Programme Conditions
The University of Surrey expects all students on the BMBS Medicine (Graduate Entry) Programme to comply with the University and GMC regulations and to fully engage in the programme. To deliver the programme and meet GMC attendance expectations, the BMBS Medicine (Graduate Entry) programme has been granted exemption from the University of Surrey Code of Practice for timetabling and will run compulsory taught sessions on Wednesday afternoons.
Progression requirements
Progression on the BMBS programme is subject to meeting the required standard across all curriculum strands, in each year of the programme. This includes meeting the expected attendance requirement; attendance at taught and assessed sessions is monitored and while 100% attendance is expected, students must achieve a minimum of 80% attendance overall (to allow for unexpected issues) and within each curriculum strand. Further detail on attendance requirements is detailed in the student handbook.
The assessment level is monitored and confirmed at Board of Examiners held at the end of each year. Students who fail to reach an aggregated passing standard will fail the year overall and may be given the opportunity to re-sit the following academic year. This decision is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. Students re-sitting the following academic year must attend and repeat all teaching and assessment components. This will have financial implications as the tuition fee will be charged in full for any repeated year. Students have one opportunity for re-sit and if they do not progress in a repeated year of study, they will usually be required to leave the programme.
For students to graduate with the BMBS qualification, they must complete and pass the national Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) in addition to all BMBS curriculum strand outcomes, to the required standard. The MLA comprises two parts; the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), the Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA). Further information will be provided regarding the MLA during the programme.
Professional conduct and Fitness to Practise
Students in the School of Medicine must act in line with the GMC and University of Surrey expectations of Fitness to Practise and Professional conduct. The University’s procedures for professionalism and fitness to practise comply with the Equality Act 2010 and considers ALL characteristics protected by legislation.
Students who wish to continue their post graduate medical education in the UK can apply to the UK Foundation Training Programme. Registration to the Foundation Training programme is governed by the GMC and includes a separate test of Fitness to Practise. Application to Foundation Training includes completion of a Supporting Trainees Entering Practice (STEP) form, which requires students to share information in relation to health, welfare, performance and skills, and professionalism. The student and the university have a duty to report any investigations relating to Fitness to Practise, or misconduct of any nature, to the GMC upon application.The information provided on the STEP form is used to ensure that new foundation doctors get the right educational and pastoral support during their two-year programme and to see if they require reasonable adjustments to complete the programme.
Students are expected to act in accordance with University Codes of Practice and the General Medical Council (GMC) outcomes and standards set for all UK medical students. Any student who fails to act in accordance with these may have their programme terminated.
Occupational Health
Students must complete medical screening as part of the admissions process and attend an occupational health assessment to confirm their fitness to practise. Returning students must complete an annual declaration of good health and are responsible for reporting any concerns with regards to their own fitness to practise to the School. Students on the BMBS Medicine (Graduate Entry) Programme cannot start their clinical practice until Occupational Health clearance has been confirmed.
In cases of persistent poor physical or mental health, a student could be asked to attend an Occupational Health assessment with a view to advising if adjustments are required. If reasonable adjustments cannot be made to mitigate disruption to the student’s studies the School of Medicine’s Fitness to Practice procedures may be initiated.
Criminal Background Checks and DBS (Disclosure Barring Service)
All medical students must complete an online Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application prior to starting on the programme. Students are also required to subscribe to the DBS Update Service at the time of submitting their application.
Students who have been resident outside of the UK, must also provide a Certificate of Good Character from each of the countries they have been resident in for six months or longer, covering the period of five years prior to the programme start date. It is the student’s responsibility to organise and obtain these certificates and submit them to the School of Medicine in advance of registering on the programme.
Students who are unable to provide this certificate or whose certificate indicates a conviction, caution, warning or reprimand will be contacted by one of the FHMS counter signatories and the case taken for consideration by the Student Progress and Support Committee; an unsatisfactory criminal background check may prohibit the student's start or continuation on the programme.
Students are responsible for any costs associated with the overseas Certificate of Good Character. The university will cover the cost of one DBS application per student at the start of the programme and student who is resident in the UK will be advised to complete the associated ID verification checks using an applicable UK Post Office.
DBS certificates will be sent to the students directly and they should retain a copy. In addition, students should sign up to the DBS update service so status checks can be carried out by the School of Medicine in line with programme requirements.
The university does not receive a copy of DBS Certificates; students must keep their Certificate secure, as some placements may require evidence of DBS clearance. If a further DBS application is required (for example, due to loss of the Certificate by the student) the student will be charged.
If a check via the DBS update service suggests a student’s DBS status has changed, they must make a new application for a DBS certificate. The School of Medicine will not cover the cost of any additional DBS application.
During the programme
Students will be required to complete a Declaration of Good Health at the start of each academic year confirming that their DBS status has not changed during the previous year. If the student receives a conviction, caution, reprimand or warning during the programme he/she must immediately declare this to the designated Director of Student Support. Failure to do so could result in the termination of their programme or a Fitness to Practise investigation.
Confidentiality and use of Social Media
As part of practice experiences, students will have access to confidential information regarding patients. All such information is strictly confidential and must not, on any account, be shared with any unauthorised person. This includes discussions of practice experiences on social networking sites. The GMC provides detailed guidance on using Social Media which includes the following statement ‘When using social media of any kind, you must maintain patient confidentiality and recognise and respect patients’ dignity and their right to privacy.’ Students must adhere to the full GMC guidance. along with additional guidance relating to University of Surrey specific expectations.
Practice placements
To adequately support students on their clinical practice placements, the university will provide specific student contact details to the Local Education Providers such as Name, University email address, Mobile telephone number and Trusted Contact (Next of Kin) information. Students are expected to ensure this information is correct and up to date on their Surrey Self-Serve portal. Trusted Contact information would only be used in case of emergency. This data will be shared in line with the University’s Privacy Notice(s).
Identification (ID) verification documents will be required to process ID and access cards for use on hospital placements; students are required to provide this documentation to the university and/or Local Education Provider when requested to help support their placement facilitation.
Health and safety
Students are reminded that under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequent European directives, it is the duty of every student to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves, and of other persons who may be affected by their activities at work and also to co-operate fully with the Faculty and the University of Surrey in connection with arrangements to meet their statutory duties and responsibilities under the Act. In connection with this, students should acquaint themselves with the Policies which are available from the Faculty and the health care settings in which they are gaining experience and are expected to read and acknowledge Faculty Health and Safety briefings provided to them at the start and during, their period of study.
In addition, the Medical School requires all students to complete Mandatory and Statutory Training (MAST) prior to commencing clinical placements. It is a series of e-learning modules, most of which are hosted on the e-Learning for Health (e-LFH) platform.
Personal property
The University cannot accept responsibility for articles of personal property lost or damaged on their premises, whether by burglary, fire, theft, or otherwise, and students are advised to cover themselves against all risk.
Records
Students are required to inform the School of any changes of circumstances e.g. address, marital status, health. Failure to do so may have implications for their planned programme progression.
Personal indemnity
Students are encouraged to join a medical protection society (such as MPS and MDU) during their studies which have options for legal advice and legal protection for medical students. Further information on these options can be provided after enrolment on the programme.
