Student adjusting an IV drip on a manikin, Clinical Skills room D1035, Queen's Medical Centre Medical School, University Park

Medicine BMBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)

Nottingham based campuses, UK

Course overview

Discover the world of Medicine and Surgery with our newly redesigned course that provides the ultimate preparation for your career as a doctor.

Uniquely co-created with input from students, staff and practitioners, our innovative medicine course will help you to make a positive impact in today’s healthcare landscape.

Building on Nottingham’s reputation for training outstanding doctors, it offers excellent foundational learning in a supportive environment to refine your skills and build your confidence.

 

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

The Art of Medicine

Mandatory

Year 1

Reflective Practice

Mandatory

Year 2

The Science of Medicine

Mandatory

Year 2

The Interprofessional Learning Module

Mandatory

Year 3

The Practice of Medicine and Surgery 1

Mandatory

Year 3

Enrichment

Mandatory

Year 3

Research Skills

Mandatory

Year 4

The Practice of Medicine and Surgery 2

Mandatory

Year 4

Student Selected Module

Mandatory

Year 4

Project Student Selected Module

Mandatory

Year 5

The Practice of Medicine and Surgery 3

Mandatory

Year 5

Assistantship

Mandatory

Year 5

Transition to Practice

Information Icon

About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Wednesday 16 April 2025. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

We offer a variety of teaching opportunities which differ as the course progresses, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the topics and competencies required.

These methods typically include a combination of lectures, group-based learning, clinical and communication skills practice, practical and simulation activities. Clinical experience is integrated throughout the programme, with increasing time spent on clinical placement as you progress. You’ll also have regular meetings with your educational supervisor throughout the course.

The majority of your first and second year will be delivered on any University of Nottingham campus based in Nottingham and/or Derby, plus our NHS local education providers across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

From the third year, you’ll spend increasing time in clinical placements in local hospitals, community and primary care settings, while continuing to spend time on any University of Nottingham campus. 

You’ll likely be assessed in practical, oral and written examinations, which may include computer-based assessments and clinical and professional skills assessments to prepare you for the General Medical Council Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) examination at the end of the programme.  

In years one and two, there will be around 14-20 contact hours per week, typically consisting of:

  • 4 hours of lectures
  • 2-4 hours of small group work
  • 7 hours of practical sessions
  • up to 1 hour per month of one-to-one meetings
  • in year two, weekly primary care clinical teaching

Starting from the third year onwards, your academic year will begin in mid-August. You will spend, on average, 36 hours a week on clinical placements, which may include shifts and weekends. Blocks of clinical placements will typically alternate with time spent on campus.

After successfully completing the course, you will graduate with your BMBS degree, which is a primary medical qualification (PMQ). You will then be entitled to a provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).

The GMC have also introduced a Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA), which tests the core knowledge, skills and behaviours of doctors who want to practise in the UK.

You will need to pass the MLA as part of your degree before you are able to join the medical register. The MLA is embedded into the assessments you will take as part of your medicine degree at the University of Nottingham. This means you won’t need to undertake any additional exams after completing the course.

You’ll then need to apply to complete a two-year foundation programme, during which you will be paid a salary. We will help you through this process and provide support as you transition to the UK Foundation Programme.

More information on your post-graduation training is available on the NHS website.

Average starting salary and career progression 

A doctor on the UK Foundation Programme can expect to earn between £36,616 to £42,008 p.a. As you gain experience as a doctor and develop your professional skills, you may progress on to senior clinical posts and earn up to £131,964 p.a. depending on your role and years of service. 

100% of undergraduates from the Medicine programme secured highly skilled employment or further HE study within 15 months of graduating and were earning, on average £36,165 p.a. when surveyed 15 months after graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes survey, 2021-22 cohort. 

Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK).

Career options 

98.5% of 2021-22 cohort graduates are working as generalist medical practitioners on the UK Foundation Programme, with 1.5% working as specialist medical practitioners on the Specialised Foundation Programme. 

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.  

We also work with your academic teams, your Educational Supervisors and on a one-to-one basis with you to ensure that you become effective, reflective practitioners with good self-awareness of your professional skills, behaviours OK- attributes.  In fact, we realise that as a medical student it is not as straightforward as some people would think.

You have a number of key decisions to make along the way and finding the right path requires careful thought and planning, as well as accessing accurate, up-to-date information and advice.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students and in particular our Career Paths in Medicine page for more information.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked 3rd in the UK in The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research).  We also ranked 1st in the Russell Group for graduate employment or further study (LEO Graduate Outcomes data, UK first degree graduates at 3 and 5 years after graduation).

I love studying medicine at Nottingham because of the overwhelmingly friendly atmosphere. Everyone is so keen to support you on your journey to become a doctor. Outside of the fantastic academic course, there are so many extra-curricular opportunities to get involved in, a lot of which are co-ordinated by MedSoc. This is a student-run society that manages over 60 clubs and societies, organises a whole host of events and focuses heavily on welfare. I can’t recommend Nottingham Medical School enough.

Pascal Vogiaridis

current student, former MedSoc President (2020-2021)

Course data

Open Day June 2022
OSZAR »