UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL DEGREE - Aston University · 2019-05-25 · to experience early patient contact from your first year of study, not just during your clinical years. This patient-centred

UNDERGRADUATEMEDICAL DEGREE HEALTHCARE FIT FOR THE FUTURE

Equipping the next generation of medical professionals

Let me congratulate you [Aston Medical School] on your vision, boldness and enterprise in creating a new medical school in the centre of Birmingham after nearly 200 years. I very much like the approach you are taking in medical education.”Sir Bruce Keogh, National Medical Director, NHS England

Not only do I believe that the standards of education at the institution are of the highest order … but I believe that the staff involved are firmly placing the values and attitudes required for the doctors of tomorrow at the heart of the programme.”Professor Ian Cumming, Chief Executive, Health Education England

I am very impressed indeed with the highly innovative plans for a new medical school… based on a very different concept to the mainstream.”Professor Sir Nicholas Wright,Former Warden of The Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistryand Founder Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences

Aston Medical School will train the next generation of doctors and researchers in the heart of Birmingham. The School will be truly inclusive, adhering to Aston University’s deep commitment to fostering social mobility and promoting internationalisation, in keeping with our reputation as one of the UK’s most international campuses, with students from all over the world.”Professor Alec Cameron,Vice-Chancellor, Aston University

CONTENTS

04 Welcome from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean

06 Meet the team08 Research at Aston Medical School10 MBChB undergraduate medical degree:

course overview and curriculum14 Clinical placements16 Careers support18 Aston life20 Aston Medical School facilities22 Birmingham life24 Widening participation: The Sir Doug Ellis

Pathway to Healthcare Programme25 How to apply26 Entry requirements27 Next steps: interview and selection process28 Fees, funding and costs30 Keep in touch31 Important dates

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Aston Medical School was launched in 2014 to provide high quality accredited medical education and ground-breaking research in translational medicine.

Our vision is to inspire to aspire. Our mission is to empower and enable you to become the next generation of doctors and scientists to make a global impact on health and medicine.

We are delighted to be taking our first cohort of undergraduate medical MBChB students in September 2018*. In the first of its kind for a UK public medical school, our UK places** will be allocated to a small number of talented local students who successfully complete our Sir Doug Ellis Pathway to Healthcare Programme. The remainder of places will be reserved for high achieving international fee paying students**.

You will study as part of a small cohort in a close-knit community designed to maximise your learning experience, giving you the opportunity to make close friendships and establish networks. You will find a compassionate leadership team that pride themselves on shaping young minds to transform lives through discovery-led research, teamwork and the core competencies required to excel in medicine.

Our course is designed for you to experience early patient contact from your first year of

study, not just during your clinical years. This patient-centred approach will expose you to the renowned UK healthcare system of the NHS (National Health Service). This, along with the opportunity to take part in our unique Enhanced Management and Leadership modules, delivered in partnership with Aston Business School, will equip you with both clinical and business acumen. On successful completion of the course and post-degree foundation programme you will become a competent and safe doctor ready to meet the challenges of 21st century healthcare.

You will also have the opportunity to be involved in medical research either through the Student Selected Components of the MBChB course or as a postgraduate student. The research theme of the School is translational medicine. This is led through the Aston Medical Research Institute (AMRI), where scientific discoveries are being taken from ‘molecules and proteins to patients’.

Birmingham is a vibrant, diverse and cosmopolitan city; a perfect setting for a fantastic student life. The modern campus and learning facilities available at

Aston University will further enhance your experience.

Aston University is ranked 2nd in the UK for Subjects Allied to Medicine by the Sunday Times University Guide 2017 and achieved a Global ‘5 Star’ rating from QS Stars University Ratings 2016. Our most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) Allied Health category rates 94% of our research as ‘internationally excellent’ and ‘world-leading’. In addition, we are the only UK University with a Regius Chair in Pharmacy, awarded by HM The Queen at her 90th birthday celebration.

Our current postgraduate students have described their experience at our School as “motivational”, “inspirational” and “life-changing” and I am confident that you too will find an exceptional student experience here.

I look forward to welcoming you in September 2018 and the School and I await your application. In the meantime, please find all the information you need in this prospectus.

