ADMISSIONS

How to Apply

Please note the following HYMS requirements for applicants applying in 2009 (for entry in 2010 or deferred entry for 2011):

• GCSEs: All applicants must have: -

1. Grade A English Language (or grade A English Literature and grade B English Language for those for whom English is their first language). Applicants with a grade B in both English Language and English Literature may contact us with evidence of subsequent use of English Language skills in subjects at AS, A level, or within a higher qualification.
2. Grade A Maths. Applicants with a B in GCSE Maths may contact us with evidence of subsequent use of mathematical skills in subjects at AS, A level, or within a higher qualification.
3. Retakes of these GCSEs are accepted.
   

• A levels:  The typical offer will be AAB, including both Biology at grade A and Chemistry at grade A, and a third A2 (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking). Candidates will also need a 4th subject to AS level at grade B (excluding General Studies).
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Overall total of 34 points with 6,6,5 in three Higher level subjects including Biology and Chemistry.
• Graduates: Only graduates with a degree class of 2.1 or higher will be considered.

• All applicants must take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test in the year they apply; results are only valid for one year. Applicants who have not taken the UKCAT in the year they apply will be rejected. Applicants with a total UKCAT score of less than 1900 or a verbal reasoning score of less than 420 will not normally be considered.

Contents

1. Application Procedures

1.1 Student intake
1.2 Method of application
1.3 Campus allocation
1.4 Widening access
1.5 The UK Clinical Aptitude Test
1.6 International students
1.7 Equal opportunities policy
1.8 Gap year
1.9 Applicants from other medical schools
1.10 Re-applications
1.11 Pre-application experience

2. Entry requirements for school leavers

2.1 GCSEs
2.2 AS and A levels
2.3 Vocational A levels
2.4 Scottish Highers
2.5 Irish Leaving Certificate
2.6 Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma (WBQ)
2.7 Re-sit requirements
2.8 BTEC national diplomas
2.9 Cambridge Pre-U
2.10 International Baccalaureate Diploma
2.11 European Baccalaureate Diploma
2.12 Other European qualifications

3. Entry requirements for those other than school leavers

3.1 Graduates
3.2 Biomedical science graduates
3.3 Experienced health professionals
3.4 Dentists
3.5 Open University qualifications
3.6 Access courses

4. English Language requirements

Evidence of English language ability

5. Health and disability

5.1 Health requirements
5.2 Students with disabilities
5.3 Pre-application
5.4 Blood-borne viruses
5.5 Immunisations
5.6 Dyslexia

6. Selection procedure

6.1 Principle of HYMS selection procedure
6.2 Meeting the academic criteria
6.3 Assessment of UCAS forms
6.4 Addition of points for the UKCAT
6.5 Invitation to interview
6.6 Interview assessment
6.7 Being made an offer of a place
6.8 Feedback
6.9 Clearing and Extra

7. Other requirements

7.1 Allocation to Hull or York
7.2 Criminal records
7.3 Agreement to conditions of medical training

8. Open days

This year's details

9. Review of previous applications

9.1 Review of applications for 2006 entry
9.2 Review of applications for 2007 entry

10. Guiding principles for the admission of medical students

10.1 Selection for medical school implies selection for the medical profession
10.2 The selection process attempts to identify the core academic and non-academic qualities of a doctor
10.3 A high level of academic attainment will be expected
10.4 The practice of medicine requires the highest standards of professional and personal conduct
10.5 The practice of medicine requires the highest standards of professional competence
10.6 Candidates should demonstrate some understanding of what a career in medicine involves
10.7 Transparent selection process
10.8 The primary duty of care is to patients
10.9 Declarations

1. Application Procedures

1.1 Student intake: The Hull York Medical School has 140 places each year on the the full five-year MB BS course, A100. There is no accelerated graduate entry course. Ten of the 140 places are for international students. There are no other quotas of places reserved for special categories; all applications are treated equally.

1.2 Method of application: All applications are made through UCAS directly to HYMS - institution code H75 - not to the University of Hull or the University of York. Applications should reach UCAS by the annual published closing date, usually 15 October of the year before the start of the course. Late applications are not considered.

