School of MedicineUndergraduateDegree ProgrammesEntry 2019 www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

� Cardiff has a fantastic, moderncourse with excellent facilitiesand patient contact from yourvery first year

� Everything you learn prepares youfor the challenges ahead. We’reparticularly proud of our Case BasedLearning, Spiral Curriculum andHarmonisation Year

� Award-winning teachers deliver highquality teaching in partnership withthe Schools of Biosciences,Psychology and Social Sciences,using state-of-the-art facilities andcutting-edge techniques

� Clinical placements are across Walesin hospitals, community medicalcentres and general practices. You’llget to learn first-hand about medicinein tiny villages, deprived inner citiesand everything in between

� You’ll have plenty of opportunitiesto tailor your course towards yourown interests

� We’ll encourage you to travel abroadas part of your studies (although it’snot compulsory)

� Typical Offer: AAA at A-level

� Frequent Open Days throughoutthe year.

As well as frequent University Open Days,we have Medicine-specific Open Dayswith extensive programmes for bothstudents and parents: meet admissionsstaff, chat to current students and see foryourself what Cardiff has to offer.

A Cardiff University Open Day allows youto take a look at the University (e.g.residences, Students’ Union) as well asthe School of Medicine, while aMedicine-specific Open Day lets you tryout your clinical skills under supervisionand explore our facilities and programmein greater depth.

Keep an eye on www.cardiff.ac.ukfor University Open Day dates and onwww.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine/courses/undergraduate/open-daysfor Medicine-specific Open Days.

Want to know more about being a Cardiff student?Come and take a look . . .

Our Five-year MBBCh Programme

The community spirit in Wales is like no other and you really get afeel for that on placement.Rachel Price, medical student

For more info go to: www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine/courses/undergraduate

Can’t find your answer in this brochure? Email: medadmissions@cardiff.ac.uk

Front Cover Picture - Perseverance (Dr Laura Mills - Cardiff graduate)

The piece is called ‘Perseverance’. It seemed a fitting title since it took a lot of perseverance on my part to complete!

The entire image has been created using thousands of nails and coloured thread. I decided to do a portrait of the human bodyas anatomy is one of the first modules taught in Medicine, and in Cardiff University we are very fortunate to have the opportunityto learn it through dissection.

Keep an eye on:www.cardiff.ac.uk

Welcome

1Welcome

Contents� Cardiff: the University 3

� Cardiff: the City 5

� Cardiff University Schoolof Medicine 6

� The MBBCh Programme 7

� What Will I Learn? 8

� Support Network 9

� Learning and Teaching Methods 10

� Our Facilities 11

� Elective 12

� A Flexible Curriculum 15

� MBBCh Admissions 16

� FAQs 18

� What our students say . . . 19

� Medical Pharmacology 20

� Meet the . . . 21

� Life Outside Medicine 22

� Research 25

� Further Information 25

Important information.Please read carefully.The University offers the informationcontained in this brochure as a guide only.It does not constitute a contract and is notbinding on prospective students, studentsor the University. While the University makesevery effort to check the accuracy of thefactual content at the time of publication,some changes will inevitably occur inthe interval between publication andthe academic year in which you apply.Good degree programmes will change inline with professional body requirementsand student demand, as well as researchdevelopment. You should not thereforerely solely on this brochure and shouldvisit the School of Medicine website(www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine) for up-to-dateinformation concerning course content,accreditation and entry requirements for therelevant academic year when consideringapplying to the University. We are also happyto answer any questions you may ask bypost, telephone or email, or when you cometo Cardiff for an Open Day.

If you are not able to access informationonline please contact us:

Email: enquiry@cardiff.ac.uk

Tel: 029 2087 4455

Your degree: Students admitted to CardiffUniversity study for a Cardiff University degree.

12000MEDIC1017

Welcome to the School of Medicine,Cardiff UniversityOur students tell us that our course deliverswhat you want in a medical school:

� You have early patient contact, workingwith patients from Year 1.

� Experience the challenges and rewards ofpractising medicine in both urban andrural communities. Our un paralleledrange of clinical opportunities andplacements will help you to make the verybest choice when you apply for your firstjob as a junior doctor.

� Up to 15% of your course can be tailoredto your interests.

� Your final (Harmonisation) year preparesyou for a smooth transition to juniordoctor and our graduates report feelingwell-prepared for practice.

Wales provides a rare balance betweenthe fun of vibrant city living and accessible,beautiful countryside. It is a great placeto study and you can live life to the fullwith all that Cardiff University has to offer.

We look forward to meeting with youat one of our Open Days soon.

Dr Stephen RileyDean of Medical Education

Dr Stephen Riley

Admissions EnquiriesSchool of MedicineCardiff UniversityNeuadd MeirionnyddCardiff CF14 4YSUK

Tel: +44 (0)29 2068 8113+44 (0)29 2068 8073

Email: medadmissions@cardiff.ac.uk

2

Cardiff: the University

3

Cardiff University has an international reputation for excellencein teaching and research, built on a history of service andachievement since 1883, and recognised by our membershipof the Russell Group of leading research-led universities.We celebrate our heritage but look to thefuture. Our state-of-the-art facilities include£200 million of investment across theUniversity, including our Cathays ParkCampus, Heath Park campus and MaindyCampus, refurbishment of the libraries andrenovation of the Students’ Union. We havea beautiful central campus, modern facilitiesspread across the city, excellentaccommodation, Wifi enabled libraries andone of the best Students’ Unions in the UK.

Home to over 30,000 students, with morethan 5,000 from outside the EU, we are aninclusive university, with a good record forwidening access, increasing participation andwelcoming applications irrespective ofbackground.

With an impressive array of resources,supportive student environment, tradition ofacademic excellence and extensive selectionof degree programmes, Cardiff is widelyacknowledged as Wales’ foremost university.

Cardiff is a lovely and easy-going city. The School ofMedicine gives all internationalstudents great opportunities.Giuseppe Masciopinto, medical student,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore,Sede di Roma.

Cardiff: the University

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk

4

Cardiff: the City 5

Cardiff: the CityMore online at:

www.cardiff.ac.ukwww.visitcardiff.com

Cardiff is the UK’s most affordablestudent city.

Of the 35 cities surveyed,the average cost of livingwas lowest in Cardiff.

Source:NatWest Student Living Index 2017

Cardiff’s attractive, compact nature allowsstudents, who make up 10% of Cardiff’spopulation, to enjoy unique attractions,fantastic entertainment and quality shopping,all within easy walking distance. As a Cardiffstudent, you have easy access to amazingsports facilities and entertainment to suit alltastes - from international cricket at SophiaGardens and rugby at the Principality Stadium,to Welsh National Opera performances,listening to local bands on St Mary Streetor a night out in the Students’ Union.

Cardiff has the buzz and energy of acapital city and is in a fantastic location.

Cardiff, one of Europe’s youngest capital cities, is vibrant andfriendly, making it an exciting place to live and study.

What I appreciate mostabout Cardiff city, compared toother student cities, is howaffordable it is. Great housing islocated close to the campuses,as well as the centre of the city.Having the opportunity to live instudent-predominant areasmeans that we have theopportunity to eat out in student-priced restaurants and go tobars with fair prices!Berenice Cunningham-Walker,medical student

Walking along the River TaffI often forget I’m in a city.Tom Liddell-Lowe, medical student

“Cardiff is a young, vibrant city. A blend of beautifulold architecture and new, cutting-edge developments.Cosmopolitan with a large student population.”Daily Telegraph Guide to UK Universities

Cardiff is one of the UK’s most successful retail centres

The city centre is known forits nightlife and nothing beatsthe atmosphere when Wales areplaying rugby at home in thePrincipality Stadium. However,within little more than an houryou could be hiking in the BreconBeacons, surfing in the Gower ormeeting friends in other citieslike Bristol or Swansea.Dr Simon Thebault, Cardiff graduate

Cardiff UniversitySchool of Medicine

6 Cardiff University School of Medicine

We are proud of Cardiff’s long tradition of medical education.Since 1893 we have trained the very best doctors and todaywe focus on providing a 21st century education to our students.

