Undergraduate: MBChB Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery Medical Doctor
Introduction
A unique opportunity to get into a career in medicine through the Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship (Level 7). Study for a MBChB while you work, with no tuition fees.
Course highlights
- A pioneering new opportunity for aspiring medical doctors who may not have otherwise gone to medical school.
- Your apprenticeship will be fully funded by one of our supporting NHS Trust partners.
- On successful completion you’ll be awarded a MBChB, a GMC recognised qualification that will allow you entry to the UK foundation programme.
The Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship offers an alternative path into medicine for aspiring medical doctors who may not otherwise have gone to medical school.
The aim of the apprenticeship is to support learners from under-represented backgrounds, particularly those who face financial difficulty. Thus, weighting will be applied at the pre-interview stage for candidates meeting the Widening Access to Medicine (WAMS) criteria (see 'Entry requirements' below).
Upon graduation, you will transition into a fully paid Foundation Doctor position within your employing Trust. Once the two foundation years of training have been completed, you can choose where you wish to continue your training; this may be in a speciality training post, GP training post, or as a locally employed doctor in your Trust.
Key facts
An apprenticeship is a job with training, combining practical experience with academic learning.
80% of your time will be spent working towards your MBChB at ARU and medical training at placements in primary and secondary care. The other 20% of your time will be in a non-clinical role at one of your employing Trust’s hospitals. It is anticipated that the work element of the apprenticeship will take place outside of term time, with delivery of the education mirroring that of the A100 MBChB programme.
This is a five-year programme. Year one is weighted with more teaching weeks at university. Moving into year two to five, the weighting will move gradually from an emphasis on teaching to training in placements.
Assessment
This is an integrated degree apprenticeship. Successful completion of all assessments will result in the conferment of the award of the MBChB from ARU as well as completion of the apprenticeship.
The aim of the course is to prepare you for clinical decision making and the capability to practice effectively as a doctor in a multi-professional team. You’ll be assessed by a combination of exams at the end of each year, and a portfolio of work that is completed throughout your course.
Exams will be in the form of Single Best Answers (SBA), Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and anatomy spot examinations. At the end of the course, you’ll be assessed by the national MLA (Medical Licensing Assessment). In addition, you’ll be required to undertake a Prescribing Safety Assessment.
Careers
The Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship is right for you if you want to pursue a career in medicine. After you successfully complete the apprenticeship, you can pursue various medical careers, for example, as a GP, in a hospital or specialise.
Entry requirements
In addition to the entry requirements and selection processes that have been set out by your employer, these are the entry requirements for the apprenticeship (subject to approval).
Qualifications must have been achieved at the point of application.
Mandatory GCSE requirement
- which must include English language, maths and 2 sciences - 5 GCSEs - Grade 9-6 / A*-B
OR for students meeting the WAMS criteria:
- 2 Science GCSEs - Grade 9-6 / A*-B, 1 GCSE - Grade 9-6 / A*-B, Maths and English GCSE - Grade 9-4 / A*-C (Functional skills level 2 acceptable)
Following confirmation of GCSEs, applicants must hold one or more of the following qualifications (achieved 2019 and after):
- A levels - A*AA (which include 2 sciences)
- A levels - ABB (which include 2 sciences) + meets one or more of the WAMS criteria
- Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) - minimum score of 30 Distinction & 15 Merit
- *T Level (Health or Healthcare Science) - Distinction - scoring minimum grade A in ‘core component’ & minimum Merit grade in ‘specialism’ OR Merit - scoring minimum grade B in ‘core component’ and minimum Merit in ‘specialism’ + meets one or more of the WAMS criteria*
*Accepted specialisms: Supporting the Adult Nursing Team, Midwifery Team, Mental Health Team, Care of Children and Young People, Therapy Teams, Assisting with Healthcare Services.
Undergraduate degree applicants
- 2:1 (or above) undergraduate degree in a university approved Science or Allied Health degree (achieved 2019 and after)
- 2:1 (or above) undergraduate degree in a non Science / Allied Health subject (achieved 2019 and after), with either one of the following:
- A Level in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics (B grade or above) OR
- Access to HE Diploma (Medicine) (30 Distinction & 15 Merit)
Apply now
This apprenticeship is available with supporting NHS Trusts only and is dependent on their recruitment cycles for this apprenticeship. Please check NHS Jobs as well as individual employers’ job notification boards for any apprenticeship vacancies.