Medicine

Magdalen has a strong tradition of teaching and research in the medical sciences, particularly neuroscience and infection and immunity where we have had 4 Fellows win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Charles Sherrington, who laid the ground work for our modern understanding of the nervous system; John Eccles, who was his student and who helped discover how nerves signal; Howard Florey, who developed penicillin; and Peter Medawar, who discovered the function of lymphocytes and how the immune system distinguishes between self and non-self. The medical Fellows are: Christopher Garland, Professor of Vascular Pharmacology, who studies how very small arteries control blood flow; Dr Stephen Goodwin, who is a neurogeneticist studying sexual behaviour; Quentin Sattentau, Professor of Immunology, who studies interactions between HIV and the immune system; and Dr Robert Gilbert who studies the molecular structure of ribosomes and teaches biochemistry. In addition Magdalen has three holders of prestigious Personal Chairs: Gero Miesenboeck, Professor of Physiology, who studies the neurophysiological basis of behaviour in a fly model; Oliver Braddick, Professor of Psychology and an expert on visual development; and Peter Ratcliffe, Professor of Medicine, who has done groundbreaking work on the role of oxygen-sensing factors in disease.

Course structure

In the first 5 terms preclinical medical students study basic anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry and pathology. An important feature of the Oxford medical course is that for the next 4 terms all students read for an Honours degree, in Medical Sciences, before continuing with Clinical Medicine. This is similar to the intercalated BSc that only a few students at other medical schools are able to do. During this time you can specialise in the areas of medical science that you find most interesting. This will include carrying out a research project working alongside Oxford academics. We teach you to analyse experimental data critically and write about the medical research that you and others have performed in your area of interest. Magdalen therefore wishes to attract applicants who are especially interested in the scientific basis of medicine.

We also welcome applicants wishing to read Biomedical Sciences.

Number of students admitted per year

5 preclinical students.

Tuition

You will usually receive two 1-hour tutorials per week, for which you will be set a topic to read about and write an essay or notes on, then discuss with your tutor. The medical tutors are: Professors Christopher Garland and Quentin Sattentau, and Drs Robert Gilbert and Stephen Goodwin. Clinically-based tuition and course coordination is also provided by inter alia Dr Peter Sullivan, Reader in paediatric gastroenterology, Mr Simon Kreckler, Florey Lecturer and Dr George Harston, Sherrington Lecturer. These tutorials help integrate the preclinical basic medical sciences with clinical problems to emphasise the relevance of the sciences behind medicine.

Entry requirements

Medicine - You should be predicted to obtain A*AA at A2 (or equivalent qualifications) taken in one sitting. Chemistry at A2 is required, plus Biology and/or Physics and/or Mathematics at A2 level. One Arts A-level is encouraged but not required. Biology, Mathematics and Physics should have been passed at least at GCSE. Post A-level candidates can be considered on their A2 results (AAA).

Entry procedure

All candidates must sit the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), which will be taken at your school/college or an approved test centre. The test consists of quantitative reasoning, basic scientific facts (GCSE level) and a commentary on an article of medical interest. It is your responsibility to ensure you are registered for the test and the standard deadline for registration is 30th September. Further information about the BMAT test including registration information can be found at: www.bmat.org.uk. The decision to interview you will depend on your result in the BMAT, your GCSE performance, A-level progress and predictions, school report, general interests and personal statement.

If you are invited for interview for a place to study medicine, you will receive at least two interviews. Much of each interview will be devoted to aspects of your A-level subjects and we will ask you about any project work you have been involved with or any aspect of a subject that has interested you, so that you can choose the topic we discuss. We are interested in your academic potential, enthusiasm and interest in medical science and ability to think clearly, not in the level of detail of your existing knowledge. The rest of your interview will be about your understanding of medicine as an ethical profession and about your wider interests.

Deferred entry

It is very rare indeed for us to offer deferred entry and it may be safer to apply post A-level during your gap year. If you are considering making an application for deferred entry you are advised to contact us in advance.

For informal enquiries contact Professor Quentin Sattentau or Professor Christopher Garland, Magdalen College, Oxford.

External links