Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Life Sciences – Pathway to Medicine
NOTE: University of Aberdeen International Study Centre will be discontinuing its Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Life Sciences – Pathway to Medicine from 2024 and onwards. This means that our last intake for this pathway programme was in September 2023.
The below information is only available for the International Study Centre students who are currently studying on the Pathway to Medicine.
If you require any further information, please speak to your Study Group representative.
Begin your journey to a career in medicine with our Undergraduate Foundation Programme. At the University of Aberdeen, you will study medicine at the thriving Medical School, co-located on one of the largest clinical sites in Europe with superb teaching and extensive research facilities.
Start your career in medicine
Begin building a prosperous career in medicine by gaining academic support and guidance at the University of Aberdeen International Study Centre. Our Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Life Sciences - Pathway to Medicine is a three term programme, designed to prepare you to join the Medical School at this top-ranking UK university and give you the tools to thrive in your degree studies and beyond. Following a highly comprehensive selection process, successful students will be ready to start a five-year medicine degree at the University of Aberdeen. After completing the five-year degree course with the required grades, you will receive the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).
Medicine is a competitive and demanding career field. As such, there are a maximum of twenty places available on the Undergraduate Foundation in Life Sciences - Pathway to Medicine programme at the International Study Centre and only three places on Medicine (MBChB) at the University of Aberdeen dedicated to Pathway to Medicine students - subject to meeting the criteria as outlined below. Other places on the Medicine (MBChB) programme will be available for competition among all international students including those who apply directly to the University.
If you are not made an offer to study on the MBChB following the competitive selection process, you will be able to progress to your second choice degree in the area of Life Sciences (subject to achieving the required grades).
It is important to note that, provided you meet the English language and are on track with your predicted grades/school report to meet the academic entry requirements, offers to study the Pathway to Medicine programme will be made on a first-come-first-served basis.
What will I study?
Gaining a place at Medical School is highly competitive - with this in mind, we will aim to help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in your application and throughout your degree. You will study a combination of insightful modules, centred around building a foundation of relevant academic knowledge and improving your English language abilities, to ensure you are fully prepared to study your degree at the University of Aberdeen.
This module covers:
- an introduction to university-level study in chemistry
- an understanding of the basic terminology and technical language of chemistry
- the basic principles of organic chemistry such as nomenclature, functional groups and stereochemistry
- quantitative calculations involving masses, moles, volumes, stoichiometry, balancing equations and pH calculations
- the rules of chemistry, such as kinetics, the principles of thermodynamics and the ideal gas equation
- the use of lab equipment and the concepts of risk assessments
- numeracy, IT and communication skills
This module covers:
- the beginnings of life and the cell as a functional unit
- cell division and cell death
- inheritance, the brain and the nervous system
- understanding the fundamental role of DNA in cells
- the functions of the major cell organelles and their structural elements
Term 2
This module covers:
- performance and survival integrative physiology
- measuring performance and the survival of the fittest
- diet and health
- environmental conditions and influences of health, gender and age on performance
This module covers:
- an introduction to imaging and investigation in anatomy, pulmonary structure and function, circulation, energy and power, protein fat and carbohydrates
- an investigation into the health benefits of the Scottish diet
- an understanding of the fundamental aspects of medical sciences applied to sport and exercise science
Term 3
This module covers:
- more advanced quantitative calculations involving masses, volumes of solutions, pH, molar quantities and stoichiometry
- counting electrons in multi-atom molecules
- organic reaction mechanisms and organic compounds
- factors that affect organic reaction mechanisms
This module covers:
- asking ‘what is health?’ and ‘what are the determinants of health?’
- the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the UK
- the NHS
- an introduction to clinical skills
- equality and diversity
- infection control
- the development of an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the definitions of health and the factors which influence it
Selection process for the MBChB
Medicine is a popular discipline but also an intensive subject to study, which requires personal dedication and commitment to the career choice. Because of this, only limited places are available on the degree programme, and the University of Aberdeen has a very competitive candidate selection process in place.
In order to be considered for entry to MBChB degree at the University of Aberdeen's Medical School, you will have to complete the following:
- Throughout your pathway programme: achieve the required progression grades (see the table below)
- December: submit your application and personal statement to the Medical School
- March: undertake multiple mini interviews with the Medical School
- July: complete the online University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) – this can be done in your home country
- August: you will be notified directly by the Medical School if you have been successful in your application to the MBChB. Students selected to the MBChB will be contacted to undertake an occupational health assessment and to join Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. You will be responsible for paying this fee.
If you do not gain a place following the selection process, you will be able to progress to a degree in the area of Life Sciences (subject to achieving the required grades).
How will I be supported?
