Aston Medical School will develop your core competencies in medicine, hone your team-working skills and give you an understanding of the internationally admired NHS (National Health Service).

Our course has been designed to prepare you for the demands of a medical career, with an emphasis on working compassionately with patients as partners, within a multi-disciplinary team. You’ll gain exposure to real clinical settings through a series of clinical placements each year, develop a wide range of skills and a broad knowledge base.

Throughout your time with us, you will be encouraged to develop into an independent life-long learner, with critical thinking skills and the caring and empathetic attitude needed to embark on your first post after graduation as a Foundation Doctor.

Patient-centered curriculum

Our patient-centered curriculum is taught across five years in two phases. It starts by expanding and deepening your existing science education, covering topics such as the fundamentals of body structure, infection, and pathological processes. As you move into the second phase, a large proportion of your learning will take place in clinical environments, working with practicing doctors and healthcare professionals in placements ranging from cancer care to integrated medicine.

It’s our aim to prepare you for the demands of a medical career, with an emphasis on working compassionately with patients as partners, within a multi-disciplinary team.

Phase 1: Years 1 and 2

Throughout phase 1, you will develop your clinical skills and knowledge in blocks, covering topics such as physiology, pharmacology, public and global health, and the musculoskeletal system. You’ll be introduced to clinical practice, learning how to interact effectively with patients, carers, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals, develop consultation skills as well as an introduction to diagnostic reasoning.

The Very Early Clinical Experience placement gives you an opportunity to develop an understanding of what it’s like to be a patient and to gain real-world experience of the work carried out by doctors and other members of the general practice (primary care) team.

At Aston Medical School you will be taught by medical professionals from a wide range of practice, industry and research backgrounds. During your time on campus, you will encounter a variety of learning and teaching methods, including:

• face to face and online lectures
• group work and problem-based learning
• seminars
• clinical skills training
• independent study
• practical sessions
• interactive workshops and tutorials
• online resources

In addition to these learning methods, you will also spend time each year on a series of placements. You’ll work under the supervision of a range of medical and healthcare professionals from our network of carefully selected NHS trusts and primary care providers. Serving an exceptionally diverse range of communities and settings, such as inner-city areas, towns and rural locations, each placement will allow you to encounter a wide range of patients and experiences, giving you an excellent foundation for your future medical career. Find out more about our partners here.

Facilities and equipment

Our modern and friendly campus is equipped with dedicated facilities for Aston Medical School students. We have invested heavily to ensure that our facilities and equipment provide you with the ideal learning environment. This includes:

• High-tech clinical skills center with a range of equipment including Sonosite ultrasound machines and life-size anatomical models.
• Simulated hospital ward with mid-fidelity manikins.
• SMOTS camera technology allows discreet recording during medical simulations to provide instant feedback.
• Powerlab for physiological testing including blood pressure, lung capacity, ECG readings, EMG, and pulse oximetry.
• State of the art group workrooms, which include C-touch screens.
• Private study spaces are available to students 24/7.

Medical student support at Aston

Medicine is a demanding subject so it is important to look after yourself and have a good support network around you. We support you every step of the way, through your learning experiences as well as how to balance the course with the rest of university life:

• Personal Tutor: will offer advice on study-related and personal issues
• Student Support Lead: to help you cope with the unique requirements of a medical student
• University Support Services: a breadth of additional support services are available, for example, the Hub, Learning Development Centre, and library services.
• Extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, and hobbies: These form an important part of university life and provide a balance to your work and opportunities to make new friends.

Once you have successfully 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.

UK Foundation Programme

This is a two-year integrated training program for newly qualified foundation doctors who are eligible for provisional registration with the GMC. You can register your interest in a variety of rotations and settings. Currently, non-UK/non-EEA nationals who graduate from a UK medical school wishing to undertake a recognized, two-year full-time foundation program (including academic programs) are eligible to extend their Tier 4 visa to cover the duration of the training program. Our qualified visa team will be on hand to provide you with advice and support should you wish to take this career path.