Newcastle University Medical School adopts an integrated curriculum, which includes early clinical experience to provide a clinical context, in addition to developing core knowledge. Within the first two years, you’ll undertake case-led learning, which further supports the integration of your learning, allowing you to make links with clinical practice through the use of clinical cases.
During the final three years of the programme, you’ll be based within ‘clinical base units’ across the region. Newcastle's 'placement model' means that you'll spend time in 3 geographical areas – one close to campus, one commutable from campus, and one where you may need to live away from the campus – offering a 'wide geographical and demographically diverse' experience within rural and urban settings. You can find out more about Newcastle's 'regional clinical placements' here.
During the programme, you’ll gain clinical experience through the following placements:
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Within Year 3 and Year 4, you’ll undertake two 4-week block student selected components (SSC), allowing you to explore topics of interest. You’ll also undertake an eight-week elective at the end of Year 4, in which you’ll gain experience within a different healthcare system, anywhere in the world.
During your second year, you will also have the opportunity to study at the university’s branch campus in Malaysia for one semester.
As well as the standard five-year MBBS programme, Newcastle also offers an accelerated four-year course, available to graduates from any discipline and those suitably qualified with professional experience within the NHS. You can find more information about the programme here.
Newcastle University Medical School normally uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format for its interview for “Home/EU applicants”. This involves seven different 'stations', each lasting seven minutes, with an extra two-minute ice breaker question as part of the first station.
These seven stations aim to assess you across the following categories:
For 2021 and 2022 entry, Newcastle held virtual panel interviews, rather than in-person MMIs. However, the same competencies were assessed through the panel interviews.
For 2023 entry, they are returning to the in-person MMI format which is detailed above. You can find more information about the MMI on their website.