We combine progressive healthcareeducation and patient care with world-classresearch and outstanding teaching facilities,in order to help you to become the very bestdoctor you can be.

The Heath Park Campus, located at theUniversity Hospital of Wales, is well-resourcedwith a lot to offer students. You will learn in ourpurpose built teaching facilities and state-of-the-art Clinical Skills and Simulation Centres,study in our well-equipped interprofessionallibrary and socialise at the Student Union Hub(dubbed The IV Lounge by our students).

The course has a largepractical element so you get tolearn the really cool stuff fromthe very beginning. It also allowsyou to perfect your skillsthroughout the course and beconfident on the job once yougraduate as a doctor.Dr Julimar Abreu, Cardiff graduate

The Students’ Union at theHeath Park Campus is here toenhance your life whilst at CardiffUniversity. It is the student voice;we represent you on all mattersfrom academic issues to socialspaces, to sports teams andsocieties. There are specifichealthcare societies and sportsteams for you to join on top of allthe activities and services everystudent is entitled to. We also runspecial events aimed at Heathstudents throughout the yearincluding; Heath Freshers’ events,Medics Varsity against BristolHealthcare students and StudentFamily Days. Your time at Cardiffand at the Heath will stay withyou long after you leave Universityso let’s make it incredible!Kirsty Hepburn – Vice PresidentHeath Park 2017-18,Cardiff University Students’ Union

7The MBBCh Programme

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

The MBBCh Programme

� 5 year undergraduate programmeUCAS A100, requiring the appropriatescience A-levels or equivalent. There areapproximately 250 places for Home andEU students and around 20 forOverseas students.

� 6 year programmeUCAS A104, up to 16 places forapplicants with limited or no sciencebackground, where we’ll bring you up tospeed with a Foundation Year.

� 4 year graduate entry programmeUCAS A101, for up to 10 graduates ofeach of our recognised feeder coursesonly: BSc in Medical Pharmacology;Biomedical Science (Cardiff University)and Medical Sciences (University ofSouth Wales & Bangor University).You can apply to join Year 2 of theA100 programme.

What will I learn?Foundation Programme Year(UCAS A104)In your preliminary year you will study in auniversity environment and you can join inmany of the activities run by medical studentsocieties.

All students will take core chemistry andbiosciences modules and, additionally, anIntroduction to Medical Sciences module tohelp introduce you to the world of medicine.You will also be required to take mathematicsmodules if you do not have this subject atA-level. These modules will ensure that youcan join Year 1 on an equal footing withother medical students. You will also havesome optional choices and you can choosefrom a range of science, language andhumanities modules.

What’s Case BasedLearning (CBL)?The first thing you need to know is thatCBL is a far more structured and supportivelearning style than Problem Based Learning.CBL is designed to give all students equallearning opportunities and the very bestteaching. Everything you learn will be whatwe see as useful and relevant, taught at themost appropriate points in your programme,using the most appropriate facilities.This learning is facilitated best in smallgroup teaching.

You’ll be presented with a case, aroundwhich your teaching for the following weekor so will be based. For example, let’s saythe case involved a patient with a sportinginjury to his knee: in lectures you will learnabout the mechanisms of inflammationand anti-inflammatory medications; in theanatomy centre you’ll be examining therelevant area; on placement you may be ina physiotherapy clinic dealing with sportinginjuries, and in the clinical skills labs you’lllearn how to examine a knee.

What’s a spiralcurriculum?We have a spiral curriculum, which meanseach year you will revisit common clinicalproblems and build on what you havelearned already. This means that the newinformation is easier to remember and toapply in a clinical context when you seepatients.

What programmes are there to study Medicine?

What Will I Learn on the5 Year MBBCh Curriculum?

8 What Will I Learn?

PHASE 1: Core Science and Clinical Practice - Years 1 & 2

What is it all about?In Years 1 & 2 you will learn basic andclinical science via the theme of ‘theChronological Life Course.’ You will explorethe normal workings of the human bodyand start to recognise disease, combiningwhat you learn in our in-depth basicscience teaching sessions with what yousee on clinical placements. You will usecases discussed in small groups (‘CaseBased Learning’ – see Page 7) to studycommon clinical conditions that affectpatients of different ages.

What will I do?� Basic clinical sciences, such asanatomy, biochemistry, physiology andimmunology are taught in a range offormats including workshops, lectures,practicals and cadaveric dissection.

� Communication skills, learning how totake focused histories and explaindiseases and treatment

� Clinical skills, learning a range ofphysical examinations, basic lifesupport and practical skills

� Behavioural and social sciences, such aspsychology and sociology, are integratedinto teaching throughout the programme

� Professionalism and PersonalDevelopment workshops - doctors haveimportant roles as leaders andrespected members of society, and wehelp you to learn about professionalismin practice and develop as an individual.

Where will I be learning?� You will study in the most appropriatefacility for the type of learning required,meaning that your time will be splitbetween the Clinical Heath Park Campusand the Science laboratories in Cathays

� You will also have regular NHSplacements. These clinical experiencedays will allow you to see patients withconditions that you are exploring in yourCase Based Learning groups, as well asmeeting staff in a multidisciplinaryenvironment.

PHASE 2: Learning to Care - Years 3 & 4

What is it all about?This part of your course concentrates onpatient experiences of illness andhealthcare. It is designed to give you anexcellent learning experience in clinicalsettings, to make you the best doctor youcan be.

What will I do?� You will learn the fundamentals ofexcellent clinical care, such as clinicalassessment, diagnosis, managementand treatment of common diseases

� Year 3 focuses on common diseases inacute and chronic settings

� Year 4’s emphasis is on specialties andyou will spend time with a range ofspecialists such as obstetricians,paediatricians, geriatricians andpsychiatrists

� You will have teaching blocks at thestart and finish of each clinicalplacement, where the fundamentals ofgood medical practice are covered,as well as the pathology, therapeutics,social sciences and ethics relevant toyour placement

� As part of your Student Selectedoptions programme, you will also beable to pursue a non-core topic thatinterests you in greater detail.

Where will I be learning?� Most of your time will be spent on NHSand GP clinical placements across Wales

� You will be in hospitals, GP practicesand community clinics

� Your teaching block weeks are inUniversity, preparing you for your clinicalplacement at the start and consolidatingyour learning at the end

� Through the Erasmus scheme, someYear 4 students spend time on clinicalplacement at one of our partnerinstitutions in Europe.

Being on ‘away’ placementsmeans you make friends youotherwise might not have comeinto contact with, so by the endof the course everyone knowseveryone, which makes it a reallyfriendly environment to be in.Dr Zoe Candlish, Cardiff graduate

Case Based Learning, withits clinical placements, reallyprepares you for the daily realityof life on the wards.Sarah Morgan, medical student

Support

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

9

HARMONISATION: Preparing for Practice - Year 5

What is it all about?Your final year as a Cardiff Universitymedical student is designed to help you tomake a smooth transition into your role asa Foundation Doctor. Harmonisation hasfour 7-8 week clinical placementsseparated by three shorter study blocks, alldesigned to build your confidence, to allowyou to practise clinical and prescribing skillsand to enhance your ability to work as partof a team. During this time you will use theUndergraduate Foundation (UMeP)ePortfolio to record your learning.

As the year progresses you will learnto assume increasing responsibility forpatient care.

What will I do?� Preparing for Practice addresses thosepractical aspects of medicine that arenecessary to become a great doctor, e.g.communication, medical documentationand emergency patient management

You will also undertake the following:

� Junior Student Assistantship(clinical placement with a Consultant)

� Changing Practice (study block)

� Primary Care Attachment(clinical placement with a GP)

� Your elective lets you experiencemedicine in different cultural situationsaround the world

� In your Science and Practice moduleyou'll revisit some of the basic sciencethat underpins clinical medicine. You willexplore the uncertainties of medicine,learn how to deal with stress and learnmore about what being a FoundationDoctor involves

� Your Senior Student Assistantshipplacement has you shadowing theFY1 whose shoes you will fill aftergraduation, if you choose to stay inWales for your first job. This helps youbecome comfortable with the peopleand environment before you even startyour first day as a Foundation Doctorhere in Wales. This will help make thatdaunting transition from student todoctor both safer and more enjoyable.