WELCOME TO ASTON MEDICAL SCHOOL

ResearchEducationPractice

Professor Asif AhmedExecutive Dean, Aston Medical SchoolPro-Vice-Chancellor for Health, Aston University

*The General Medical Council (GMC) is currently in the process of accrediting the MBChB course at Aston Medical School.

**Subject to change.

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MEET THE TEAM

Asif joined Aston from the University of Edinburgh where he was Assistant Principal for International Post-Doctoral Training and held the Gustav Born Chair of Vascular Biology in the BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences. Previously he was Professor of Reproductive Physiology at the University of Birmingham and also Visiting Professor at Stanford University, California, USA. His research focuses on the vascular complications of pregnancy and his research into protective enzymes and growth factors has formed the basis for the world’s first randomised

controlled trial (RCT) on the use of statins in pregnancy, the StAmP Trial.

Asif is published extensively in top journals such as Circulation, Circulation Research, Nature Communication and the Journal of Clinical Investigation. He is a Section Editor for the international journal Thrombosis and Haemostasis and an advisor to Jiangyin National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone in China.

Director of Medical Education and Phase 2 Lead

Prior to joining Aston in 2016, Shagaf spent 12 years as a full time Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust where she was the Postgraduate Education Lead/ Royal College Tutor from 2008-2016. She now splits her time 50/50 between the hospital and her position as Director of Medical Education and Phase 2 Lead at Aston Medical School. She is research active holding the position of lead investigator on six multi-centre RCTs.

Admissions Lead and Teaching Fellow

Afshan joined Aston Medical School in 2014 as a Teaching Fellow to head up recruitment of General Practices for Community Health Teaching of our medical students and in addition has also taken on the role of Admissions Lead for the School. Afshan is also the Director of Research and Development for Vaccine Research International Plc, which she co-founded in 2002. She has developed a vaccine against Staphylococcal infections that has undergone a successful Phase 1 clinical trial.

Associate Dean for Research and Lecturer

Keqing moved to England from Beijing in 1997, joining the University of Birmingham as a post-graduate student. In 1998 she was award a Masters in Immunology with Distinction and a University-funded PhD, which she was awarded in 2002. She joined Aston Medical School in 2013. Keqing has extensive postdoctoral research experience in immunology, inflammation and the vascular biology of pregnancy. Her current research focus is on gasotransmitters in preeclampisa funded through a Medical Research Council programme grant.

We have attracted a team of high achieving staff from both clinical and research backgrounds.

During your time with us you will learn from their real world experience and ground-breaking research. The wider team is made up of academic tutors and professors supported by administrative staff to ensure that you receive the support, knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to become a safe and caring doctor.

Medical Studies Co-ordinator and Phase 1 Lead

In 2015, Ray joined Aston from Leicester Medical School where he taught medical students for seven years. He is an experienced lecturer having taught physiology and pharmacology at universities since 1991. During his time at Leicester he received a coveted Student Union Superstar Award in 2014 and since joining Aston he has won the Aston Achievement Award for Best Newcomer 2016. Ray has worked in research on the respiratory system and the reproductive system at a variety of hospitals and universities and has been published extensively. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Health and Executive Dean

Professor Asif Ahmed PhD, FRSB, FRSA

Dr Ray Carson BSc, PhD, FIBMS, SFHEA

Mrs Shagaf Bakour MD, FRCOG

Dr Afshan Ahmad BSc, PhD

Dr Keqing Wang MD, PhD

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www.astonmedicalschool.com

RESEARCH AT ASTON MEDICAL SCHOOL The Aston Medical Research Institute (AMRI) is the home of medical research at Aston University.

Established in 2014 AMRI was created with the purpose of promoting translational medicine and a culture of discovery-based research, to transform lives across the world by taking molecules to market. Scientific discovery demands grit in the pursuit of difficult questions to find innovative solutions. Like leadership, translational medical research requires bringing purpose, people and passion under a common vision and is a celebration of teamwork.

We were granted degree-awarding powers in 2015 by Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council. We now have six students studying PhDs with us, funded through a variety of sponsors including the British Heart Foundation.

In addition over 40 clinicians have taken part in our CPD course in Dementia. The School has secured research funding from organisations such as Diabetes UK, the Marie Curie Fellowship and British Heart Foundation, and in the last two years our staff have published over 60 medical papers in leading journals.

