Join an established and growing medical school in a high-ranking university and gain the skills, knowledge and support you need to excel, whatever your background.
An outstanding medical education in a welcoming environment
At Lancaster University Medical School, we are committed to developing skilled doctors ready to deliver compassionate treatment in an evolving healthcare environment.
Through modern teaching technologies, thorough training in patient communication and early clinical placements, you will graduate as a skilled, empathetic and patient-centred doctor.
We have been training medics since 2006 - initially in collaboration with the University of Liverpool and independently since 2012 - and are proud of the thriving and welcoming community that we have become.
Since then, we may have grown steadily in size but our ethos as a highly-supportive, student-focussed learning environment remains. Our small group teaching means you’ll quickly feel at home and you’ll always have someone to turn to – be it a fellow student or your tutor – when you need a helping hand.
You should come to us with plenty of self-discipline and a willingness to work hard, as well as academic excellence. In turn, we will nurture your talent and support you to reach your full potential and become the most resilient, confident version of yourself.
What you will learn
We are passionate about our research which focuses on understanding the health needs of local, national and global populations and we use this to inspire the doctors we train to have a positive impact on people’s lives.
As such, our integrated curriculum will give you an understanding of the socio-economic, cultural and environmental factors that affect health and medicine, as well as population health and professional practice. Through it, you will build a diverse and flexible skillset and become adept at the joined-up thinking needed to excel in a rewarding career in medicine.
Our curriculum is built around core themes that will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills required for modern clinical practice including:
- medical sciences
- the psychology and sociology of health and illness
- population health
- professional practice and values
- medical ethics and law
Medicine is constantly advancing and we regularly review our curriculum to ensure that your education at Lancaster reflects that. For example, we integrate teaching on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine to prepare students for the changing technological landscape of the profession.
Lancaster Medical School’s unique location is ideal for getting an insight into the practice of medicine across a hugely diverse population and geography. Your clinical and community placements will offer you a breadth of experience in locations ranging from small, rural GP practices to urban hospitals and deprived coastal communities, helping you to become a well-rounded, resilient, work-ready medical practitioner.
How you will learn
At Lancaster Medical School, we combine lectures and clinical anatomy with small-group learning, complemented by clinical training and hospital and community placements.
Early clinical placements will allow you to apply your learning through contact with patients. You will begin to hone your skills in history-taking, examinations and patient communication.
In later years, you will be embedded in teams delivering clinical care to patients with complex needs, supporting you to become a caring, community-focussed clinician who works collaboratively.
You will also learn via:
- Lectures
- Small group learning
- Case-based discussions
- Clinical skills and simulation
- Written examinations and coursework
- Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)
- Workplace-based assessments
What we’re looking for
Being a successful medical student and future doctor takes much more than academic ability.
We are seeking students who are committed to making a difference to the health and wellbeing of patients and communities.
You will need to be motivated, self-aware and conscientious and demonstrate respect for patients and a compassionate and caring nature.
Working in a team is a crucial part of medical practice, and working alongside and respecting your peers is essential within our small group teaching environment.
Creating great communicators
We believe that developing good communication skills is essential to becoming a caring and empathetic doctor.
Because you will start placements early on in your studies, we begin to build your confidence and experience in communication with patients from the outset.
Initially, you’ll build your skills through interactions with simulated patients and later during real interactions on clinical placements.
Supporting you all the way
Being a medical student can present many challenges, both academic and personal.
However, you can be reassured that our dedicated team will be with you every step of the way. We have a comprehensive network of formal and informal mechanisms that will provide support and guidance to help you cope with the transition to university and throughout your degree course and clinical training.
Our departmental Student Support Team provides specific pastoral care for our medical students. They can provide confidential help and advice on academic issues, physical and mental health, disability, personal or financial problems. This service is offered in addition to the wider student support services offered by the University which you can also access.
As well as your academic tutor, you’ll be buddied-up with a year two peer mentor who will provide you with information, informal advice and guidance.
Course structure
Over the course of five years at Lancaster Medical School, you will accumulate the knowledge and develop the skills required for modern clinical practice.
In year 1, you will be based primarily at the University. You will be introduced to key concepts in the subjects that underpin medicine. This includes, but is not limited to, the biosciences, sociology and psychology. You will also learn about the structure and function of the human body and mind in health and ill health.
You will receive a thorough grounding in basic clinical skills (examinations, procedures and techniques) and undertake extensive communication skills training to prepare you for patient contact.
In year 2, you will spend time on campus and on placements at external partner institutions.
Years 3 and 4 comprise rotations in hospital, GP or community placements, which includes patient contact, clinical teaching, small group learning and other teaching activities such as tutorials and lectures.
In year 5, you will undertake clinical attachments, each consisting of intensive clinical experience. A portfolio is used to guide and assess your learning. This mirrors the portfolio that will be used to assess your learning in your postgraduate medical training. You will take responsibility for your own learning and engage in reflective practice, to prepare you for Foundation training and life-long learning.
