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Acute, Critical and Emergency Care (ACE Care)

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Apply for this course

How you apply for an intercalated degree depends on whether you are studying medicine at the University of Liverpool, or at another institution. Follow the steps below to apply whichever way is right for you.

University of Liverpool students

Please email ACE.medicine@liverpool.ac.uk with:

  • Evidence of academic and professional standing – transcript
  • A reference
  • A statement – why you want to do the programme and what it will mean for you. Which includes evidence of proactive active engagement in one of the specialist clinical areas or student society, or charity, or sport (personal or coaching) or similar.

External applicants

If you’re not a current University of Liverpool student and wish to apply for this intercalated degree, please complete the online application form below.

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There are eighteen courses related to Acute, Critical and Emergency Care (ACE Care) that you might be interested in.

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Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for an undergraduate programme in the sciences.

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Course overview

The ACE Care programme is a one-year intercalated BSc honours degree aimed at intercalating medical students and will provide students with the opportunity to develop in depth applied knowledge, clinical practice, research skills and professional behaviours in the highly connected fields of Acute Medicine, Critical Care (including ITU Medicine), Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care.

Introduction

This course will deliver a clinical research learning and placement-based experience that encapsulates the key areas of each speciality, whilst ensuring deep understanding of the inherent linked nature of the specialties with authentic assessment.

The programme will be delivered through a blended process incorporating, lectures, online learning, clinical research and placement-based learning opportunities with authentic assessments, papers, posters and oral presentations. In addition, you will develop the qualities and transferable skills necessary to make decisions in complex and unpredictable contexts; and learn how to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions in support of patent-based medicine in the ACE environment.

In the core modules students will learn about clinical research, the interconnected ACE specialties which will also included some cross over into aspects of urgent and critical: trauma, anaesthesia, surgery, neurology, paediatrics and clinical imaging. Students will also undergo a clinical placement in one of the specialist ACE or ACE related areas within an NHS Acute Trust, working within clinical teams to apply knowledge, perform and develop clinical skills and learn (and demonstrate) professional behaviours, high intensity clinical practice situations. Student engagement and progress will be assessed by portfolio, guided reflection, alongside separate research components, which are coordinated and associated with the clinical placement, aligning with principles of the Liverpool curriculum, including authentic assessment. The assessment strategy is intended to be progressive, building on students’ learning, developing critical thinking.

This is an innovative programme in that it offers you the opportunity to experience aspects of Emergency Care medicine and the opportunity to take your first steps into clinical research in these areas.

Please note: This programme is a hospital based experiential programme and the supervisors are NHS clinicians working in the Acute, Critical Care, Trauma and Emergency Medicine areas, in exceptional circumstances (e.g. global pandemics), a student who is offered a place on the Acute, Critical and Emergency Care BSc will be offered a place on the MRes Clinical Sciences programme if we are not able to run ACE Care.

Who is this course for?

This course is for intercalating medical students who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of Acute Medicine, Critical Care (including ITU Medicine), Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care.

Please contact us by emailing ACE.Medicine@liverpool.ac.uk to discuss your application before applying.

What you'll learn

  • Key clinical skills for high intensity clinical situations
  • Specialist assessment and management of adult patients with emergency medical conditions
  • Management of critically ill patients
  • Specialist delivery of emergency medicine
  • An understanding of the multi-disciplinary approach and decision-making processes to deliver optimal care to patients who have sustained physical trauma
  • Role of clinical imaging in diagnosis and treatment of patients in the ACE environment

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Teaching block one

Teaching block one runs from September to winter break in December and includes the following modules:

  • MDSC260: Introduction to Clinical Research and Practice in the Specialty Clinical Environment
    In this module, students will be given an introduction to the underpinning knowledge and relevant clinical skills to support them on their entry into clinical research.
  • MDSC261: Clinical Imaging – Diagnostics
    This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of the different medical imaging modalities and how they are applied to the clinical management of patents.
  • MDSC262: Multi-Specialty Approach to Acute Patient Care
    This module has been specially developed to provide students with an understanding of how a multi-specialist approach is employed in the diagnosis and management of the acutely ill patient.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Study as an intercalated degree

Intercalation allows you take a break from your medical degree, usually after year 3 or 4, and study an additional qualification. Most intercalating students choose to study a master's degree. This gives you the opportunity to explore a subject of interest at an advanced level and acquire new skills and knowledge that will enhance and/or complement your medical degree.

Your experience

The School of Medicine is one of the largest providers of medical education in the country. Students have access to facilities such as the unrivalled Human Anatomy Resource Centre and Clinical Skills Resource Centre, as well as our Virtual Learning Environment. We also offer access to a comprehensive placement network with nationally recognised centres of excellence.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

What students say...