As a medical student at Aston you will be taught by, and exposed to, these internationally renowned, passionate and insightful researchers. Your clinical education will be combined with their cutting edge research in technologies and translational medicine (“from bench to bedside”). The specific research topics are: maternal health, cardiovascular medicine and mental health.

Maternal health

Pregnancy should be a joyous time, yet it still can take the lives of mothers and babies. The team at Aston led by our Executive Dean and 50th Anniversary Professor of Translational Medicine is close to finding a treatment for preeclampsia – a high blood pressure disorder affecting 1 in 12 pregnancies.

The team’s interests are primarily focused on the vascular basis of diseases, particularly in the areas of angiogenesis (how new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels) and vascular protection. This team discovered that increasing heme oxygenase activity could provide protection against preeclampsia. This discovery formed the basis for the world’s first randomised controlled clinical trial on the use of statins in pregnancy, the StAmP Trial.

The trial determined whether statins could be used safely and effectively in preeclampsia. They recently identified a diatomic molecule, hydrogen sulfide, as offering the potential to treat both preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction in pregnancy. These findings were published in the prestigious scientific journal Circulation and were highlighted as being “ground-breaking” both by Circulation and within the mainstream media.

Cardiovascular medicine

The cardiovascular theme is led by Professor Francisco (Paco) Leyva, Professor of Cardiology at Aston Medical School. Paco is a Consultant Cardiologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. As a pioneer of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in the UK, he has published extensively in the field of cardiac devices therapy and electrophysiology.

Cardiac device therapy is central in this research strategy. The CRICKET study, an RCT sponsored by and undertaken at Aston University, explores the automatic cardiac delay optimisation in cardiac resynchronisation therapy. The Cardiovascular Photonics Unit within AMRI is one of a kind, with the mission of translating diagnostic laser technologies to clinical practice.

Dr Rahul Potluri is an emerging star cardiologist and lecturer at Aston Medical School and is leading on clinical epidemiology research. He has shown for the first time a link between high cholesterol and breast cancer. Other prominent studies include health service research evaluating differences in death rates from weekend admission and discharge from UK hospitals, ethnic variations and the interplay between cardiovascular disease and mental health.

Mental health

The mental health arm of AMRI is led by Professor George Tadros, Professor of Dementia and Liaison Psychiatry at Aston Medical School.

George is a highly respected Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry for Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust and for the Heart of England Foundation Trust and is the clinical lead for the mental health trust’s Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge (RAID) service.

It is this work in liaison psychiatry that has led to the development of our 7Ds Geriatric and Psychogeriatric Postgraduate CPD course. It has been designed to improve practising clinicians’ knowledge in geriatric and psychogeriatric medicine and skills in assessing and communicating with older patients to provide better care to older people including those with dementia in different hospital and community settings.

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MBChB COURSE OVERVIEW

Why Aston?

Learn in an environment dedicated to promoting internationalisation; we are the first UK public medical school to offer the majority of our places to international fee paying students each year.

Opportunity to gain a postgraduate certificate in Enhanced Leadership and Clinical Management. This is completed in conjunction with the triple accredited Aston Business School.

Experience early patient contact from year one through this patient- based curriculum and apprenticeship-based course.

Study at one of the UK’s only institutions to hold a prestigious 5 star global rating in teaching, employability, innovation, facilities, inclusiveness, and internationalisation by QS Stars University Rating 2016.

Develop interprofessional learning with the unique opportunity to interact with the highly ranked Schools of Pharmacy and Optometry at the School of Life & Health Sciences.

Gain knowledge directly from our world-class researchers, excellent tutors, lecturers and experienced consultants who make up the Aston Medical Research Institute.

Our curriculum, developed by Leicester Medical School, is patient-centred.

It will help you to develop the core competencies in medicine, gain key teamwork skills and understand the workings of the internationally admired NHS (National Health Service). It has been designed to equip you with the clinical expertise needed to embark on your foundation doctor years, while encouraging you to develop the caring and compassionate attitude required for developing into a safe practitioner.

Important to us is the principle of paying particular attention to sections of society where improvements in health and life expectancy are not keeping pace with the rest of the population. It’s this principle that has informed our main areas of research and which will be fed into our teaching.