Our main focus is helping you to achieve your full potential, both academically and personally. You will have a Personal Academic Tutor whilst at the International Study Centre, who will have regular one-to-one meetings with you to monitor your progress. This support will be tailored depending on your needs, and will include:
- bespoke modules, designed to introduce you to the UK health system, the NHS and patient care
- help to find resources and materials to prepare you for all application stages
- feedback on your draft application and personal statement before you submit these to the Medical School
- preparation support for your interviews, including mock interviews from both the International Study Centre and the Medical School.
We offer the above because we are fully committed to supporting you in your journey to study at the University of Aberdeen, and hope to see you succeed in your time with us and in your future.
FAQs
In case you have any questions about our Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Life Sciences - Pathway to Medicine, here’s everything you need to know about taking the first steps to starting your medical career with the International Study Centre.
About the programme
Our Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Life Sciences - Pathway to Medicine is a three term preparational course. Following a competitive selection process, successful students will progress to a MBChB degree at the University of Aberdeen's impressive Medical School. The first three years of your degree will be delivered on the Foresterhill Campus, one of the largest healthcare campuses in Europe, where you will benefit from access to world-renowned research facilities as well as several hospitals and general practice facilities. Your final two years will be spent completing clinical attachments across Scotland, which will aim to build your experience in the field and prepare you to achieve your potential in your career.
About the Pathway to Medicine
There are a maximum of twenty places available on the Undergraduate Foundation in Life Sciences - Pathway to Medicine programme at the International Study Centre and only three places on Medicine (MBChB) at the University of Aberdeen dedicated to Pathway to Medicine students - subject to meeting the criteria as outlined below. Other places on the Medicine (MBChB) programme will be available for competition among all international students including those who apply directly to the University.
If you are not made an offer to study on the MBChB following the competitive selection process, you will be able to progress to your second choice degree in the area of Life Sciences (subject to achieving the required grades).
It is important to note that, provided you meet the English language and are on track with your predicted grades/school report to meet the academic entry requirements, offers to study the Pathway to Medicine programme will be made on a first-come-first-served basis.
During your Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Life Sciences - Pathway to Medicine, you will be required to complete an application form, which will include a personal statement and an academic reference from your Personal Academic Tutor. You will also have to undertake multiple mini interviews and the online UCAT.
You will have a Personal Academic Tutor whilst at the International Study Centre, who will have one-to-one meetings with you to monitor your progress. This support will be tailored depending on your needs including:
- bespoke modules, designed to introduce you to the UK health system, the NHS and patient care
- help to find resources and materials to prepare you for all application stages
- feedback on your draft application and personal statement before you submit these to the Medical School
- preparation support for your interviews, including mock interviews from both the International Study Centre and the Medical School.
For entry to MBChB, you must achieve the required grades at the first attempt. If you fail, you can reattempt your exams, but it will prevent you from progressing to Medicine. However, a Life Sciences degree may be available as an alternative option (subject to achieving the required grades).
You will take the online UCAT after completing the Undergraduate Foundation Programme - which is usually in July, with the option to sit the exam in your home country. The International Study Centre will help you to apply and prepare for the exam.
If you are accepted on to the MBChB degree, you will be notified directly by the Medical School in August. You will then be required to undertake an occupational health assessment and to join Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. You will be responsible for paying this fee.
If you are not successful in progressing to the MBChB programme, you can progress to an alternative degree in the area of Life Sciences (subject to achieving the required grades).
We advise you to have an alternative degree option from our Life Sciences pathway. If you are not successful in progressing to the MBChB programme, you can progress to a degree in the area of Life Sciences (subject to achieving the required grades).
Fees
For the latest tuition fee and other costs for studying with us at the University of Aberdeen International Study Centre, please visit our fees page.
Visit the University of Aberdeen's website for information on fees for the MBChB. Please note that the Scottish Government requires all overseas medical students to pay a mandatory £10,000 per academic year levy to cover the additional cost of clinical teaching in NHS Scotland. Should you be successful in meeting all entry requirements for your degree study, you will be required to pay this annually. The University will collect this levy on behalf of the Scottish Government and make the payment to them directly. The tuition fee as advertised therefore is inclusive of the ACT levy.
Your future career
After successfully completing the five-year programme, you will receive the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).
You will be able to practice medicine anywhere that recognises a UK primary medical qualification – this includes the UK, Australia, Sri Lanka, the USA and Canada. You may be required to sit that country’s appropriate medical licensing exam.
Mohamad progressed to his alternative degree in Life Sciences
The degree that I progressed to is Biomedical Sciences and specifically Physiology. So far, it's a very cool subject to study. You get the chance to study anatomy, which is very, very cool. Seeing all of the specimens, understanding how each muscle is different, the bones and the joints, it is fascinating."
Mohamad from Syria
Undergraduate Foundation Programme
BSc Biomedical Sciences – Physiology