Where will I be learning?� Your Junior Student Assistantship andPrimary Care Attachment placementsare in Wales

� Your elective can be in the UK or abroad- it is your choice

� Your Senior Student Assistantshipplacement will usually be in the hospitalwhere you will start your career as adoctor. If this is outside Wales we will fityou in to a suitable placement in Walesand encourage you to spend timeshadowing the outgoing FY1 over thesummer

� Your study blocks will be at the HeathPark Campus.

The Senior StudentAssistantship alleviated many ofthe anxieties and fears that a newgraduate faces. It isn’t always ourmedical knowledge but ratherward ‘know-how’ that matters.Dr Yousef Ibrahim, Cardiff graduate

I am having a great time asan F1. It’s very busy but I amenjoying doing what I alwayswanted to do.Mustafa Abdimalik, Cardiff graduate

Medic Support kept everythingconfidential and they tailored thesupport to suit my needs.Jamie Plumb, medical student

Support NetworkMedicine can sometimes be demandingphysically, mentally and emotionally andwe want to be there to help you throughthese moments. We will support youboth academically and pastorallythroughout your training at Cardiff.

As a medical student you will not only haveaccess to the University Student SupportCentre but there is also specific support

available through the School of Medicine.You will be allocated a personal tutor whowill be a great source of knowledge andsupport to help you with your learning.They will meet you regularly and be able tosignpost you to specific support if you shouldneed it. Support for more personal issues isprovided through our medic support service.

This provides support for those with personaland health concerns and links with the widerUniversity support services. We also ensure

you are well looked after when you are awayon placement, with support staff based ateach district general hospital in Wales. Wetry to ensure you have access to support andadvice whenever you feel you might need it.

Placement locations across Wales:Red – Hospital HubsGreen – General Practices

10 Learning and Teaching Methods

Cardiff students are encouraged to interact, participate, askquestions and reflect, because we believe that doctors whoare inquisitive and curious problem-solvers give their patientsthe highest standard of care.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Our Case Based Learning approach keeps thepatient at the centre of your studies. Throughsmall group learning, co-ordinated lectures,clinical placements, clinical skills training andself-directed study we combine a variety ofdisciplines in order to integrate science,social science and clinical practice. Our focusis on you and your learning: we will supportyou as you take increasing responsibility foryour own learning and encourage you as youuse your own initiative to seize opportunitiesand experiences that will be available to youas a student and, later, as a doctor.

Communication skills are at the heart of goodmedical practice and are one of the firstthings patients notice. Our highly-ratedworkshops will help you to gather information,explain diseases and treatments, providesupport when patients are distressed and dealwith more complex skills like breaking badnews. You will attend workshops throughoutthe course, consulting with actors trained tobehave as patients, receiving feedback andsometimes being filmed in order to reviewyour own performance. We are encouragingpatients to be your teachers too.

PAL (Peer-Assisted Learning) is a highlysuccessful initiative which trains Year 5medical students to peer-tutor junior years inclinical procedural skills. The PAL Schemehas been a great success, helping seniors togain experience in the teaching environment,while juniors develop their skills andknowledge from more experienced colleagueswho still recall what it feels like to be tacklingnew skills.

Where will I go andwhat will I do?Wales offers you a breathtaking variety ofclinical experiences that adds value to yourmedical career. You’ll be on clinicalplacement in hospitals, GP practices andcommunity clinics from your first year,gradually going further afield for longerplacements, with increasing responsibility aspart of a medical team. By your final year youwill be spending more time with your patientsthan your books and will have experienced,first-hand, what it means to provide medicalcare across the spectrum - from GP practicesin farming communities or small hospitals inpopular seaside resorts and post-industrialtowns, through to tertiary specialties in large,urban teaching hospitals.

The School of Medicine is continually lookingto enhance the student experience. SomeYear 3 students will have the opportunity tospend a whole year embedded in a morerural community in Aberystwyth or Bangor.This will facilitate learning within a clinicalteam fully supported by Cardiff Universityand a local clinical educational supervisor.In addition we will be looking to place somestudents for a whole year in North Wales inYear 3, 4, or 5. Students studying within theBetsi Cadwaladr University Health Board inNorth Wales consistently report an excellentstudent experience and this programme willseek to build on this.

How will I be assessed?Assessments at Cardiff are designed to befair and to support you as you learn. We'llassess you at the most appropriate time, inthe most relevant place, using actual clinicalexamples. Our ‘single best answer’ multiplechoice-style question papers will test yourknowledge and our Integrated StructuredClinical Examinations (ISCEs) will test yourclinical skills, using real patients with realphysical signs, as well as role players toassess your ability to communicate withpatients.

Throughout your course we will award prizesfor the best academic performance and,at the end, you will be awarded the finaldegree of MBBCh (with Honours orCommendation for high achievers).

Rural Health DayRural Health Day gives all Year 2 studentsthe opportunity to experience the excitementand unique challenges rural practitionersface on a daily basis. The Welsh AmbulanceService simulates a serious road trafficaccident in an isolated area, providingstudents with valuable experience in thechallenges emergency services face in ruralcommunities. A variety of clinical andcommunication skills are practised duringthe stimulating day. This taster provides arewarding glimpse into yet another optionavailable for you in clinical practice.

11Our Facilities

Our Facilities

Full of specialist equipment and models,the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centreprovides a safe facility for you to learnclinical skills and gain valuable experience.

Our teaching centres on mastering the 32 keypractical skills set out by the GMC and a rangeof physical examination skills so that you areready for that first day as a junior doctor.

� We have a variety of versatile teachingrooms, with audiovisual and computerisedfacilities that allow us to deliver everythingfrom communication skills to basic lifesupport, using realistic, anatomically-correct models to enable you to learnand practise a wide range of proceduralclinical skills

� Our staff have developed e-learningmodules to provide you with helpfultheoretical knowledge prior to a clinicalskills session

� After timetabled sessions are over, youcan practise the skills in our fully-equippedSelf Directed Learning area, gainingexperience and confidence in your abilitiesin a safe, protected environment.

� Most Wednesdays, during term time, oneof the Clinical Skills Teaching team isavailable in the Self Directed LearningRoom. They are there to assist you withthe procedural skills that can take a littlebit longer to master.

Assessing an acutely unwell patient,monitoring vital signs, making andimplementing management decisions; this isall part of life as a junior doctor. TheSimulation Centre provides a safe, supportedenvironment to enact out clinical scenarios.The hospital sites throughout Wales also havesimulation facilities which enables simulationteaching to occur wherever you are based foryour final year clinical placements. We wantyou to feel prepared for your first day as ajunior doctor and to know how to safely andcalmly handle situations that arise.

Our facility has four simulation rooms andfour teaching rooms. Simulation roomscontain adult patient manikins in what looks,and feels, like a real clinical setting.

Strategically-placed cameras allow live playand video playback, enabling you and yourpeers to learn as both participants andobservers. Peer learning in small groupteaching is a key aspect of teaching at theCentre. Participants and observers will cometogether at the end of a scenario and a Tutorfacilitates a debriefing session. We apply astructured approach which highlights eachperformer’s good clinical practice. We taketime to discuss how individuals can improvetheir performance next time and potentialalternative approaches, all of which will helpyou to be a better doctor.

Simulation Centre

BiosciencesThe School of Biosciences, close to theStudents’ Union and the city centre, providesa welcoming environment for students. Insidethe modern building, with its distinctivecoloured hexagonal glass-front, there hasbeen a large investment into therefurbishment of facilities. This refurbishmentincludes numerous teaching areas, as well asphysiology and AV equipment. There is alsoample study space and a café.

Anatomy CentreAsk around and you'll discover that anatomyis a widely popular subject amongst ourstudents, often one of the highlights of theirmedical school career. As a Cardiff student,you will be studying anatomy in ourimpressive Cathays Campus Anatomy Centre,laying the foundation for an exciting andsuccessful future in Medicine.

