Your journey starts here
Widening access
Innovative teaching
Details
Progression routes
You'll be enrolled directly onto Stage 1 of the standard BMBS programme without needing to undertake any further assessments. Please note, we are unable to support transfer from our Foundation year to year 1 of other medical schools.
Foundation year
Core modules
FMD001
Molecules to Cells
20 credits
This module introduces key concepts involved in cell regulation including genetic inheritance, metabolism and protein expression. The important role of enzymes in the control of biochemical pathways will be introduced, as will an introduction to cell signalling. Cellular organisation within different tissues will also be outlined, enabling students to recognise links between structure and function. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.
100% Examinations
FMD002
Introduction to Human Physiology
20 credits
This module will provide a foundation of knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Using example systems, it will emphasise relationships between structure and function and examine homeostatic regulation in these systems. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.
50% Examinations
50% Other
FMD004
Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning)
20 credits
This module is designed to enable learners to develop key skills required for working in multidisciplinary teams. Students will be encouraged to work with their colleagues to manage tasks and tailor learning according to their own particular discipline
100% Coursework
MED003
Learning Skills and Professional Development for Medicine
20 credits
This module is designed to enable learners to adapt to the learning environment of higher education by developing an independent, reflective and managed approach to learning, study skills, scientific communication, mathematical skills and aspects of programme specific practice.
100% Coursework
MED004
Active Life Sciences Learning
20 credits
This module is designed to enable learners to adapt to the learning environment of higher education in medicine and related subjects, with the aim to give them critical foundation level knowledge to help them progress through the BMBS programme.
100% Examinations
MED005
Workplace Related Hot Topics in Medicine
20 credits
This module is designed to enable learners to develop an understanding of current issues in the health professions and may be linked with workplace observations.
100% Coursework
Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.
The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:
Experience
Life Sciences Resource Centre
The foundation year provided me with a solid grounding in medical sciences and anatomy, thus easing my transition into the first year, as it built on what I had already learned. This not only boosted my confidence but also reinforced my passion for medicine!
BMBS with Foundation student
Work alongside other healthcare students
Interprofessional learning allows me to consider the strengths and limitations of not just other health professions but my own too. I believe this will have a positive impact on my career as a future doctor, enhancing partnership between professions, future patients and the community.
Interprofessional Learning Ambassador
Learn from experienced and committed teachers
Professor Laura Bowater MBE
Head of Peninsula Medical School
Dr Elizabeth Drake
Director of Clinical Studies & Honorary Associate Professor
Dr Helen Watson
Associate Head of School (Teaching and Learning)
Join our medical society 'Peninsula MedSoc'
“MedSoc is your not-so-academic part of medicine. We have an amazing team and we organise student-led teaching, events and balls throughout the five years of medical school. We also set you up with your MedSoc family, which put together first/foundation years with a second year pair who become your point of contact for questions and support. The society is lots of fun to go and do activities with outside of the curriculum. So please do get involved!”
Current MedSoc president
A day in the life of a medicine student
Watch our BMBS student's video for an idea of a typical day.
Life in Plymouth
I fell in love with Plymouth, with the beaches and the scenery! I love being by the sea and swimming at the Hoe. It's a beautiful part of the world to be in.
Lily Evans
Lecturer in Anatomy
Careers
The BMBS course at University of Plymouth has a strong clinical focus so I felt prepared for work as a foundation doctor. I'm now a foundation year 2 resident doctor at Torbay Hospital, working through rotations of different specialties.
BMBS graduate
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b95% of our BMBS graduates go on to work and/or study
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]90% of our graduates are using what they learnt during their studies in their current work
After graduating, doctors complete two foundation years (F1 and F2) before entering more specialist training programmes. It’s not as though they’re sitting in a classroom for the five years of training beforehand – experiential learning in the clinical environment is a hugely important part of their training – but this report has shown just how important the ‘on the job’ skills are, as well as an awareness of the roles of the wider health and social care staff who are intricately involved with patient care.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
£9,535 per year
£795 per 10 credits
Tuition fee price changes
Fund your studies
Supporting students with the cost of living
Apply
UCAS points
- None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.
