Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions (Medicine) (Year 0)
UCAS code 789S
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 6 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
- September 2025
- Apply by:
- Starts on:
About this course
A year zero foundation programme, designed for mature students who have typically been out of formal education for some time or who have taken non-traditional qualifications, which leads to access onto a Medicine and Surgery MBChB programme.
Introduction
The University of Liverpool, in collaboration with local FE partners, has developed a year zero foundation programme for Home students that leads to access onto a variety of vocational Health Studies programmes. Our Foundation to Human and Animal Health Professions (Medicine) course is for students seeking entry to to undertake the Medicine and Surgery MBChB (A100) programme.
Students seeking entry to Medicine will study a foundation year (year zero) at Carmel College, St Helens, about nine miles from the university campus, where the class sizes are small and the standards of academic achievement high before joining the Medicine programme on the University of Liverpool campus in year one following successful completion of the foundation year.
This programme is specifically targeted at Home mature and non-traditional students, who typically have taken a break from studies.
Please note that we will not consider applications from prospective students who have multiple UCAS applications for a variety of programmes, as this does not demonstrate a clear commitment.
What you'll learn
- Skills needed for independent study at undergraduate degree level
- Undertaking a variety of learning methods and assessment tasks
- A breadth of patient-focused practical experience in a region with a particularly diverse population
- Necessary knowledge, skills and professional behaviours to safely and ethically practice medicine
- Ability to meet the core requirements set out by the General Medical Council
- Become a lifelong learner committed to professional development
Routes
- Medicine and Surgery MBChB
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year zero
In all modules at year zero, the study skills needed for independent study at undergraduate degree level are developed. Students are also introduced to a variety of learning methods, such as formal taught sessions, workshops and practical laboratory sessions, as well as a variety of assessment tasks, such as written assignments, in class data handling, written and practical examinations to provide a good grounding for vocational programmes.
There are some shared modules for all students, and then route specific modules to ensure the students are prepared for their chosen undergraduate programmes.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
The School uses an integrated teaching model. The learning of medical sciences is enhanced by the clinical context of a systems-based approach. The development of understanding of clinical practice is supported by a ‘just in time’ model of academic weeks that relate to each clinical placement and case-based teaching within each placement. Specialist clinical centres from across the region provide students with a wide range of exceptional placement experiences during which students complete structured learning activities as well as taking advantage of near patient learning opportunities.
The School is at the forefront of technology enhanced learning, utilising mobile learning, virtual reality, simulation and a personalised e-portfolio to provide our students with the best possible experience and prepare them for the technological developments that will shape their future careers in healthcare.
We take the development of clinical leaders seriously and use a programme of experiential learning opportunities to develop students’ leadership and followership skills in a range of situational contexts.
The remainder of the course is delivered using a mix of interactive and didactic lecturing; case based learning, small group teaching, clinical skills and simulation workshops, Human Anatomy Resource Centre (HARC) sessions, communication skills practicals and a staged programme of research skills development.
The breadth of learning and teaching activities used within the Medical School ensures students have the underpinning knowledge and skills to become the safe clinical practitioners of tomorrow.
How you're assessed
Both formative and summative assessment take place within the programme. There is an emphasis on assessment for learning through the use of subject specific tests such as quizzes, anatomy spotters and formative Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).
Summative assessment takes place at the end of each year and includes written papers and practical exams in the form of OSCES and LOCAS.
We use technology to facilitate online marking and annotated feedback of written assignments, deliver formative online tests for students at the end of each teaching block and collate and deliver OSCE data, providing students with more useful feedback as a result.
A bespoke electronic portfolio, integrated throughout the curriculum provides students with a personalised learning space where they can collect evidence and develop their skills through reflective activities. The e-portfolio charts the student learning journey over the course of the programme.
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.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Your experience
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.
Explore where you'll study
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
An exciting place to study
- Major centre for education and research in health sciences
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Opportunities for in-depth study and development of advanced clinical skills
- Flexible programmes for postgraduate study
- Active research environment
- Provides specialist training with taught and clinical placement components.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Careers and employability
Our programmes are for individuals who wish to become qualified medical practitioners. A diverse range of careers are open to you as a medical graduate, varying from medical science, perhaps laboratory-based research, through public health and the development of health care strategies to clinical practice in the hospital and community.
The programme offers considerable opportunities for students to learn, to practise and to be assessed in the following key (transferable skills):
- Adopt the principles of lifelong learning
- Retrieve, manage and manipulate information by all means, including electronically
- Present information clearly in written, electronic and oral forms, and communicate ideas and arguments effectively
- Effectively manage time and resources and set priorities
- Apply the principles of scientific research and audit
- Study topics in depth
- Deal with uncertainty and work within a changing environment
- Teach effectively and act as a mentor to others
- Work effectively within a team.