1.3 Campus allocation: Applicants who accept a place at HYMS must be prepared to accept their allocation to either the University of Hull or the University of York. Students are university-based for the first two years of their course. Initial allocation to Hull or York is only undertaken after the applicant has firmly accepted an offer of a place at HYMS. Allocation is by ballot, except in a small number of circumstances. For more information about the HYMS campus allocation policy see Other requirements 7.1 below.

1.4 Widening access: The Universities of Hull and York are committed to a programme of widening access to higher education. The HYMS admission process selects applicants on the basis of their potential, and will take some account of evidence of educational, social, health or other personal disadvantage.

1.5 The UK Clinical Aptitude Test : HYMS considers that an admissions process based on predicted A level achievements does not necessarily serve the applicants' best interests. Together with other UK universities we require all applicants to take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) in the year that the application is submitted. For further information see www.ukcat.ac.uk. The test is open to all applicants regardless of A level predictions. It will help us widen participation, specifically by identifying very able students whose predicted A level grades are low but who may go on to achieve the required results in August. See 6.3 Assessment of UCAS forms and UKCAT to find out how we are using UKCAT scores in our selection procedure.

We strongly recommend all applicants to try the practice tests that are available on the UKCAT website; several hours spent on those tests will maximise the improvement in performance that can be obtained from practice. We do not endorse or recommend any of the commercially available preparation material, and these are not in any way related to or licensed by the UKCAT.

1.6 International students: Ten places are available to international students, defined as students who are 'Overseas' by fee status (UCAS residential category O). In general 'Overseas' means people who have not been resident in the EU for at least three years. To check your fee status see www.ukcosa.org.uk/

1.7 Equal opportunities policy: All applications are given full consideration irrespective of the applicant's age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital or parental status, religion, social class, nationality, ethnic origin or area of UK residence.

1.8 Gap year: HYMS is happy to consider applications for deferred entry; indeed, a gap year is considered beneficial to many students. Applications may be made either during the A level year (for deferred entry) or during a gap year. Like all other applicants, gap year applicants must be able to attend an interview on one of the pre-arranged dates which will fall between December and February.

1.9 Applicants from other medical schools: We do not accept transfer students from other medical schools because of the integrated nature of the HYMS course. We do not accept applications from anyone who has been enrolled at another medical school in the UK or abroad.

1.10 Re-applications: We are happy to accept applications in 2 different admissions years from each prospective student. Subsequent applications will not be considered.

1.11 Pre-application experience: There is no prescribed pre-application experience. Every applicant should try to obtain a realistic understanding of the demands of medical training and practice. Applicants will find it useful to get some experience in a range of caring situations, observing or working alongside healthcare staff, in either a voluntary or paid capacity. We also advise applicants to explore both the positive and negative aspects of a medical career, through talking to doctors and other healthcare professionals. We expect applicants to demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to, team-work and the social context of healthcare.

The following books are regularly updated useful sources of information published by the British Medical Journal (see http://www.bmj.com)
• Learning Medicine by Peter Richards, Simon Stockhill, Rosalind Foster and Elizabeth Ingall (CUP)
• The Essential Guide to Becoming a Doctor by Richard Harrison and Benjamin Turney (BMJ books)
• The Insiders’ Guide to UK Medical Schools by Joanna Burgess, Sally Girgis and Karen Hebert (Blackwell)

2. Entry requirements for school leavers

2.1 GCSEs: 6 grades A-C including A grade minimum in Maths and English Language. Retakes of Maths and English Language GCSEs are accepted. Applicants with a B in GCSE Maths may contact us with evidence of subsequent use of mathematical skills in subjects at AS, A level, or within a higher qualification. For students for whom English is their first language we will accept grade A English Literature plus a grade B in English Language at GCSE. Applicants with a grade B in both English Language and English Literature may contact us with evidence of subsequent use of English Language skills in subjects at AS, A level, or within a higher qualification.

2.2 AS and A levels: Applicants should have studied at least 4 subjects at AS level, and obtained a B grade at AS level in the subject not continued to A2. Offers will be based on three A levels, not including General Studies, and normally including both Biology at grade A and Chemistry at grade A. Critical Thinking is only accepted at AS level. All other subjects are considered of equal merit as the third A level. We welcome applicants who show evidence of breadth of interest, but having a fourth A level will not increase your chance of a place.

