Medicine and Surgery MBChB | September 2027 entry | Courses

About this course

Study medicine at the University of Liverpool and prepare to deliver outstanding, compassionate and evidence based patient care in today’s healthcare system, and the one of the future. Liverpool’s MBChB programme is designed to support your development as a confident, ethical and adaptable doctor. You will learn through a distinctive spiral curriculum, combining strong scientific foundations with authentic clinical learning, research connected teaching and supportive learning communities. Our main undergraduate medicine programme is the A100 (5 year) MBChB. Graduates with home status may also be eligible to apply to the A101 (4 year) programme.

Introduction

At Liverpool, you will develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required to practise medicine safely and ethically, in line with the General Medical Council’s Outcomes for Graduates. Your training is underpinned by a commitment to excellence in teaching, research and patient‑centred care. Learning is supported by GP‑led small‑group teaching, access to some of the UK’s leading specialist clinical units, and state‑of‑the‑art learning facilities, including simulation and technology‑enhanced environments. We place strong emphasis on professional identity formation, leadership development, research and scholarship, and digital fluency. Throughout the programme, you will be supported to become a lifelong learner, capable of responding confidently to the evolving demands of modern healthcare.

Programme in detail

The MBChB curriculum is structured around a spiral design, which acts as a core signature pedagogy of the programme. Key concepts are introduced early, revisited regularly, and developed in increasing depth and complexity as your clinical experience grows. Learning is organised around integrated themes and systems, bringing together basic sciences, clinical knowledge and professional practice. This approach supports the progressive development of clinical reasoning, judgement and decision‑making, while encouraging tolerance of uncertainty and reflective practice.

From Year 2 onwards, students undertake extensive clinical placements across hospital and community settings, including NHS Trusts, GP practices, hospices, community services and specialist providers across the North West. Clinical placements follow a block rotational model, designed to help students build confidence when transitioning between healthcare settings and working within different multidisciplinary teams and with different patient demographics – an essential preparation for postgraduate medical training.

What you'll learn

How to deliver safe, compassionate and outstanding patient‑centred care across a range of healthcare settings
The scientific knowledge, clinical skills and professional values essential for a confident medical career
An integrated understanding of the human body, health and disease that underpins effective diagnosis and management
How illness and disease present, are investigated and managed in hospital, community and primary care settings
How to work effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams to support patients with long‑term and complex conditions
How medicine sits within its wider social and environmental context, including planetary health, health inequalities and the responsible use of healthcare resources.

Course content

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

Year one

The first two years focus on building a robust scientific and professional foundation for clinical learning, with a strong emphasis on basic and clinical sciences. These are taught using an integrated ‘Systems’ approach. Each System Block includes physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and anatomy, genetics and cell and molecular biology. The focus of year one teaching is on the structure and function of the human body under ‘normal’ conditions. Learning takes place through lectures, practical classes, small‑group teaching, anatomy sessions, clinical skills training and simulation. Communication for Clinical Practice sessions with simulated patients supports the development of consultation and interpersonal skills. Please note that the programme details listed are illustrative only and subject to change. The MBChB programme is a non-modular programme, and all components of the MBChB are mandatory.

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.

Year two

In year two, the integrated systems‑based teaching is extended to explore abnormality, disease processes and the interaction between health, illness and the environment. Secondary care placements begin as an experiential programme, enabling students to apply knowledge safely in clinical settings. Learning activities and workplace‑based tasks are recorded in a personalised e‑portfolio.

Both years one and two introduce the foundations of research and scholarship, including literature searching, critical appraisal and evidence‑based practice.

Year three

Years three and four increasingly focus on the application of prior learning in clinical practice, across a range of core and increasingly complex clinical presentations and encounters.

In year three, students gain exposure to the core principles of medicine and surgery through a series of four‑week clinical placement blocks. Each block is preceded by an Academic Week, providing ‘just‑in‑time’ teaching through lectures, case‑based learning, community clinical teaching, clinical skills preparation, simulation and time for student‑led research and scholarship activities.

This approach supports the timely integration of theory and practice, enabling students to develop diagnostic skills, clinical reasoning and patient management capabilities.

Students rotate through a range of hospital and community‑based settings. You’re expected to engage fully in clinical care as part of multidisciplinary teams, gaining experience through both timetabled teaching and supervised opportunistic learning.

Year four

In year four, the combination of academic weeks and placement blocks supports more specialist and challenging clinical experiences. These include mental health, neurology, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and a nationally recognised placement of excellence in palliative care.

At the end of the year, students undertake a four‑week elective, with many choosing to study abroad. This elective allows students to explore personal interests, global health, research, or specialist clinical areas.

Year five

The final year focuses on intensive clinical experience to support a successful transition into postgraduate medical training.