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Years 1 & 2Phase 1, Early Clinical Apprenticeship

Early Clinical Apprenticeship(this block will run throughout Phase 1)

Head, Neck & Neuroanatomy

Nervous System & Neuro-psychiatry

Very Early Clinical Experience Infection Immune System

Musculoskeletal System Integration for Clinical Application

Gastrointestinal System

Medical Cell Biology & Genetics Cardiovascular System Reproductive System

Body Logistics (Tissue Structure & Function)

Pathological Processes Urinary System

Introduction to Physiology & Pharmacology

Metabolism, Endocrinology & Haematology

Respiratory System

Applied Social, Behavioural & Healthcare Delivery Sciences

Introduction to Public Health & Epidemiology

Clinical Pharmacology Therapeutics & Principles

of Prescribing

Year 3 Year 4 Year 5Phase 2, Clinical Apprenticship Phase 3, Specialty Placements Phase 4, Foundation

Apprenticeship

Student Selected Component (including the Enhanced Leadership and Clinical Management Certificate)

Primary Care / Community

Surgical Care

Medical Care

Student Selected Component (including the Enhanced Leadership and Clinical Management Certificate)

Foundation Apprenticeship - Community

Foundation Apprenticeship - Elective

Foundation Apprenticeship - Medical

Psychiatry

Cancer Care

Acute Care

Child Health

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Integrative Care

CURRICULUM Phase 1

Phase 1 runs through years 1 and 2 of your studies.

In a small, intimate community of students, your first weeks at Aston will be spent getting to know Aston, the curriculum, the educational methods used, and most importantly, one another. This will help you settle in and work together with your fellow students and our staff as the course progresses.

Throughout Phase 1 you will develop your clinical skills and knowledge in blocks such as Physiology & Pharmacology, Public Health & Epidemiology and the Musculoskeletal System. The Very Early Clinical Experience block will enable you to develop greater awareness about the real-world experience of being a doctor.

The purpose of the Early Clinical Apprenticeship, which runs throughout Phase 1 of your study, is to help you to learn how to interact effectively with patients, colleagues and other health professionals, so that the care of patients may be optimised. This course aspires to give you the understanding that effective interactions in the best interest of your patients, include interactions between not just patients, but other health professionals and, where appropriate, patients’ carers and relatives.

Phases 2-4

Phases 2, 3 and 4 run through years 3, 4 and 5 of your studies.

By working with practising doctors and medical professionals, you will learn in a clinical environment with blocks such as Acute Care, Surgery and Child Health. Your progress will be supplemented and supported with lectures, workshops, independent study and other learning opportunities.

The Student Selected Components, delivered in years 3 and 5, give you the chance to study an area of your own particular interest. We offer a range of different modules for you to choose from, including our Enhanced Leadership and Management programme. This is delivered in conjunction with Aston Business School to provide you with business acumen and knowledge for your future career. Successful completion of the leadership programme will lead to an additional postgraduate certificate.

In a model unique to this curriculum you will take your final exams at the beginning of your fifth year of study. By doing so you will have 21 weeks to focus on your Foundation Apprenticeship, which will allow you to shadow foundation doctors and acquire key ward skills. The apprenticeship is made up of three blocks; medical, community and an elective of your choosing. It has been designed to ensure that upon completion you feel confident to start your foundation year as a safe and competent doctor.

Looking after you

Medicine is a demanding course that will test you to the limits of your inner resources and it is important that you have a good support network. You will be allocated a Personal Tutor who can offer feedback and advice on study-related or personal issues. We have a dedicated Student Support Unit to help you with the unique requirements of a medical student. In addition, there are a wide range of university support services which you can access.

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CLINICAL PLACEMENTS Much of your learning in years 3, 4 and 5 will take place in real life clinical environments.

Working with medical staff will allow you to get first-hand experience and you will apply the knowledge that you have already gained during Phase 1.

You will be based in our partner organisations - hospitals, clinics and a range of medical facilities with a particular emphasis on primary care. Our partners include Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

We have ensured that the organisations you will work with on your placements serve an exceptionally diverse range of communities and settings, such as inner city areas, towns and rural locations. This means you will encounter the widest possible range of patients and experiences, giving you an excellent foundation for your future medical career.

