The course is divided into two phases:
You can choose to spend Phase I either at Newcastle University or Durham University, Queen’s Campus, Stockton. See the UCAS Admissions Procedure within the Course Overview for details.
Whilst there are certain differences of emphasis between the course at Newcastle and Durham, the two separate Phase I pathways share common outcomes. The quality of teaching is also excellent at both institutions.
You cover eight subject areas:
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 GP:
Clinical work and patient contact are further emphasised through regular clinical skills teaching, and hospital and general practice visits.
In Phase I your timetable is planned in such a way as to ensure that you spend no more than 50 per cent of your time in scheduled teaching sessions, including the acquisition of early clinical skills.
The remainder of your time will be focused on self-directed learning and in gaining early clinical experience.
Watch a video about the first two years of study on the Medicine at Newcastle website.
Regardless of whether you spent Phase I in Newcastle or at Durham University's Queen's Campus in Stockton, all students are integrated into a single common pathway for the three years of Phase II training, delivered in partnership with the NHS.
During Stages 3 and 5 you are allocated to, and based in, one of four regional Clinical Base Units, which may entail you living away from Newcastle. See the Course Overview for details.
During 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 specialities including:
During this time you will also spend a half day each week in general practice.
Stage 4 begins with a 12-week course in clinical sciences and investigative medicine. You follow this with a 30-week period of student selected components (SSCs) and elective study. See the Course Overview for details.
In the final year (Stage 5) you are attached to hospital units and general practices associated with your Base Unit, for the senior rotations in primary and community care, as well as women’s and children’s health, mental health, and preparation for practice and hospital based practice.
Following the final-year examination, you undertake a short preparatory ‘shadowing’ course to ease your transition from student to your Foundation Programme.
In accordance with ‘Tomorrow’s Doctors’ you undertake a study assistantship prior to the Foundation Year examinations.
You will be eligible for provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC). Currently, all UK medical graduates are required to complete a two-year Foundation Programme of general clinical training. Once you have successfully completed the first year you are eligible for full registration with the GMC.
The majority of our students decide to apply to Foundation posts within the region. There are sufficient Foundation Programme places in the Northern Region for the majority of medical graduates.
You are currently permitted to undertake the full Foundation Programme, ie the first two years following graduation, but you are normally required to return to your home country to complete further speciality training.