UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS AND OUTREACH

University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD

If you require an accessible version of the document, please contact Undergraduate

Admissions by email ([email protected] ) or via the online form
(http://www.ox.ac.uk/ask).

Medicine Course Information Sheet for entry in 2022

With separate pre-clinical and clinical sections to the course, students on the Oxford standard
medical course first gain a comprehensive grounding in medical science, before applying that
scientific foundation in the clinical setting.

The practice of Medicine offers a breadth of experiences impossible to find in any other subject.
Every day brings different patients with different needs. It’s a great choice for scientists who strive
to understand and apply research findings to improve the lives of the patients in their care. It offers
a meaningful career that is prestigious, secure and well paid. However, practising Medicine can be
arduous, stressful, frustrating and bureaucratic and is not suited to everyone. You need to be
sure that Medicine is the right choice for you. These pages will help you work that out, but there’s
no better way to find out for sure than by gaining insight into medical practice by seeing it in action
and talking to those who provide healthcare. Studying Medicine because that is what is expected of
you is never a good idea; make sure that your motives for choosing to do so are well reasoned.

The Medicine course at Oxford provides a well-rounded intellectual training with particular emphasis
on the basic science research that underpins medicine. We have retained a distinct three-year pre-
clinical stage that includes studying towards a BA Honours degree in Medical Sciences, followed by a
three-year clinical stage. The School of Medical and Biomedical Sciences at Oxford is relatively small,
allowing students and staff to get to know one another and benefit from a relaxed and
friendly atmosphere.

Research work
All A100 students at Oxford undertake an experimental research project as part of their BA in
Medical Sciences. This will be in a field of interest to the student, and will offer valuable first-hand
experience of scientific research. Students have the opportunity to undertake research in
a laboratory from a wide range of departments within the Medical Sciences Division.

The pre-clinical stage

Applicants are initially admitted to the pre-clinical stage of the course.
The first five terms of this course are devoted to the First BM. This addresses not only much of the
science that underpins Medicine, but also the clinical problems that arise when systems
fail. Students are introduced to the major systems of the body and study all aspects of their
structure and function in health and also the principles of disease processes. Students
are encouraged to develop an enquiring approach and to consider the experimental basis of the
science in the course. Matters of clinical relevance are illustrated from the outset with
students making regular visits to GP tutors.
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University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD

The First BM is followed by a four-term BA Honours course (the Final Honour School) in Medical
Sciences. Students specialise in two areas of biomedical science selected from a range of options.
They will become adept at working from primary research literature, and will be encouraged to think
both critically and creatively. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of their chosen options, as well
as advanced technical skills at the laboratory bench and in scientific data handling and presentation.

The Principles of clinical anatomy course, delivered at the end of the third year, is designed to teach
students clinically-relevant aspects of anatomy that will be of immediate use in their clinical years.

A typical week
During the First BM, lectures and practicals occupy about half of the time, and the remainder is free
for tutorial work, self-directed study and extracurricular activities. During the BA course, formal
lecturing is kept to a minimum, and students are mostly free to pursue their research and to
prepare for tutorials and seminars. The college tutorial system is a central feature: students see their
tutors and are taught weekly in groups often as small as two. This teaching can be tailored to
individuals’ needs and interests and strong academic support ensures that students manage their
time effectively. Tutorials are usually 2-4 students and a tutor. Classes and seminar are usually made
up of between 10-15 students, while lectures are usually up to 75 students.

In the pre-clinical stage of the course (years 1-3), most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered
by members of academic staff, research staff or NHS clinicians (usually at the level of consultant) and
mostly take place in the Medical Sciences Teaching Centre in the Science Area. Many are world-
leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some tutorial and class teaching
may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctorate level. In the
clinical stage of the course (years 4-6), most teaching is delivered by clinicians from the Oxford
University Hospitals NHS Trust as well as local primary care physicians, and University academic staff.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

Course structure
TERMS 1-3 (FIRST BM PART I)

COURSES

• Organisation of the body

• Physiology and pharmacology

ASSESSMENT
• Biochemistry and medical genetics
Three core computer-based
• Population health: medical sociology
assessments; four written papers;
• Patient and doctor course satisfactory practical record
UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS AND OUTREACH
University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD

TERMS 4-5 (FIRST BM PART II)

Courses

• Applied physiology and

pharmacology

• The nervous system

• Principles of pathology
ASSESSMENT
• Psychology for medicine
Three core computer-based assessments; four written
• Patient and doctor course papers; satisfactory practical record

TERMS 6-9 (FINAL HONOUR SCHOOL IN MEDICAL SCIENCES)

COURSES

• Two options (from a range of ten

including Cardiovascular science,
Pharmacology and signalling,
Immunity and Infection)

• Essay
ASSESSMENT
• Research project
Written papers; submission of extended essay and
• Principles of clinical anatomy
research project write-up; oral presentation of
A full list of course options is available on research project; qualifying exam in Principles of
the Medical Sciences website. clinical anatomy (computer-based assessment)

Progress to clinical training

At the start of the third year students can apply to the Oxford Clinical School to undertake their
clinical training. Oxford students starting this course in 2021 or later will no longer have the option
of transferring to a London Medical School for their clinical training.

