Key Information


Duration

5 years

Typical Offer

See More

Campus

Brayford Pool

UCAS Code

A10L

Academic Year

Course Overview

This five-year Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) Medicine degree aims to develop students into practising doctors. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to register provisionally with the General Medical Council (GMC) and begin work as a doctor on the UK Foundation Programme. Students will be registered with the University of Nottingham and upon successful completion will receive a University of Nottingham degree award.

The University of Lincoln has embarked on an exciting collaboration with the University of Nottingham to offer medical education in Lincolnshire. Students can now apply to study for the University of Nottingham's Medicine BMBS degree based in Lincoln, taught by academic staff from both universities.

Nottingham medicine courses are some of the most popular in the country, offering innovative teaching and early interaction with patients. We aim to ensure that our doctors learn from experience and the course offers a varied placement experience, providing the opportunity to gain hands-on clinical experience through excellent links with local Lincolnshire NHS trusts.

Why Choose Lincoln?

Gain hands-on clinical experience

Complete a research project leading to a BMedSci award

Learn in brand new specialist facilities

Case-based learning which makes use of real patient scenarios

Tutor system and peer-mentoring scheme

Links with the NHS and healthcare providers

Students looking at a brain scan

How You Study

This course is split into two phases: the early years, where students can learn the skills and knowledge required to become a doctor and complete a research project leading to a BMedSci; and the later years, called the Clinical Phase, where students put their learning into practice on placements at hospitals and GP surgeries

Students begin the degree by studying the scientific and professional basics of medicine. They are then taught subjects on themes based on overarching clinical problems: specifically respiratory and cardiovascular medicine, the musculoskeletal system, and cancer. There is also the opportunity to reinforce their learning through hospital and general practice visits. In the spring term, students usually have the chance to study an optional module, looking into specific topics in more depth.

The second year continues theme-based teaching, looking into a variety of other clinical problems. In each term students will usually be able to take an optional module which interests them most.

The third year begins with a supervised research project in an area of each student's choice and an accompanying Research Methods module to help with the project. Students are also able to take two optional advanced medical science modules which may or may not be related to the project. Upon successful completion this will lead to the award of BMedSci.

Students will spend a compulsory week in primary care developing skills to assess patients in a general practice environment and participate in a therapeutics module, that aims to develop their prescribing skills before they move into the clinical phases of the programme.

Students then move into the final years and begin the Clinical Phase which will see them rotate through a series of placements at major teaching hospitals and within primary care facilities across the region.

The final two years form the majority of the Clinical Phase. Students rotate through a series of six-week placements at major teaching hospitals and within primary care across the region. These years aim to provide the professional knowledge, skills, values, and behaviours to succeed through direct experience.

During both years students will have the option of student selected modules which can be at home or abroad and will end with a six-week placement of their choice and a medical assistantship to prepare them for the UK Foundation Programme.

During your first three years student can expect approximately 16 to 18 hours of teaching contact time with around 20 hours of independent study. They will spend around five days on placement each term.

During the Clinical Phase students can expect to spend between 35 to 40 hours across five days every week studying and on placements. They spend around two to three days on ward, clinic or GP placement visits per week with one day of independent study and one to two days of teaching contact time. This will include some time on call and some out of hours work.

A full breakdown of course and module content can be found on the University of Nottingham's course pages:

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ugstudy/course/Medicine-at-Lincoln-BMedSci+and+BMBS

More information about the Medical School can be found here: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/medicalschool/

Please note: This course is currently under review and we expect some changes which will come into place during the 2026/27 academic year. These changes will be confirmed in early 2025. If these changes are made and if you need to take a temporary break (leave of absence or interruption of your studies), it may mean that the course you will re-join may have gone through the review process and may offer different modules. You will still graduate with a BMBS degree. Please check back for further updates.

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.

