Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 4 Modules

Level 5 Modules

Level 6 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Volunteering

The importance of volunteer work cannot be overstated when making an application to graduate entry medicine. Whilst the course cannot ensure that these students undertake voluntary work, the training given to them in Level 4 to prepare them for their placement will stand them in excellent stead for future voluntary work in the care sector to enhance their applications.

Work Placements

2 x one-week intensive placements form capstone experiences of core modules in Levels 4 and 5. The Level 4 is a Nursing Attachment designed to expose students to the realities of the clinical environment and the importance of the modern Multidisciplinary Team. The Level 5 placement is under a Consultant Medical Doctor, with the main aim of understanding the importance of Patient-Centred Medicine and excellent Doctor-Patient Communication.

Means of Assessment

Learning Support

Induction

The course leader will provide students with a bespoke induction session where the philosophy of the course will be explained and a course handbook provided.

Personal Academic Coach

Meetings with the personal academic coach will take place three times during the year.

Learner Analytics

Employed as part of Personal Academic Coaching

Office hours

Due to the office space layout in Glyntaff, it is impossible to offer office hours to students. They are, however, able to book staff time using the Personal Appointment Scheduling System (PASS).

Tutorials

Tutorials are offered in several modules through the degree.

Seminars

Seminars are offered in several modules through the degree.

Formative Assessment

Where students have practical tests or single best answer (SBA) examinations, formative assessment will be available to the students in line with USW’s assessment for learning strategy.

Progress meetings

Meetings with the personal academic coach will take place three times during the year.

Research Supervision

Students are assigned a personal research supervisor for final year research projects.

Online Resources

Where appropriate, students will be directed to online resources for learning. All taught material will be made available through the online virtual learning environment unilearn.

Advice Zone

Students have dedicated advice zones open to them. They operate with an online booking system and are available through all USW campuses.

Disability

Students with disabilities and learning difficulties are able to access initial assessment and appropriate support to meet their needs by the Disability and Dyslexia service (DDS). This includes one to one in class support, note takers and specialist equipment. Support may also take the form of one to one meetings for study skills and organisational skills support which is allocated on an individual learner basis in order to ensure closest fit of support to enable their engagement with learning. Students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia have access to additional sessions via DDS to support them with their studies. DDS also coordinates student access to assistive technology and also liaises with the Examinations Department over concessions.

IT/Library

Library Services provides a wide range of high-quality library and information services to USW students. Services are delivered by library staff within libraries and also provided online.

There is a library on each of the Treforest, Glyntaff, Cardiff and Newport City campuses.

Clinical library services are also provided at the Royal Glamorgan, Prince Charles and Princess of Wales hospitals.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

None at USW. But, students can progress to:A101 and A102: MMBCh Medicine at Cardiff University School of Medicine and C21 North (Bangor)Medicine (M.D) at American University of Antigua College of Medicine Medicine (M.D) at SABA University Medical School

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

The course typically requires 120 UCAS points usually applied as follows:

A-Level Offer

BBB or ABC to include Biology but to exclude General Studies

Please note that A Level Chemistry is also required if applying to Cardiff Medical School after studying at USW

Welsh BACC Offer

Grade B and BB at A Level to include Biology but to exclude General Studies

BTEC Offer

BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction, Distinction, Merit in a relevant subject which must include Biology modules

Please Note: BTEC qualification are no longer accepted by Cardiff University Medical School

IB Offer

Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 32 overall including a score of 5 in Biology at Higher Level. You will also need to obtain a score of 5 or above in English at standard level.

Please note that a score of 5 in Chemistry at Higher Level is also required if you are considering applying to Cardiff Medical School after studying at USW

Typical Access to HE Offer

Science Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits equating to 24 Distinctions (18 from Science) from Science units, 18 Merits and 3 Passes. Other combinations equating to 118 UCAS tariff points are acceptable

Please Note: Access to Higher Education courses are no longer accepted by Cardiff University Medical School

Additional Requirements

GCSEs: For entry to this course the University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

However, if looking to progress to graduate entry medicine at Cardiff university after completing our degree we advise applicants to check their entry criteria as the GCSE/IELTS requirement could be higher (IELTS is typically offered at 7), and students would be expected to meet these requirements irrespective of degree or any level 3 qualifications/results they have achieved.

BSc (Hons) Biology or Biomedical Science (Including Foundation Year):

Students who are studying this course are required to achieve a mark of 70% or higher, with no module below 60%, in order to progress onto the BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences degree.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A