Students complete placements in Emergency and Acute Medicine, Surgery and General Practice, and have supportive on-campus Academic ‘Preparation for Practice’ weeks, interprofessional simulation and support for national licensing assessments, ensuring that graduates are well prepared for foundation year training. Students also complete a five‑week research, audit or quality improvement project, a community‑based initiative or a specialist placement tailored to their interests.

Towards the end of the final year, students gain vital experience in a ward‑based shadowing block that consolidates complex clinical skills and professional behaviours in preparation for medical practice.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

At Liverpool, you will learn through a dynamic and integrated approach designed to prepare you for the realities of modern medical practice.

The MBChB programme is built on a spiral, systems‑based curriculum, where medical sciences are taught in a clinical context and revisited throughout the programme with increasing depth and complexity. This supports the progressive development of clinical reasoning, professional judgement and confidence.

Your learning is shaped by a combination of case‑based learning, clinical experience and ‘just‑in‑time’ teaching. Academic weeks are carefully aligned with each clinical placement, ensuring you revisit and apply knowledge at the point it is most relevant. During placements, you will learn directly from patients and multidisciplinary teams in a wide range of settings across the region, supported by structured learning activities and rich opportunities for near‑patient learning.

You will be part of supportive learning communities, working closely with peers, academic staff and clinicians in small‑group settings. These collaborative environments encourage discussion, reflection and shared problem‑solving, helping you develop confidence while building a strong sense of belonging.

Teaching methods are varied and interactive, including case‑based learning in small and large groups, interactive lectures and seminars, clinical skills and simulation workshops, Human Anatomy Resource Centre (HARC) practicals, communication skills training with simulated patients, community‑based teaching in primary care settings, and a staged programme of research and scholarship

Technology‑enhanced learning is embedded throughout the programme. You will use mobile learning, simulation, virtual reality and a personalised e‑portfolio to support your development. You will also develop strong digital and AI literacy, learning to use digital health records, simulation tools and emerging AI technologies critically, ethically and safely. Teaching emphasises professional judgement, patient safety and understanding the limits of technology, preparing you for a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

We also place strong emphasis on leadership, teamwork and professional development. Through experiential learning opportunities, you will develop the leadership and followership skills needed to work effectively in complex clinical environments. Across all aspects of the programme, you will be encouraged to become an active, reflective and self‑directed learner, supported by regular feedback and guided independent study.

This breadth of learning experiences ensures that you graduate with the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required to become a safe, compassionate and adaptable doctor.

How you're assessed

Assessment at Liverpool is designed to support your learning and professional growth through assessment for learning (AFL) and assessment for progression (AFP). There is an emphasis on assessment for learning through subject-specific tests, such as quizzes, and AFL Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA) using an OSCE format.

Assessment for Progression takes place at the end of each year and includes written papers and practical exams (CPSA) in the later years.

We use technology to facilitate online marking and annotate feedback of written assignments, deliver AFL online tests for students at the end of each teaching block and collate and deliver CPSA data, providing students with more useful feedback as a result.

A bespoke electronic portfolio, integrated throughout the curriculum, provides students with a personalised learning space where they can collect evidence and develop their skills through reflective activities. The e-portfolio charts the student learning journey over the course of the programme.

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.

Global opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

Learn Chinese
Study in a bustling world heritage city
Improve employment prospects
Study Chinese culture
30 minutes from Shanghai
Learn new skills

Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?

Hong Kong
Japan
South Korea

More about taking a summer abroad

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

A dedicated languages degree
A language as a joint or major/minor degree
Language modules (selected degrees)
Language classes alongside your studies

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

Medicine students in the Student Hub at Cedar House. — Student Hub Cedar House

Students at the entrance of the School of Medicine, Cedar House. — Cedar House entrance

Exterior of Alder Hey Children's Hospital — NHS Trusts

Staff in action in the neonatal unit — Clinical research

Wide shot of a reading room inside the Harold Cohen Library — Harold Cohen Library

A staff member at work in Clinical Sciences facilities — Top class facilities

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.

It really is great to be on the ward - and that’s how you learn. The Medical School is very good and very supportive. It’s definitely set me up well for my future career, and I’m looking forward to getting into the job.

Tom Marks, MBChB Medicine and Surgery

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Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.

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Careers and employability

Our programmes are for individuals who wish to become qualified medical practitioners. A diverse range of careers are open to you as a medical graduate, varying from medical science, perhaps laboratory-based research, through public health and the development of health care strategies to clinical practice in the hospital and community.

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

(Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.)

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

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 - £10,050
Year in industry fee - £2,010
Year abroad fee - £1,508 (applies to year in China)

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £50,000
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £25,000 (applies to year in China)

The UK fees shown are for the academic year 2027/28. The international fees shown are for the academic year 2026/27 and will be subject for change for the academic year 2027/28. Please be advised that tuition fees may increase each year for both UK and international students. For UK students, this will be subject to the government’s regulated fee limits.

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 paying for your studies.

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. You can find information on the general and subject-specific costs you could expect to incur on our study costs webpage.

We’re showing the scholarships available to students from United Kingdom.

