts (PDF: 135KB)
The 5 year MB BS programme is split into two phases:
Phase I extends over two academic years and is divided into two Stages. During this Phase you learn about normal and abnormal structure, function and behaviour. Contributions come from a variety of basic and medical science disciplines, and clinical relevance is emphasised throughout. People as ‘patients’ play an active role in Phase I, and you come into contact with them from the very beginning through a link with a community based medical practitioner. In Stage 1 you are attached to a pregnant lady and her family for the Family Study project, and in Stage 2 you undertake an in-depth study of a patient with a chronic illness. Clinical work and patient contact are further emphasised through regular clinical skills teaching, and hospital and community visits.
During Stage 3 and Stage 5 you undertake your clinical experiential learning in the Government Hospitals and Health Facilities of the State of Johor. In Stage 3 you undertake an initial introduction to clinical practice and a series of essential junior rotations, which provide you with clinical experience in a range of specialties.
Stage 4 begins with a 12-week course in clinical sciences and investigative medicine, followed by a 30-week period of student-selected components (SSCs) and elective study. During this period you select three topics, each lasting six weeks, in clinical and non-clinical areas. You will be permitted to select one or more SSCs from the clinical placements offered in the Newcastle based Regional Medical School in the UK. These student-selected components are followed by an eight-week elective period, which gives you the opportunity to study medicine almost anywhere in the world, including the UK.
In the final year (Stage 5) you are again attached to the Government Hospitals and Clinics in Johor for the senior rotations in primary and community care; women’s and children’s care; mental health care; preparation for practice; and hospital-based practice. Following the final-year examination, you may be required to undertake a short preparatory ‘shadowing’ course to ease your transition from student to pre-registration house officer.
The student-selected choice strand of the curriculum runs throughout the programme and provides you with the opportunity to study topics of your own choosing. In Stage 1, you are provided with an induction to the student-selected component (SSC) programme, which develops your information retrieval, analysis and critical appraisal skills. The student-selected component in Stage 2 provides you with the opportunity to undertake a literature review on a topic of your own choice.
In Stage 4 an 18 week period allows you to choose a separate topic for each of the three SSCs; however you may combine SSCs into an extended period of study if you wish to arrange something more ambitious. Also as part of the SSC strand in Stage 4 you will undertake an 8-week period of elective study. You may have the opportunity to undertake one or more of your SSC periods in the UK.Download a chart showing more detail of the MB BS Curriculum Map (PDF: 96KB).