Medicine Open Day

Our Medicine Open Day on Saturday 27 April is designed for students interested in studying Medicine at Lincoln Medical School in September 2025. You can visit our Brayford Pool Campus, find out more about our BMBS Medicine programme, take part in exciting interactive activities, and speak to our staff and students.

Book Your Visit
Students looking at a brain scan

Features

  • Students on this course can complete a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSci) degree in the third year. Students will undertake a supervised research project in an area they find interesting without needing to study for an extra year.
  • Work with patients in a more rural and coastal setting through regular visits to GPs from as early as your first term in your first year and hospitals in your final years.
  • Experience placements across Lincolnshire.
  • Learn in the brand new Ross Lucas Medical Sciences Building.
  • A case-based learning course which makes use of real patient scenarios and focuses on their key clinical points.

One aspect of the programme which convinced me to choose Lincoln Medical School was the case-based learning approach. It exposes students to key clinical notes and patient scenarios early in the curriculum and makes the learning experiences very exciting.

Accreditation

Medicine at the Lincoln Medical School is fully accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC) as part of the University of Nottingham's medical courses programme.

Placements

Students can benefit from established links with the NHS and healthcare providers including Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust sites across Lincolnshire. Students have the opportunity to interact with patients from the first year, through regular visits to general practices and hospitals. Students will also have the opportunity to ask scientists and qualified doctors details of clinical outcomes, and hear more about their working environment.

Currently placements include the following hospitals:

  • Lincoln County Hospital, Lincoln
  • Grantham and District Hospital, Grantham
  • Pilgrim Hospital, Boston

Brand New Facilities

The brand new purpose-built Ross Lucas Medical Sciences Building comprises lecture theatres, laboratories, a clinical skills suite with consultation rooms, a prosection anatomy suite, and a bio-medical and health sciences library. It is the most sustainable building on the University Estate and features both solar panels and a living wall.

About Our Facilities
YouTube video for Brand New Facilities

How you are assessed

Assessment methods on this course may vary depending on the module being studied. Assessment methods may include case studies, clinical exams, coursework, a dissertation, examinations, formative assessments, logbooks, objective structured clinical exams, poster presentations, practical exams, presentations, short projects, verbal exams, and workplace-based assessments.

All applications for this course must be made through UCAS. Students will need to apply to the University of Nottingham and choose the Medicine BMBS (Lincoln pathway) as an option. All applications for 2024 entry must be made in UCAS by 16 October 2023.

Entry Requirements 2024-25

Entry Requirements

GCE Advanced Levels: AAA (or AAB contextual offer).

We do not use predicted A level grades and do not score A levels, AS levels, or equivalent as part of our selection process. However, any offers made will be conditional on meeting the A level requirements.

A Level Offer:

AAA, which must include biology (or human biology) and chemistry.

A pass is normally required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately.

A third A Level at grade A is required in any subject, including home language. We do not accept general studies, critical thinking, global perspectives, and citizenship studies.

Students must study three A levels for two years and meet the entry requirements, however they can take an extra A level a year earlier or later if needed to meet the entry requirements or recommended by their school or college. Please note that we do not usually accept A levels which have taken three years to complete.

We will consider resits for no more than two A levels as long as:

- you have completed your A levels in the last 12 months
- you have already obtained at least ABB with at least one A in biology/human biology or chemistry
- you must achieve AAA after taking your resits

Degree Offer:

If you are applying with an undergraduate (Bachelor's or undergraduate Master's) degree, you may not need to meet the standard A Level requirements. We will review this if you have achieved or are predicted to achieve a first class honours degree at undergraduate level in a relevant subject with enough biology and chemistry content. You will still, however, need to have achieved as least a 4 (C) in GCSE in both Maths and English Language. Any offers made without the A Level requirements are conditional on you achieving a first in your primary degree before starting the course.

For more information on which degrees are relevant, please contact us.