Anatomy is a key part of our Phase 1 medicalcurriculum and we specialise in small groupteaching led by clinical anatomists,academics and clinical demonstrators fromthe School of Biosciences. Our range ofteaching methods, including dissection,prosection, body painting, e-learning andvideo tutorials are designed to ensure thatyour anatomy learning complements eachcase or system as you explore it in yourlectures, tutorials and placements.

Clinical Skills Centre

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

Elective

12 Elective

The final year elective is often a highlight of a medicalstudent’s time at university. You design an experience thatfocuses on a topic area that interests you at a locationalmost anywhere from Australia to Vietnam. We have linkswith universities in Asia that can help to ensure a uniqueexperience. You will fund your own trip but we have staff tohelp, well-organised programmes and financial bursaries.

One of the first comments I was greeted with at the Juba Teaching Hospital,

South Sudan.

My shake of the head was greeted with enthusiastic nods. “Ok no problem.

I show you this one and you do the next one.” Fortunately the next one didn’t

arrive until I had departed the surgery team.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of an elective in the world’s newest country,

only recently torn apart by years of famine and war. Needless to say, conditions

were challenging and I was forced to use all the skills and knowledge acquired at

Cardiff in managing a wide variety of patients.

My time at Juba was enjoyable, interesting and demanding. I have had a unique

insight into healthcare in a post-conflict nation and the experience I have gained

I’m sure will be invaluable for my working life in the UK.

“Can you do an appendix?”

Dr Richard Thomas, Cardiff graduate

13Elective

Cardiff has an excellent partnership elective programme with the Chinese

University of Hong Kong, I have relatives there so I could save on food

and accommodation and on top of all this the University offered me a

bursary to go.

What did you learn about China’s healthcare system? Patients have to

pay for their healthcare and the system is split between government and

private healthcare. The patients “doctor shop” which causes

inconsistency in their care. It really made me appreciate how fortunate

we are to have the NHS.

Placement was great, and I didn’t struggle as the staff were very friendly

and willing to translate. This meant I got stuck into life as a student

doctor there and didn’t get left standing in the background twiddling my

thumbs. No elective is complete without experiencing the culture; Hong

Kong is a vibrant city packed full of Chinese culture, from visiting temples

to attending the Bun Fight Festival, sightseeing and sampling local foods,

I had the opportunity to experience it all. I worked hard and played hard!

Why did I go on elective in China ?

Dr Jess Law, Cardiff graduate

. . . and always wanted to visit Australia so an elective in Sydney was ideal for me.My experience in the Children's Hospital gave me the opportunity to become moreconfident in dealing with common paediatric presentations. This helped prepare mefor my F1 rotation in paediatrics and also reaffirmed my belief that I would find acareer in paediatrics fulfilling. Being in Australia also meant I was lucky enough tohave amazing adventures such as climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge and skydiving inCairns. Overall, it was a fantastic experience.

I was always interested in paediatrics . . .

Dr Rachel Debono, Cardiff graduate

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

14

15

A Flexible CurriculumExpand your career prospects and explore an area thatintrigues you . . . .

Intercalated degrees� Spend a year on an academic coursebefore returning to Medicine

� Study something a bit different in amedically-related field you enjoy

� Expand your career prospects throughadditional qualifications

� Choose from a selection of degrees

� Approximately 100 students a yearintercalate between Years 3 and 4, or 4and 5, subject to academic performance

� Wide range of BScs offered withinCardiff University (Pharmacology/Emergency, Pre-hospital andImmediate Care/Psychology/Medical Education and many more)

� Option to transfer to other universitiesin the UK to undertake an intercalateddegree

� Opportunity to research a subject indepth and develop the intellectual andpractical tools that every successfulresearcher needs

� Enhances skills in evidence-basedpractice.

To find out more about eligibilityand what you can do, please contact:IntercalatedBSc@cardiff.ac.uk

ErasmusThe Socrates Erasmus programme was setup to encourage students to learn in differentcountries and enjoy different cultures andlanguages. We currently have Erasmusagreements with medical schools acrossEurope, meaning that you can choose toundertake a placement as part of your corestudies and immerse yourself in the hostcountry’s culture at the same time. We hopeto be able to continue with the Erasmusagreements after Brexit.

If you participate in the Erasmus+Programme you may be eligible to receivean Erasmus grant to help offset the costs ofstudying abroad. Language doesn’t have tobe a barrier as we organise intensive coursesand language advisors who can help youlearn or improve upon existing languages.

The Global Opportunity Centre providesopportunities for you to study, work andvolunteer abroad. These short-termplacements last a minimum of four weeksand take place in a variety of locations aroundthe world. Bursaries are provided to studentsto help cover the costs of going abroad.

Student SelectedComponents (SSCs)SSCs account for approximately 15% ofthe medical curriculum and offer a rangeof project opportunities that enable you toexplore an area of medicine in depth.We offer SSCs across all five years of MBBChand there are a range of projects, from clinicalresearch through to basic science plusconnections between the arts and health.You will have an opportunity to choose fromtutor-proposed SSCs or design your ownbespoke project – this is your chance to beextra creative and focused in your ownstudies, tailoring your degree to your ownparticular interests and career aspirations.

Intercalating in Physiologywas great fun and I loved theextra challenge.David Goulding, medical student

As well as a fantastic learningopportunity and experience towork with talented individuals, Iwas able to present my project atseveral conferences and submit itinto competitions. Cumulatively,widening access to opportunitiesand giving me a better insightinto Gynaecology as a career.Dr Catherine Morgan, Cardiff graduate

The opportunity to experiencemedical training and practice inFrance will undoubtedly be one ofthe highlights of my time inCardiff. Exposure to the varyingpractices and approaches seenacross countries is essential inour ever-shrinking world and ishugely valuable in informing andimproving our practice with ourown patients at home. All thisgoes without mentioning thevaried and multiple opportunitiesto enjoy the culture, languageand cheap Muscadet!Vive la France!Rhiannon Watson,medical student, Nantes

My 3 months in Lisbon wasan unforgettable time. We got afascinating slice into being amedical student in Portugal.You get to see a whole lot more,although it is not as hands-on.Not only do you get to stretchyour language skills (someknowledge of Portuguese oradvanced Spanish is a must),but also exercise your taste budsand enjoy many day trips to thehot beach. If you get the chanceto partake in this experience,take it! Até já!Thomas Gupta Jessop,medical student, Lisbon

Gyda phwyslais cynnar arbrofiadau clinigol mae C21 yngosod cleifion yn ganolog i’nhaddysg Feddygol.With an early emphasis onclinical experiences, C21 placesthe patient at the centre of ourmedical education.Gwenllian Rhys, medical student

A Flexible Curriculum

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

16

MBBCh Admissions

MBBCh Admissions

UCAS Codes

MBBCh Medicine(5 year programme) A100

MBBCh Medicine(with a preliminary year) A104

MBBCh Medicine(Four year Graduate EntryScheme via feeder streams) A101

Applications

To be considered for entry onto one of ourdegree programmes you should apply onlinevia the UCAS website using the ‘UCAS Apply’facility. To use this facility you need to log onto www.ucas.ac.uk/apply.

The website will provide you with informationon how to apply and explains the UCASprocedure.

The closing date for all applications each yearis 15th October.

The aim of our selection process is to identifystudents who are best suited to follow ourmedical programme successfully and whohave the greatest potential to embark on aproductive career in the medical profession.We will assess you in two broad areas:academic ability and potential; and personalqualities appropriate for a career in medicine.

The School of Medicine is committed toensuring that the selection process is open,equitable and applied fairly to all applicants.We have a detailed Admissions Policy whichcan be viewed on our websitewww.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine/courses/undergraduate.

Academic EntryRequirementsTo establish your potential to cope withthe academic demands of our programme,the initial assessment consists of scoringperformance in a range of subjects.

The minimum requirements at GCSE areEnglish Language B, Mathematics B,either Double Award Science AA or AAB inChemistry, Physics and Biology in any order.You will be ordered according to youracademic qualifications, which means thatnot all who meet the minimum entry criteriawill be selected for interview.