Typical A level offer: Grades AAB at A level (AA in Biology and Chemistry) plus B in a fourth subject at AS level.

2.3 Vocational A levels: A single vocational A level in Health and Social Care or IT may be offered in combination with Biology and Chemistry A levels. Candidates intending to offer Dual Award AVCEs should contact admissions@hyms.ac.uk for further information.

2.4 Scottish Highers: AAAAB at Higher level (H) including Biology and Chemistry both at grade A taken in a single attempt in Secondary 5, plus grades AA at Advanced Higher (AH) level Biology and Chemistry and an additional Higher at grade A taken in Secondary 6.

2.5 Irish Leaving Certificate:AAAAAB at Higher level, including A1A1 in Chemistry and Biology, taken at the first attempt.

2.6 Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma (WBQ): The typical offer will be conditional on achieving the WBQ with 390 points, including 15 units in optional qualifications. AAB grades will be required in Biology (grade A), Chemistry (grade A) and any third GCE A Level excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.

2.7 Re-sit requirements: We accept results obtained by re-sitting modules within the initial two year programme of post-16 education, in order to achieve our typical grades.

Any applicants who have re-taken exams during a third year of post-16 education will need to provide at the time of application acceptable documentary evidence of extenuating circumstances affecting their first attempt at the examinations. An offer will usually be conditional on obtaining A grades in re-taken subjects.

2.8 BTEC national diplomas: We do not accept BTEC national diplomas. Applicants offering the Higher National Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science should contact admissions@hyms.ac.uk. Offers will typically require the final year units to be passed predominantly with distinctions and nothing lower than merit.

2.9 Cambridge Pre-U: Our typical Cambridge Pre-U offer for 2010 entry will be Pass with D3/D3 in Chemistry and Biology as Principal subjects and M2 in third Principal subject/ Global perspectives.

2.10 International Baccalaureate Diploma: Overall total of 34 points with 6,6,5 in three Higher level subjects including Biology and Chemistry.

2.11 European Baccalaureate Diploma: Final overall mark of 80% (8.0) including Biology and Chemistry with minimum grades of 8.5.

2.12 Other European qualifications: . See Alternative European Qualifications for information about marks or grades normally required in school leaving examinations from other European countries. If you have (or are currently doing) a qualification that is not on the list, please contact us by email at internationaladmissions@hyms.ac.uk. before applying and we will let you know whether we would consider an application from you.

3. Entry requirements for those other than school leavers

HYMS welcomes applications from applicants of any age to the full five-year programme. We do not limit the number of places available for older applicants, for example by having fixed quotas. All applicants are assessed on their own individual merits. The 2005 entry cohort is 39% non-school leavers and the 2006 entry cohort is 24%. There have always been at least 2 non-recent school leavers in every PBL group, so you certainly won’t be alone! All applicants must have taken the UKCAT and apply through UCAS by the annual published closing date.

People who are not recent school leavers must have GCSEs in Maths and English at grade A and proof of recent and appropriate knowledge of Biology and Chemistry. This may be achieved via a biomedical sciences degree; by studying these subjects to A or AS level; by studying relevant modules at the Open University or through an Access to Medicine course (see below).

HYMS considers applications from the following categories of entrant:
- graduates in biomedical sciences,
- currently practising health professionals with at least five years' post-qualification experience
- other graduates not in either of the above categories,
- students studying at the Open University
- applicants undertaking approved Access to Medicine programmes specified below.

3.1 Graduates: We do not have a 4 year graduate entry programme - all applications are for the 5 year programme. Graduates should either have achieved grades AAB at the first time of sitting their A levels, or have at least an upper second class honours degree. A subsequent Access Course or higher degree does not replace this entrance requirement.

3.2 Biomedical science graduates: Biomedical science graduates should have covered both Biology and Chemistry or related subjects in at least their first university year.