I found it particularly interesting learning about different team roles required in trauma cases and how these roles work together within the team. I personally really enjoyed the year. I did (of course) find some aspects rather challenging. I have just come back from presenting my projects at the congress, which was held in Lisbon this year.

, BSc (Hons) Acute, Critical and Emergency Care (ACE Care)

What students say...

As I considered this opportunity, I realised just how important it is for junior doctors to be proficient in clinical research, no matter the specialty. I am so glad I intercalated and I’m truly humbled by the scale of learning I undertook in just twelve months.

, BSc (Hons) Acute, Critical and Emergency Care (ACE Care)

Careers and employability

This course is designed to enhance the career of all medical students, but it will be especially advantageous for any of the emergency specialties. More specifically the programme is designed to enhance the application of medical students for both foundation (PGY 1-2) and core training (PGY 3-5). The programme incorporates key experiences and skills that will enhance your future career applications. Specific design features of the course allow exciting research experience and opportunities and the possibilities of publications and conference presentations.

99% of medical students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,535
International fees
Full-time place, per year £47,600
The UK full-time tuition fee, international course fee and fee for the year abroad for international students shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. We are currently awaiting confirmation of whether the year abroad fee for UK students, as well as the year in industry fee will change, so the fees shown are for 2024/25. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about fees and funding.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here


Kaplan Digital Pathways Excellence Scholarship

  • International students

Completed a Kaplan Digital Pathways Foundation Certificate? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of undergraduate study for a maximum of two high achieving students joining one of our non-clinical degrees from an online Kaplan Foundation Certificate.

Rigby Enterprise Award

  • Home students

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.

The Liverpool Bursary

  • Home students

If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Asylum Seekers Scholarship

  • Home students

Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

  • Home students

If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

  • Home students

Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Estranged Students Bursary

  • Home students

If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

  • Home students

Joining a School of Biosciences degree in a non-clinical subject and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.

Graduate Association Hong Kong & Tung Undergraduate Scholarships

  • International students
  • Hong Kong

If you’re an undergraduate student from Hong Kong who can demonstrate academic excellence, you may be eligible to apply for a scholarship worth £10,000 in partnership with the Tung Foundation.

Nolan Scholarships

  • Home students

Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

  • Home students

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

  • Home and international students

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

  • Home students

Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.

Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship

  • International students

If you’re a high-achieving international student starting an undergraduate degree with us from September 2024, you could be eligible to receive a fee discount of up to £5,000. You’ll need to achieve grades equivalent to AAA in A levels and be joining a non-clinical degree.

University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship

  • International students

Completed a Foundation Certificate at University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC)? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of undergraduate study to some of the highest achieving students joining one of our non-clinical degrees from UoLIC.

University of Liverpool International College First Class Scholarship

  • International students

We’re offering a £1,000 fee discount for years 2 and 3 of undergraduate study to eligible students progressing from University of Liverpool International College. You’ll need to be studying a non-clinical subject and get an average of 70% or above in year 1 of your degree.

University of Liverpool International College Impact Progression Scholarships

  • International students

If you’re a University of Liverpool International College student awarded a Kaplan Impact Scholarship, we’ll also consider you for an Impact Progression Scholarship. If selected, you’ll receive a £3,000 fee discount off the first year of your undergraduate degree.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

  • Home students

If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Successful completion of 3 years of a GMC recognised undergraduate basic medical education degree programme, with applicants in good academic and professional standing. Selection will be via a composite score which incorporates relative academic performance, evidence of proactive active engagement in one of the specialist clinical areas or student society, or charity, or sport (personal or coaching) and personal statement.

Your personal statement should explain why you want to do the programme and what it will mean for you. It should also cover your active engagement with any of the activities listed above. This should be incorporated in 1 page A4 maximum (not including transcript).  Arial 11pt minimum.

Please submit your transcript and personal statement by email to ACE.Medicine@liverpool.ac.uk.

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Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

T levels
GCSE 4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

English language qualification Requirements
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature Grade 6 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate English B Grade 7 at Higher Level

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new UCAS cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

Recent changes to government policy which determine the number of students individual institutions may admit under the student number control also have a bearing on our entry requirements and acceptance levels, as this policy may result in us having fewer places than in previous years.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. For this reason, we consider a range of factors in addition to predicted grades, widening participation factors amongst other evidence provided. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted in the prospectus and on the website.

Alternative entry requirements

Changes to Acute, Critical and Emergency Care (ACE Care) BSc Hons

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.