FAQs for international MB ChB students

How do placements get allocated and how will I be able to travel there?

In the first year the placements are at our core hospital Trusts: University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, South Warwickshire Foundation Trust in Warwick, George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, Rugby St Cross and Alexandra Hospital in Redditch. All are accessible by public transport. In addition, students often form friendships during their first year and they choose to car share. The course organisers will help to identify a designated driver in a group and put students together based on that.

General practice placements take place from year 2 which are based more widespread geographically. Again, the majority are accessible by public transport but by year 2 students often find friends to share lifts with. There is plenty of time for students to work out transport for year 2 placements.

If I am an international student do I have to remain in the UK to work for some time before returning home?

No, you don’t. You can return to your home country once you have completed your medical degree. Many international students choose to stay and complete their two years foundation training once you have finished their four year medical degree. You should always check with your home country what their requirements are for you to practice medicine in terms of any additional exams or training they may need you to take before applying so you understand what is required of you. We can support you in preparation for return to your home country.

If I am selected for interview do I need to come to the UK in person? What can I do if I have questions before I consider accepting an offer from Warwick Medical School?

You can reach out to our course team who are always happy to help you. We can also put you in touch with current students who can tell you about the course and life in the UK. You can attend live chats and join our Facebook group to share your questions and hear from other students.

You can also have a look at our international student profiles, which may give you some insight into how students from overseas are finding the course.

You take students with non-science backgrounds, does this place them at a disadvantage to other students with science backgrounds?

Typically, we find that our non-science students thrive on the course. There is some pre-work to do over the summer in preparation for the course and those students are well supported in their first year by staff at Warwick Medical School but also through peer-to-peer teaching. While our style of teaching might be a bit different from what students are used to in other countries, we make sure that we accommodate all styles of learning and support everyone to do their best.

What work experience do I need to have?

All students need 70 hours of hands-on patient care work experience over three years from at least two health or care settings. Please check out entry requirements web page for details. Your work experience does not have to be from the NHS, especially as an overseas applicant.

These are examples of some work experience that some of our international students have had that we have accepted.

Volunteering in international hospitals providing hands on care to patients. i.e not UK NHS settings
Assisting with non-clinical tasks or shadowing healthcare professionals
Participating in structured shadowing programs – we’ve seen these in our USA and Canada applications (but not limited to these countries)
Collaborating with medical outreach programs Médecins Sans Frontières or Red Cross
Clinical researchers with direct patient contact e.g taking samples, measuring vitals etc.
Assisting in disease control programs examples we’ve seen include malaria or tuberculosis. (Indian and African applications)
Interning with international health organisations we have had examples from WHO or UNICEF.
Summer camps working with children with disabilities or special needs – where personal care is delivered.
Online virtual training such as Brighton Sussex Medical School

International applicants can do any WE that allows them to meet the 4 out 5 outcomes listed on our webpages:

Insight into working as a health or social care professional, ideally in the UK National Health Service (NHS) (many will not be able to meet this if they are overseas)
Experience providing direct, face-to-face (in-person), hands-on health or social care to people with health and/or social care needs.
Insight into your own strengths and weaknesses as a health or social care professional.
Experience of and/or insight into working in a multidisciplinary team providing health or social care.
Experience of working in a public-facing role where you have direct responsibility for the health and welfare of others.

What is it like studying at Warwick Medical School?

It’s a fabulous environment to study in. We are based on a beautiful, safe campus with accommodation close by. If students choose to live off campus there are some lovely towns such as Leamington Spa and Kenilworth to choose from. If students wish for somewhere slightly more lively Coventry is a great place to live and has a diverse international community. As we are based in the centre of the country it is easy to travel anywhere via public transport. We are an hour away from London and of course cost of living is cheaper than choosing our capital city for study.

Hear what our students have to say in our international profiles.

How do I find out more about fees and funding?