3.3 Experienced health professionals: HYMS welcomes applications from currently practising health professionals with at least an upper second class honours degree and with at least five years' post-qualification experience. This includes nursing, radiography, physiotherapy and similar professions.

All health professionals will be asked to provide evidence of recent knowledge of Biology and Chemistry. This may be obtained either by studying one to A level standard and the other to AS level standard, or by taking an Access to Medicine course.

3.4 Dentists: Successful applicants who are registered dentists and who will have obtained the full FDS before starting the course, will be considered for direct admission to year 2 of the HYMS five year course. This is the only circumstance under which students can enter the course at any point other than year 1.

3.5 Open University qualifications: GCSE English and Maths at grade A. 120 points of OU courses all at Pass II, to include the level one course S104 (Exploring Science) 60 points, and a further 60 points (at least 30 points at level 2) from other relevant OU courses. Click here for further details.

3.6 Access courses: We will consider applicants who are taking one of the following Access to Medicine Courses in one year:

• City College, Norwich
• College of West Anglia, King's Lynn
• Sussex Downs College, Lewes
• M&D Pre-Med at Sussex University
• Foundation Course in Clinical Science/Medicine, Bradford. We do not consider students who have started Year 1 Clinical Sciences at Bradford for either 1st or 2nd year entry to HYMS.

The typical offer will be a distinction in each component of the Access course.

We generally do not consider Access to Science courses. The only circumstance where we may consider a student studying a QAA-approved Access to Science course is when we have received a specific request from an applicant and given our approval, based on full details of the course and discussion with the course providers.

4. English language requirements

Applicants for whom English is not their first language or about whose language skills interviewers express concern, may be asked to provide evidence of English language ability. This may be any one of the following:
• IELTS overall score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in every component
• Cambridge proficiency grade A.
• TOEFL: Internet-based (iBT) minimum of 26 in each component, Computer-based 260, Paper-based 620

5. Health and disability

5.1 Health requirements: All offers of places are conditional upon a satisfactory health check. This is because the safety of the public is always the first priority, and in this context we have to consider the potential impact of an individual applicant’s disability or health problem on their medical training and suitability as a doctor. HYMS has a responsibility to ensure that all students admitted to the course will be eligible for registration by the General Medical Council on graduation. In order to graduate, all students, including those with disabilities entitled to reasonable adjustments during training, must meet all the core outcomes specified by the General Medical Council in its document Tomorrow's Doctors. For further information see www.gmc-uk.org/education/core_education_outcomes.pdf

5.2 Students with disabilities: HYMS welcomes applications from students with disabilities. A disability is a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Occasionally a disability or condition may debar an applicant from a career in medicine, on grounds of patient safety or inability to meet all the core outcomes of medical training even after reasonable adjustments have been made.

Applicants should note disabilities on their UCAS form. This does not adversely affect the assessment of the UCAS form and the disability will not normally be discussed during interview. All applications showing special needs related to disability are considered by the same assessors in order to make comparable allowances for people with disabilities of comparable severity.

It is also particularly important that, before application, candidates with disabilities gain insight into the demands of a medical career and appropriate, realistic understanding of the roles of a doctor. Applicants with severe or multiple disabilities are strongly advised to contact the HYMS Associate Dean for Admissions and the disability advisers of the University of Hull or the University of York before application, and before interview if assistance will be needed on the interview day.

5.3 Pre-application: An applicant who has any serious condition that could be passed on to patients, or a disease or disability that could affect their judgement or performance, is strongly advised to seek guidance from a consultant in occupational health or other suitably qualified doctor before applying. The advice should cover whether, and in what ways, their clinical contact with patients should be modified and whether any limitations would prevent satisfactory completion of the MB BS programme. The applicant should then discuss the advice with the HYMS Associate Dean for Admissions.

All applicants offered places at HYMS are required to return a completed health questionnaire to the HYMS occupational health service by a specified date before the start of the course. As a result of this questionnaire, some applicants will be asked to undergo an independent medical examination, and/or a skills assessment, before they can be registered on the course. Each case will be viewed on its merits, but a very small number of disabilities and medical conditions may prevent satisfactory completion of medical training. For further information see the HYMS Codes of Practice on Admissions, and on Fitness to Practise Medicine, at: Codes of Practice.

