BMBS Medicine and Surgery Degree at the University of Plymouth
BMBS Medicine and Surgery at University of Plymouth integrates core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
About this course
BMBS Medicine and Surgery is a Degree (BMBS) at the University of Plymouth, based in University of Plymouth Campus. It runs 5 years, studied full-time.
For Medicine (non-specific) graduates from this provider, 100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 95% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £37,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Medicine & Dentistry, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 100% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 99% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 5 modules
- Interprofessional Learning 1Core
- Clinical Practice 1Core
Module details
This module will introduce the foundational skills required for Clinical Practice. Students will learn to take a medical history and begin to explore how this information is shared with other members of the clinical team. Students will learn basic clinical examination techniques and clinical procedures in the simulated environment. Students will learn basic life support and other algorithms for the management of clinical emergencies. Students will be introduced to foundational professional skill
- Core Competencies 1: Foundations of EvidenceCore
Module details
This module develops students' ability to select and critically appraise evidence, demonstrate understanding of focused health-related topics, and communicate findings effectively in written, oral and digital formats. It supports the integration of scientific knowledge with professional skills essential for evidence-based medical practice.
- Medical and Human Sciences 1aCore
Module details
This module introduces core concepts from the biomedical and all aspects of human sciences that form the basis of medical knowledge. It encourages students to explore how science informs healthcare and supports early clinical understanding. Students will begin to connect theory with practice, using scientific knowledge to interpret health and disease in context. By the end of the module, they will be equipped to approach medical problems with a broad, integrated perspective.
- Medical and Human Sciences 1bCore
Module details
This module continues to introduce core concepts from the biomedical and all aspects of human sciences that form the basis of medical knowledge and builds on Medical and Human Sciences 1a. It encourages students to explore how science informs healthcare and supports early clinical skills and practice. Students will begin to further connect theory with practice, using scientific knowledge to interpret health and disease in context. By the end of the module, they will be equipped to approach more
Year 2 5 modules
- Medical Knowledge 2Core50 credits
Module details
This module enables students to demonstrate the integrated application of basic human and biomedical sciences at the level appropriate for a second year medical student.
- Clinical and Communication Skills 2Core30 credits
Module details
This module deals with the further acquisition of the core clinical and communication skills underpinning modern clinical practice.
- Personal Development and Professionalism 2Core10 credits
Module details
This module deals with the continuing further personal and professional development including team working, reflection, time management, ethical practice, feedback and professional skills.
- Student-Selected Component 2Core30 credits
Module details
This module focuses on research skills in addition it evaluates the role of doctors as educators. The module aims to emphasise the development and achievement of skills in: searching sources, critical evaluation, synthesis, presenting evidence, effective planning, developing research questions, problem solving and project management.
- Interprofessional Learning 2Core
Year 3 4 modules
- Medical Knowledge 3Core40 credits
Module details
This module deals with the further acquisition of the core knowledge of the sciences underpinning clinical practice.
- Clinical and Professional Development 1Core50 credits
Module details
This module deals with the further acquisition of the core clinical skills and professional behaviours underpinning modern patient centred clinical practice and their application within a real clinical setting.
- Student Selected Component 3Core30 credits
Module details
This module further develops students' written and verbal communication as well as research and critical thinking skills. In addition, it evaluates the role of doctors as advocates for health and wellbeing. The module aims to emphasise the development and achievement of skills in: communication, project management, technological application, patient and public engagement.
- Interprofessional Learning 3Core
Year 4 3 modules
- Medical Knowledge 4Core40 credits
Module details
This module deals with the further acquisition of the core knowledge of the sciences underpinning clinical practice.
- Clinical and Professional Development 2Core50 credits
Module details
This module deals with the further acquisition and refinement of the core clinical skills and professional behaviours underpinning modern patient centred clinical practice and their application within a real clinical setting.
- Student Selected Component 4Core30 credits
Module details
This module further develops students' written and verbal communication as well as research and critical thinking skills. In addition, it evaluates the role of doctors in quality improvement and enhancing patient safety. The module aims to emphasise the development and achievement of skills in: communication, leadership, project management, technological application, patient and public engagement, teamwork and peer assessment.
