Nina Hallwood
Medicine, MBChB
Introduction
At Aberdeen, you will study medicine in a thriving medical school that is co-located on one of the largest clinical sites in Europe with superb teaching and extensive research facilities.
We are ranked 1st in the UK for Medicine in the Guardian University Guide 2025 rankings!
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MBChB
- Duration
- 60 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- UCAS Code
- A100
Our modern, dynamic and clearly delivered MBChB uses a systems-based, integrated approach. Our curriculum is constantly reviewed and updated in response to changing GMC guidance, scientific and medical advances, changes in healthcare delivery and changes in educational theory and practice. Student feedback is highly encouraged.
Based on one of the largest health campuses in Europe, on site facilities include a large teaching hospital, paediatric and maternity hospitals which means that you will have access to and be taught by experienced clinicians who are at the forefront of modern clinical practice.
With an impressive history of medical discovery and innovation, Aberdeen is the first choice for aspiring medical students looking to embark on a career that will make a real difference not just to the care of individuals but to society as a whole.
What You'll Study
- Year 1
-
Term 1 provides you with the knowledge and understanding of medical sciences and the disease processes that underpin medicine. The systems-based course commences in term 2. Here we use clinical cases to act as a focus for teaching. This means we teach you about the appropriate anatomy, physiology & biochemistry of each of the body systems, as they are explored, as well as the disease processes that disorganise normal structure and function within each system. In Year 1, students commence the Foundations of Primary Care Course (FPC) which uses a network of local general practices. Students also undertake the first 4-week Student Selected Component (SSC) which involves project-based group work.
- Year 2
-
The systems-based teaching and the Foundations of Primary Care continue to develop in Year 2 where you continue to increase your knowledge and skills. A second 4-week SSC will be undertaken, focussing on molecular mechanisms of disease.
You will also experience a huge variety of weekly clinical attachments working alongside and shadowing various members of the multi-disciplinary hospital team.
- Year 3
-
The study of the systems and the Foundations of Primary Care course are completed in Year 3. The SSC in third year provides a unique opportunity to study Medical Humanities for a six week module. A wide range of subjects will be available for students to choose from.
In Year 3, bi-weekly clinical attachments continue and by the end of the year, you will be able to perform a complete head-to-toe examination of your patients.
- Year 4
-
In Year 4, students develop their clinical reasoning, diagnostic and management skills for both individual patients and patient populations of all ages, with medical conditions affecting any of the body systems. Students undertake seven six-week clinical blocks with indicative thematic titles during which experience will be gained in many different clinical areas and disciplines
At least one of these clinical blocks will be undertaken in Inverness. However, students may choose to undertake the Remote and Rural option for all the blocks in Year 4, and these students will be based in Inverness for the year.
Five horizontal themes also arc across the curriculum: diagnostics, end of life care, health data science, quality improvement, cost and value of healthcare.
- Year 5
-
Year 5 is very much the apprentice year where students prepare for the competent, safe, effective and professional practice of medicine as a doctor.
All final year students complete Student Assistantships in their medical, surgical and GP/Psychiatry attachments. The focus of the placement is to learn what is required post-graduation when you will be working as a foundation doctor.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
How You'll Study
Students undertake a step-by-step approach to the development of knowledge, skills and professional attitudes through a systems-based approach to learning.
Medical students have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge by undertaking a one year intercalated honours degree in Medical Science or Medical Humanities at the end of year 3 or 4.
All students will enjoy a clinical attachment experiencing remote & rural medicine in year 4, with the opportunity to undertake the whole year outwith Aberdeen.
Student Selected Components are undertaken in each year which allow students to follow up areas of personal interest for more study.
Learning Methods
- Clinical Learning
- E-learning
- Group Projects
- Lectures
- Peer Learning
- Professional Placements
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
A variety of assessment methods are used to carry out formative and summative assessments including:
Written Exams - These test factual knowledge, but can also test clinical reasoning/diagnostic skills.
Course Work - In some courses, essays or reports are written. Some involve working in groups to produce posters and presentations.
Clinical Exams - Clinical, diagnostic skills, disease management and a range of professional skills including ethics are encompassed within clinical exams.
Why Study Medicine?
- Early patient contact - You will work with our Patient Partners right from the very start of the programme and clinical attachments begin in year 1.
- The Clinical Skills Centre provides modern facilities with the latest simulation technology designed to assist in delivery of clinical teaching and skills in a safe and supported environment.
- A state of the art anatomy facility designed and built to fit perfectly with the systems-based medical curriculum.
- The Medical Humanities SSC in year 3 gives you an opportunity to acquire an alternative ‘take’ upon medicine and/or health, sickness or disability, which is not provided by the mainstream medical curriculum.
- Medical students have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge by undertake a one year intercalated honours degree in Medical Science or Medical Humanities.
- Placements in the remote and rural areas of Northern Scotland provide our students with fantastic unique opportunities to experience healthcare in a variety of rural settings.
- The 8 week elective project in year 5 allows you the opportunity to be completely independent in deciding where in the world you would like to go to study any aspect of medicine of particular interest.
- The MBChB programme's 'Culture of Care' has been highly rated externally. The General Medical Council were impressed by the "enthusiasm & commitment of the staff", "students' enthusiasm & loyalty to the school" and the excellent student support.
What Our Students Say
Entry Requirements
Medicine is a vocational course, one in which the student is trained to become a medical professional. The range of specialty options after qualification is very wide, but nevertheless, making such a career choice, particularly at a young age is a daunting task for many applicants.