5.4 Blood-borne viruses: The Department of Health's draft guidance governing applicants infected with blood-borne viruses is as follows (October 2006):

'All new healthcare workers will need to have standard health clearance for serious communicable diseases. Additional health clearance for blood-borne viruses will be needed for new healthcare workers who will perform exposure prone procedures. This [should not] prevent those infected with blood-borne viruses from working in the NHS, but...restrict them from working in those clinical areas where their infection may pose a risk to patients in their care,...[with] restrictions on the working practices of those healthcare workers known to be infectious carriers of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.'

Further information see Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

5.5 Immunisations: Information about immunisations will be sent with offer letters. Specific requirements relating to transmissible diseases may be made from time to time by the Department of Health or by NHS institutions in order to reduce risks of transmission to patients.

5.6 Dyslexia Anyone offered a place at HYMS who has special needs due to dyslexia, or who has taken the extended version of the UKCAT because of dyslexia, should send a current educational psychologist's report or equivalent with their occupational health questionnaire before the start of the course. Students can contact the Disability Service of the Universities of Hull or York (as appropriate) on arrival, to request a suitable psychologist's assessment. The dyslexia tutor of the Disability Service will then arrange an Assessment of Need to advise what special provisions the student will require throughout the course. Applicants should be aware that although additional time may be approved in written exams it is unlikely to be allowed in clinical examinations.

6. Selection procedure

6.1 Principle of HYMS selection procedure

HYMS selection procedure aims to be fair, open and transparent to all applicants. There are several steps in the selection of successful applicants to HYMS, which follow the procedures set out in the HYMS Code of Practice on Admissions. These steps are set out below.

6.2 Step 1 - Meeting the academic criteria

All UCAS forms are checked to see whether the applicant meets the HYMS academic criteria. Our standard A level offer for 2010 entry will be grades AAB including A level Biology at grade A and A level Chemistry at grade A. Applicants must either have obtained these grades already or be predicted to obtain at least grades AAB or better.  However, applicants with clear evidence of educational disadvantage may be considered with predicted grades of ABB. We also require all applicants to have at least 6 GCSEs at grades A to C, including GCSE Maths and English Language at grade A (or equivalent).

6.3 Step 2 - Assessment of UCAS forms

Next, all UCAS forms that meet the academic criteria are read and scored by a trained HYMS assessor.  The Personal Statement and the Reference are considered together as one document. The assessors use a standard assessment sheet on which to record the level of evidence you provide for each of the following personal attributes:

• Academic Ability
• Motivation for medicine
• A Realistic understanding of medicine, which should  include ‘hands-on’ experience of caring, and observation of health care in hospital and community settings
• Self-motivation and responsibility
• Communication skills
• Ability to work with others
• Other unusual qualities or life-experience

Each UCAS form is scored out of a maximum of 50.     

The HYMS Admissions process ensures that any declared disability or criminal conviction is not allowed to influence the UCAS form assessment.

6.4 Step 3- Addition of points for the UKCAT

All applicants to HYMS must take the UKCAT in the year they apply, because results are only valid for one year.
 
Applicants who have not taken the UKCAT will be rejected. 

Applicants with a total UKCAT score of less than 1900 or a verbal reasoning score of less than 420 will not normally be considered.

Applicants with a total score of 1900 or higher and a verbal reasoning score of 420 or higher will be awarded up to 10 points based on their total UKCAT score. The points are awarded as follows:

6.5 Step 4 - Invitation to interview

The UCAS form points (maximum 50) are added to the UKCAT points (maximum 10) to give each applicant an initial score out of 60. Candidates are then ranked in order of their initial score. The highest scoring 600 applicants are then invited to interview.

In addition, any applicant whose overall UKCAT score lies in the top 25% of all UKCAT scores, but whose initial score is still below the threshold for invitation to interview, will have their UCAS application form reviewed again by a subcommittee of the HYMS admissions committee, which has the discretion to invite such applicants to interview.