- Applicants for this course must not meet the A level and GCSE grade requirements for the five-year BMBS Medicine (A100) course, including the re-sit policy. However, if you meet either the GCSE or A level requirements for A100 but not the other, then you would be considered for the foundation course.
- We will only consider an application from each candidate for either BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation Year (A102) or BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (A100). Offers will not be made for both programmes.
- As part of our commitment to a fair and transparent admissions process, Peninsula Medical School uses the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in order to make informed choices from amongst the many highly qualified applicants who apply for a place on the BMBS with Foundation programme. UCAT test results will be used alongside A levels and GCSEs to select for interview. The Admissions Advisory Panel reserve the right to consider all aspects of the UCAT when shortlisting for interview. The UCAT is valid for 12 months and must be sat in the year of application. The UCAT threshold score applied to determine candidate selection for interview can alter each year and is influenced by overall candidate performance in the UCAT and the number and quality of applications received. Unfortunately, we will not be able to confirm the cut off for the coming academic year until all applications have been received and assessed.
- We are unable to consider any applicants who have already completed a first degree.
- We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2019 would still be valid when applying in September 2024.
- Applicants must meet the GCSE and Level 3 criteria to meet the academic entry requirements.
Entry requirements
GCSE
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Two Science subjects - either GCSE Double Award Science or two from single award Chemistry, Biology, or Physics
A Level
- Grade B in Biology
- Grade B in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
- Your third A level can be from any subject area and does not need to be science based. When shortlisting for interview we do not give preference to those who complete three Science A Levels. General Studies is not accepted
BTEC National Extended Diploma
BTEC National Diploma
- DM in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient Biology and another science
- GCE A Level grade B in Biology
Access to Higher Education Diploma
- 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits, of which 15 level 3 credits must be in Biology or Human Biology
- You must achieve Distinction in 33 level 3 credits, and Merit in the remaining 12 level 3 credits
Irish Leaving Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate
Scottish Advanced Highers
- Grade B in Biology
- Grade B in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
International Baccalaureate
- Higher Level 5 in Biology
- Higher Level 5 in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
Other UK qualifications
Contextual entry requirements
- Being in care or care-experienced
- Being in receipt or eligible for free school meals
- Refugee/asylum seeker status
- Attending a low performing school/college based on 16-18 performance
- In receipt of EMA or 16-19 bursary
- In receipt of UCAT bursary
- Living in an area categorised as being in indices of mass deprivation (IMD) 1-4 or local equivalent
- Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme
- Living in a low participation area as determined by POLAR4 quintile 1 postcode analysis
- Being a south west resident (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset)
- In receipt of service pupil premium
Explanation of above terms
What's a care experienced student?
A care experienced student is someone who has spent any amount of time in local authority care, such as foster care or residential children's homes, but may not meet the definition of a care leaver.
- If you attend a secondary school or college in England, please visit the Compare School and College Performance gov.uk website.
- If you attend a secondary school or college in Wales, please visit My Local School website.
- If you attend a secondary school or college in Northern Ireland, please visit the Schools Plus, Department of Education website.
- If you attend a secondary school or college in Scotland, please visit the School information dashboard, Education Scotland website.
Extended entry requirements
Ready to apply?
A102
P60
6 years
(with placements)
Full-time
Plymouth
Re-sit applicants
- If you are applying with predicted grades, a minimum of BCC must be achieved on first sitting of A level
- Where BCC is not achieved on first sitting, applicants must re-sit the required qualifications and apply once suitable grades have been achieved
- A level or accepted equivalent qualifications must be completed in no more than 3 years of study, unless otherwise advised
- A suitable qualification profile must be achieved on first re-sit attempt
Selection and admissions process
Frequently asked questions
Number of applications for 2024 entry: 510
Number of applicants interviewed: 193
Number of offers made: 82
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day