The first action the School of Medicine willtake on receipt of an application is to scorethe top 9 GCSEs. These 9 must includeEnglish Language (and/or Welsh Language),the Sciences and Mathematics. We award 3points for an A* (9), 2 points for an A (8 and7) and 1 point for a B (6). We do not awardpoints for short courses. Applications will beordered according to their score and a cut-offpoint is decided. The cut-off score canchange from year to year as it depends onthe overall standard of applications we get inany one year. Over the last 5 years the cut-offscore has ranged between 22 to 26 points(including applicants who are identifiedthrough our contextual admissions model).

Applicants who have completed A-levelqualifications that fulfil or exceed our typicalA-level offer (AAA) will therefore be consideredwith lower GCSE scores. We score achievedA-levels (3 points for A* and 2 points for A).

Please check our website for the mostup-to-date information.

We will only consider Certified GCSE resitresults if completed within twelve monthsof the first sitting.

The typical A-level offer for the A100 courseis AAA grades at A2 level which shouldinclude Chemistry and Biology. We alsoaccept the Welsh Baccalaureate qualificationin lieu of a third A-level. General Studies,Critical Thinking and Further Mathematicsare not acceptable at A2 level. If yourqualifications do not include both Chemistryand Biology you may apply for the A104course. The requirements for A104 are AAAin three subjects at A-level.

There is a specific four year programme(A101) for applicants who are currentlyenrolled on to an official Feeder Streamcourse within one of the followingprogrammes: BMed Sci Degree from theUniversity of Bangor (B100); BSc (Hons)Medical Sciences Degree from the Universityof South Wales (B901); BSc (Hons) MedicalPharmacology Degree from School ofMedicine, Cardiff University (B210); or BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences Degree fromSchool of Biosciences, Cardiff University(BC97). If you are applying from these routesyou will need to have achieved a minimum ofgrade ‘B’ in GCSE Mathematics and EnglishLanguage, BBB at A-level and achieve a firstor upper second class honours degree.

If you are applying for the A100 programmewith a degree you will need to haveappropriate science qualifications at A-levelor above. Grades BBB at A-level will beaccepted and an offer will be conditional onachieving at least a first or upper secondclass honours degree.

17

International BaccalaureateYou will be expected to achieve 36 points(excluding Theory of Knowledge and theExtended Essay). A minimum of 19 pointsmust be achieved in the Higher Level subjectsmade up of a score of 7, 6, 6 points. Twosciences (from Chemistry, Biology, Physics andeither Mathematics or Statistics, but notMathematical Studies) must be offered atHigher Level with the score of 6 points beingachieved in either Chemistry or Biology.Chemistry or Biology must be offered atStandard Level with a score of 7 points, if notat Higher Level. Physics must be offered atGCSE level if not at Higher or Subsidiary Level.

OtherApplications from those offering alternativeequivalent/overseas qualifications arewelcome. Information regarding suchrequirements can be found on our websitewww.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applying/admissions-criteria/medicine

Applications Information

The number of applications per place isnormally around 10:1

UK Clinical Aptitude Test(UKCAT)You will be required to sit the UK ClinicalAptitude Test (UKCAT) from July to October inthe same year as application unless you havecompleted or are committed to a degree.Some countries are exempt and you shouldspeak to UKCAT regarding this. Find out moreabout the UKCAT by visiting the websitewww.ukcat.ac.uk.

We do not have a minimum threshold scorefor the UKCAT, however the score may beused as part of the assessment process.

Graduate AustralianMedical School AdmissionsTest (GAMSAT)If you have completed or are committed toa degree you must sit the GraduateAustralian Medical School Admissions Test(GAMSAT) for applications to A100 and A101and your score must be available prior to anoffer of interview. Your GAMSAT score willcontribute to the decision to shortlist forinterview. Graduate applicants for A104must offer the UKCAT.

Non-Academic EntryRequirementsIf you are successful at the first scoring stageyour personal statement and reference willthen be assessed. The following attributesshould be demonstrated:

� Insight into a career in Medicine� Evidence of experience and reflectionin a caring environment

� Evidence and reflection of personalresponsibility

� Evidence of a balanced approach to life� Evidence of self-directed learning.

InterviewsIf you are successful in both academic andnon-academic assessment then you will beinvited to attend a multiple mini interview.This will involve rotating around approximately10 stations in turn where each station willlast 6 minutes. The interviews focus onexploring the personal qualities and attributesimportant in developing good doctors.The interviews will take place over a threeweek period during December/January.No offers are made without interview.If invited to interview, Welsh-speakingapplicants can request a bilingual interview.

Additional requirementsIf you are successful in receiving an offeryou will be required to complete a healthquestionnaire and complete the Disclosureand Barring Service process at the‘enhanced’ level.

Use of Contextual DataCardiff University School of Medicine iscommitted to widening access andwelcomes applications from students ofall backgrounds. The academic andnon-academic attainment of an applicantwill be reviewed against national educationalperformance data and socio-economicbackground, to provide admissions tutors witha more complete overview of an applicant’sattainment and potential. The School mayinclude Welsh Culture, Society and WelshLanguage qualifications as part of theassessment criteria. The School will considerthis information when deciding whether tocall a candidate for interview. It will not usethis information to make lower or differentialoffers to any particular group of students.For further information about contextual dataand its use please visit the web pages:www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applying/contextual-data

The School of Medicine welcomesapplications from the Step Up to Universityscheme. Applicants are required to let thescheme co-ordinators know that they will beapplying to study Medicine. They must meetthe minimum entry requirements to receivea guaranteed interview. These requirementsare listed on our website:www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applying/admissions-criteria

Applicants on the Step Up scheme will notbe made lower or differential offers.

Admissions ContactsFor information on applying please contacta member of the Admissions Team:

Tel: 029 2068 8113Email: medadmissions@cardiff.ac.ukwww.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

Cardiff will always be in myheart. It's the school that openedits doors for me and I am proudto be an alumnus of thisprestigious School.Dr Agamemnon Pericleous,Cardiff graduate

University faculty and staffare dynamic, engaging andenthusiastic about theireducational and pastoral roles.Dr Ronak Ved, Cardiff graduate

MBBCh Admissions

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

Nowhere else do you get tosee such a vast range of placesand people.Niko Ciecierski-Holmes, medical student

18

FAQs

Do you accept resits?

For Medical Pharmacology, Yes.

For Medicine, we will consider CertifiedGCSE resit results but only if they arecompleted within 12 months of the firstsitting. Resits for those whose A-levelshave been completed, and the gradesawarded, will only be considered inexceptional circumstances. All extenuatingcircumstances are viewed on a case bycase basis by the Admissions Group.

Does Cardiff University School ofMedicine accept applications fordeferred entry?

Yes, and please make this clear on yourapplication form when you submit it.We cannot guarantee to accept later decisionsto defer once an offer has been made.

What does Cardiff University Schoolof Medicine think of a gap year?

We welcome a constructive gap year as itgives you an opportunity to travel, gain workexperience or carry out charity work etc.We recognise that a gap year can broadenyour skills and experience. A gap year is notcompulsory.

I can’t find the answers to my questionsin this brochure where should I look now?

Our Admissions Policy is a good place to startas it is much more detailed than thisbrochure in relation to the policies andprocedures around applying. The AdmissionsPolicy can be found easily on our website:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine/courses/undergraduate

Does Cardiff accept transfers onto thecourse?

Transfers may be considered for MedicalPharmacology. Please contact the AdmissionsTutor, Dr Derek Lang (LangD@cardiff.ac.uk)for advice.

Transfers from outside of the UK will not beconsidered. Transfers within the UK will beconsidered on a case by case basis.

What is the minimum score required inan IELTS exam?

All medical programmes require an averagescore of 7.0 or above (with a minimum of7.0 in speaking, 6.5 in listening, 6.5 inreading and 6.5 in writing).

I applied to Cardiff for Medicine last yearand didn’t get in. Can I reapply this time?

Yes, you can reapply as long as you meetour minimum entry requirements for theyear you are applying. You will need acurrent UKCAT/GAMSAT score. Your previousapplication will not influence our decisionon your current application.

