PBL | Teaching method at UK medical schools

PBL: Teaching method at UK medical schools

Below is a listing of UK medical schools using the 'Problem-based learning' (PBL) teaching method.

Medical schools that use PBL have students learn about a subject through the experience of solving an open-ended problem found in trigger material. This process encourages medical students to develop skills used for their future practice.

As explained by the BMA overview of teaching methods at UK medical schools:

"PBL is a very patient-oriented approach and students can expect to see patients right from the beginning of their course. Students are given medical cases to resolve and learn from, guided by group work with a tutor as well as self-directed learning. Group work, on top of academic and clinical learning, helps students develop communication, teamwork and problem solving skills, personal responsibility and respect for others.... There is [typically a] blended approach with more interaction from facilitators and the provision of lectures and seminars etc. to support the individuals learning."

For more information about usage of this teaching method at each school, follow the link to view its full medical school profile and check its 'Teaching and Learning' section.

To see the big picture of teaching methods across all UK medical schools, check also our statistics on teaching methods and notes on teaching methods for comparative overviews.

Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 results

Aston University Medical School

Aston University, based in the centre of Birmingham, is home to another new medical school. With their first medical students starting in 2018, this initial cohort will graduate in 2023. Aston's medical programme is five years, emphasising compassionate patient care and working in multi-disciplinary teams. Medical students learn through lectures, group work, workshops, independent study, with increasing amounts of patient contact as the course progresses.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Aston medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Aston with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
2018

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
310

Average year cohort:
103.3

Region:
West Midlands

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AAA

IB typical offer:
36 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

Barts and The London School of Medicine (Queen Mary University)

Barts and the London School of Medicine & Dentistry was founded in 1785, making it one of the oldest medical schools in the UK. Its five-year integrated course is consistently ranked among the top ten in the UK, owing to high student satisfaction and high-quality research. Its teaching hospitals are based in the East End and the City of London, meaning that medical students can learn from the one of the most diverse patient groups anywhere in the UK. PBL forms a major part of the curriculum at Barts.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Barts medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Barts with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1785

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
1725

Average year cohort:
345.0

Region:
London

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (acceptable option)

Interview format:
Traditional interview

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
A*AA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AA

IB typical offer:
38 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

University of Birmingham Medical School

Birmingham Medical School offers a five-year integrated programme, taught via lectures, seminars, tutorials, and PBL. With a population of 5 million patients and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, an internationally acclaimed tertiary care centre, Birmingham offers a diverse environment for students to learn Medicine, with exposure to a variety of ethnic backgrounds, genders, sexualities, and socio-economic statuses.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Birmingham medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Birmingham with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1825

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
1935

Average year cohort:
387.0

Region:
West Midlands

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AA

IB typical offer:
32 points

General teaching method:
EBL, Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Prosection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

University of Edinburgh Medical School

Edinburgh Medical School’s six-year programme aims to produce doctors that are equipped for careers in general practice, hospital medicine, and academia. Having been ranked fourth in the UK for research power in 2014, Edinburgh highlights its academic rigor as a key feature of its medical curriculum. According to the school's website, "Medicine at Edinburgh offers a modern, innovative curriculum designed to prepare you for contemporary medical practice."

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Edinburgh medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Edinburgh with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1726

Years of course:
6

Total medical students:
1360

Average year cohort:
226.7

Region:
Scotland

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (strictly required)
Maths (acceptable option)
Physics (acceptable option)

Interview format:
Assessment day

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
BB

IB typical offer:
37 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Prosection

Intercalation mode:
Required intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

University of Exeter Medical School

Exeter’s five-year medical degree is delivered in partnership with NHS in Devon and Cornwall to provide a unique learning experience in healthcare, emphasising the importance of multi-professional patient care in clinical practice. With clinical placements throughout the curriculum, Exeter showcases the importance of both community and hospital healthcare.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Exeter medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Exeter with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
2013

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
885

Average year cohort:
177.0

Region:
South West

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
GAMSAT, UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AAB

IB typical offer:
36 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Not specified

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

University of Glasgow School of Medicine

Glasgow’s medical programme was ranked joint first in the Complete University Guide 2021, alongside Dundee. Utilising an innovative spiral curriculum, Glasgow delivers teaching via lectures, problem-based learning, clinical placements, labs and e-learning. Core themes are revisited each year in more detail, with increasing clinical emphasis as the course progresses.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Glasgow medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Glasgow with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1751

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
1495

Average year cohort:
299.0

Region:
Scotland

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (strictly required)
Maths (acceptable option)
Physics (acceptable option)

Interview format:
Traditional interview

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AB-BBB

IB typical offer:
38 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

Hull York Medical School

The Universities of Hull and York came together in 2003 to create an integrated five year medical programme at Hull York Medical School (HYMS), with PBL at the heart of all teaching. With an innovative curriculum aimed at an ever-changing NHS, Hull York Medical School equips students with a strong foundation in clinical science through its integrated programme. Students have the option to intercalate after the second year or after the third year.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Hull York medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Hull York with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
2003

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
930

Average year cohort:
186.0

Region:
Yorkshire and the Humber

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AA-BBB

IB typical offer:
36 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Prosection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

Imperial College London Medical School

Imperial College London, renowned for its internationally competitive research, delivers a six-year medical programme in partnership with NHS trusts in the North & West of London. In response to updated GMC guidelines, Imperial recently switched to a spiral curriculum, delivered in three phases. Teaching is delivered via lectures, small group teaching, computer workshops, and laboratory sessions.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Imperial medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Imperial with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1997

