Join an established and growing medical school in a high-ranking university and gain the skills, knowledge and support you need to graduate as a skilled, empathetic and patient-centred doctor, whatever your background.

Supporting you to become an exceptional doctor

At Lancaster Medical School, we know that outstanding doctors can come from any background and we are committed to developing skilled doctors that are as diverse as the communities they serve.

Our Medicine and Surgery MBChB with a Gateway Year is designed for talented UK students from backgrounds under-represented in medicine and who may be disadvantaged in applying to our five-year MBChB Medicine and Surgery programme. Find out more about our eligibility criteria.

It will provide you with a grounding in the medical sciences, building your academic skills, knowledge and confidence.

After successfully completing the gateway year you will progress to the five-year MBChB programme and continue your training to become a skilled, empathetic and patient-centred doctor.

An outstanding medical education in a welcoming environment

We have been training medics since 2006 - initially in collaboration with the University of Liverpool and independently since 2012 - and are proud of the thriving and welcoming community that we have become.

Since then, we may have grown steadily in size but our ethos as a highly-supportive, student-focussed learning environment remains. Our small group teaching means you’ll quickly feel at home and you’ll always have someone to turn to – be it a fellow student or your tutor – when you need a helping hand.

You should come to us with plenty of self-discipline and a willingness to work hard, as well as academic excellence. In turn, we will nurture your talent and support you to reach your full potential and become the most resilient, confident version of yourself.

What you will learn

Your gateway year is designed to prepare you for successful progression onto Year 1 of the MBChB programme by developing your knowledge, academic writing and independent study skills.

You will attend weekly support tutorials with the rest of your year group, which will build your academic skills and introduce you to broader topics in medicine such as the sociology and psychology of health and medical ethics.

We are passionate about our research which focusses on understanding the health needs of local, national and global populations and we use this to inspire the doctors we train to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

As such, our integrated curriculum will give you an understanding of the socio-economic, cultural and environmental factors that affect health and medicine, as well as population health and professional practice. Through it, you will build a diverse and flexible skillset and become adept at the joined-up thinking needed to excel in a rewarding career in medicine.

Our curriculum is built around core themes that will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills required for modern clinical practice including:

• medical sciences
• the psychology and sociology of health and medical illness
• population health
• professional practice and values
• medical ethics and law

Medicine is constantly advancing and we regularly review our curriculum to ensure that your education at Lancaster reflects that. For example, we integrate teaching on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine to prepare students for the changing technological landscape of the profession.

Lancaster Medical School’s unique location is ideal for getting an insight into the practice of medicine across a hugely diverse population and geography. Your clinical and community placements will offer you a breadth of experience in locations ranging from small, rural GP practices to urban hospitals and deprived coastal communities, helping you to become a resilient, work-ready medical practitioner.

How you will learn

At Lancaster Medical School, we combine lectures and clinical anatomy with small-group learning, complemented by clinical training and hospital and community placements.

Early clinical placements will allow you to apply your learning through contact with patients. You will begin to hone your skills in history-taking, examinations and patient communication.

In later years, you will be embedded in teams delivering clinical care to patients with complex needs, supporting you to become a caring, community-focussed clinician who works collaboratively.

You will also learn via:

• Lectures
• Small group learning
• Case-based discussions
• Clinical skills and simulation
• Written examinations and coursework
• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)
• Workplace-based assessments

What we’re looking for

Being a successful medical student and future doctor takes much more than academic ability.

We are seeking students who are committed to making a difference to the health and well-being of patients and communities.

You will need to be motivated, self-aware and conscientious and demonstrate respect for patients and a compassionate and caring nature.

Working in a team is a crucial part of medical practice, and working alongside and respecting your peers is essential within our small group teaching environment.

Find out more about our entry criteria and how to apply.

Creating great communicators

We believe that developing good communication skills is essential to becoming a caring and empathetic doctor.

Because you will start placements early on in your studies, we also begin to build your confidence and experience in communication with patients early on.

Initially, you’ll build your skills through interactions with simulated patients and later during real interactions on clinical placements.

Supporting you all the way

Being a medical student can present many challenges, both academic and personal.

However, you can be reassured that our dedicated team will be with you every step of the way. We have a comprehensive network of formal and informal mechanisms that will provide support and guidance to help you cope with the transition to university and throughout your degree course and clinical training.

Our departmental Student Support Team provides specific pastoral care for our medical students. They can provide confidential help and advice on academic issues, physical and mental health, disability, personal or financial problems. This service is offered in addition to the wider student support services offered by the University which you can also access.

As well as your academic tutor, you’ll be buddied-up with a year two peer mentor who will provide you with information, informal advice and guidance.