Acute, Critical and Emergency Care (ACE Care)
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 1 year
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
- September 2026 September 2027
- Apply by:
- Starts on:
About this course
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
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.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are currently reviewing all of our programmes. This may include refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. This page will be updated for students beginning in September 2027 by 1 September 2026 at the latest.
Teaching block two
Teaching block one runs from January to June and includes the following modules:
- MDSC263: The Patient Care Experience (Placement)
This module aims to provide students with work-based experience in a specialist clinical area (in an NHS Secondary Care Trust). - MDSC264: Intercalation Clinical Research Project
The module provides an opportunity to undertake a clinical research project in a field of specialist practice. The project is taught in the style of a clinical supervisor-trainee interaction.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are currently reviewing all of our programmes. This may include refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. This page will be updated for students beginning in September 2027 by 1 September 2026 at the latest.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
Teaching is delivered through a blended process incorporating, lectures, online learning, clinical research and placement-based learning opportunities with authentic assessments, papers, posters and oral presentations.
How you're assessed
Your engagement and progress will be assessed by portfolio, guided reflection, alongside separate research opportunities which are designed 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.
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.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
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.