Year 5 3 modules
- Medical Knowledge 5Core40 credits
Module details
This module deals with the further acquisition of the core knowledge of the sciences underpinning clinical practice.
- Clinical and Professional PracticeCore70 credits
Module details
This module enables students to demonstrate their clinical and professional ability to carry out clinical procedures, investigations, analysis and interpretation of evidence and production of a clinical management plan for a range of core acute and chronic conditions. It will include demonstration of a professional and ethical approach to clinical practice, working in a patient centred manner and as part of a multi disciplinary team in the delivery of health care within the NHS.
- Student Selected Component 5Core10 credits
Module details
This module builds on and refines skills in independent learning, team working and critical thinking through the planning and execution of an elective period of study of the student's own design.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This five-year degree integrates biomedical science with clinical practice from the outset. In Years 1–2, you'll study the biomedical sciences core, anatomy, physiology and pathology organised by body system, alongside clinical and communication skills, learning to take histories and examine patients early on. Population health, epidemiology and professional ethics run throughout. Years 3–4 shift to clinical rotations in hospital and general practice settings, where you'll work across medicine, surgery and specialties such as paediatrics, psychiatry and obstetrics. You'll also undertake student-selected components, often research-focused, allowing you to pursue areas of particular interest. In your final year, you'll work as part of the clinical team in preparation for practice, complete an elective placement (often abroad), and sit integrated finals leading to provisional registration with the General Medical Council.
Who it's for
This course suits graduates seeking a career in medicine and surgery. Most accepted students entered with A-levels or equivalent qualifications (88% of recent entrants). The typical UCAS tariff band among accepted students was 144–159 points. You'll need to meet the university's specific entry requirements; check their admissions pages for current criteria and any additional qualifications needed.
Careers & job market
Across Medicine and Dentistry courses nationally, 89% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 75% of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries (at 15 months) typically range from £27,000 to £32,000, rising to £24,650–£34,800 after three years and £29,325–£41,400 after five years. These figures reflect national trends rather than university-specific outcomes. First-year retention stands at 90% across the cohort.
University & format
This full-time degree is taught in English at the University of Plymouth, a university founded in 1992 and located on the University of Plymouth Campus. The course runs for 5 years and leads to BMBS award. It is recognised by the UK degree-awarding body and holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework 2023. Graduates are eligible to pursue foundation training and careers across medicine.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryEarly equal-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 88% |
| a Baccalaureate | 7% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Sit any admissions test & interview
Courses with the October deadline often need an admissions test (e.g. UCAT, BMAT or a subject test) and interviews, register early and prepare.
- 5Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 6Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Plymouth →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Bursary: Eligible medical and dental students can receive NHS support in the later years of study. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Medicine & Dentistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £37,000 | £36,000 – £40,000 | 35 |
| 3 years after | £48,000 | £41,000 – £55,500 | 245 |
| 5 years after | £52,000 | £47,000 – £59,500 | 260 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in medicine & dentistry · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Medicine & Dentistry nationally
National figures for Medicine & Dentistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Medicine & Dentistry courses at the same study level.
Compared with 804 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Medical PractitionersSOC 2020 221 · 95% of published destinations · ASHE median £71,918
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 85; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Medicine & Dentistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Medicine & Dentistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The NHS
- Private practice
- Research & academia
- Public health
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Medicine & Dentistry graduates.
Medicine-Focused Veterinary Surgeon | Patient Care LeaderMedivet & PartnersMedicine Service Delivery Manager - Operations ImprovementNHSMedicine Occupational Therapist - StaffordshirePulse HealthcarePart-Time Palliative Medicine Consultant | 1-in-5 On-CallEvora Hospice (formerly Southern Area Hospice Services)Consultant Medicine - ElderlyPertemps Medical ProfessionalsSpecialty Doctor in Acute MedicineTriple West MedicalIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £37,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.1 out of 10: NSS 72.4% · in work or study 100% · continued 99%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Plymouth
Medicine and dentistry across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Plymouth Campus
3,218 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Medicine & Dentistry right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Plymouth from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £41,920 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Plymouth’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Plymouth and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Plymouth
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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