Any applicant whose initial score is below the threshold for invitation to interview will normally have their UCAS form re-read and scored by a second trained HYMS assessor. The average score of the two readers will then be calculated and added to the UKCAT points to give such applicants a revised initial score. If the revised score is above the threshold for interview the applicant will then be invited for interview.

6.6 Step 5 – Interview assessment

Each candidate will normally be interviewed by two people; typically one female and one male, and typically one of whom is an experienced clinician.  Neither interviewer will have seen the applicant’s UCAS form, because the interview explores different attributes that are not well assessed from a written application. The 20 minute interview will be formally structured.  The interview will be based on a fixed number of questions including one based on an article that the applicant will be given to read immediately before the interview.  The other questions will explore the following attributes in candidates: 

• Knowledge and understanding of Problem Based Learning
• Motivation for medicine
• Depth and breadth of interests – knowledge and reflection about medicine and the wider world
• Team work and work experience
• Personal insight – knowledge of own strengths and weaknesses
• Understanding of the role of medicine in society
• Tolerance of uncertainty and ambiguity

Each interviewer independently evaluates each answer. The interview is scored out of a maximum of 50.  The two scores are averaged to give the applicant’s interview points.   

6.7 Step 6 – Being made an offer of a place

We then add the interview points to the initial score (derived from the UCAS form points and the UKCAT points) to give each applicant’s final total score (out of a maximum possible 110 points).  Candidates are then ranked in order of their final total score and offers of places made to approximately the top 340 scoring candidates.

6.8 Feedback

Feedback will only be given to unsuccessful applicants who send in a signed written request, and is normally only given after the selection process is completed in April. Most unsuccessful applicants are entirely suitable for entry but have been surpassed in rank order by others. We keep a record of every applicant’s UCAS, UKCAT and interview points, and position in the overall ranking, and this is the information normally supplied as feedback.

6.9 Clearing and Extra

HYMS is unlikely to enter UCAS Extra or Clearing

7. Other requirements

7.1 Allocation to Hull or York: Applicants who accept a place at HYMS must be prepared to be allocated to either the University of Hull or the University of York for the first two years of their course, because HYMS has to create a balanced cohort of students on each campus. Initial allocation of campus will be made by ballot after all offers have been accepted.

See Campus Allocation - Information for Applicants for further details

7.2 Criminal records: Applicants are asked to inform the HYMS Associate Dean for Admissions in writing at the time of application of any prior criminal charges, cautions, reprimands or final warnings. Any individual who incurs a new criminal charge, caution, reprimand or final warning between submitting their application and starting the course should inform the HYMS Associate Dean for Admissions immediately.

This information will not be available to UCAS form assessors, interviewers and it will not affect the recommendation of an offer of a place. However, offers of places to such individuals will require the additional approval of the HYMS Fitness to Practise committee in the light of the full details of the individual's circumstances as provided by the applicant. In considering such information, the HYMS Fitness to Practise committee is acting on behalf of both universities and all the NHS Trusts in the HYMS area.

All students are required to undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check at the time of registration with the University. Disclosure by the CRB check of convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that have not already been declared will lead to forfeiture of the place.

7.3 Agreement to conditions of medical training: All students are required to sign an Agreement to Conditions of Medical Training, which they will receive in the month before registration as a student at either university. Click here to view the current version of this agreement.

8. Open Days

HYMS participates in the Open Days of both parent universities. Intending participants are advised to book a place on each respective university's web site at least two weeks beforehand: it is not possible to arrange individual informal visits to the Hull York Medical School at other times.

• Details of Open Days

9. Review of previous applications

Click here to see the review of applications for 2006 entry

Click here to see the review of applications for 2007 entry

10. Guiding principles for the admission of medical students

The Hull York Medical School Admissions Policy follows the Guiding Principles for the Admission of Medical Students agreed by the Council of Heads of Medical Schools in November 2004.

The following revision to the CHMS guiding principles for the selection and admission of students to medical schools has been prepared following a helpful workshop at the CHMS Admissions to Medicine and Dentistry Conference 2004. The principles are based on those set down in the Schwartz report: transparency; selection for merit, potential and diversity; reliability, validity and relevance; the minimising of barriers; professionalism. Consultation has indicated that there is widespread support for the new principles, including from the BMA and Department of Health.

