SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

RCSI DEVELOPING HEALTHCARE LEADERS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WORLDWIDE

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF BAHRAIN
“OUR
STUDENTS
GO ON TO
INTERNSHIPS
AT SOME OF
THE WORLD’S
MOST
RESPECTED
HEALTHCARE
INSTITUITIONS”
 SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

INTRODUCTION

“Our medical school is truly international, with students

of over 36 nationalities worldwide, including America
and Canada.

The ratio of staff to students is excellent, and we

deliver the world-respected brand of RCSI healthcare
teaching that we have become famous for. Our
students consistently perform as well as their Dublin
counterparts, particularly in their final years, and go on
to internships at some of the world’s most respected
healthcare institutions.”

Professor Joe McMenamin

Head of School of Medicine

WWW.RCSIBAHRAIN.EDU.BH
OUR MEDICAL
SCHOOL
ETHOS IS
FOUNDED ON
THE PRINCIPLE
THAT THE
PATIENT’S
INTEREST IS
PARAMOUNT
IN CLINICAL
TEACHING,
MEDICAL
PRACTICE AND
RESEARCH.
 SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

A WORTHWHILE CAREER
WHY MEDICINE?
We understand your passion for medicine, after all, at RCSI we have been developing
healthcare leaders for the past 230 years. If you are a school leaver or have an undergraduate
degree in another discipline but now wish to pursue a career in medicine, our medical
programme will take you where you want to be.

WHY RCSI BAHRAIN?

Competitive Accredited
RCSI Bahrain’s graduates consistently Graduate with an RCSI Bahrain and
perform as well as their counterparts a National University of Ireland (NUI)
in RCSI Dublin, entering the global degree and become licentiates of
graduate pool with a The Royal College of Physicians of
top-tier advantage Ireland (RCPI) and The Royal College
of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)

Parallel Blended
Same curriculum as RCSI Dublin, Blended learning approach between
Ireland’s largest medical school classroom and hospital with real-life
clinical scenarios

IRISH MEDICAL COUNCIL ACCREDITATION (IMC)

RCSI Bahrain is extremely proud that in 2014 our medical programme became fully accredited,
adhering to the criteria and standards of the Irish Medical Council (IMC), which are the same
as those of the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) – the highest available in
medical education. This is an important quality indicator of the exceptional standard of doctors
graduating from RCSI Bahrain. See www.medicalcouncil.ie/Registration for more information.
WWW.RCSIBAHRAIN.EDU.BH
MEDICAL COMMENCEMENT PROGRAMME (MCP)
The MCP bridges the gap between second-level education and RCSI Bahrain’s full undergraduate medical programme.

OVERVIEW YOUR QUALIFICATION

With this programme you will be awarded:
The MCP is a pathway
course, specially Certificate in Foundation Medical Science from the
developed by RCSI National University of Ireland (NUI)
Bahrain for students Ireland - Special Purpose Award; National Framework
who have a passion of Qualifications, Level 6, 45 European Credit Transfer
for medicine but do System Points
not come from an Bahrain - National Qualifications Framework, Level 6, 90
academic background. Credit Points
Successful completion
of the MCP facilitates
direct entry into the THE CURRICULUM
full undergraduate
medical programme. The MCP is made up of 12 modules incorporating Biology,
The MCP gives a good Chemistry, Physics, Learning at Third Level, Medical Terminology
learning path for both and either English for Medical Studies or Research Skills. Teaching
native and second- methods vary according to the requirements of each module, but
language English typically include lectures, tutorials, group and individual work and
speaking students, self-directed learning. Students are also encouraged to participate
and bridges the gap in laboratory electives which are based alongside their science
between second- modules. Assessment takes place during and/or at the end of each
level education and module through a variety of methods, including multiple choice
our six-year medical questions, short answer written questions, assignments, oral
programme.
presentations, and team/individual projects.
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MEDICAL PROGRAMME
OVERVIEW