Learning how to recognise and manage a broad spectrum of conditions as well as understanding the importance of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team will allow students a wider perspective of care in the community.”

Dr Khasheen Alam Burbury Medical Centre, Birmingham GP Partner to Aston Medical School

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Once you have completed your five year MBChB degree with us you will have a variety of training options available to you depending on what you want to achieve from your career.

Staying in the UK

Upon successful completion of our MBChB course all of our students (UK and international fee paying) will have equal opportunity to apply for the UK Foundation Programme. This is a two year integrated training programme for newly qualified foundation doctors who are eligible for provisional registration with the GMC.

When applying for your foundation programme you will have the opportunity to register your interest in a variety of rotations and settings. In line with our ethos to impact communities we will encourage our students to apply for rotations with a primary care focus.

If you require a visa to study in the UK our qualified visa team will be on hand to provide you with advice and support should you wish to take this career path.

The basic starting salary for a UK F1 doctor is currently set a £22,862*. Additional banding pay scales may apply. Visit www.bma.org.uk for further information.

Continuing your training and career elsewhere

If you decide to continue your training outside of the UK, you will need to refer to that country’s government body guidelines for details on eligibility, application and processes. We will support you by offering you a multi-staged appointment with our medical careers lead to discuss your future plans and provide you with relevant information and advice.

In order to provide our students with the best opportunities we are establishing specific international career structures and routes by building links with educational establishments and hospitals globally. An example of this is the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)** we have signed with the largest American healthcare provider in China. As we continue to grow so will these links and opportunities.

Career guidance

Our careers lead works with the British Medical Association’s (BMA) careers advice and support, and working abroad teams to support you in deciding the best career path for you. We also work with the careers team for Health Education England in the West Midlands to provide you with a comprehensive structure around careers. This will include assistance with your UK Foundation Programme application.

All core career resources that will assist you with taking your next step, such as CV surgeries, application advice and interview practice will be available to you through Aston’s award winning careers service.

* Correct at time of printing please note salary amounts within the UK may vary by country.

**Correct at time of printing.

CAREERS

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ASTON LIFE

Library: open seven days a week, (24 hour opening during exam periods)

Health and welfare services including dental, optician and counselling services

The Martin Luther King multi-faith centre

24 hour on-site security

Sports centre with sports halls, a 110-station gym and swimming pool

A choice of cafés, restaurants and bars

Extensive IT facilities, some with 24 hour access

General store, bookshop, computer shop, supermarket and 24 hour cash points

A four star hotel and conference centre on campus offering an ideal base for visiting friends and family

Wifi internet access available across campus

As an Aston student you get the best of both worlds: a green, well-equipped, friendly campus in the centre of a vibrant city. With our entire social, support and academic facilities based on campus you’ll never have far to go.

The multi-million pound newly developed Aston Student Villages provide on-campus accommodation and international students are guaranteed a place for the full duration of their study*. Our student village was recently ranked top in the UK in the International Student Barometer survey.

Facilities include:

* Places for international students, subject to the conditions outlined in the annual application policy. Applications need to be renewed by the deadline each year.


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Aston St

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Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre and Pool

Walking route to Main Building

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Aston Medical School will be located near the centre of campus, very close to the library and accommodation. You’ll be studying in a brand new, purpose-built facility* and benefit from from well-equipped clinical skills training rooms, laboratories, lecture theatres, group work rooms, and seminar rooms, all with state-of-the-art IT and audio-visual systems. You will also have access to IT facilities, self-study spaces and social areas.

Students joining us in 2018 will be based in modern recently renovated lecture rooms and teaching space in our Vision Sciences Building. The Aston Medical School building, with purpose built spaces exclusive to our students is scheduled to open in 2019.

ASTON MEDICAL SCHOOL FACILITIES

Purpose built facility

Based in our city centre campus

Space exclusive for Aston medical students

* Image show is of an artists impression of the Aston Medical School building and is subject to change and alterations.

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BIRMINGHAM LIFEAs an Aston student you will become part of a vibrant, small and friendly campus community based in Birmingham city centre. The UK’s second largest city, Birmingham is culturally diverse and rich in history, so you will be sure to find something to suit your tastes and interests.