Please see the Admissions Policyon our website for more details.www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine/courses/undergraduate

I have always felt welcome among staff, who value me for who I am.I cannot recommend Cardiff highly enough.Dr Helen Iliff, Cardiff graduate

Information for applicantsAt the end of the undergraduate courseyou will receive your MBBCh (or equivalent)degree, which is a primary medicalqualification (PMQ). Holding a PMQ entitlesyou to provisional registration with theGeneral Medical Council, subject only toits acceptance that there are no Fitness toPractise concerns that need consideration.Provisional registration is time limited toa maximum of three years and 30 days(1125 days in total). After this timeperiod your provisional registration willnormally expire.

Provisionally registered doctors can onlypractise in approved Foundation Year 1posts: the law does not allow provisionallyregistered doctors to undertake any othertype of work. To obtain a Foundation Year 1post you will need to apply during the finalyear of your undergraduate course throughthe UK Foundation Programme Officeselection scheme, which allocates theseposts to graduates on a competitive basis.So far, all suitably qualified UK graduateshave found a place on the Foundation Year1 programme, but this cannot beguaranteed, for instance if there were tobe an increased number of competitiveapplications from non-UK graduates.

Successful completion of the FoundationYear 1 programme is normally achievedwithin 12 months and is marked by theaward of a Certificate of Experience. You willthen be eligible to apply for full registrationwith the General Medical Council.

You need full registration with a licence topractise for unsupervised medical practice inthe NHS or private practice in the UK.

Although this information is currentlycorrect, students need to be aware thatregulations in this area may change fromtime to time.There is some discussion about whether toremove provisional registration for newlyqualified doctors. If this happens then UKgraduates will receive full registration assoon as they have successfully completedan MBBCh (or equivalent) degree. It shouldbe noted that it is very likely that UKgraduates will still need to apply for atraining programme similar to the currentFoundation Programme and that places onthis programme may not be guaranteed forevery UK graduate.

In addition, the GMC is currently consideringwhether to introduce a formal assessmentthat all doctors would need to pass in orderto be granted full registration. Although nofirm decision has been taken as to whetheror when such an exam will be introduced,applicants should be aware that the GMCenvisages that future cohorts of medicalstudents will need to pass parts of a newUK Medical Licensing Assessment beforethe GMC will grant them Registration witha Licence to Practise.

19What our students say . . .

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

What our students say . . .

Rucira OoiYear 4 medical studentWhat do you think of C21?I’m really glad I came here. C21 has aholistic, practical approach, with CBLcovering the anatomy, physiology,pharmacology, plan of management,sociology and treatment of your patient. We also had early clinicalexposure right from 1st Year, with ample time to practise, so wearen’t thrown into the deep end in our later years.

Do you have any advice for future medical students?Be bold and confident. With the medical school’s outstandingsupport, approachable staff and endless opportunities, I canassure you that you have all you need to achieve your greatestpotential. When I started I would blend into the background, but inmy 3rd year alone, I completed a closed-loop audit and threeaudits, presented at four conferences and spearheaded theSurgical Society’s Biennial Undergraduate Surgical ExchangeConference, with the help of my committee members. I was also apart of MedDay 2016/17, fundraising for Bobath, a charity aidingchildren with cerebral palsy.

What’s the best thing about living here?Welsh culture is so welcoming - people here are friendly andalways smiling. Cardiff is one of the more student-friendly citiesand good accommodation can be under £300 a month.

Thomas GrotherIntercalatingWhy Intercalate?Cardiff provide a number of Intercalationoptions for third and fourth year students, itgives you the opportunity to study a topicyou find interesting, in greater depth. Iapplied for the Medical Education course because the moduleswere applicable to my future ambitions. I was successful in myapplication, and I am excited to start in the autumn.

What do you think of CBL?I find CBL to be a perfect mix of PBL and traditional learning. Eachfortnight a case group of roughly 12 discuss a ‘patient’ andexplore topics around the case. A case facilitator supports thegroup and helps keep you on track to ensure you achieve alllearning outcomes within the fortnight. These fortnight blocks alsoinclude plenaries, anatomy centre sessions and placements. Manygroups rename CBL to ‘Cake’ based learning, as they have a rotafor someone to bring in cake each session.

What are the benefits to having a Cardiff MedSoc family?When you arrive at Cardiff, you will be paired with another firstyear medical student, and two second year medical students toform a ‘Medic Family’. During the first week of studies, yourparents take you on a tour of the University and provide a greatopportunity to answer any questions you have. Many Medicfamilies stay in touch during their time in Cardiff, I’m lookingforward to meeting my great-grandchildren in September!

Tilly EllisYear 4 medical studentWhat’s the best thing about living here?I love Cardiff being a small capital city. It haseverything you could possibly want, so muchvariety and everything in walking distance.Beautiful parks provide the perfect excuse toescape into nature. A little further afield are gorgeous beaches,Brecon Beacons National Park and lots more. I can’t imaginegoing to university anywhere else and hope to stay in Wales after Igraduate.

How beneficial is a spiral curriculum?Remembering everything is impossible so revisiting a topicmultiple times during your studies is invaluable. As well asconsolidating your memory, you can build on your knowledge inthat area, adding detail you may not have understood earlier.

Is CBL an effective & supportive learning style?I would definitely not know as much as I do now if I’d had 9-5lectures. I cannot praise CBL enough and absolutely love this styleof learning. Practicals, small groups, lectures and placementssupport the cases perfectly and so much clinical experience, soearly on, is amazing. I don’t think there is any better way toremember and consolidate information than teaching someoneelse what you have learnt - CBL is perfect for this.

Luke MorganYear 2 medical studentIs CBL an effective and supportivelearning style?CBL is the perfect balance of facilitatedlearning and being given the responsibility tolearn in-depth areas of particular personalinterest. Having a safe environment to get a range of viewson a case and be able to question preconceptions is hugelybeneficial to creating a well-rounded doctor. Bringing the theoryback to a patient keeps the learning grounded in a patientcentred, integrated approach to medicine.

What’s the best thing about living in Cardiff?Cardiff is idyllic! It has the many perks of a capital city, such asworld-class sport and fantastic cultural facilities, while still beingsmall enough to walk pretty much anywhere. Having Bute Park soclose to the university and the city centre is perfect for both BBQsand sport on warm summer days or mass snowball fights duringthe winter!

What are the benefits to having a MedSoc family?MedSoc families provide fantastic opportunities to get to knowstudents from other years and get involved in a variety of projects.As well as being there for a great night out, families support eachother when the going gets tough as they are very easy to talk toand are able to give some of the best inside tips.

20 The Medical Pharmacology BSc Programme

The Medical PharmacologyBSc Programme (UCAS B210)3 year (or 4, to include the Professional Placement) undergraduate course

Medicines: How are they discovered & developed?Why do we need them? What do they do & how do they work?With medicines underpinning healthcare, our BSc programme aims to encourage anddevelop your natural curiosity about how they work. As a student you will embark on a highquality, in-depth exploration of modern Medical Pharmacology, with specialised training ininternationally- recognised research laboratories. You will be taught by experts from a teamof pharmacologists and clinical pharmacologists. Throughout the course there is emphasis onproviding you with transferable skills such as data analysis and organisational and problemsolving skills, making your degree highly attractive to future employers.

Each year up to 10 places are available on the 4 year Graduate Entry Medicine (UCASA101) scheme, allowing graduates of this BSc programme to go on to become doctors.

A BSc degree in Medical Pharmacology from Cardiff University is a valuable commodity. As agraduate from a leading Russell Group research institution, your skills and experience will meanthat you are well placed for rewarding and challenging careers in the pharmaceutical industry,academia (for research and teaching), governmental regulatory bodies, the healthcare sectorand a range of other professional career pathways e.g. patent law.

Studying pharmacology at Cardiff has been a fantastic experiencefor me. I have found the teaching and pastoral support to be excellentand the course has provided me with all the necessary skills that areneeded to pursue a career in research or in a medical field. The courseentails a mixture of hands-on practical classes, lectures and group workseminars that help to build a really cohesive learning environment. I havethoroughly enjoyed my experience at Cardiff University and definitelyrecommend the course!Zoe Boreham, Medical Pharmacology graduate

Medical Pharmacology ranked8th in the UK in the CompleteUniversity Guide 2018 withan overall score of 93.4.The course also scored 100%for Overall Student Satisfactionin the National Student Survey2016, with 99% or 100% infour of the other themed areas.

