The ACE Care programme is a one-year intercalated BSc honours degree aimed at intercalating medical students and will provide students with the opportunity to develop in depth applied knowledge, clinical practice, research skills and professional behaviours in the highly connected fields of Acute Medicine, Critical Care (including ITU Medicine), Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care.
Introduction
This course will deliver a clinical research learning and placement-based experience that encapsulates the key areas of each speciality, whilst ensuring deep understanding of the inherent linked nature of the specialties with authentic assessment.
The programme will be delivered through a blended process incorporating, lectures, online learning, clinical research and placement-based learning opportunities with authentic assessments, papers, posters and oral presentations. In addition, you will develop the qualities and transferable skills necessary to make decisions in complex and unpredictable contexts; and learn how to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions in support of patent-based medicine in the ACE environment.
In the core modules students will learn about clinical research, the interconnected ACE specialties which will also included some cross over into aspects of urgent and critical: trauma, anaesthesia, surgery, neurology, paediatrics and clinical imaging. Students will also undergo a clinical placement in one of the specialist ACE or ACE related areas within an NHS Acute Trust, working within clinical teams to apply knowledge, perform and develop clinical skills and learn (and demonstrate) professional behaviours, high intensity clinical practice situations. Student engagement and progress will be assessed by portfolio, guided reflection, alongside separate research components, which are coordinated and associated with the clinical placement, aligning with principles of the Liverpool curriculum, including authentic assessment. The assessment strategy is intended to be progressive, building on students’ learning, developing critical thinking.
This is an innovative programme in that it offers you the opportunity to experience aspects of Emergency Care medicine and the opportunity to take your first steps into clinical research in these areas.
Please note: This programme is a hospital based experiential programme and the supervisors are NHS clinicians working in the Acute, Critical Care, Trauma and Emergency Medicine areas, in exceptional circumstances (e.g. global pandemics), a student who is offered a place on the Acute, Critical and Emergency Care BSc will be offered a place on the MRes Clinical Sciences programme if we are not able to run ACE Care.
Who is this course for?
This course is for intercalating medical students who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of Acute Medicine, Critical Care (including ITU Medicine), Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care.
Key clinical skills for high intensity clinical situations
Specialist assessment and management of adult patients with emergency medical conditions
Management of critically ill patients
Specialist delivery of emergency medicine
An understanding of the multi-disciplinary approach and decision-making processes to deliver optimal care to patients who have sustained physical trauma
Role of clinical imaging in diagnosis and treatment of patients in the ACE environment
Teaching Excellence Framework 2023
We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a
Gold rating for educational excellence.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Teaching block one
Teaching block one runs from September to winter break in December and includes the following modules:
MDSC260: Introduction to Clinical Research and Practice in the Specialty Clinical Environment
In this module, students will be given an introduction to the underpinning knowledge and relevant clinical skills to support them on their entry into clinical research.
MDSC261: Clinical Imaging – Diagnostics
This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of the different medical imaging modalities and how they are applied to the clinical management of patents.
MDSC262: Multi-Specialty Approach to Acute Patient Care
This module has been specially developed to provide students with an understanding of how a multi-specialist approach is employed in the diagnosis and management of the acutely ill patient.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Teaching block two
Teaching block one runs from January to June and includes the following modules:
MDSC263: The Patient Care Experience (Placement)
This module aims to provide students with work-based experience in a specialist clinical area (in an NHS Secondary Care Trust).
MDSC264: Intercalation Clinical Research Project
The module provides an opportunity to undertake a clinical research project in a field of specialist practice. The project is taught in the style of a clinical supervisor-trainee interaction.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
Teaching is delivered through a blended process incorporating, lectures, online learning, clinical research and placement-based learning opportunities with authentic assessments, papers, posters and oral presentations.
How you're assessed
Your engagement and progress will be assessed by portfolio, guided reflection, alongside separate research opportunities which are designed the clinical placement, aligning with principles of the Liverpool curriculum, including authentic assessment.
The assessment strategy is intended to be progressive, building on students’ learning.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
The School of Medicine is one of the largest providers of medical education in the country. Students have access to facilities such as the unrivalled Human Anatomy Resource Centre and Clinical Skills Resource Centre, as well as our Virtual Learning Environment. We also offer access to a comprehensive placement network with nationally recognised centres of excellence.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
What students say...
I found it particularly interesting learning about different team roles required in trauma cases and how these roles work together within the team. I personally really enjoyed the year. I did (of course) find some aspects rather challenging. I have just come back from presenting my projects at the congress, which was held in Lisbon this year.
What students say...
As I considered this opportunity, I realised just how important it is for junior doctors to be proficient in clinical research, no matter the specialty. I am so glad I intercalated and I’m truly humbled by the scale of learning I undertook in just twelve months.
This course is designed to enhance the career of all medical students, but it will be especially advantageous for any of the emergency specialties. More specifically the programme is designed to enhance the application of medical students for both foundation (PGY 1-2) and core training (PGY 3-5). The programme incorporates key experiences and skills that will enhance your future career applications. Specific design features of the course allow exciting research experience and opportunities and the possibilities of publications and conference presentations.
99% of medical students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.
Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£9,535
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£47,600
The UK full-time tuition fee, international course fee and fee for the year abroad for international students shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. We are currently awaiting confirmation of whether the year abroad fee for UK students, as well as the year in industry fee will change, so the fees shown are for 2024/25. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
Successful completion of 3 years of a GMC recognised undergraduate basic medical education degree programme, with applicants in good academic and professional standing. Selection will be via a composite score which incorporates relative academic performance, evidence of proactive active engagement in one of the specialist clinical areas or student society, or charity, or sport (personal or coaching) and personal statement.
Your personal statement should explain why you want to do the programme and what it will mean for you. It should also cover your active engagement with any of the activities listed above. This should be incorporated in 1 page A4 maximum (not including transcript). Arial 11pt minimum.
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature
Grade 6 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate English B
Grade 7 at Higher Level
Alternative entry requirements
If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