RCSI Bahrain’s medical MEDICAL PROGRAMME - MODULE BREAKDOWN

programme is either five
or six years, depending on
your academic qualification SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
before joining the university.
The programme starts Introduction to
Medical Physics
with Foundation Year,
which then leads into the Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry

five-year programme, Introduction to Introduction to Disease,

consisting of the Junior Human Biology Diagnostics & Therapeutics
FOUNDATION
Human Systems I – Skin/Musculoskeletal System
Cycle, Intermediate Cycle, YEAR and Nervous System/Special Senses
and Senior Cycle, over 10
Human Systems II – Cardiovascular/Immune/GIT/Excretory
semesters. Systems and Reproduction/Endocrine/Respiratory Systems
Professionalism in
the Health Sciences
Some students may be
Biomedical
exempt from the Foundation Laboratory Sciences
Year depending on
Neuromuscular
academic qualifications, and System Cardiorespiratory
Systems &
may enter directly into the Haemopoietic and Upper Limb
Junior Cycle. This will be Immune Systems
Genitourinary &
assessed on an individual
FIVE-YEAR Alimentary Endocrine Systems
basis when applying.
CURRICULUM Systems Molecular
Medicine
(YEAR 1)
For more information on Concepts and Principles Patient Safety &
in Biomedicine Quality Healthcare
entry requirments and
admissions, please visit Health, Behaviour Early
and Society Patient Contact
www.rcsibahrain.edu.bh
 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

Foundations in
Microbiology,
Neuroscience Immunology and Pathology
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM Cardio-respiratory
(YEAR 2) Evidence-based Health
and Population & Haematolymphoid
International Health Oncology

Gastrointestinal- Student-selected
Hepatology Component

Renal, Endocrine,
FIVE-YEAR Genito-urinary and
Breast
Musculoskeletal System

CURRICULUM
Central Nervous
(YEAR 3) System, Locomotor
and Forensic Team Attachments
(Medicine & Surgery)
Tropical Medicine

Medicine & Surgery + ENT & Ophthalmology

FIVE-YEAR Paediatrics

CURRICULUM General Practice

(YEAR 4) Psychiatry

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Cardiology

Respirology

Neurology

Nephrology
FIVE-YEAR Orthopedics
CURRICULUM
General Surgery
(YEAR 5)
Urology

Vascular Surgery
GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE

AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED DEGREE

You will graduate from the School of Medicine with the degrees of MB, BCh, BAO Degree
(Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of the Art of Obstetrics) from RCSI
Bahrain and the National University of Ireland (NUI). You will also become a licentiate of the
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
(RSCI).

THE BEST FACULTY MEDICAL GRADUATE PROFILE

Our student-staff ratio

is excellent at RCSI
Bahrain, being 2-1 in
our clinical teaching
sites. Our senior
medical teaching faculty
are from the best Irish,
international and local
“RCSI Bahrain was institutions, and we
a solid and great deliver the authentic
medical school.” and well-respected
DR SABRINA BERDOUK, brand of RCSI teaching
CANADIAN,
RCSI BAHRAIN ALUMNA, that we have become
RESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF famous for.
TORONTO, CANADA
NIALL O’HIGGINS PRIZE IN
SURGERY WINNER
TEACHING & LEARNING
We use a blended approach to teaching and learning, with both campus-based
studies and clinical experience in our partner hospitals. You will always feel stimulated
and will learn through a wide variety of teaching methods, including:

Traditional lectures Observation

Case-based learning Skills workshops
Small group tutorials Tutorials
Practicals Operating-room & ward
Computer assisted learning attendance
Bedside clinical teaching Home visits
Grand rounds Simulation-based clinical
Shadowing teaching

CLINICAL TEACHING

There is a strong emphasis on clinical competence throughout the programme. As you

progress, the emphasis on biomedical sciences shifts towards an increased focus on clinical
medicine, with Junior and Intermediate Cycles experiencing clinical exposure in the form of:
Early patient contact Clinical data interpretation
Clinical case-based tutorials Clinical skills tutorials
Case discussion facilitated by clinicians Hospital ward rounds

In the final two years of the Senior Cycle, you will be based exclusively on clinical sites and
in our partner teaching hospitals. You will spend time in medicine, surgery, primary care,
psychiatry, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology.