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out above.
However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make
changes in course provision, either before or after registration. These may include significant
changes made necessary by a pandemic (including Covid-19), epidemic or local health emergency.
For further information, please see the University's Terms and Conditions. For the latest information
on the University’s Covid-19 response and how it affects students please go to the Oxford University
Covid-19 Response site.
UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS AND OUTREACH
University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD

Fees
These annual fees are for full-time students who begin this undergraduate course here in 2022.

Information about how much fees and other costs may increase is set out in the University’s Terms
and Conditions.

Please note that while the University sets out its annual fees as a single figure, this is a combined
figure for both your University and college fees. More information is provided in your Terms and
Conditions.

Pre-clinical Annual
Fee status Course fees

Home (UK, Republic of Ireland,

Channel Islands & Isle of Man) £9,250

Overseas (including most EU students– see Note below) £48,600

Pre-clinical fees are charged in years 1, 2 and 3.

Fees for the later years have not yet been confirmed but please note that these may be different
from the pre-clinical fees. Clinical fees are charged in years 4 to 6. As a guide, these are the annual
fees for students who will complete the pre-clinical stage of their course and progress to the clinical
years in 2022. Please note that these fees apply to continuing students only.

Note: Following the UK’s departure from the EU, most EU students starting a course in 2022/23 will
pay fees at the ‘Overseas’ rate. Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, EU, other EEA, and Swiss
nationals who have been granted settled or pre-settled status in the UK under the EU settlement
scheme will be eligible for ‘Home fee’ status and student loan support, subject to meeting residency
requirements. We will contact you directly if we need further information from you to determine
your fee status.

Please refer to the Undergraduate fee status and the Oxford and the EU pages for more
information.

Living costs
Living costs for the academic year starting in 2022 are estimated to be between £1,215 and £1,755
for each month you are in Oxford. Our academic year is made up of three eight-week terms, so you
would not usually need to be in Oxford for much more than six months of the year but may wish to
budget over a nine-month period to ensure you also have sufficient funds during the holidays to
meet essential costs.
UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS AND OUTREACH
University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD

Living costs breakdown

Per month Total for 9 months
Lower range Upper range Lower range Upper range

Food £290 £410 £2,610 £3,690

Accommodation (including utilities) £680 £810 £6,120 £7,290

Personal items £135 £260 £1,215 £2,340

Social activities £45 £120 £405 £1,080

Study costs £45 £100 £405 £900

Other £20 £55 £180 £495

Total £1,215 £1,755 £10,935 £15,795

In order to provide these likely living costs, the University and the Oxford University Students’ Union
conducted a living costs survey to complement existing student expenditure data from a variety of
sources including the UK government's Student Income and Expenditure Survey and the National
Union of Students (NUS). The likely lower and upper ranges above are based on a single student with
no dependants living in college accommodation (including utility bills) and are provided for
information only. In addition to reviewing the information above, you should fully consider and
research your personal likely living costs.
When planning your finances for future years of study at Oxford beyond 2022-23, you should allow
for an estimated increase in living expenses of 3% each year.

Additional Fees and Charges Information for Medicine

Pre-clinical Medicine
In the third term of the second year, students who undertake a research project may wish to remain
in Oxford after the end of full term to facilitate completion of their project. (See the likely range
of living costs for an additional month in Oxford.) However, this extended residence in Oxford is not
a requirement and students should be aware that no financial support is available to help with any
additional living costs during this time.

Clinical Medicine
Students in the Clinical School study for extended terms. You will need to budget for higher living
costs in these three years, as you will be required to be in Oxford for longer than the standard
terms. (See the likely range of living costs for an additional month in Oxford.)
UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS AND OUTREACH
University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD

• Year 4 – 40 weeks

• Year 5 – 48 weeks

• Year 6 – 48 weeks, including 10 weeks elective study (see below)

For more information about fees and funding for this course, please see Funding for UK/EU Medical
Students.

Elective study
Each final-year student has a period of 10 weeks for elective study within the overall 48 weeks of the
course. (This is year 6 for A100 students). Your elective study may be conducted in Oxford,
elsewhere in the UK, or anywhere in the world provided the content of the placement is appropriate
experience for medicine. Approval must be granted by the Director of Clinical Studies. A student who
stays in Oxford for their elective would be expected to incur no additional costs apart from their
living costs. Many students opt to travel outside the UK in which case the additional cost is on
average around £3,000, but may be lower or higher depending on location (very occasionally a
student has spent up to £9,000). Students who have not completed the core training in clinical
medicine may be required to follow a prescribed course of study in Oxford for all or part of their 10-
week elective instead of arranging a placement. There are opportunities to apply for additional
financial support which varies depending on the destination proposed. This support is usually around
£300 to £500 towards travel costs.