10.1 Selection for medical school implies selection for the medical profession: A degree in medicine confirms academic achievement and in normal circumstances entitles the new graduate to be provisionally registered by the General Medical Council and to start practising as a doctor. (The only exceptions to automatic entitlement to provisional registration relate to criminal convictions and cautions, and adverse rulings from other professional regulatory bodies [Medical Act 1983, Part ll and Part V].) Fitness to practise issues must therefore be considered when selecting students.

10.2 The selection process attempts to identify the core academic and non-academic qualities of a doctor: First among these is the recognition that patient care is the primary concern of a doctor. Honesty, integrity and an ability to recognise one's own limitations and those of others are central to the practice of medicine. In addition, medical students should be expected to have good communication and listening skills, an ability to make decisions under pressure and to remain calm. They must be able to cope with stress and have an understanding of professional issues such as teamwork and respect for the contribution of other professions. Curiosity, creativity, initiative, flexibility, and leadership are all desirable characteristics for the aspiring doctor. Admissions policies will be informed and guided by current research and good practice.

10.3 A high level of academic attainment will be expected: Understanding science is core to the understanding of medicine, but medical schools generally encourage diversity in the subjects offered by candidates and will publish the range of acceptable subjects together with the typical offers which will be made.

10.4 The practice of medicine requires the highest standards of professional and personal conduct: It must be recognised that some students will not be suited to a career in medicine, even though they have attained the necessary academic standards. It is in the interests of such students and of the public that they should not be admitted, rather than to have to leave the course or the profession subsequently. Criminal offences and other related matters must be declared by applicants. Offences against children will always disqualify a candidate, and offences against the person and recent/serious dishonesty are likely to disqualify a candidate from entry onto a medical degree. ‘The Duties of a Doctor’ as determined by the General Medical Council (www.gmc-uk.org) should be studied by aspiring candidates.

10.5 The practice of medicine requires the highest standards of professional competence: In relation to admission to medical school this will mean that the medical school must evaluate whether there are particular circumstances that will preclude a candidate being able to practise as a doctor. Issues relating to a candidates health will not be dealt with by an interview panel set up to assess personal qualities. Health matters will be separately considered by a Fitness to Practise Committee informed by an Occupational Health assessment. This process would be run in parallel with the general selection process. A disability, for example, need not be a bar to becoming a doctor if the student can fulfil the rigorous demands of professional fitness to practise as a newly qualified doctor. Students with disabilities should seek advice from medical schools well before the deadline for UCAS submissions so that their individual circumstances can be considered. Applicants are expected to declare a history of any serious physical or mental disorder, and each applicant’s circumstances will be dealt with on a case by case basis. A history of serious ill health will not jeopardise a career in medicine unless the condition impinges on professional fitness to practise.

10.6 Candidates should demonstrate some understanding of what a career in medicine involves: Candidates should demonstrate some understanding of what a career in medicine involves and their suitability for a caring profession. Medical schools expect candidates to have had some relevant experience, either paid or voluntary in health or related areas. Medical schools will not be prescriptive regarding how this is obtained, recognising the widely differing opportunities available to candidates,

10.7 Transparent selection process: Medical schools have agreed that the selection process for medical students must be transparent, involve procedures that respect obligations under relevant diversity and equality legislation. Medical schools will make available to prospective applicants details of their admissions policies and explanations of the admissions process. Medical schools will be proactive in accordance with legislative requirements in reaching out to all sections of the community. Medical schools welcome diversity among their applicants and are positive about accepting applications from those other than school leavers.

10.8 The primary duty of care is to patients: Freedom from infection with blood-borne viruses is not an absolute requirement for those wishing to train as doctors, although an applicant who is a carrier must recognise that some areas, especially surgical specialties, will not be available as career choices. The nature of the medical course means that students found to be infectious carriers of blood-borne viruses on entry to medical school will need to comply with occupational health supervision and guidance from the responsible Head of Course to ensure they do not perform exposure-prone procedures.

10.9 Declarations: Failure to declare information that has a material influence on a student’s fitness to practise may lead to termination of their medical course.

Revised November 2004

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