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ASSESSMENT

Assessments are identical to those in RCSI Assessment methods include:

Dublin. They take place during a module Multiple-choice questions
(continuous) and at the end of a module Short-answer written questions
(summative). Assessments are conducted for Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE)
each module and are mapped against learning Bedside ‘long-case’ examinations
outcomes such as knowledge, skills and Online examinations
attitudes, and are carefully blueprinted to the Team/Individual projects
course material.
CURRICULUM - FOUNDATION YEAR
The Foundation Year curriculum lasts one full academic year, and is designed to give a solid
grounding in medical sciences in preparation of the 5-year programme. Whether a student
requires the Foundation Year is judged on a case-by-case basis looking at their previous
academic history. Generally, students with no previous academic medical experience will enter
the Foundation Year course, wherease students with previous academic medical experience will
enter the Junior Cycle.

With successful completion of the Foundation Year, students will progress to the Junior Cycle of
the 5-year programme, and must complete and satisfactorily pass the assessment for each of the
below modules:

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

FOUNDATION

Introduction to
YEAR

Medical Physics

Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry

FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 1)

Introduction to Introduction to Disease,

Human Biology Diagnostics & Therapeutics
FIVE-YEAR

FOUNDATION
CURRICULUM

Human Systems I – Skin/Musculoskeletal System

(YEAR 2)

YEAR and Nervous System/Special Senses

FIVE-YEAR

Human Systems II – Cardiovascular/Immune/GIT/Excretory

CURRICULUM
(YEAR 3)

Systems and Reproduction/Endocrine/Respiratory Systems

Professionalism in
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 4)

the Health Sciences

Biomedical
Laboratory Sciences
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 4)

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CURRICULUM - JUNIOR CYCLE (JC)
The JC lasts 3 semesters and introduces you to the clinical application of basic medical
science, covering: Anatomy (including histology and embryology), Physiology, Biochemistry,
Pharmacology, and Behavioural science. Course content is organised around the systems of the
body (e.g. the cardiovascular and respiratory systems), and has two themes: Health, Behaviour
and Society, and Clinical Skills.

The programme incorporates a systems-based lecture schedule, supported by integrated case-

based tutorials, instruction in basic clinical skills, physiological measurement, anatomical studies
and imaging. Modules include:

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

Neuromuscular
System Cardiorespiratory FOUNDATION
Systems & YEAR

Haemopoietic and Upper Limb

Immune Systems
Genitourinary &
FIVE-YEAR Alimentary Endocrine Systems

CURRICULUM Systems Molecular FIVE-YEAR

CURRICULUM
Medicine (YEAR 1)

(YEAR 1) Concepts and Principles Patient Safety &

in Biomedicine Quality Healthcare
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
Health, Behaviour Early (YEAR 2)

and Society Patient Contact

FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 3)

Neuroscience
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 4)

(YEAR 2) Evidence-based Health

and Population &
International Health
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 4)

WWW.RCSIBAHRAIN.EDU.BH
Elements of the Junior
Cycle programme,
such as histology
(microscopic
examination of
tissues and cells), are
taught online. Also
a key element of
the curriculum gives
practical experience
through an Early Patient
Contact programme
where students learn
application of basic
sciences in the clinical
environment.
CURRICULUM - INTERMEDIATE CYCLE (IC)
The IC commences in January after successful completion of the Junior Cycle assessments and
lasts three semesters, where students learn the essentials of Pathology and Microbiology in
relation to body systems. There are three modules in IC including Cardio-respiratory (heart and
lungs), Tropical Medicine (infectious diseases) and Forensic Medicine (pathology in criminal
law cases). Teaching is complimented with clinico-pathological correlation (CPC) sessions and
clinical skills/competencies preparing you for ongoing hospital-based training.