Accelerated degrees resulting in the award of a BSc Hons (completed over two years rather than three) may be accepted in lieu of A Levels where a first class has been achieved. We will review these applications on a case-by-case basis. GCSE Maths and English Language must still be achieved at a minimum of C grade. For information on whether your degree is accepted please contact us.

Contextual Offers:

A levels: AAB with at least one A in either biology or chemistry

IB: 35 (6,6,5 at Higher Level including 6 in either biology or chemistry, excluding core component) with the GCSE requirements (or equivalent).

This type of offer is given to students who meet our contextual admissions or elite athlete criteria.

If you meet the requirements for a contextual applicant and you're successful at interview, your offer will then be lowered to the contextual offer of AAB or 35.

Find out more at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ugstudy/applying/contextual-offers.aspx.

GCSEs:

If you are applying with A levels or the IB, you must meet the following GCSE requirements unless otherwise stated.

We require a minimum of 6 GCSEs at Level 7 (A) studied together over a two year period.

These 6 GCSEs at Level 7 must include chemistry and biology - or double science if you have not taken the individual science subjects - and may include maths and English language.

If maths and English language are not included in your 6 GCSEs at Level 7, you will need a minimum grade of Level 6 in both subjects.

For our selection scoring process, we score a maximum of the highest 8 GCSEs. These must include Maths, English Language, Chemistry, and Biology, (or double science if individual science subjects not taken). The remaining GCSEs are scored and allocated points as described in detail at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/study-with-us/undergraduate/undergraduate-medicine/undergraduate-selection-process.aspx.

If you are applying with a degree, you must have achieved at least a level 4 (C) in maths and English language.

We do not accept GCSE resits.

We do not accept applied science, short course GCSEs or functional skills for English and maths.

GCSEs taken over multiple years may be accepted for home schooled students as long as they meet the entry requirements.

English Language Requirements:

If English is not your first language, you will need to have proof of your fluency with one of the following:

- IELTS 7.5 (no less than 7.0 in any element)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 79 (minimum 76)
- Cambridge Proficiency/Advanced test (from January 2015) 191 with no element below 185
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: If a GCSE hasn't been taken and achieved at grade B(6), we require either IB English (standard level) at grade 6 or IB English (higher level) at grade 5.

If your home country is not the UK, but you have moved to the UK (with indefinite leave to remain) within two years before taking GCSE English Language or equivalent and did not achieve Level 6 then we will accept one of the alternative qualifications.

Work Experience:

Applicants are usually expected to complete regular work experience when applying for medicine. This can be:

- Volunteering in a care related setting
- Volunteering with disadvantaged groups
- Paid employment in a job working with the general public

As part of your application you will usually be required to provide evidence of your work experience. This may include a description of the experience, dates for when it took place, and a reference contact.

Please note, we are not expecting any NHS work experience to have taken place or be ongoing after March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Your application for 2024 entry will not be negatively affected if you've been unable to complete any NHS work experience you had planned. We will however be looking for knowledge of the profession and an understanding of the scope of the role and we may ask about this during your interview.

If possible we'd advise that you speak to someone working in the NHS to ensure you are making an informed choice about your career in medicine. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a commitment to caring for people and a realistic idea of what working as a doctor entails.

Any students considering a gap year should use their time constructively either by working or further preparing yourself for a future career in medicine.

UCAT

All applicants must sit the UCAT*, which is separate to applying via UCAT. This must be taken in the same year as the application is made. Bursaries towards the cost of the test are now available. The cost is currently £70 for tests taken in the UK and £115 for those taken outside.

The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is not accepted for entry.

For more information, please refer to the UCAT website: www.ucat.ac.uk.

There is no fixed UCAT threshold score when selecting for interview. We do not accept applicants who achieve Band 4 on the Situational Judgement Test on the UCAT.

Interviews:

You will be required to have an interview. This usually takes the form of Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). For 2024 entry, all interviews are likely to be online using Microsoft Teams.

