Medicine (MBChB/MB BS)
Study of the human body, health, and disease - preparing you for a professional career as a doctor through scientific knowledge and clinical practice.
Is this for you?
This degree could suit you if you:
Want to become a doctor
Are committed and hardworking
Enjoy science and healthcare
Want to help people
Can handle responsibility and pressure
Popular Career Fields
Healthcare & Public Health
Government & Public Sector
Research & Academia
Private Healthcare
Your Personality Might Be:
Academic excellence
Government & Public Sector
Resilient
Lifelong learner
What is it?
What Is a Medicine Degree?
Medicine is the study of diagnosing, treating, and preventing illness. You’ll learn how the body works, how diseases affect it, and how doctors use science, technology, and empathy to care for patients. The degree leads to a professional qualification as a medical doctor.
Why Study Medicine?
Choose Medicine if you are passionate about science, problem-solving, and helping people. It is a challenging but rewarding degree that combines academic study with real-world clinical experience, leading directly to a respected and essential career.
Course Summary
Study of the human body, health, and disease - preparing you for a professional career as a doctor through scientific knowledge and clinical practice.
What you'll study
All Medicine degrees cover key areas of medical science and clinical practice, such as:
Human anatomy and physiology
Biochemistry and genetics
Pharmacology and pathology
Microbiology and immunology
Clinical medicine and surgery
Communication and patient care
Public health and ethics
Later in your course, you can often choose specialisms, for example, in cardiology, psychiatry, paediatrics, medical research, or global health.
Degree Type
MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) or MB BS - both are equivalent UK medical degrees that qualify you to begin medical training after graduation.
Skills You'll Gain
Medicine builds both scientific knowledge and human-centred professional skills, which might include:
Clinical Assessment – examining patients, taking histories, and forming differential diagnoses.
Medical Decision-Making – applying evidence and judgement to diagnose and manage conditions.
Procedural Skills – performing core clinical procedures safely and effectively.
Communication & Empathy – building trust, delivering difficult news, and supporting patients holistically.
Team-Based Care – collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to deliver patient-centred treatment
Pathways, Placements and Work Experience
CAREERS
Career Pathways
After graduation, you will enter the UK Foundation Programme - a two-year paid training period in hospitals and community settings.
You can then specialise in a field such as:
General practice (GP)
Surgery
Emergency medicine
Psychiatry
Paediatrics
Cardiology or oncology
Doctors also work in research, medical education, public health, or global health organisations.
Work Experiences & Placements
All Medicine courses include clinical placements in hospitals, GP practices, and community healthcare settings.
You’ll rotate through departments such as general practice, surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry, and emergency care.
Gaining relevant work experience before applying (e.g. volunteering in healthcare, shadowing medical staff, or community work) is essential for most applications.
Salary Profile
Coming soon
Qualifications, Personal Satement, What to do Next?
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Entry Requirements
A-levels or equivalent including Chemistry and Biology. Most medical schools require AAA-AAA including Chemistry and Biology, often plus a third Science or Maths.
Personal Statement Tips
Show your motivation to study Medicine and care for others.
Reflect on any work experience or volunteering in healthcare.
Demonstrate empathy, teamwork, and communication.
Mention your interest in science, problem-solving, and ethical challenges.
You’ll also need to attend interviews (MMI or panel format), which assess your communication skills, reasoning, and values.
What to do Next
Research different medical schools and their entry tests.
Gain healthcare experience through volunteering, shadowing, or community work.
Prepare early for UCAT or BMAT exams.
Keep up to date with NHS news and developments in medical science.
Wider Reading
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay – Honest and funny reflections from a junior doctor.
Do No Harm by Henry Marsh – A neurosurgeon’s insight into the challenges of medicine.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks – Fascinating case studies in neurology.
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre – A guide to thinking critically about health and research.