Phase 3 Guide
Student Guide to Phase III
Advanced Cases 2 (AC2)
What is AC2? This is the 3 week teaching block that supports your transition from 8 weeks of research focused study back (SSC2) to clinical placement learning. During this block you will meet the leads and some of the teams who will support you through your Specialist Clinical Placements (SCPs). The activities in this block are geared towards preparing you to make the most out of the time you will spend learning in clinical environments during your 8 SCP rotations.
Each week you will spend 2 days at WMS and 3 days at your allocated Trust.
Student Selected Component 2 (SSC2)
At the start of phase 3 you embark on the 8 weeks of project work and associated teaching sessions supporting your SSC2. This builds on the preparation work you started in phase 2 - please see the phase 2 guide SSC2 pages for further details.
Note: students usually experience an overlap between SSC2 and AC2 as they complete the write ups of their research projects.
Specialist Clinical Placements
There are 8 placements that you rotate through during the bulk of Phase III, lasting 6 weeks each. They all have 'sign-offs' - clinical objectives you must competently demonstrate.
You're usually based in one Trust, but your placements can be across the whole WMS clinical footprint.
Find out more about SCP and how to make the most out of your placements here!
ACC - Revision Block
A 6-week revision block after SCP 8, you have x2 3-week placements at 2 different Trusts. It's an opportunity to visit specific clinical areas for self-directed practice of TDOCs or mock OSLERs.
Medical Elective
Whether you prefer a local experience or aspire to explore healthcare on an international scale, this is your chance to shape your medical journey
Dive into your passions, make a tangible impact, and gain hands-on experience that sets you on the path to an extraordinary medical career. Unleash your potential, explore, and make a difference - your personal journey begins here!
Assistantship
In the final placement of your medical school journey, you are allocated to 1 of the 3 WMS Trusts for 8 weeks.
During this time, you'll have the opportunity to shadow a Foundation Year 1 doctor and learn about the job and system. This hands-on training will not only offer valuable insights but also prepare you with the practical knowledge needed as you step into the role of a Foundation Doctor in August.
Phase III Exams
So - the final hurdles!
Here we explain the UKMLA, the Warwick Prescribing Exam, the PSA, 2x written papers, OSCEs, and OSLERs.
UKFPO Application
Finally - Foundation job applications!
For some, it's an exciting time, yet for others, it can be quite daunting - especially when you're juggling multiple responsibilities during this busy season.
Soon we'll have more information here about the application process, covering everything from the FP, SFP, FPP, pre-allocation, and more!
Student Tips for Phase III
Everyone's journey is different, but here are general insights from those currently, or recently, in Phase III.
Resources
Here you'll find our recommendations of resources to help you pass the Phase III Exams.
FAQs
Still have questions about Phase III?
Drop them below as a comment, or email us hereLink opens in a new window - chances are others will have the same questions too!
With special thanks to Carmen Chung (2020 cohort) for creating the Phase 3 student guide in 2024.