About your course

As you study Medicine and Surgery at Lancaster, you’ll experience a dynamic and supportive learning environment designed to shape you into a skilled, empathetic doctor. 

Medical students practicing on a manequin

Course structure and progression

Over five or six years, depending on your entry route, you’ll build the knowledge, skills and experience you need to become a confident, capable and compassionate doctor. You’ll start by learning the foundations of medical science and clinical practice, before progressing to hospital and community placements where you’ll apply your learning with real patients. Each year builds on the last, increasing your clinical exposure, responsibility and readiness for medical practice.

year-on-year overview of medicine and surgery accordion

Phone with FHM Tiktok

Student life at Lancaster Medical School

Find out what day to day life looks like for our medical students. Head over to the Faculty of Health and Medicine TikTok account for student insights, behind-the-scenes content and more.

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Problem-based learning
Placements
Clinical skills
Mobile Simulation Unit

Problem-based learning at Lancaster Medical School

Problem-based learning is a small group teaching method where you’ll work in groups of around eight to explore realistic, patient based scenarios. These mirror the clinical situations you may encounter in future practice. Your group will identify learning objectives based on the scenario, then you’ll research the topics independently, using recommended resources and critically evaluating additional information.

A student perspective on problem-based learning

Here's what some of our students have to say about their experience with problem based learning at Lancaster Medical School.

Unna

Unna, fourth-year MBChB student

It’s really about teamwork, and in a way, because of the small groups, it is a bit like school. It really is a big leap from school to university and so for me this made the transition easier.

Isra

Isra, second-year MBChB student

I really like the small group teaching in problem-based learning. I was quite nervous to start medicine and this kind of teaching in small groups made it less daunting.

For me, problem-based learning is a much more engaging way to learn than being assigned book after book on a topic and then having to memorise it for an exam.

A quote from Twezher MBChB Medicine and Surgery student

Placements

Throughout your degree, you’ll complete clinical placements in both hospital and community settings across Lancashire and South Cumbria. Hospital placements take place at local NHS Trusts, where you’ll apply your learning in real clinical environments and develop essential patient communication skills. You’ll also gain experience in community settings such as GP practices, primary care assessment services and specialist clinics, reflecting the shift in modern healthcare delivery.

Two medical students in a hospital setting

A student perspective on hospital and community placements

Here's what some of our students have to say about their experience with being on placement at Lancaster Medical School.

Rhys

Rhys, final-year MBChB student

I am interested in Anaesthetics and ICU and the University gives plenty of opportunity to explore specialisms in and out of placement. In 5th year I was able to choose 2 of my own rotations, one of which was Anaesthetics. I also work at the hospital as a clinical support worker. It is sometimes difficult to try and balance but luckily with this role I was able to choose when I worked allowing flexibility and forward planning.

Shiv

Shiv, third-year MBChB student

I chose Lancaster because I like the small group teaching in the form of PBL as well as early clinical exposure right from first year and then regular clinical placements from second year onwards. The clinical placements early on may seem daunting at first, but they are a very engaging way of learning and getting more clinical experience for our future work.

Clinical Skills teaching at Lancaster Medical School

Clinical Skills is a key component of medical education. At Lancaster, we use a variety of modern technologies in our Clinical Skills lab. This element of teaching aims to prepare you for placement and your future as a medical practitioner, allowing you to build confidence, skills and practice in a safe and supported environment.

My very first time talking to patients in a clinical setting was very daunting. I became more confident at this by the communication for medical practice sessions taught by the medical school, which make us excel in our history taking skills as well as early clinical exposure, which strengthens our confidence when talking to patients.

A quote from Shiv MBChB Medicine and Surgery student

Mobile Simulation Teaching Unit

The Mobile Simulation Teaching Unit is a unique, flexible training space that puts clinical skills and simulation-based learning right on your doorstep. Equipped with patient manikins and adaptable to replicate settings like emergency departments or wards, you'll use the unit to practise diagnosis, communication and hands-on procedures in a realistic environment as part of your studies.

students using simulation manequin to practice medicine