With our campus based in the city centre it’s just a 10 minute walk to reach all the facilities you would expect in a modern city such as excellent rail, bus and metro links, world class shopping centres and entertainment venues. Birmingham truly is a great city to live and study in.

10 minute walk from campus to city centre facilities

8000 acres of parks and open spaces

Less than 90 minutes from London via rail or road

Birmingham International Airport serves over 100 direct routes

From street food at award winning Digbeth Dining Club to fine dining at Michelin starred restaurants, and cuisine from across the globe, Birmingham is fast becoming a food tourist hotspot. Did you know Birmingham has more Michelin starred restaurants than any other English city outside London?

You’ll find everything you need from high-street chains, designer shops, independent and vintage boutiques, as well as a wide range of food stores, markets and international grocers.

The city hosts over 50 festivals each year celebrating film, food, music, dance and performing arts, not forgetting the enormous traditional Christmas market featuring stalls, food and even an outdoor ice rink.

There’s a wide range of museums, galleries and heritage sites to enjoy all year round.

Over 8000 acres of parks and open spaces offer plenty of places to relax or play sport outdoors.

Being at the centre of the UK means travelling to and from Birmingham is easy. Our international airport serves over 100 direct routes, our motorway system links us to the north and south of the country with ease and we have three train stations in the city centre alone. This includes the £550m recently redeveloped New Street Station from which you can travel to London in less than 90 minutes.


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At Aston Medical School we want to raise the aspirations not just of our students and their families but also the wider community. This is why we have set up a pathway programme, designed to help young talented members of our community into the medical professions, so that they can contribute to making Birmingham a healthier city and happier society.

Currently the only UK places MBChB are for students who successfully complete our Pathway to Healthcare Programme. These students will come from across Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country, studying at schools and colleges with a high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).*

The programme consists of a range of activities which run during years 12 and 13 with the aim of preparing students to enter medical school and other healthcare professions at Aston or elsewhere.

I am supporting the Pathway to Healthcare Programme because I want to ‘level the playing field’ for access into medical education. Those students from the local community with a passion and ability to study medicine should be fostered and supported – irrespective of their background – and this programme does just that.”

Sir Doug Ellis Entrepreneur and former Chairman of Aston Villa Football Club

If you would like to find out more about this programme and our eligibility requirements for both students and schools/colleges visit visit the website or email [email protected]

WIDENING PARTICIPATIONThe Sir Doug Ellis Pathway to Healthcare Programme.

HOW TO APPLY

Application process

To apply to study the five year MBChB degree at Aston Medical School you will need to register and apply through the UCAS website. All applications for this programme must reach UCAS by the published closing date, usually 15 October of the year before the start of the course.

Our application processes employ fair, consistent and transparent procedures to recruit students with both the intellectual capacity and personal attributes to become safe, competent and caring doctors who are able to play a full role in whichever health system they choose. We are looking for applicants who are well rounded individuals with the ability to cope with an intensive course and a demanding career.

The design of our selection processes incorporates the values of equality and diversity, and minimises the risk of direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of the protected characteristics defined in the 2010 Equality Act.*

Student intake

We offer 100** places per intake year on our MBChB course. A small percentage of these are reserved for talented local UK students who are eligible through our Pathway to Healthcare Programme. The remainder of places are available to high achieving international fee paying students. We do not currently accept applications from EU fee paying students or UK students who have not entered through our pathway programme.

There is no accelerated graduate entry available at Aston.

Open days and international visits

We run regular open days to give you the opportunity to visit our campus and find out first-hand what studying at Aston is really like. For dates and to book your place visit www.aston.ac.uk/opendays

You will also have the opportunity to take a campus tour should you be invited to interview for a place on our MBChB course. See page 27 for more details about our interview process.

If you can’t make it to campus take a look at our international pages and find out when our next visit near you is scheduled at www.aston.ac.uk/internationalvisits

Take the next step to start your Aston journey.

* Equality and Diversity in UK Medical Schools BMA, October 2009; Gateways to the Professions, GMC 2014.

** Please note this number may be reduced to 60 for 2018 entry due to space limitations. Visit our website for the latest information.

* The Index of Multiple Deprivation is the official UK measure of relative deprivation for small areas or neighbourhoods in England. Data is collected by the UK Government.