Years of course:
6

Total medical students:
2040

Average year cohort:
340.0

Region:
London

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
BMAT

A Level typical offer:
A*AA-AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AAA

IB typical offer:
38-39 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection

Intercalation mode:
Required intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

Keele University Medical School

Keele’s medical programme is highly integrated, with learning centred around continuous feedback. Teaching is delivered through lectures, PBL, seminars, and cadaveric dissection, set in a modern spiral curriculum, in which core themes are revisited in increasing clinical detail each year. The course is divided into three phases

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Keele medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Keele with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
2003

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
730

Average year cohort:
146.0

Region:
West Midlands

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (acceptable option)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
BMAT, UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AB

IB typical offer:
35 points

General teaching method:
CBL, Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

Lancaster University Medical School

Lancaster has one of the smallest medical programmes in the UK, with an intake of only 129 students each year. It is one of the UK's newest public medical school, with its first graduates, a cohort of 31, graduating in 2011. Problem based learning (PBL) forms a major part of the integrated five year curriculum, with clinical contact offered from the offset.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Lancaster medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Lancaster with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
2012

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
455

Average year cohort:
91.0

Region:
North West

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)
Maths (acceptable option)
Physics (acceptable option)
Psychology (acceptable option)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
BMAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA-AAB

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AA

IB typical offer:
36 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Virtual dissection table

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

University of Leeds Medical School

Leeds’ five-year, integrated curriculum is known for its emphasis on clinical and communication skills. The medical school is a leader in patient and carer involvement, giving students an important insight into the experience of those with disabilities and those who care for them. Leeds is also a leader in educational technology, having developed a handful of award-winning apps.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Leeds medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Leeds with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1831

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
1340

Average year cohort:
268.0

Region:
Yorkshire and the Humber

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (acceptable option)
Maths (acceptable option)
Physics (acceptable option)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
BMAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AB

IB typical offer:
35 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection, Prosection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

University of Manchester School of Medicine

Admitting over 400 medical students each year, Manchester is the largest medical school in the UK. Within its five year, integrated curriculum, Manchester’s course sets itself apart with its unique European Studies programme, in which students are supported in learning a second language prior to training in a Spanish, French, or German clinical attachment in the final year of the course. The university is proud to teach anatomy through full body dissection, alongside prosections, skeletal materials, and anatomical models.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Manchester medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Manchester with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1824

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
1945

Average year cohort:
389.0

Region:
North West

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (acceptable option)
Maths (acceptable option)
Physics (acceptable option)
Psychology (acceptable option)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AA

IB typical offer:
37 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

University of East Anglia Medical School (Norwich)

The University of East Anglia (UEA) at Norwich opened its doors to medical students in 2002, aiming to prepare graduates for complex needs of patients in the 21st century. Embracing early clinical contact, students at UEA have patient contact from their first month on the course. Curriculum highlights include cadaveric dissection, small group teaching, and state-of-the-art clinical skills facilities at the Bob Champion Research and Education Building.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Norwich (UEA) medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Norwich (UEA) with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
2002

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
945

Average year cohort:
189.0

Region:
East of England

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AB-BBB

IB typical offer:
36 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

St George’s, University of London Medical School

St George's offers a five-year integrated MBBS degree, emphasising the patient-centred approach to Medicine and the importance of interprofessional care. Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, PBL, and clinical placements, with anatomy taught through dissection and prosection. Case-based learning helps students integrate theory with real clinical scenarios. St George's is closely affiliated to St George's Hospital, located in Tooting (SouthWest London).

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to St George's London medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to St George's London with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
1733

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
1370

Average year cohort:
274.0

Region:
London

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (strictly required)
Chemistry (strictly required)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
A*AA-AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AA

IB typical offer:
36 points

General teaching method:
CBL, Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Dissection, Prosection

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

University of Sunderland Medical School

Admitting their first intake of medical students in 2019, the University of Sunderland has one of the newest medical schools in the UK. Utilising an innovative spiral curriculum, students revisit core themes in increasing clinical detail each year, aided by Problem Based Learning. Most teaching is delivered via small learning groups, lectures, and seminars. Anatomy teaching is aided by models and portable ultrasound machines, with an Anatomage Table enabling virtual cadaveric dissection.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to Sunderland medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to Sunderland with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
2019

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
150

Average year cohort:
75.0

Region:
North East and Cumbria

Subject prerequisites:

Biology (acceptable option)
Chemistry (acceptable option)
Maths (acceptable option)
Physics (acceptable option)
Statistics (acceptable option)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
UCAT

A Level typical offer:
AAA

Advanced Higher typical offer:
AB

IB typical offer:
35 points

General teaching method:
Integrated, PBL

Anatomy teaching:
Not specified

Intercalation mode:
Optional intercalation

See full profile of this medical school

University of Central Lancashire Medical School

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLaN) offers a new five-year medical curriculum, with its first intake of medical students in 2014. Teaching is delivered through lectures, case-based learning workshops, and seminars, while anatomy is taught via prosection and Anatomage Table. UCLaN's uses a spiral curriculum, so core medical themes are revisited each year in further clinical detail. It should be noted that UCLaN only accepts applications from residents in the North West of England and international students, so those applying from anywhere else in the UK are automatically rejected prior to interview.

Here is an at-a-glance summary of key information related to UCLan medical school.

Links in this dashboard can help you check which other UK medical schools are similar to UCLan with regard to points listed here.

Medical school establishment date:
2013

Years of course:
5

Total medical students:
535

Average year cohort:
133.8

Region:
North West

Subject prerequisites:

Chemistry (acceptable option)

Interview format:
MMI

Admissions test:
No admissions test required

A Level typical offer:
AAB