Aston University

Overview

Aston University Medical School took its first intake of medical students in September 2018. They have developed a curriculum that is patient-centred, while enabling students develop the core competencies in medicine. Aston have partnered with a number of carefully selected NHS trusts and primary care providers to provide students with a diverse range of communities and settings to learn including, the inner city, smaller towns and rural locations.

As long as you meet the minimum academic requirements, Aston use just the UCAT to shortlist candidates for interview. Therefore if you score near previous cut-offs it could be a great option for you – especially if GCSE or A-Level grades are slightly lower. Aston commit a number of places for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria. In 2019, of the 153 applicants who applied and met the WP criteria 125 received an offer so it’s definitely worth checking to see if this also applies to you!

Course overview: 

Aston University, based in the centre of Birmingham, is home to another new medical school.  With their first medical students starting in 2018, this initial cohort will graduate in 2023.
Aston University’s medical programme is five years, emphasising compassionate patient care and working in multi-disciplinary teams. Medical students learn through lectures, group work, workshops, independent study, with increasing amounts of patient contact as the course progresses. Course highlights include a student selected component, with the option to obtain a postgraduate qualification from Aston Business school.
Phase One (Years One and Two):
Students learn clinical skills early at Aston, with specialised placements helping development of consultation skills and clinical reasoning. Emphasis is placed on patient-centred care from the start.
Phase Two (Years Three, Four, and Five):
The majority of learning occurs in clinical attachments in phase two, where medical students work alongside practising doctors and allied health professionals. Medical students can also undertake research at Aston Medical Research Institute, with major themes including: regenerative medicine, maternal health, mental health, and cardiovascular medicine. Before graduating, students undertake a six week foundation assistantship to develop diagnostic and management skills.

Note: Our year-by-year overview of UK medical school course structures can help you see how this course structure compares with progressions through studies, clinical rotations, and (where relevant) intercalation at other medical schools.Work experience: 

It is recognised that not everyone will be able to secure medical work experience, and that it is possible to get the same outlook, experience and qualities by doing work experience in a non-medical environment too. For example, working in a hospital shop will mean that you deal with all kinds of patients and people and allow you to develop your communication skills, teamwork skills, following instructions, and leadership skills.
Another area where you can show ability and understanding of what medicine is all about and that you can deliver care and compassion is if you happen to have a family member that is ill or elderly with multiple health complaints. If you have been involved in their care then you will have realised that they are vulnerable, that they need to have their dignity maintained.
By bringing these characteristics together and being able to demonstrate that you have them, it will show that you have an understanding of what it means to be a good doctor and will be able to cope with the study and practice of medicine.Widening access: 

40% of students from widening participation backgrounds, with the majority (approximately 75%) allocated to local students, including those on the Sir Doug Ellis Pathway to Healthcare Programme.
The remaining places will be offered to UK-wide widening access applicants.Personal statement: 

Personal statements are read in conjunction with the reference but are not scored.
Personal statements may be used to differentiate between borderline candidates.Notes about admissions test: 

The UCAT will be considered alongside other required qualifications. No further information givenType of interview: MMIInterview notes: 

Candidates are assessed on: Oral and written communication skills, listening skills, empathy, compassion, respect and dignity, emotional intelligence, problem solving, motivation, team working, leadership, and understanding of limitations & when to ask for help.Intercalation notes: 

As explained on this medical school’s website(link is external): “Intercalated degree programmes are one-year courses for students who have completed two or three years of a medical degree. At Aston University this enables you to learn about a new area of biological science or cognitive neuroscience. After successfully completing two or more years of your medical degree, the following programme is available: BSc Biological Sciences….  After successfully completing three or more years of your medical degree,the following programmes are available: MSc Cognitive Neuroscience MSc Health Psychology MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences MSc Drug Delivery MSc Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine.”Medical school history: 

The first undergraduate MBChB students commenced studies in September 2018, following approval of its programme by the General Medical Council which regulates the medical profession in the United Kingdom.

Key Points

About the university