Medical student on placement in haematology ward
  • Undergraduate
  • MBBS/PhD

Intercalated PhD option for Medical Students

Build on your study of Medicine with the chance to complete a PhD as part of your course.

Include a PhD as part of your Medicine degree

Explore research from a range of specialities

Benefit from world-class facilities and collaborate across departments at Imperial

Showing course information for 2024 View 2025 course information

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MBBS/PhD

  • Duration

    8/9 years

  • Start date

    October 2024

  • UCAS course code

    Apply to A100

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • MBBS: £9,250
      PhD: Varies by year Home

    • MBBS: £53,700
      PhD: Varies by year Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

  • Applications: places

    12 : 1 (2022)

Course overview

This course offers exceptional students on the standard Medicine MBBS/BSc degree the opportunity to include a PhD as part of their course.

This consists of three years' research, taken after completion of the BSc component.

Research within the Department covers a very broad range of specialities, and you will benefit from access to world class facilities and the chance to collaborate with researchers from other departments and faculties at the College.

After your three years of research are complete, you will continue with the remainder of the MBBS programme, graduating with both an MBBS and PhD qualification.

Key facts

Miscellaneous clinical equipment such as a stethoscope, tablets and scissors.
  • 4th in the world Medicine, Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
  • Specialist pathways so you can focus on core fields of interest such as neuroscience or mental health.
  • Accredited by the General Medical Council Graduate qualified for provisional registration with the GMC

Structure

Phase 1

Phase 1 of the course runs over three years. You will undertake an integrated programme covering the scientific basis of medicine and the foundations of clinical practice, with clinical experience from the start.

The third year consists of clinical attachments in hospitals and placements in a primary care setting, supported by structured teaching.

Phase 2

Phase 2 leads to the award of a BSc degree at the end of year four. We have many specialist pathways available, exposing you to research at the cutting edge of the field. You also undertake a supervised research project.

Phase 3

Phase 3 covers the final two years of the MBBS qualification. You rotate through a wide range of clinical specialties, such as obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, general practice and paediatrics.

In the final years, you have the freedom to follow your own interests and undertake an eight-week elective, which you may complete in the UK or overseas.

For full details of each phase, including specific modules, please see the Medicine MBBS/BSc page.

You will initially apply initially for Medicine MBBS/BSc (UCAS code A100).

During your fourth or third year of study, you will contact the BSc Programme Officer to apply to undertake an intercalated PhD.

While undertaking a PhD, you will be placed on an interruption of studies from your MBBS medicine course.

Professional accreditation

This course is professionally accredited by General Medical Council.

This means that your education meets a respected and recognised standard, starting your career with skills and attitudes needed to deliver high-quality care.

Associateship

As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Imperial College School of Medicine (AICSM). This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Skill-based learning
  • Scientific practicals
  • Clinical placements
  • Case studies
  • Flipped classrooms
  • Computer workshops
  • Laboratory classes
  • Guided problem solving
  • Independent study

Assessment methods

  • Papers from a written report
    Written assessments
  • Clinical assessments
  • Reports and write ups
  • Lay communications
  • Oral presentation
  • Progress tests
  • Workplace assessments
  • Applied knowledge tests

Your timetable and learning

We use a repeating schedule to allow you to focus on Professional Knowledge, Clinical Skills, Professional Values and Behaviours at specific times.

You will focus on deep and active learning methods, such as flipped classrooms and team-based Learning so you can practise and apply your knowledge and critical thinking. 

Assessment

Your performance will be assesed by a combination of written and clinical examinations and continuous assessment.

Assessments for the MBBS programme are pass/fail. In-course assessments and examinations relating to the science modules in Phase 2 contribute to the final classification for honours for the BSc element of the MBBS/BSc degree and are graded.

Medical Licensing Assessment

The General Medical Council's Medical Licensing Assessment aims to demonstrate that those who obtain registration with a licence to practise medicine in the UK meet a common threshold for safe practice.

To obtain registration with a licence to practise, you will need to pass both parts of the MLA, pass university finals and demonstrate your fitness to practise.

Student agreement

Due to the unique nature of Medicine courses, which emphasise clinical placements, all students will be asked to sign an agreement upon entry which sets out the responsibilities of both the College and the student.

The agreement complements the College’s current policies and procedures, promoting a coherent understanding between students and the Faculty as to what is expected from each and improving the student’s learning experience.‌

Placements and location of study

You will complete a number of placements and clinical attachments throughout your degree. Most of your study will be at our South Kensington and Charing Cross campuses, however, your studies will also take you off-campus at various points in each academic year.

During phase one, you will undertake community-based experiences at General Practices in London. Practices will be accessible by either bus or train, usually requiring under one hour travel.

The Phase 3 clinical specialities, as well as other opportunities to specialise, may be located at other Imperial campuses such as Charing CrossChelsea and WestminsterHammersmithRoyal BromptonSt. Mary’s.

You can expect to complete attachments at the below list of teaching hospitals, provided as a guide:

  • Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
  • London North West Healthcare NHS Trust – Ealing Hospital
  • Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust
  • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary's and Western Eye Hospitals
  • London North West Healthcare NHS Trust – Northwick Park
  • Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust
  • West Middlesex University Hospital

We have partnerships with healthcare providers inside and outside of London, and the list above is given as a guide and is not intended to be exhaustive.

The main clinical attachments or training away from South Kensington and Charing Cross are in the Phase 1c, Phase 3a and Phase 3b:

  • Phase 1c: three 8-weeks clinical placements (including one in General Practice)
  • Phase 3a: dedicated pathology course and a range of clinical specialities
  • Phase 3b: range of clinical attachments and elective period

Staff expertise

At Imperial, you will be taught by a range of teachers of all levels from Professors to PhD students, including some who undertake groundbreaking research and are regarded as experts in their field. You may also experience peer teaching and be taught by specialists external to the College.

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

How to apply

Applications for 2024 entry are now closed

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Tuition fees

Home fee

2024 entry

£9,250 per year
PhD fee: Dependent on the year in which you study

Overseas fee

2024 entry

£53,700 per year

Scholarships

Imperial Bursary

Value per award

  • £1,000–£5,000 per year

Who it's for

  • Home students whose household income falls below £60,000 a year
Find out more

Medicine scholarships

Who it's for

  • Students who have Firm Unconditional places to study Medicine at Imperial.
Find out more

NHS funding

Value per award

  • Full tuition fee support and a means-tested bursary or a tuition fees only bursary.

Who it's for

  • Students in the final (clinical) years of their MBBS
Find out more

Your career as a doctor

Lightbulb above a book

Graduate with the skills and knowledge to enter into a diverse range of careers including clinical medical practice, biomedical research, the pharmaceutical industry, scientific journalism and healthcare management.

Person holding a briefcase climbing steps

Access the specialist careers support from the medical school careers team, alongside the support offered through your personal tutor and other medical school staff. Including one-to-one appointments, talks from doctors in different specialities, skill sessions, networking events and careers fairs, a dedicated careers websites and much more.

Medicine logo in circle

Achieving this MBBS provides you with a primary medical qualification (PMQ), entitling you to provisional registration with the GMC and license to practise in approved Foundation Year 1 posts. In your final year, we will support you to apply for a Foundation Year 1 post through the UK Foundation Programme selection scheme.

Rosette

On successful completion of the Foundation Year 1 programme you can apply for full registration with the GMC before entering Foundation Year 2.

Stethoscope

As a doctor you’ll need full registration with a license to practise for unsupervised medical practise in the NHS or UK private practice, although regulations in this area are subject to change. Then, you can train as a specialist through an NHS scheme, choosing from around seventy different specialities.

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications