Acute, Critical and Emergency Care (ACE Care)
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 1 year
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
- September 2027
- Apply by:
- Starts on:
About this course
Acute, Critical and Emergency Care (ACE Care) BSc Hons is a one-year honours degree aimed at intercalating medical students. You will have the opportunity to develop your clinical practice as well as your academic and research skills in the fields of acute medicine, critical care and emergency medicine. Under expert supervision, you will undertake an independent research project in a hospital setting.
Introduction
ACE Care BSc (Hons) is designed to provide varied, rich ways to learn about acute, critical, and emergency specialities.
The programme combines specialist small-group teaching, independent study and placement-based learning with authentic assessments based around papers, posters and oral presentations. You’ll 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 to different audiences. You’ll develop your own understanding of the evidence base for an aspect of acute, critical or emergency medicine aligned with your interests and ambitions.
Through this programme you will enhance your knowledge on topics related to acute, critical and emergency care including care of the acutely ill patient, trauma, paediatric presentations, shock, sepsis, toxicology, airway management and haemorrhage. You will study clinical imaging of the chest, abdomen and head.
In the second semester you will spend time on placement in either an acute, critical or emergency care setting. You’ll work within a clinical team to apply knowledge, develop clinical skills and continue to develop your professional behaviours in high-intensity clinical practice situations.
Please note that 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, critical and emergency care specialities.
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 acutely and 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.
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 December and includes the following modules:
- MDSC260: You’ll be given an introduction to the underpinning knowledge and relevant clinical skills to support you on their entry into clinical research
- MDSC261: You’ll gain an understanding of the different medical imaging modalities and how they are applied to the clinical management of patients
- MDSC262: You’ll learn how a multi-specialist approach is employed in the diagnosis and management of the acutely ill patient.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Teaching block two
Teaching block two runs from January to June and includes the following modules:
- MDSC263: You’ll complete work-based experience in a specialist clinical area (in an NHS Secondary Care Trust)
- MDSC264: You’ll undertake a clinical research project in a specialist practice area. The project is taught in the style of a clinical supervisor-trainee interaction.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| THE PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE (PLACEMENT) (MDSC263) | 30 |
| INTERCALATION CLINICAL RESEARCH PROJECT (MDSC264) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
Teaching is delivered through small-group workshops and seminars, practical clinical activities, independent study and placement-based learning opportunities.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed via portfolio reflections, case presentations both written and oral, short-answer questions and longer-form essays. The assessment strategy is designed to build your confidence progressively throughout the course.
Liverpool Learning Framework
At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.
You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching - learning informed by the latest ideas and discoveries
- Active learning - taking part, applying knowledge and learning by doing
- Authentic assessment - assessments designed around real-world tasks and challenges
We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.
We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
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 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 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.
Explore where you'll study
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
An exciting place to study
- Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning
- Flexible delivery supporting health professionals throughout their careers
- Access to Centres of Clinical Excellence across the UK
- Programmes designed for international impact overseas
- Training health professionals for over 180 years
- Committed to technologically innovative teaching with state-of-the-art facilities.
I found it particularly interesting learning about the different team roles required in trauma cases. I have just come back from presenting my projects at the congress, which was held in Lisbon this year.
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’m so glad I intercalated.
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Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
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.