Interviews are offered to candidates based on scores as calculated by our selection process. The percentage threshold varies from year to year based on the number of applicants.

If you meet the entry requirements for the course and have completed the Nottingham Pathways Programme, the Nottingham Potential Summer School, the Nottingham Sutton Trust Summer School, or the Lincoln Medical School Summer School, you will be considered for the interview stage without having to go through the UCAT/GCSE scoring stage of our selection process. However you will still need to sit the UCAT and achieve Band 1 to 3 on the Situational Judgement Test.

The fast track to interview is only applicable to those applying for their first degree.

Find out more at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/study-with-us/undergraduate/undergraduate-medicine/undergraduate-selection-process.aspx.

Fitness to Practise:

We must be confident in your conduct, health, and ability to be professional and interact safely with patients. As part of your application you will be required to have an occupational health assessment and a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. This usually takes place around May or June for Offer Holders.

If we have any serious concerns we will not offer you a place, and reserve the right to revoke offers should serious concerns arise before starting the course.

Find out more at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/study-with-us/undergraduate/undergraduate-medicine/fitness-to-study.aspx.

Excluded Students Database:

When offering places to students we check the MSC Excluded Students Database as part of our commitment to professionalism and fitness to practise. We may also ask if you have encountered professionalism issues with other professional bodies such as the Pharmacy Council or the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. If either we or another medical school have terminated your studies, your details are shared with regulatory bodies and other medical schools through this database.

If you would like more information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are studying are acceptable, please contact our enquiries team at enquiries@lincoln.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1522 886644.

Contextual Offers

At Lincoln, we recognise that not everybody has had the same advice and support to help them get to higher education. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education, ensuring that we have fair access for all students regardless of background and personal experiences. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit our Offer Guide pages.

Interviews

Detailed information about the selection and interview process for Medicine can be found on the University of Nottingham's website:

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/study-with-us/undergraduate/undergraduate-medicine/undergraduate-selection-process.aspx

Offers

All offers are made subject to being successful at interview, and having an occupational health assessment, DBS clearance, and no fitness to practise issues. If you are still studying for the required qualifications and your predicted grades meet the entry requirements, offers will be conditional on you achieving those grades. If you have already met the offer requirements, offers will be unconditional subject to having an occupational health assessment, DBS clearance, and no fitness to practise issues.

Foundation Progression Options

If you don't meet the grades for this course and meet specific criteria, you could apply for our BMBS Medicine with a Foundation Year course. The course is designed to widen access to medicine study, and on successful completion, students will automatically progress to the BMBS Medicine course. Please note that you cannot apply for both this course and the Foundation Year course. You cannot use other foundation courses at this university or any other medical school to transfer onto this course.

Alternatives to Medicine

Healthcare plays a central role in the lives and wellbeing of people around the world, and there are opportunities for professionals from all kinds of backgrounds to play a key role improving the lives of others. The University of Lincoln offers a wide range of healthcare and health-science related programmes which can provide options to students who wish to make a difference in these areas.

More Information
A Pharmacy student at the University of Lincoln

What Can I Do with a Medicine Degree?

At the end of this course successful students will receive their BMBS degree, which is a primary medical qualification (PMQ). Holding a PMQ entitles students to provisional registration with the General Medical Council, subject only to its acceptance that there are no Fitness to Practise concerns that need consideration. Graduates are required to undergo a further two years of foundation doctor training. Full registration is granted by the GMC at the end of the first year of this training.

Fees and Funding

Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on the University of Nottingham's Student Fees and Finance pages.

Course Fees

Students on this course may be eligible for support from an NHS Bursary. You can find out more about the bursary, including eligibility criteria at https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-bursary-students.

Students may also be eligible for the University of Nottingham’s means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on the University of Nottingham's financial support pages.

Find out More by Visiting Us

The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.

Book Your Place
Three students walking together on campus in the sunshine
The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.