B210 ProgrammeEntry RequirementsA-level: Typical offer: AAB to includeChemistry and at least one other sciencesubject (preferably Biology but Physics,Mathematics or Statistics are alsoappropriate). General Studies or CriticalThinking are not accepted. Only oneMathematics or Statistics subject maybe included in meeting the conditions ofthe offer. Applicants undertaking scienceA-levels where a separate practicalassessment is reported, will require apass in this element.

WBA: Typical offer: AAB to includeA-level Chemistry plus another Sciencesubject* and the Welsh BaccalaureateAdvanced Skills Challenge Certificate(WBA).

* from Biology, Physics, Mathematics orStatistics.

IB: Please look on our website for details.

Other: Applications from those offeringalternative equivalent qualifications arewelcome.

English Language and Maths GCSEmust be at least grade B if not offeredat A-level.

For more information contact;Dr Derek Lang, Admissions Tutoremail: langd@cardiff.ac.uk

YEAR ONEUnderpinning modules taken in commonwith the School of Biosciences, where youwill spend most of your time, provideknowledge of physiology, anatomy andbiochemistry. A flagship module providesspecific information on:

� Foundations & Principles ofPharmacology.

YEAR TWOBasic & clinical coverage of drugs and theiractions in a wide range of contexts, plus:

� Pharmacology-specific practicalapplied skills

� Pharmacology research techniques� Clinical Anatomy

You will be based almost entirely on theHeath campus.

YEAR THREE – OptionalProfessional Placement Year (PPY)An extended period in a workingindustrial/academic environment gaininginvaluable employability skills. Entry tothe PPY is offered once on the BSccourse and not directly via UCAS.

FINAL YEARResearch-led specialist pharmacologytopics including:

� Pharmacogenetics� Cardiovascular pharmacology� Immunopharmacology� Neuropharmacology� Cancer Biology� Drug Development and Therapeutics� Plus an intensive medical researchlaboratory-based research project.

You will be based fully on the Heath Parkcampus, working with active researchers.

Programme structure & content

Teacher:

Dr Jeff AllenI’m a lecturer in the Centre forMedical Education.

Why do you teach undergraduates?We often use the term ‘teaching’ asimparting knowledge but nowadays I think it’smore about facilitating the learning experience. Emphasis is onimmersing students in a learning environment which encouragesactive learning, developing their skills that help them becomelifelong learners. I find this very rewarding.

What can your students expect from you?As a teacher I help students develop an understanding ofphysiology: how living things work – their structure and functionright down to the molecular level. I challenge students by asking‘how do you learn?’ I want them to find out what is best for them.To understand concepts I try to help students apply ideas andlearn actively by communicating these to their peers. I am alsothe Director of Year 1 MBBCh, which means I am involved incurriculum design, delivery and assessment. I am directly involvedin student pastoral and academic support.

What makes Cardiff stand out?Cardiff University offers the opportunity to learn medicine in acapital city, with added ability to study in both rural & coastalcommunities. The University has the clear aim of providing studentswith an inspiring and enriching educational experience.

Teacher:

Dr Zarabeth NewtonI am a Lecturer in the MBBCh programme.

What do you enjoy most about teaching here?I enjoy teaching our students. Our medicalstudents are a dynamic, inquisitive set whostretch themselves and draw the most out of every experience.I look forward to having you as one of them. I love watching youlearn and explore the knowledge and skills that you are acquiring.My favourite aspect is watching the information “click” for you.

What can your students expect from you?You can expect enthusiastic, innovative teaching and theknowledge that you will be able to understand some of the mostcomplex concepts. I love the science and explaining it to you andwhy it all happens. You can expect a lot of “But why?” questionsfrom me. We will explore the different elements of a patienttogether so you become the best doctor that you can be.

What makes Cardiff stand out?The curriculum, which is structured around you, is about trainingyou to provide the best patient care. You are involved in communitymedicine from your first year. In Cardiff, you are Doctors in Trainingfrom the start. In the student-selected projects, you can chooseyour own project or topic according to your own interests.

21Meet the . . .

Meet the . . .

Teacher:

Awen IorwerthI am a Clinical Lecturer.

Why do you teach undergraduates?Prof Lewis in the Wales School for Surgeryin the Wales Deanery helped develop myinterest in training young doctors and encouraged me totake the job of the core Surgical Training Programme Directorin Wales. Having organised several Welsh Medical SocietyConferences, I was inspired by the enthusiasm of the Cardiffundergraduate medical students and the opportunity to developWelsh medium medical education with the Coleg Cymraeg wasan opportunity that was too good not to take!

What makes Cardiff stand out?A small enough community to get to know people, but big enoughto develop clinicians of international standard.

What do you enjoy about teaching?Watching the penny drop! And seeing the students make the linkbetween science and the patient in front of them.

What can your students expect from you?Someone who explains the concept clearly and tries todemonstrate why they are learning an exceptional subject.

Graduate:

Dr Mike AtkinsonI graduated from Cardiff University in 2014.I am currently a Core Medical Trainee inGastroenterology.

School of Medicine, what was it really like?It’s a great environment to train in. The staff are approachableand supportive and it’s led by some inspirational and eminentacademics. Generally, medics in Wales are friendly and down-to-earth and the range of experience you gain is enormous - fromplacements in a big tertiary centre (UHW) to small cottagehospitals and inner city GPs to single-handed rural practices.

All Wales placements?Really great - without doubt one of the best aspects to being aCardiff medic. I had an 8 week placement at Bronglais Hospitalin Aberystwyth. It was brilliant. I got a first-rate taster of life as ajunior doctor and learnt loads in terms of medical knowledge,clinical skills and workplace skills. The highlight was gettingthe opportunity to experience a new part of Wales; the sceneryaround Aberystwyth is beautiful.

What will you take away into working life?The Harmonisation year was totally invaluable in preparing mefor my F1 post. In fact, although it had its ups and downs, I wouldsay that starting work as a junior doctor was thoroughly enjoyableand not nearly as rocky as I had imagined.

Wales has a wealth of excellent doctors and clinical teachersand without doubt their teaching and advice has prepared andenthused me to do a job which I love.

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

22 Life Outside Medicine

Life Outside Medicine

Teddy Bear HospitalTeddy Bear Hospital Cardiff is a society thataims to reduce children’s fears of hospitalsthrough play. We also offer medical studentsa fantastic opportunity to develop theircommunication skills and interact withchildren aged 3-11 years old - helpingeveryone to find the cuddly side of Medicine.Working with local schools, after school clubsand other groups we also aim to teachchildren about the body and their health,using the fun medium of toys, smallbandages, dressing up scrubs, and copiousamounts of glitter. Teddy Bear Hospital Cardiffalso supports our local hospital Noah’s ArkChildren’s Hospital Charity, raising money byholding events such as cake sales, pubquizzes and a Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

The Wilderness andExpedition Society (WEMS)Are you a bit of an adventurer? Like the greatoutdoors? Or just want to take Medicine onestep further?

This is the ethos of WEMS - we aim to equipour members with hands on, practicalteaching in the treatment of medicalemergencies in a remote setting, taughtby older medical students, doctors, guestspeakers, WEMS makes sitting in lecturetheatres a whole lot more interesting!Not forgetting to put everything in context -we regularly go on expeditions and treks.

MedSoc allocates Freshers a2nd year ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’who are there to help you tosettle into med student life.

Our medic ‘family’ has grownto 6 generations that are still intouch.Antony Wilby, medical student

First RespondersCardiff Medics’ First Responders recruitsmedical students in their 3rd Year or aboveto train as Welsh Ambulance Service FirstResponders, responding to ‘Category A’ 999calls. Working as part of the WelshAmbulance Service, our aims are to deliver aquality service to our local communities andprovide invaluable experience in EmergencyMedicine to our members. As a FirstResponder, you will attend the most critical ofemergencies, from patients who havecollapsed in the street to those who arehaving a heart attack in their home. Usingyour training, you will provide the vital pre-hospital care that could save someone’s life.