Training to be a doctor involves extensive and dedicated study, both as an undergraduate and life-long, after qualification. To avoid the disappointment of non-completion of a degree, or indeed complete disillusionment with a subsequent career in medicine, we need to ensure that applicants enter this profession with their eyes open and understand the implications and commitments of such a career.
It is important to understand that there are Academic Requirements (i.e. the minimum achievements required in examinations) as well as Non-Academic Requirements for Medicine. In addition, all applicants must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT).
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
- 2024 Entry
-
SQA:
Standard: AAAAB at Highers taken at one sitting. Chemistry is required, plus two from Biology/Human Biology/Mathematics and Physics.
Adjusted: AAAB for applicants who meet one or more widening access criteria. Chemistry is required, plus two from Biology/Human Biology/Mathematics and Physics.
NOTE: N5 in both English and Mathematics at grade B or above required. N5 Biology and Physics are recommended (at grade B or above) but not compulsory.
A Levels:
Standard: 3 A Levels at AAA. Chemistry is required, plus one from Biology, Mathematics or Physics, and one other subject.
GCSE if both English Language and Mathematics at grade 6/B. GCSE Biology and Physics recommended (grade 6/B or above).
International Baccalaureate:
Minimum of 36 points including at least 3 HL at 6 and 3 SL with an average of 6. HL Chemistry is required; plus HL in Maths, Biology or Physics, and one other subject. If only 2 sciences offered at HL, must have a further science subject at SL.
Irish Leaving Certificate:
3 Higher subjects at Grade H1 including Chemistry, Biology and one other subject. 3 Higher subjects at Grade H2 including English and either Maths or Physics, plus one other subject.You can find out about the academic and non-academic requirements for Aberdeen by visiting our School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition website.
- 2025 Entry
-
SQA:
Standard: AAAAB at Highers taken at one sitting. Chemistry is required, plus two from Biology/Human Biology/Mathematics and Physics.
Adjusted: AAAB for applicants who meet one or more widening access criteria. Chemistry is required, plus two from Biology/Human Biology/Mathematics and Physics.
Foundation Apprenticeship: We will accept the FA Social Sciences & Healthcare as equivalent to an A at Higher in a science subject and the FA Scientific Technology as equivalent to an A at Higher in a non-science subject.
NOTE: N5 in both English and Mathematics at grade B or above required. N5 Biology and Physics are recommended (at grade B or above) but not compulsory.
A Levels:
Standard: 3 A Levels at AAA. Chemistry is required, plus one from Biology, Mathematics or Physics, and one other subject.
GCSE if both English Language and Mathematics at grade 6/B. GCSE Biology and Physics recommended (grade 6/B or above).
International Baccalaureate:
Minimum of 36 points including at least 3 HL at 6 and 3 SL with an average of 6. HL Chemistry is required; plus HL in Maths, Biology or Physics, and one other subject. If only 2 sciences offered at HL, must have a further science subject at SL.
Irish Leaving Certificate:
3 Higher subjects at Grade H1 including Chemistry, Biology and one other subject. 3 Higher subjects at Grade H2 including English and either Maths or Physics, plus one other subject.You can find out about the academic and non-academic requirements for Aberdeen by visiting our School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition website.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Medicine degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 7.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 7.0; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 100 with: Listening - 21; Reading - 22; Speaking - 28; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 70 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 70; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 185 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 185; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Fitness to Practice Guidelines
Students undertaking Education, Medicine or Dentistry programmes must comply with the University's fitness to practise guidelines.
Fees and Funding
International Students. Please visit please visit the Institute for Education in Medical and Dental Sciences website for information on additional ACT Levy charge that will be applied on top of the above advertised fees.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| RUK | £9,535 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| EU / International students | £50,100 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year This includes the mandatory national levy to cover the cost of tuition in the NHS. Further details can be found https://www.abdn.ac.uk/smmsn/undergraduate/medicine/tuition-fees.php | |
| Home Students | £1,820 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year |
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Our Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Planning your Medical Career
The NHS National Health Careers website www.healthcareers.nhs.uk contains lots of valuable information to assist you in planning your medical career.
Academic Medicine
A proportion of graduates with an aptitude for research and teaching follow a career in academic medicine. They will almost invariably proceed on to a degree by thesis e.g. MD, ChM or PhD. Individuals who wish to pursue a Consultant appointment in a teaching hospital may also find this form of higher degree invaluable. Potential academics of the future are mentored in Aberdeen and encouraged to apply for the Academic Foundation Programme (www.abdn.ac.uk/acat).
For more detailed career information also see: www.nes.scot.nhs.uk.
Career Opportunities
- Doctor
- GP
- Physician
- Surgeon
Industry Links
The University of Aberdeen has close links with the NHS in Grampian, Highland, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, where you can undertake clinical attachments.
Accreditation
The General Medical Council set standards and outcomes for medical education in the UK. The GMC tests whether schools meet the requirements set out in their standards and guidance through quality assurance activity. The Medical Schools Council represents the interests and ambitions of UK medical schools as they relate to the generation of national health, wealth and knowledge through biomedical research and the profession of medicine.
This degree holds accreditation from
What our Alumni Say
Jack Miller
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Facilities
Large teaching hospital
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is the largest hospital in Grampian and is based on the Foresterhill Health Campus.
Suttie Centre
The Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare is a purpose-built facility providing excellent teaching and training facilities. Each floor is dedicated to topics such as Anatomy, MBChB, NHS Grampian training and Clinical Skills.
Find out more
Library facilities
A dedicated Medical Library on the Foresterhill Health Campus and the fantastic facilities in the Sir Duncan Rice Library at King’s College, are complemented by online access to the key medical and health sciences journals and textbooks.
Discover Uni
Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition
University of Aberdeen
Polwarth Building
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD