Medicine Graduate/Professional Entry Programme

An innovative degree programme developed by King's with university and NHS partners in Kent and Medway. Enables honours degree graduates in arts or science and healthcare professionals with equivalent academic qualifications to study for a degree in medicine on a four-year programme.
Watch the video here, or access the 'interactive' tab to view at a larger size and see any alternative films playOverviewVideo('/prospectus/images/home.jpg','http://podcast.ulcc.ac.uk/accounts/kings/KCL_Marketing/MEDICINE.flv','true','details_91'); KEY BENEFITS

• Underlying philosophy of full integration of medical science and clinical teaching.
• Patient contact from first week.
• Teaching underpinned by our own virtual campus online learning resource.
• A wealth of facilities and resources including the largest UK medical anatomy museum.
• Offers dissection and prosection teaching.
• Enriched by a global network of international partnerships including Johns Hopkins University.

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTIONThe Graduate & Professional Entry (GPEP) MBBS is King’s four-year fast-track entry route into medicine for graduates and health professionals.

Since its launch in 2004, GPEP has quickly become one of the most popular routes of its kind in the UK. The first cohort of 23 students graduated in 2008 – all with distinction.

The medical curriculum is divided into five phases (see below for details of the 'transition year'.

Phases 1 and 2 (Introduction to Medical Science) focus on basic science, illustrated and informed by clinical practice. Phases three and four (Intensive Patient Contact) focus on clinical training, underpinned by science. The fifth phase (Shadowing Practising Doctors) is vocationally oriented and includes the opportunity to study abroad for an elective period.

Each phase contains elements from the core curriculum, which is compulsory, as well as Special Study Modules, which offer a wide element of student choice.

Students can follow a year-long BSc in a subject of their choice by ‘intercalating’ the degree between phases of their MBBS.

From the first week of your programme you will be introduced to patients and clinicians. You will also work with other students destined for healthcare professions such as dentistry, nursing and midwifery. Interprofessional Education is embedded in the curriculum, developing teamwork, communication, and an awareness of ethical and professional responsibilities.

An important feature of the King’s approach to studying medicine is the way in which understanding is built up: as new knowledge is added, material covered in earlier phases is reinforced. So, for example, communication skills are developed through a ‘spiral’ curriculum which runs through all five years of the MBBS, allowing students to revisit and progressively build on their skills.

Teaching takes place mainly on the three hospital campuses (Guy’s, King’s Denmark Hill and St Thomas’), with placements in general practices in London and district general hospitals throughout south east England adding a further dimension to the clinical experience.

Lectures and seminars are complemented by rich and varied opportunities to develop practical skills such as venepuncture and examination. Students can make use of 17 separate rooms in the Chantler Skills Centre, the largest of its kind in the UK, to develop and practise their skills in taught classes or on a self-access basis. They also benefit from the training provided by trained Patient Educators and student peers. These are innovative schemes which supplement more formal teaching.

A key resource for all King’s medical students is the Virtual Campus, a constantly updated online environment which you can access at any time, from anywhere in the world. As well as providing administrative support including timetables and reading lists, the virtual campus offers innovative teaching and learning resources such as clinical videos and interactive scenarios.

Although there are four entry routes into medicine at King’s, all students follow the MBBS curriculum.

The 'transition year'

Students on the GPEP programme cover Phase 1 and 2 material in an extended single year known as the ‘transition year’. The year starts with a three-week introductory period which includes a revision of basic science, mainly chemistry, biochemistry and cell biology, an overview of the principal medical disciplines such as physiology and anatomy, and lectures on diverse topics such as psychology, sociology, ethics and statistics.
GPEP students do not do the SSC or some of the practicals that are more orientated towards basic science. Students do get additional tutorial support including a set of tutorials from clinicians.

The GPEP course is also extended at the end of the year to provide a three-week slot to cover some of the early Phase 2 scenarios that the students do not cover in the main course. After the transition year, GPEP students are completely integrated into the mainstream MBBS cohort.

Outcome of the course
At the end of the undergraduate course you will receive your MB ChB degree, which is a primary medical qualification (PMQ). Holding a PMQ entitles you to provisional registration with the General Medical Council. Provisionally registered doctors can only practise in approved Foundation Year 1 posts: the law does not allow provisionally registered doctors to undertake any other type of work.

To obtain a Foundation Year 1 post you will need to apply during the final year of your undergraduate course through the UK Foundation Programme Office selection scheme, which allocates these posts to graduates on a competitive basis. So far, all suitably qualified UK graduates have found a place on the Foundation Year 1 programme, but this cannot be guaranteed, for instance if there were to be an excessive number of competitive applications from non-UK graduates.

Successful completion of the Foundation Year 1 programme is normally achieved within 12 months and is marked by the award of a Certificate of Experience. You will then be eligible to apply for full registration with the General Medical Council. You need full registration with a licence to practise for unsupervised medical practice in the NHS or private practice in the UK.

ABOUT THE School of Medicine
LOCATION Set in the heart of London, the School of Medicine’s campuses are located next to Guy’s, King’s College and St Thomas’ Hospitals. Most clinical teaching for the MBBS programme takes place in these hospitals – right from week one. The surrounding areas are densely populated, multiethnic and subject to high levels of disease, which means that the hospitals can provide students with the widest possible range of clinical experience in preparation for a professional career. Additionally students benefit from our large network of clinical settings across outer London and south east England, including District General Hospitals (DGHs), general practices, community clinics, special schools and private practices. Our students find that these settings provide unrivalled opportunities for active participation and learning in small groups. A key resource for all King’s students is the Virtual Campus, a constantly updated online environment which you can access at any time, from anywhere in the world. As well as providing administrative support including timetables and reading lists, the Virtual Campus offers innovative teaching and learning resources such as clinical videos and interactive scenarios. King’s students are automatically entitled to use the extensive academic, social and sporting facilities of the University of London.

ABOUT THE School of Medicine
LOCATION Set in the heart of London, the School of Medicine’s campuses are located next to Guy’s, King’s College and St Thomas’ Hospitals. Most clinical teaching for the MBBS programme takes place in these hospitals – right from week one. The surrounding areas are densely populated, multiethnic and subject to high levels of disease, which means that the hospitals can provide students with the widest possible range of clinical experience in preparation for a professional career. Additionally students benefit from our large network of clinical settings across outer London and south east England, including District General Hospitals (DGHs), general practices, community clinics, special schools and private practices. Our students find that these settings provide unrivalled opportunities for active participation and learning in small groups. A key resource for all King’s students is the Virtual Campus, a constantly updated online environment which you can access at any time, from anywhere in the world. As well as providing administrative support including timetables and reading lists, the Virtual Campus offers innovative teaching and learning resources such as clinical videos and interactive scenarios. King’s students are automatically entitled to use the extensive academic, social and sporting facilities of the University of London.