In the third semester you will be assigned to hospital-based clinical teams in medicine and
surgery. You will get the opportunity to attend ward rounds, outpatient clinics and other
hospital team activities. Modules include:

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

Foundations in FOUNDATION
Microbiology, YEAR

FIVE-YEAR
Immunology and Pathology

CURRICULUM Cardio-respiratory

(YEAR 2) FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
Haematolymphoid (YEAR 1)

Oncology

FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
Gastrointestinal- Student-selected (YEAR 2)

Hepatology Component

FIVE-YEAR
Renal, Endocrine, FIVE-YEAR

Genito-urinary and Musculoskeletal System CURRICULUM

(YEAR 3)
Breast
CURRICULUM Central Nervous
(YEAR 3) System, Locomotor
and Forensic
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 4)
Team Attachments
(Medicine & Surgery)
Tropical Medicine
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 4)

WWW.RCSIBAHRAIN.EDU.BH
The third semester of
the Intermediate Cycle
includes a 6-week
student selected
component (SSC) where
you can take an elective
in an institution of your
choice anywhere in
the world. During this
period you will engage
in research activity and
complete a research
project.
CURRICULUM - SENIOR CYCLE
Senior Cycle Year 1 (SC1) comprises of two semesters, with the year divided into 5 seven-week
blocks, during which you will attend community family practice clinics and hospital attachments
in subjects outlined below. During these hospital-based blocks, you will be involved with clinical
teams in RCSI Bahrain’s three affiliated teaching hospitals: King Hamad University Hospital
(KHUH), Bahrain Defence Force Hospital – Royal Medical Services (BDF), Salmaniya Medical
Complex (SMC) and Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Cardiac Centre.

Senior Cycle Year 2 (SC2) comprises of two semesters with clinical attachments in Medicine and
Surgery which will include subspecielty rotations some of which are listed below:

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
FOUNDATION
Medicine & Surgery + ENT & Ophthalmology YEAR

FIVE-YEAR Paediatrics (including newborn medicine)

CURRICULUM General Practice

(YEAR 4) Psychiatry FIVE-YEAR

CURRICULUM
(YEAR 1)
Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Cardiology FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 2)

Respirology

Neurology
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
Nephrology (YEAR 3)

FIVE-YEAR Orthopedics
CURRICULUM General Surgery
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM

(YEAR 5)
(YEAR 4)

Urology

Vascular Surgery
FIVE-YEAR
CURRICULUM
(YEAR 4)

WWW.RCSIBAHRAIN.EDU.BH
SENIOR CYCLE YEAR 1
In addition to bedside teaching and problem-
solving teaching sessions, you will have mini-
clinical examination (mini-CEX) assessments
(a direct observation and assessment of a
student-patient encounter); you will maintain
log books; develop an e-portfolio and complete
case and topic presentations and evidence-
based medicine projects.

SENIOR CYCLE YEAR 2

This cycle incorporates an “Essentials in
Clinical Practice” module which comprises
of workshops on prescribing, ethics and
communication skills.

SUB-INTERNSHIP
During SC2 you will spend four works on a
sub-internship. The first two weeks will entail
shadowing an intern or junior doctor (either
in medicine or surgery) in a real life hospital
environment, experiencing the workplace
first-hand. Through this first two weeks
you will learn how to prioritise patient care,
communicate effectively with patients and
hospital staff and understand the importance of
patient safety. The second two weeks will entail
practicing core competency skills including
catheterisation, phlebotomy, performing basic
electrocardiography (ECG) and naso-gastric
tube insertion.
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Medical University of Bahrain
P.O. Box 15503, Adliya
Kingdom of Bahrain

Tel: +973 1735 1450

Email: [email protected]

RCSI.bh
@RCSI_Bahrain
rcsibahrain
This supplement has been published with the approval of the
Higher Education Council of Bahrain. Approval No: 1007-17