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www.astonmedicalschool.com/pathway

All candidates must have*:

Minimum of five GCSEs/IGCSEs at grade B which must include English language, mathematics, chemistry, biology or double science (or overseas equivalent).

In addition:

A Levels

Minimum of AAB, normally in three subjects including chemistry, biology and a third subject that may be any other subject, excluding general studies and critical thinking.or

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

Total of 35 points with grades of 6,6,5 in three subjects which must include chemistry and biology at Higher Level and the remaining points from Standard Level subjects and Diploma Programme Core.or

Overseas equivalent

Although it is expected most of our students will apply with A Level or IB grades we do accept a range of recognised equivalent overseas qualifications, for example:

CanadaCanadian High School Diploma

Hong KongHong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

IndiaIndian High School Standard 12th

For detailed information on entry requirements, or if your qualification is not listed please visit the website.

In the case of international applicants with a previous undergraduate degree, we will require at least an upper second class degree (2.1) or overseas equivalent. This will need to be in a suitable subject which includes: biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biomedical sciences, pharmacology or pharmacy. Students with other related degrees will also be considered on a case by case basis.

Foundation programmes

We currently accept four UK foundation programmes for international students:

Abbey College Manchester Medicine Foundation Programme

CATS Canterbury, Cambridge and London Medics Programme

Kings Advanced Level Foundation Course

INTO St George’s University of London Foundation in Medical, Biomedical and Health Sciences

Full grade requirements can be found on our website.

UKCAT

We require all applicants to take the UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) in the year of application, this will be considered alongside the other required qualifications. For more information on this test please visit www.ukcat.com

Results of these will be sent to us from UKCAT, so you will not be required to send us your result.

English language

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate an excellent command of the language. Accepted tests and scores include:

IELTS (Academic test)

7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in each area.

or

TOEFL 110 overall with a minimum

of 24 in each area.

Please note we do not accept the Pearson Test of English (PTE).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Interview process

Should you meet our academic and other school requirements you will be invited to our Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). You will be required to attend the interviews which will be held on campus, no Skype/ remote interviews will be possible as we believe that face to face assessment of an applicant’s abilities is an important part of the selection process.

The MMIs will consist of a number of five minute stations which will be mapped to the General Medical Council’s Promoting Excellence and the NHS Constitution Framework.

The stations will assess attributes including:

Verbal communication Written communication Listening Compassion, respect and

dignity Emotional intelligence Problem solving Motivation Ethical judgement.

Disabilities, additional needs and medical conditions

If you consider yourself to have a disability, additional needs (example: dyslexia) or any relevant medical conditions you must declare this in your UCAS application form and communicate it in writing with the school recruitment team if any matters arise subsequent to submission of your application.

You will enter the screening process in the same way as all other applicants and the declaration of your disability/ additional need/ medical condition will not be made available to the screening selectors. However, knowledge of your disability/ additional need/ medical condition will enable us to make any reasonable adjustments for your interview.

Post application and interview

If you are successful, and once you have been made an offer, you will be sent an email outlining the conditions you will need to meet for your offer to be made unconditional.

Conditions will include:

Confirmation on your educational results

The submittal of a health questionnaire and occupational health clearance

Completion of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (UK Criminal Records Check)

If you have lived outside of the UK for longer than six months in the last five years then you will need to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct (for each country you have lived in).

If you require a visa to study in the UK we have a team of qualified immigration advisors to guide you through this process.

Support at Aston

We make it a priority to ensure that all of our students have access to a wide variety of support from our small friendly community including specific support for international students, access to our visa and disability team and our dedicated school academic and support teams. If you would like to discuss any specific needs you have please contact [email protected]

NEXT STEPS

*Full details on all entry requirements are available on the website. www.astonmedicalschool.com

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Fees

Fees for 2018 entry are:

International students: £37,000* per academic year

UK (Pathway to Healthcare Programme graduates): £9,000* per academic year

Fees for each year of study can be paid either in full at the start of each academic year or in three termly instalments of 50% at the beginning of Term 1 (September), 25% in Term 2 (January) and 25% in Term 3 (May).

International fee paying students who receive and accept their offer will need to pay a £10,000 deposit by May 2018.

