Why Choose Lincoln?
Gain hands-on clinical experience
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
Please note: With advances in medical education, and the need to meet the challenges of the NHS long term workforce plan, our medicine courses are going through a curriculum redesign for 2026. This may have an impact on some students starting their course with us in 2024. It is important that you understand how these changes might affect you, and you can read more on the University of Nottingham's website.
Course Overview
The Medicine with a Foundation Year BMBS is a one-year foundation course designed to widen access to medicine study. On successful completion students will automatically progress to the BMBS Medicine course.
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 the University of Nottingham's Medicine BMBS degree or Medicine BMBS with Foundation Year based in Lincoln, taught by academic staff from both universities. Students will be registered with the University of Nottingham and upon successful completion will receive a University of Nottingham degree award.
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.
How You Study
The 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.
In the first year students study all the important elements of biology and chemistry required for your studies throughout the rest of the course. In addition, students are introduced to key topics in professionalism and communication. Students undertake learning in fundamental subjects including anatomy, microanatomy, and microbiology.
In the second year, students can develop an understanding of the scientific and professional basics of medicine. They will then be 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 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 third year continues the 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 fourth 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 your project. Successful completion will lead to the award of BMedSci.
Students will also 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 prescribing skills before they move into the clinical phases of the programme.
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 are designed to provide the professional knowledge, skills, values, and behaviours to succeed through direct experience.
During both years there will be the option of studend-selected modules which can be at home or abroad and will end with a six-week placement of choice and a medical assistantship to prepare students for the UK Foundation Programme.
During the first year students will have around 12 hours of teaching contact with 25 hours of independent study per week. During the second, third, and fourth years students can expect approximately 16 to 18 hours of teaching contact time with around 20 hours of independent study per week, and will spend around five days on placement each term.
During the Clinical Phase students will spend between 35 to 40 hours across five days every week studying and on placements. They will 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 content and teaching methods can be found on the University of Nottingham's course pages University of Nottingham's course pages.
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
Features
- Work with patients in a more rural and coastal setting through regular visits to GPs from as early as your first term in your second year and hospitals in your final years.
- Experience placements across Lincolnshire,
- Learn at the new Lincoln Medical School.
- 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.
Arooj Qaiser
BMBS Medicine
Accreditation
Medicine at 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
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.
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.
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 with a Foundation Year (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
Application Criteria:
This course is only open to students who are living in the UK and have UK home status, indefinite leave to remain, or refugee status (with a letter from the home office as evidence) at the time you make your application.
You must also meet the following criteria:
- The University of Nottingham's contextual admissions criteria (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ugstudy/applying/contextual-offers.aspx)
- Do not meet the standard or contextual entry requirements for the five-year Medicine course
- Have not already attended university
You cannot apply to both the five year Medicine course and the Medicine with a Foundation Year course.
If you meet the entry requirements for the five-year Medicine course, you must only apply for the five-year Medicine course.
If you achieve ABB at A Level, choose to resit one or both of your B grades, and then achieve all standard or contextual entry requirements for the five-year Medicine course, you must only apply for the five-year Medicine course.
A level offer:
We no longer use predicted A Levels as part of our selection process, however offers will be conditional on the above A Level requirements being achieved.
BBC: must include a B in both biology (or human biology) and chemistry.
A pass is normally required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately.
We will not accept citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies, or global perspectives.
You must study three A Levels over a two years period and meet the entry requirements, however you can take an extra A Level a year earlier or later if needed to meet the entry requirements or recommended by your school or college.
Please note we do not usually accept A Levels which have taken three years to complete. A Level resits are not accepted.
IB offer:
28 (5, 5, 5 at Higher Level including Biology and Chemistry, excluding core component) and GCSE requirements (or equivalent).
We will accept either of the mathematics qualifications for the IB at standard level (SL) or higher level (HL).
We do not score the IB and we do not require predicted IB grades as part of our selection process. However, you will still need to achieve the IB grades required to meet your offer.
GCSEs:
We score a maximum of the highest six GCSEs. These must include the subjects of Maths, English Language, Chemistry, and Biology, (or double science if individual science subjects not taken). Remaining GCSEs are scored and allocated points as described in detail on our website at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/medicine/study-with-us/undergraduate/undergraduate-medicine/undergraduate-selection-process.aspx#GCSEs.
We require a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Level 6 (B).
These must include Maths; English language; and chemistry and biology, or double science if you have not taken the individual science subjects.
You will need a minimum of Level 6 in both maths and English language.
You will also need a minimum of Level 6 in both chemistry and biology or Level 6,6 in double science.
When selecting for interview, GCSE grades are scored and allocated points. We score a maximum of 6 GCSEs including the required subject grades.
We do not accept any GCSE resits for this course.
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 your home country is not the UK, but you 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 following qualifications:
- 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
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 we usually ask for 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. We expect you 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 UCAS. 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.
We do not accept the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) for entry.
We do not have a 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.
For more information, please refer to the UCAT website www.ucat.ac.uk.
For more details about the Initial assessment process please refer to: www.nottingham.ac.uk/UGMedSelection
Interviews:
You will be required to have an interview. 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.
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 currently 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:
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.
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
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.
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