Modern medicine is built upon fundamental discoveries across a range of scientific disciplines, reflected in the medical course at Oxford where there is a strong emphasis on the scientific evidence basis of medicine.
We usually admit 6 undergraduates to read medicine and are keen to attract students who are particularly interested in understanding the science underpinning medicine. During the first two years students study anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry and pathology before moving on to the Final Honours School (FHS year 3), graduating with a BA in Medical Sciences before continuing with clinical medicine. This structure is similar to the intercalated degree available to a limited number of students at other medical schools. During the FHS year students study an area of medical science that they find most interesting, and carry out a research project.
There are three tutorial fellows in Medicine. Christopher Garland, Professor of Vascular Pharmacology, studies how very small arteries control blood flow. Stephen Goodwin, Professor of Neurogenetics, studies sexual behaviour in the Drosophila model. Robert Gilbert, Professor of Biophysics, studies the molecular structure of ribosomes. There are three College-retained lecturers: the Florey Lecturer and Fellow by Special Election Dr Maheshi Ramasamy, responsible for Graduate Entry medicine, and the Sherrington Lecturer Dr Rebecca Shakir, responsible for clinical student teaching and teaching coordination in years 4-6, and Dr Dominic Alonzi who teaches aspects of biochemistry and immunology in years 1-3.
In addition to our tutorial fellows and lecturers, Magdalen has five other medical fellows. Gero Miesenboeck, Wayneflete Professor of Physiology, who studies the neurophysiological basis of behaviour in fruit flies using optogenetics. Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Ratcliffe, whose groundbreaking research has defined the role of oxygen-sensing factors in disease. Professor Richard Cornall, Nuffield Professor of Medicine who studies the causes of autoimmunity. Professor Xin Lu, Director of the Oxford Ludwig Cancer Research Institute and Professor Adrian Hill, Director of the Jenner Institute.
Magdalen is proud of its very strong tradition of teaching and research in the medical sciences, and reflected in the five fellows past and present awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Charles Sherrington, who laid the groundwork for our modern understanding of the nervous system. John Eccles, who was Sherrington’s student and helped discover how nerves signal. Howard Florey, who developed penicillin as a drug, Peter Medawar who discovered the function of lymphocytes and how the immune system distinguishes self from non-self and more recently one of our current Fellows, Peter Ratcliffe.
Entry requirements
Test
All candidates must take the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT).
Written work
None required.
Specific subjects
Chemistry is essential, together with at least one from Biology or Mathematics or Physics. We expect you to have taken and passed any practical component in your chosen science subjects.
Deferred entry
Applications for deferred entry may be considered.
Teaching staff
Dr Lauren Phillips
Professor Peter Sullivan
Professor John Stein
Professor Quentin Sattentau
Professor Sir Peter Ratcliffe
Professor Gero Miesenböck
Professor Adrian Hill, Kt.
Professor Michael Goldacre
The Revd Professor Robert Gilbert
Professor Chris Garland
Dr Maheshi Ramasamy
Dr Dominic Alonzi
Professor Richard Cornall
Professor Stephen Goodwin
Dr Rebecca Shakir
Student case study: Nadia
Find out about current student Nadia’s experience by reading her student profile.