GAMSAT UK

School of Graduate Entry Medicine & Health

The Course

For 2011 entry there are 93 places available (including 2 International students).

Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is a four-year, fast-track programme designed to broaden access to medical careers and attract graduates from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds.

Successful GEM students will graduate with Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BM BS) from the University of Nottingham.

There are two phases to the course:

* An 18-month foundation programme structured around problem-based learning (PBL). The foundation programme is based  at the purpose built Medical School on the Royal Derby Hospital site.

* 30 months of clinical training in healthcare facilities across the mid-Trent region – you’ll join students from the undergraduate course for this phase.

* For further information follow the link to: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/gem/prospective/graduateentrymedicine/index.aspx

Problem Based Learning (PBL)
The PBL Course is divided into a number of clinical modules reflecting the core medical specialities and systems of the body: Structure, function and defence; Respiratory; Cardiovascular; Limbs and back; Alimentary; Endocrinology; Urogenital; Neuroscience and Integrative. Modules are then divided into 6-7 patient case studies introduced in PBL on a weekly basis.

Progress Assessment
Formative assessments occur throughout the PBL Course and are taken as a progress indicator. In addition to this throughout the foundation course, students are required to produce a Portfolio of Personal and Professional Development (PPD) including drug reviews,  patient case-studies from GP visits, ethics coursework and reflective assignments. Summative assessments including written papers, on-line multiple choice & clinical reasoning exams, and clinical skills assessment occur at the end of year 1 and at the end of the 18 month foundation programme.

The Clinical Course

Ward and clinical teaching is supported through lectures, tutorials and e-education packages. Progress is also supported by logbooks and educational portfolios.

The distinct phases of clinical training include:

1. Clinical Phase I – Clinical Practice Course

This provides core knowledge in common/ important conditions within medicine and surgery. Teaching primarily occurs in two forms, either in small groups by specialists or via attachments to clinical firms. There are also a course in therapeutics and a community follow up project.

2. Clinical Phase II

Year 3 placements comprise two 20 week integrated rotations in Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Child Health; Health Care of the Elderly and Psychiatry; Ophthalmology; Otorhinolaryngology and Dermatology plus a 4 week Special Study Module.

3. Clinical Phase III

The Advanced Clinical Experience Course involves rotation through four 9 week attachments: Medicine; Surgery; Musculoskeletal Disorders and Disability; General Practice and Special Study Module. This is followed by a 9-week elective and, finally, a 4-week Preparation for Foundation course that includes shadowing the junior doctors you will tae over from at the start of August.

Approximately 40 Special Study Modules are available during Clinical Phases II and III, providing students with the opportunity to delve deeply into a particular area of clinical interest.

Entry Requirements

The GEM course is open to graduates of any discipline who have obtained, or are predicted to obtain, a minimum of UK Bachelors (Honours) degree classified 2:2 or better. A higher degree (MSc, MA, MPhil or PhD) will be accepted in lieu of a first degree if obtained by 1st August of the year of study. Degrees from overseas institutions are accepted if NARIC agree that it is comparable to a UK Bachelors (Honours) Degree at 1^st or 2^nd class Honours level.

1. Paid or voluntary work experience in a health-care related setting. Work experience needs to be sufficient to demonstrate two     things a) that you have found out at first hand what a doctor’s work involves and are making a genuinely informed and realistic     choice about your future career; b) commitment to the care of sick, disabled or disadvantaged people. The importance of this         should not be underestimated – each year a number of applicants are rejected because of inadequate work experience.

2. Satisfactory performance in the GAMSAT entrance exam

3. Interview attendance

4. All students will be required to complete satisfactory Police and Health screening, offers are made subject to satisfactory results.

Age Limit
There is no upper or lower age limit for applications to the GEM course. However applicants should bear in mind the length of the course and the expected length of service that individuals will have to offer following graduation.

International Students

Applications from candidates eligible to pay fees at the international rate are considered on the same criteria as home students.

We offer places to a number of international students each year. Because of the high level of fees, as a condition of entry, international applicants need to provide a guarantee that sufficient funds will be available for the duration of the course. Course tuition fees do vary from pre clinical and clinical years, therefore please see our website for actual costs: www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees

English language qualifications for international students
Medical students need to be fluent in English, both to understand the course and communicate with patients. If your first language is not English, you will need to have or be taking one of the following English Language qualifications (see table below).

GAMSAT
All applicants are required to sit GAMSAT. A specific cut-off score is set for each year’s entry: in the past few years, this has varied between 60 and 62. In addition to achieving the cut-off score, candidates must also achieve a minimum score of 55 in Section 2; 55 in either Section 1 or 3 and at least 50 in the remaining section in order to be invited for interview. If you have sat the GAMSAT for 2 consecutive years; the highest GAMSAT score will be taken.

Interview

Interviews take place between December and April each year. For 2011 entry the interviews will be held 7^th-18^th March 2011 and follow a multiple-mini interview format.
You will be interviewed by a panel of trained interviewers that include medical practitioners, academic staff, and professional lay people.  Lay members are drawn from a wide range of professions allied to medicine, science, health services management, education and human resources.  You will be graded on your answers to questions based around the following themes:

* Are you realistic and fully aware about what it means to be a doctor?

* Your interest in and commitment to health care

* Whether your personal attributes are suited to the study and practice of medicine

* Considered the emphasis on PBL and whether this suits your approach to learning?

Offers
Offers will be made on completion of all interviews, usually around March to April.

Contact

School Office

School of Graduate Entry Medicine & Health

Derby City General Hospital

Uttoxeter Rd

Derby

DE22 3DT

Tel:       +44 (0)1332 724 622

Fax:      +44 (0)1332 724 626

Email:   GEM@nottingham.ac.uk