BSMS > Undergraduate > Our course

Our course

Our five-year medical degree, awarded jointly by the Universities of Brighton and Sussex, leads to the qualification of Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (BM BS).

Our course has been designed to help you become a highly competent; strongly motivated doctor, committed to the highest standards of clinical practice, professionalism and patient care. By the time you graduate, you will have developed the knowledge and key personal skills and attitudes necessary to pursue a successful medical career.

Both universities are part of the UK Medical Act and our course has been approved by the GMC under its Quality Assurance of Basic Medical Education (QABME) processes.

A group of first year students in the anatomy lab watching a demonstration

Innovative teaching and learning

We are a dynamic and vibrant school committed to new and innovative approaches to medical education.

Our purpose-built, modern facilities include anatomy and clinical science laboratories, simulated consultation rooms, multiple libraries and lecture theatres. Our enthusiastic and dedicated teachers will provide you with on-going feedback, continuously supporting you and ensuring that you develop to the very best of your abilities. A range of IT and mobile learning resources will support you on the go, from e-portfolios to smartphone apps.

Inequalities teaching

At BSMS, we aim to help our students develop into the best doctors they can be, working in a patient-centred, social-responsible way. Learn more about some of our approaches to teaching that aim to improve understanding of inequalities experienced by a range of people and communities.

VISIT OUR INEQUALITIES TEACHING WEB PAGE >

A male student shines a light into another student's eyes, watched on by teacher

Years 1 - 2

Your academic and clinical studies will primarily be based at the Universities of Brighton and Sussex Falmer campuses, using purpose-built teaching facilities including a modern anatomy laboratory, small and large group teaching spaces and clinical science laboratories.

Years 3 - 4

The teaching year is extended and students will have ward-based placements at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and across other sites in East and West Sussex.

Find out more about Years 3 and 4 >

Several medical students in scrubs watch a surgeon explain surgery to take place

Year 5

Year 5 provides intense clinical and professional preparation for your foundation years. Throughout the year, you will develop your clinical skills through direct patient contact on clinical placements and by using clinical skills laboratories and simulators. Central to your study will be the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients in these different areas of practice.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YEAR 5 >

Intercalated degrees

The intercalated degree is an optional addition to a medical degree. You may choose to undertake an intercalated degree between Years 3 and 4, allowing you to expand your horizons, study a new topic in depth, and work or study for a year at BSMS or another university.

Please note, intercalation numbers are capped at 40% of the total cohort, with priority given to those without a prior degree.

Assessments

BSMS has an integrated curriculum designed to develop your knowledge, academic and clinical skills, and instil a professional approach throughout the degree; the variety of assessment methods used reflects this.

Find out more about assessments >

Term dates

Find out the different term dates for each year group.

Find out term dates >