Studying the International Foundation Programme for Medicine

Find out about the programme structure, teaching methods and assessments used on the International Foundation Programme for Medicine.

Modules

You will study four mandatory units: 

Teaching methods

Our diverse range of teaching methods help you transition into university life. You may work with students on other programmes during your units. 

Small Group Teaching 

You will learn in small groups in the following units: 

  • Foundations of Biomedical Sciences 
  • Personal and Professional Development for Aspiring Medical Clinicians 
  • English Language and Academic Skills for Aspiring Clinicians 

You will benefit from closely supervised teaching. You will get to know members of staff, and they will be able to monitor your engagement and progress. They will help make sure you are performing to your potential. 

Larger Group Teaching 

You will learn in larger groups in the following unit: 

  • Foundations of Chemistry  

Here you will learn alongside Gateway to Medicine students, along with students on other programmes.  

Learning Styles 

You will experience a variety of learning environments and teaching styles. These include: 

  • Lectures 
  • Tutorials 
  • Practical classes 
  • Clinical placements 
  • Regular meetings with a personal tutor 

This diverse range of learning styles will help you to transition from high school study to supported but increasingly independent university study. 

Developing your Skills 

Units within this programme offer many opportunities for both study skills and personal and professional skills development. You can take advantage of the Bristol Futures programme. This includes study skills learning resources. The programme also helps you to engage more widely with the University community. 

Assessments

The assessments on the International Foundation Programme for Medicine help you to transition from school assignments to the coursework that you will experience on a Medicine degree.  

There are regular formative assessments. These assessments help you to monitor your own progress and engage with opportunities to improve your performance.  

You will be assessed through a variety of methods which are frequently used in professional programmes. These assessments include: 

  • Laboratory practicals 
  • Completion of an ePortfolio 
  • Essays 
  • Multiple-choice and short-answer questions 
  • Team Assessment of Behaviour 

These assessment methods are designed to get you used to the assessment types and expectations you will encounter on medicine undergraduate courses. 

Progression onto the MB ChB Medicine Degree at Bristol 

If you successfully complete the International Foundation Programme for Medicine, you will be awarded the Certificate of Achievement. 

After the International Foundation Programme for Medicine 

You are not guaranteed to progress directly to the MB ChB Medicine degree programme at Bristol. All International Foundation Programme for Medicine students are guaranteed a place in the multiple mini-interview process. To be admitted to the undergraduate MB ChB Medicine programme at Bristol, applicants must both meet the International Foundation Programme for Medicine progression requirements and perform sufficiently well in the multiple mini-interviews. 

You will still need to apply through UCAS, and we will support you during this application process. 

Entry Requirements for MB ChB Medicine 

To progress onto MB ChB Medicine, you need to: 

  • achieve the academic requirements for all International Foundation Programme for Medicine units 
  • achieve an overall IELTS score of 7.5 
  • get a competitive score in the UCAT*
  • perform sufficiently well within the multiple mini-interview selection process. 

* Due to timing of the start of the academic year, students will be required to sit the UCAT entrance exam the summer prior to beginning the IFP for Medicine programme. Please see the UCAT website for test dates.  

Missed the Requirements 

If you do not achieve the progression requirements for entry onto the MB ChB Medicine programme at Bristol, we may offer you a place on a Life Sciences degree. You will also be free to apply for medical degrees at other universities.   

Degree Progression 

The International Foundation Programme for Medicine is designed to help students to make competitive applications for undergraduate degree courses in medicine in the UK, including those offered at Bristol. 

The International Foundation Programme for Medicine provides you an alternative entry route to the five-year A100 MB ChB Medicine course. 

Students are also free to apply for courses at other universities.