Scholarships and bursaries

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

Ruth Cannell Scholarship Fund

This scholarship will support undergraduate students from widening participation backgrounds in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film with their year abroad.

Whiteley Award

This award offers £3,000 per year for a UK undergraduate student from an under-represented background who has successfully completed the Liverpool Scholars or Pathways to Medicine programme.

The Liverpool Bursary

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.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

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

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

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

Joining a School of Biosciences degree 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.

Nolan Scholarships

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.

Rigby Enterprise Award

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.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a household income of £26,500 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

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

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.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

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.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries.

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Entry requirements

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

Please note that individuals applying to our Medicine programmes must consult our full guidelines.

Non-graduate applicants applying to the A100 programme must sit the UCAT admissions test. Graduates applying to the A100 programme are subject to different entry criteria. and are currently required to have taken GAMSAT.

In the interests of public safety, and your own best interests, information pertinent to your educational achievements and to your fitness to practise may be shared by Liverpool Medical School with training providers, employers and regulatory organisations. In the event of termination of studies, student details are shared with regulatory bodies and other medical schools via the MSC Excluded Students Database. Any offer for the medical programme will be conditional on applicants having disclosed any previous fitness to practise findings against them.

Qualification	Details
A levels	AAA to include Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics and a third academic subject. Alternatively AAB also accepted but the A A grades must include Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Maths; and a B grade required in the third academic subject. If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to complete a foundation year which would allow you to progress to this course. Available foundation years: Foundation to Medicine (Year 0) MBChB
T levels	T levels are not currently accepted.
GCSE	9 GCSEs attained by the end of Year 11 which must include English Language, Mathematic, Biology and Chemistry (or Core & Additional Science, combined or triple science) at minimum grade B/6. A minimum score of 15 points from the best 9 GCSEs or equivalents (where A/A/7/8/9 = 2 points; B/6 = 1 points). BTEC (Non-Science) Level 2 and OCR awards (Distinction/Distinction = 2 points) BTEC (Non-Science) Level 2 and OCR awards (Merit = 1 point). Two points is the maximum score awarded in each subject area (e.g. only one of Maths and Further Maths). No more than two Level 2 BTEC qualifications or OCR awards will be considered as part of the 9 GCSEs/equivalents. These cannot be used as replacements for English Language, Maths and Science subjects. I.e. a minimum of 7 full GCSEs required
Subject requirements	A levels in three subjects taken at one sitting, usually after 2 years of study: at a minimum of AAA Chemistry together with either Biology, Physics or Mathematics and a third academic subject. Alternative offer conditions may apply. Please note that individuals applying to our Medicine programmes must consult our full guidelines.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma	Not acceptable in lieu of A levels.
European Baccalaureate	83% average with no less than 83% in Chemistry and 83% in either Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
Irish Leaving Certificate	Six Higher Level subjects must be offered at a single sitting. Grades of H1 in two subjects to include Chemistry and either Biology, Maths or Physics. Grades of H2 in four further academic subjects. Subjects offered must include English Language, Biology, Maths or Physics if these subjects are not offered at GCSE equivalent (at a minimum of grade B/6).
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher	Minimum of SCQF level National 5 (Intermediate 2) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language, Mathematics, and at least two others attained by the end of S4. Highers (SCQF level 6) in five subjects taken at one sitting after 1 year of study: comprising Chemistry and one of either Biology, Physics and Maths; minimum of AAAAB. Advanced Highers (SCQF level 7) in Chemistry and one of either Biology, Physics and Maths at grades AA.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced	The Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate is accepted in lieu of a third academic subject.
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma	D3, D3, M1 acceptable in principal subjects with D3 in Chemistry together with one of Maths, Biology or Physics. M1 usually acceptable in third academic subject. Up to two A levels at A grade may be substituted for Principal Subjects.
AQA Baccalaureate	A (Chemistry); A (Biology); A (third A level).
Access	Specified Access to Medicine courses acceptable (see our Admissions page for more information).
Work Experience Requirements	Liverpool expects applicants to possess the non-academic attributes listed on their guidelines but are not prescriptive about the type of experiences that an applicant would use to provide evidence that they have/or are developing these. We recommend potential applicants make full use of the resources from the Medical Schools Council and to note the statement on the core values and attributes needed to study medicine and the guidance on gaining relevant work experience to study medicine. Thus, no minimum work experience is specified when applying to Liverpool although experience in customer facing and caring roles can be very informative in the development of your skill set.
Duty of Care	Applicants to programmes in the School of Medicine should be aware that the professional body governing the practice of medicine (The General Medical Council) has specific requirements relating to the protection of both staff and patients. Students will be required to undertake an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, undergo an occupational health check and be tested for and/or immunised against a range of infectious diseases prior to patient contact. See the General Medical Council website and the archived Department of Health guidance document.
International qualifications	Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements.

Alternative entry requirements

If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
Applications from mature students are welcome.