MB BS

Medicine with a Gateway Year

Our Medicine with a Gateway Year programme is a widening participation initiative designed to facilitate access to Medicine for those from under-represented backgrounds.

Study type Problem based learning

Entry requirements

A Level ABB-BBC

5 GCSEs at 9-4 / A*-C

Admissions Test UCAT

A different kind of medical school

Introduction

Your journey to becoming an outstanding doctor starts here

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants to study Medicine, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Our six-year Medicine with a Gateway Year programme is a widening participation initiative designed to facilitate access to Medicine for those from under-represented backgrounds. Applicants must meet our eligibility criteria to apply for this programme. Applications are welcomed from students that meet our contextual eligibility criteria, particularly those from the Hull York Medical School region.

Ranked fifth in the UK*, our Medicine programme is innovative, distinctive, and specifically designed to meet the challenges of 21st century healthcare, truly preparing you for life as a doctor.

The Gateway Year forms the first academic year, and is based on the University of Hull campus. This year will support your transition from school or college to university, providing an excellent foundation in human biology and clinical skills so that you feel confident entering Year 1.

The Gateway Year offers hands-on learning in our anatomy labs, as well as modules including professionalism and ethics, health and society, and medical scholarship.

You will also have placements within our local area, to help you begin to develop the excellent communication skills and confident, empathetic approach to delivering care that are the hallmark of our graduates.

On successful completion of the Gateway Year, you progress to Phase I of the Medicine programme.

At the end of your studies, you will graduate thoroughly prepared for clinical practice, with an MB BS degree awarded jointly by the University of Hull and the University of York.

Key Information

UCAS Code A108

Institution Code H75

Start Date September 2025

Duration 6 years

Home Intake 30

International Intake 0

Study Type Problem Based Learning

Entry Requirements

A Level ABB-BBC

5 GCSEs at 9-4 / A*-C

Admissions Test UCAT

Entry requirements and eligibility criteria

Applying to Medicine

Book on an Open Day Download a prospectus

Medicine student on placement at James Alexander Family Practice

CURRICULUM

A dynamic three phase programme

Our three-phase programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a confident, capable doctor:

Gateway year Phase I Phase II Phase III Intercalation

Course structure

What will you study?

The Gateway Year is divided into modules designed to build your knowledge and skills as you progress through the year.

Each module includes formative and summative assessments.

Formative assessments don’t count towards your final qualification but are designed to provide you with feedback to identify your strengths, so that you can build on them, and your weaknesses, so that you can improve in those areas.

Summative assessments are formal assessments used to measure progress and to determine whether you have achieved the level of attainment required to progress through the programme, and to graduate as a doctor.

Following successful completion, you will progress into Year 1 of the Medicine programme.

The modules you will study in your Gateway Year are:

Human Biology I and II

These modules will help you transition from your science level in biology, chemistry and mathematics, to the standard required for Year 1 of the Medicine programme.

The modules will also include taster year 1 lectures and anatomy sessions, where you will experience a sample of what will be studied in the following years.

In addition, Human Biology II will also cover extended A level content where you will develop a basic understanding of other sciences that underpin medicine, including microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, tissue structure and anatomical terminology.

These modules are delivered through a combination of lectures, small group work, practical classes and laboratory classes. Where possible they will be based around patient cases. In addition, you will have some time for self-guided study.

Assessment

Formative assessment for each module: Exam for each module
Summative assessment: Exam for each module

Clinical Skills

This module provides an introduction to clinical and communication skills. You will develop your communication skills and begin to appreciate and display the appropriate communication in a variety of settings, such as with your peers, teachers, clinical and healthcare staff and patients. This module also introduces basic clinical skills.

You will experience a variety of teaching methods and settings to enhance your ability to communicate, feedback, reflect, manage emotions and to undertake a basic examination.

You will learn through a combination of clinical skills sessions on campus, at our teaching facilities at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, and on clinical placement visits.

Small group facilitated teaching sessions will occur alongside these to help develop core skills needed for work in the clinical setting.

There will also be time for self-directed learning.

Assessment

Formative clinical and communication competency sign off
Summative clinical and communication competency sign off

Health and Society

In this module, you will gain an overview of the health service, the people who work in it and the issues it faces. You will gain an understanding of how inter-professional teams work to deliver holistic care to patients in hospital and in the community.

You will also study the importance of the social and psychological context of health and health care for both patients and practitioners. Finally, you will gain an appreciation of the fundamental principles of health economics.

This module is delivered through a combination of seminars and problem based learning (PBL) group sessions, with time for self-directed learning.

Assessment

Summative presentation and essay

Professionalism and Ethics

This module introduces professional and ethical behaviours in the study and practice of medicine.

You will explore and develop a sound understanding of a number of core ethical and professional issues that arise in the practice of medicine.

You will also participate in activities that will support and enhance your personal and professional development, including skills in reflective practice.

The module is delivered through a combination of workshops, small group seminars, and problem based learning (PBL) sessions, with time for self-directed learning.

Assessment

Formative reflective writing
Summative poster presentation and essay

Medical Scholarship

This module will support you to develop your study skills needed for the course and for transition to year 1 of the Medicine programme.

It will cover topics including learning and revision skills, introduction to referencing and academic integrity, how to work in teams (including the basis of problem based learning), developing your reflective practice skills, understanding basic statistics in research papers, and personal wellbeing during your studies.

This module is delivered through a combination of seminars and group sessions, with time for self-directed learning.

Assessment

Formative essay
Summative essay and portfolio

Webinars

MediCafé sessions

MediCafé is a series of live webinars for prospective medical students.

Our sessions cover essential topics like applying to Medicine, making the most of work experience, and preparing for your UCAT admissions test.

Book your place

Student working on their laptop in the Allam Medical Building

Medicine with a Gateway Year student Komalpreet Kaur

HULL YORK MEDICAL SCHOOL Stories

The Medicine with a Gateway Year programme has enabled me to fulfil my dream of studying Medicine – something I have wanted to do from a young age. My parents grew up in Afghanistan during a time of civil war and unrest, and were unable to access any proper education. As the first generation in my family to go into higher education, I hope I can set a new path for other young women in my community and become a role model for them – as well as being able to make an impact on society.

Year 3

Komalpreet Kaur

University of Hull

An unforgettable experience

Medicine with a Gateway Year students are based at the University of Hull campus for their Gateway Year, learning in the £28-million health campus with the stunning Allam Medical Building at its heart.

Officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen, the building is an aspirational teaching and learning environment where you will meet other healthcare professionals in training, including nursing, physician associate, paramedic and midwifery students.

After you have successfully completed the Gateway Year, you can choose to continue your Medicine studies at either of our parent universities: the University of Hull or the University of York.

Student life