Hyms - Teaching

Teaching

The medical school admits 140 students each year, 1,000+ applied for 2007 entry. Of the successful applicants each year seventy are based at the University of Hull and the other seventy are based at the University of York. The medical school has scored well in University League tables; The Guardian newspaper ranked HYMS as the second best medical school in 2005. In 2008, HYMS was ranked both 17th and joint 5th in The Guardian league tables and The Times Good University guide, respectively. As of 2006 applicants have been required to sit the UKCAT admissions test. Information about the test and preparation can be found at UKCAT.

The course has had, in the past, a high proportion of mature students when compared to other medical courses. The 2005 intake had 44 mature students spread over both Hull and York universities, a higher number than in most medical schools.

Students spend the two years in phase one at their academic bases (either Hull or York). Phase two consists of rotation around York, Hull, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Scarborough. In the final year of the course (phase three) students essentially take on the role of a 'junior' pre-registration house officer and are also able to carry out an 'elective' period overseas. This is a common feature in most UK medical curricula. The school's first international students began their studies in September 2006.

The HYMS course uses Problem-based learning as opposed to more traditional teaching methods, and students see a great deal of clinical contact from the first year of their course as opposed to other medical schools. This has been praised by the General Medical Council and students alike, who see the vocational nature of the course one of the most exciting parts of their medical education. There is also a great emphasis on the community aspects of medicine, with students spending half of their time in General Practice as opposed to the more traditional hospital oriented clinical placements.

The course uses clinically orientated subjects, as opposed to traditional medical school subjects which are more abstract science based.

Like other medical schools, HYMS also offers the ability to intercalate a BSc degree in various subjects, such as anatomy, biology and ethics.

Students spend five years at HYMS and graduate with a MB BS degree (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery).