Birmingham University - Medicine

That's a pretty broad question. If you asked for something more specific I could probably help you more.

Here's a bit of an overview of years 1 and 2:

In preclinical years you do 4 modules a term, 3 basic science ones and one 'medicine in society' one. The MIS one is usually a bit of a doss and people rarely fail that. You get an average of around 24 hours a week scheduled time (I know because I counted), which is spent mostly in lectures, with some small group tutorials and anatomy sessions. The anatomy sessions vary between about 2-5 a week, and have sheets of work to do beforehand that usually take 2-3hours per session. Some people are very critical of Birmingham's anatomy teaching, I personally found it alright but admit it probably isn't as much of a focus as at some other unis.

You also do one day a fortnight at GP placement learning how to take histories, do examinations, and take blood pressure. That's the only clinical experience you get in the first 2 years. You also do one day a fortnight of PBL, which is pretty easy and a bit useless honestly. And once a term you go into the prosection room, which is quite useful but pretty short. In my experience, tour guides vastly overstate how much time we spend in prosection. It's VERY little. Actually, take everything tour guides say at all the open days you attend with a huge pinch of salt. I know a lot of people who do them, inv arious subjects and at various unis, and they all lie and act way more enthusiastic about their course than they really are, because that's what they're paid to do. Just a word to the wise.

In preclinical, you get some exams in January, and the majority in May. These consist of Short Answer Questions for the main 8 modules a term, True/False+ questions for anatomy, a written paper for anatomy and PBL, and a prosection exam for anatomy where you have to identify structures and describe their function. There's also a mini-OSCE at the end of 2nd year, which is all on normal patients with no signs and mostly to familiarise you with the process, and a few essays and group projects that you have to do, but not too many.

In terms of facilities, I recommend you come on an open day and check them out for yourself. There's ample computers, the lecture halls and canteens are pretty nice. Birmingham campus is actually very nice as well, but you'll spend very little time there. The uni and city overall have a lot to offer.

One disadvantage of Birmingham is that it is such a big medical school. With close to 400 students a year it's definitely not 'cosy' feeling. I still regularly run into people who I swear I've never seen before in my lfie, and it turns out we've been in the same year since day one. Also when you get to clinical years some of the placements are quite busy (60 3rd year students in one hospital is way too many!)

Overall I've had a good experience at Birmingham, just ask if you have any further questions

That's a pretty broad question. If you asked for something more specific I could probably help you more.

Here's a bit of an overview of years 1 and 2:

In preclinical years you do 4 modules a term, 3 basic science ones and one 'medicine in society' one. The MIS one is usually a bit of a doss and people rarely fail that. You get an average of around 24 hours a week scheduled time (I know because I counted), which is spent mostly in lectures, with some small group tutorials and anatomy sessions. The anatomy sessions vary between about 2-5 a week, and have sheets of work to do beforehand that usually take 2-3hours per session. Some people are very critical of Birmingham's anatomy teaching, I personally found it alright but admit it probably isn't as much of a focus as at some other unis.

You also do one day a fortnight at GP placement learning how to take histories, do examinations, and take blood pressure. That's the only clinical experience you get in the first 2 years. You also do one day a fortnight of PBL, which is pretty easy and a bit useless honestly. And once a term you go into the prosection room, which is quite useful but pretty short. In my experience, tour guides vastly overstate how much time we spend in prosection. It's VERY little. Actually, take everything tour guides say at all the open days you attend with a huge pinch of salt. I know a lot of people who do them, inv arious subjects and at various unis, and they all lie and act way more enthusiastic about their course than they really are, because that's what they're paid to do. Just a word to the wise.

In preclinical, you get some exams in January, and the majority in May. These consist of Short Answer Questions for the main 8 modules a term, True/False+ questions for anatomy, a written paper for anatomy and PBL, and a prosection exam for anatomy where you have to identify structures and describe their function. There's also a mini-OSCE at the end of 2nd year, which is all on normal patients with no signs and mostly to familiarise you with the process, and a few essays and group projects that you have to do, but not too many.

In terms of facilities, I recommend you come on an open day and check them out for yourself. There's ample computers, the lecture halls and canteens are pretty nice. Birmingham campus is actually very nice as well, but you'll spend very little time there. The uni and city overall have a lot to offer.

One disadvantage of Birmingham is that it is such a big medical school. With close to 400 students a year it's definitely not 'cosy' feeling. I still regularly run into people who I swear I've never seen before in my lfie, and it turns out we've been in the same year since day one. Also when you get to clinical years some of the placements are quite busy (60 3rd year students in one hospital is way too many!)

Overall I've had a good experience at Birmingham, just ask if you have any further questions