23Life Outside Medicine

Institute for HealthcareImprovement Open SchoolCardiff medical students are making a realdifference to the NHS thanks to a simpleinitiative called “Ask One Question”. Studentsask patients, “What can I do to improve yourday?” and act on their responses, which hasidentified issues from adverse drug reactionsto doctor-patient communication breakdown.

This idea has been so successful that ourstudents presented at an internationalconference and won an award. It is now inCardiff’s curriculum and has been adoptedinternationally.

MedSocMedSoc is Cardiff’s student-led medicalsociety. From supporting students andappraising the course curriculum to planningthe best social events for student medics,MedSoc aims to provide you with the bestUniversity experience, tailored to meet yourevolving needs.

MedSoc represent students across all yearsof the course. They work closely with theSchool of Medicine and organise activities tohelp you make some of those importantdecisions you face as a prospective doctor.

For more information, like “Cardiff MedSoc”on Facebook.

MedDay WalesA fundraising initiative organised by thestudents from the School of Medicine in2014, MedDay Wales is now an annual

event in the medical calendar. Numerous activities by staff andstudents raise funds for local charities - the ever growing totalreached around £3,500 in the first year alone!

Events in the past have included students cream pieing teachers,sponsored fun runs, raffles with prizes including Welsh Rugby Teamsigned shirts, MedDay Wales’ pub quiz and after-party plus more.The students also have the opportunity to represent the School andtake part in collections in and around Cardiff City Centre and the Bay.People can volunteer to help on the day or be more integrally involvedby being part of the committee responsible for organising thefundraising activities and ensuring the day goes smoothly.

It is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for some incrediblecauses and to give back to the community, as well as representingthe School of Medicine, which is very proud of its fantasticallyconscientious and proactive students.

Cardiff UniversityResearch SocietyCUReS is a student-led society which aims tofoster and develop a passion for research amongCardiff medical students. Together with the

Academy of Medical Sciences’ INSPIRE programme and CardiffUndergraduate Research Opportunities (CUROP) programme,CUReS coordinates a range of events and schemes to helpstudents of all years develop and undertake an extended researchproject in an area of their interest. Cardiff students have anexcellent reputation for their achievements in research, with manyattaining peer reviewed publications and national prizes inrecognition of their work prior to graduation. You might not thinkresearch is for you but this may change as your experiencebroadens and you identify problems you’d like to solve whilestudying or on clinical placements. As a Cardiff student, you canrest assured that CUReS’ support will help you seek the solution.

For more information, like ‘Cardiff University Research Society –CUReS’ on Facebook.

Medics SportSport is available to all Cardiff students,through University or Medics teams. Thismakes it easier to play sport at university byfitting training sessions and matches arounddemanding timetables and having a moreforgiving attitude when course commitmentsclash. Medics teams also allow students onhealthcare subjects to “network” with eachother and provide a stable pastoral role,as older students have been there already.

However, don’t underestimate us - we are acompetitive bunch by nature and we makesure this is shown on the pitch, court andfield!

This is just a taster of our student societies. For more go to: www.cardiffstudents.com/activities

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

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The School of Medicine is the oldest medicalschool in Wales and one of the largest in theUK. We have a proud record of world-classresearch and were ranked 8th in the UK inthe 2014 Research Excellence Framework.We look ahead to the challenges faced byhealthcare professionals and our recentrestructuring means that you can feel moreconfident in tackling these challenges - ourexpertise and support for your researchinterests will help develop a range of skillsthat you will use throughout your career.

Our research is organised into four divisionsand, as a medical student, you can choose todevelop your personal interests, learning fromleaders in their field, in any of these areas:

Cancer & GeneticsWe aim to understand the genetic basis ofdisease with a focus on cancer, revealing themechanisms of tumour initiation andprogression, defining the genetic basis forvariation in therapeutic responses anddeveloping new diagnostics and therapeuticapproaches that benefit patients.

Infection & ImmunityOur research extends from basic mechanismsof infection and immunology to activities thatmake a real difference to doctors diagnosing,managing and preventing disease. We aim totranslate basic discoveries into improvementsin patient care and clinical practice across arange of different disciplines. Our main areasof research are inflammation, infection andimmunology.

Population MedicinePopulation Medicine looks not just at theindividual but the whole environment in whichhealthcare is delivered. We aim to improvethe health of individual patients throughresearch and innovation that look at largergroups and communities as well as at howtheir health systems affect their care. Weunderstand how important it is that thosewho want to develop effective health policywith real impact have expert advice and wework in partnership with other groups acrosssociety to provide this support.

Psychological Medicine and ClinicalNeurosciencesOur work is focused on understanding thefundamental mechanisms underlying majorpsychiatric and neurological disorders. Thereare programmes of work on schizophrenia,bipolar disorder, depression in children andadolescents, ADHD, Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease, Huntington's diseaseand epilepsy among others. There is a majorfocus on genetics and genomics but alsointerest in brain imaging, epidemiology, invivo models and cell biology. We also work onpsychoeducation, health services, researchand public engagement. The majority of ourresearch is undertaken at the MRC Centre forNeuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics(MRC CNGG).

In addition to the four Research Divisions,the School of Medicine also hosts twoUniversity Research Institutes:

Neuroscience & Mental Health ResearchInstituteTaking new discoveries and translating theminto greater understanding and diagnosis ofmental illness.

Systems Immunity Research InstituteDelivering a comprehensive systems-basedapproach to immunity research and providinga holistic view of chronic disease progression,the control of infection and mechanisms thatdetermine an effective immune response.

Further InformationEqual opportunitiesCardiff University is committed to promotingequality and diversity in all of its practicesand activities, including those relating tostudent recruitment, selection andadmission. The University aims to establishan inclusive culture which welcomes andensures equality of opportunity for applicantsof all ages, ethnicities, disabilities, familystructures, genders, nationalities, sexualorientations, races, religious or other beliefsand socio-economic backgrounds. Thiscommitment forms part of the Equality andDiversity Policy which is available at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/public-information/equality-and-diversity

Bilingual Welsh/English Skills

Whether you arealready a Welshspeaker or justkeen to learn,

the School of Medicine can support thedevelopment of your Welsh languageskills in a number of ways. Many of ourstudents have found using Welsh usefulwhen training across Wales, and you cangain confidence through accessing onlineresources or tutor-led free Welsh lessonsfor all abilities. Welsh speakers canundertake a Language Skills Certificateand can work with a Welsh speakingpersonal tutor- Welsh speaking tutors arehappy to work bilingually too. Wherepossible, we ensure that those who wishto develop their Welsh language skills onplacement work with Welsh speakingeducational supervisors. Academically,students can chose to work with Welshspeaking students during some parts ofthe course, and you will be able to writeyour assignments or take some writtenexaminations in Welsh if you wish. Youmay be eligible for a scholarship throughthe Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol; go towww.colegcymraeg.ac.uk/myfyrwyr formore information. We offer bilingualadmissions interviews and some of thestudent residences have been allocatedfor Welsh-speakers and learners.

Research

Cardiff University is a registered charity, no. 1136855

Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of Britain’s foremostresearch-intensive universities.

This brochure is printed on paper sourced fromsustainably managed sources using vegetable-based inks. Both the paper used in theproduction of this brochure and themanufacturing process are FSC® certified.The printers are also accredited to ISO14001,the internationally recognised environmentalstandard. When you have finished with thisbrochure it can be recycled, but please considerpassing it onto a friend or leaving it in yourcareers library for others to use.

Thank you.

Research, Further Information

More online at:www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

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To find out more about the School of Medicine,please visit our website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine

Explore the School of Medicine online at: virtualtour.cardiff.ac.uk/medical

Admissions EnquiriesTel: +44 (0)29 2068 8113

+44 (0)29 2068 8073Email: medadmissions@cardiff.ac.uk

medicopenday@cardiff.ac.uk

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Cardiff University has been named Welsh University of the Year in The SundayTimes Good University Guide 2018.