Funding

UK Pathway to Healthcare students will be able to apply for funding through the Student Loan Company England, details can be found at www.slc.co.uk

If you are a fully funded student via a country scholarship, our admissions team will confirm your next steps upon receipt of an offer to study at Aston.

Prizes and financial awards

Each year we will have a range of small financial awards and prizes for the most talented students both entering their first year at Aston and in subsequent years of study. Announcements of these awards can be found on our website. Financial awards covering all or the majority of tuition fees will not be available.

Living costs

Coming to the UK to study medicine is a serious financial commitment. You will need to ensure that you have sufficient funds for your tuition and living expenses and you should have this funding secured before travelling to the UK and starting your course.

The UK Visa and Immigration Service requires that as well as the cost of your tuition fees you have sufficient funds to cover your living costs. This is currently set at £1,015 per calendar month.**

The cost of living in Birmingham is lower than in many other cities in the UK. However the actual amount you will need will vary upon your chosen lifestyle. To help we have put together a list of costs you may want to consider.

Please note students invited to attend an MMI at Aston Medical School will be required to cover all associated travel costs.

FEES, FUNDING AND LIVING COSTS

*Subject to change and inflation.

** Correct at time of printing, for up to date amount please visit www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration

*** Correct at time of printing, sourced from National Union of Students (NUS), Aston University, www.gov.uk

Expenditure Cost***

Accommodation (on campus including internet, gas, electricity & water)

£121 - £131 per week depending on room type

Student bus travel (if living off campus) £155 per term or £2.30 per journey

Socialising/ leisure £99 per month

Personal items (such as clothing, hygiene products, mobile phone etc.)

£142 per month

Food £162 per month

Gym (on campus) £16.50 - £22.50 per month depending on package

Laundry £5 per week

Miscellaneous clinical placement equipment and clothing

£400

Tier 4 student visa fees £328

Police registration (international students only) £34

Immigration Health Service Charge £150 per year

Clinical placement costs

During your third, fourth and fifth year you will undertake clinical placements with one of our partners. This could see you having to travel further distances within the wider Midlands area by rail, bus or car and therefore your travel costs will vary. Travel in Birmingham is both easily accessible and affordable with a range of travel options and discounted passes for students and young people.

You may decide to obtain accommodation near your placement, in which case the amount you will pay will vary. Both our student support team and our clinical partners will work with you to secure suitable accommodation within your budget. Any additional costs incurred are at your own expense.


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For more information about Aston Medical School and to keep in touch with the team:


[email protected]

+44 (0)121 204 3284

Medical School Admissions Aston Medical School Aston University Aston Triangle Birmingham B4 7ET UK

@AstonMedicine

Aston Medical School

All information in this brochure is accurate at the time of printing. The provision of courses, admission requirements and all other arrangements described in this publication are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change. Visit our website for the latest information.

KEEP IN TOUCH IMPORTANT DATES 2017

MAY

TUE 02

UKCAT: open for registration

JUNE

SAT 17

Aston University open day

JULY

MON 03

UKCAT: testing dates begin

SEPTEMBER

WED 06

UCAS opens for applications

TUE 19

UKCAT registration closed

OCTOBER

TUE 03

UKCAT: last testing dates

SAT 07


SUN 15

UCAS closes for medicine

NOVEMBER

SAT 04


... UKCAT: Test results

released to UK medical schools*

DECEMBER

... Aston Medical

School MMIs*

JANUARY

... Student Finance

England (SFE) – Student loan applications open (for UK students only)

... Aston Medical

School MMIs*

FEBRUARY

... Aston Medical

School MMIs*

MAY

THU 04

Deadline for student UCAS decisions

JULY

... IB results released*

AUGUST

... A Level results released*

On-campus *dates subject to confirmation

2018

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F O R E N Q U I R I E S P L E A S E C O N TA C T:

Aston Medical School Aston University Birmingham B4 7ET UK

[email protected]+44 (0)121 204 3284

Equipping the next generation of medical professionals

R E G I S T E R Y O U R I N T E R E S T O N L I N E AT

W W W. A S T O N M E D I C A L S C H O O L . C O M

Documents

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL DEGREE - Aston University · 2019-05-25 · to experience early patient contact from your first year of study, not just during your clinical years. This patient-centred