Teaching: Overview

At the School of Medicine in St Andrews, we integrate a sound knowledge of the scientific basis of medicine within a professional, clinical context. This approach produces graduates who not only understand medicine but also recognise the important contribution that science and scientific research make to the practice of modern medicine.

The School of Medicine offers one undergraduate degree programme - BSc Honours in Medicine, lasting three years. On a postgraduate level, the School offers two Masters-level programmes and a comprehensive PhD programme.

In 2004/2005, we introduced an integrated, systems-based curriculum, which leads to a BSc Honours in Medicine. This was specifically developed to meet statutory requirements and comply with recommendations made by, amongst others, the General Medical Council (GMC), the independent regulator for doctors in the UK.

The structure and content of our curriculum are specifically designed to educate students for medical practice in the 21st century, preparing them for clinical training with our partner institutions and life-long learning in the medical profession. As a result, our curriculum implements best practice in medical education, satisfies all our partner institutions and the GMC - and meets the needs and increases the employability of our students.

Approximately 480 undergraduates and 29 postgraduates attend the School of Medicine every year. The School currently employs eight professors, 15 lecturers, 14 teaching fellows, five medical demonstrators, two teaching technicians and ten administrative staff, while also utilising the services of a number of current and retired NHS staff, who teach clinical skills, communication, ethics, public health and health psychology alongside our core staff.

The School of Medicine is located in the award-winning Medical and Biological Sciences Building, which provides the School with the first-class facilities required to support our best-practice approach to teaching.