Master of Medicine

Overview

The Master of Medicine (MMed) is a comprehensive 3-year medical training programme providing structured postgraduate training in General Medicine leading to the award of a Master of Medicine from The University of Buckingham.

It is designed to deliver core training for speciality training by the acquisition of knowledge and skills as assessed by the workplace based assessments and the MRCP. The programme is broad-based consisting of four to six placements in medical specialities. These placements must include direct involvement in the acute medical take.

The key features of the MMed are:

• Student-led – we will use an ePortfolio to encourage a learner-centred approach with the support of Educational Supervisors. The ePortfolio contains tools to identify educational needs, enables the setting of learning goals, reflective learning and personal development.
• Competency-based – the curricula outline competencies that trainees must reach by the end of the programme. The curriculum is directly linked to the ePortfolio as it defines standards required for good medical practice and formal assessments including the MRCP exams.
• Continuation of Good Medical Practice – building on existing training the curriculum contains important emphasis on generic competencies necessary for practice as a physician.
• Supervision – each student has a series of people with clearly defined roles and responsibilities overseeing their training including Clinical Supervisor, Educational Supervisor, University Tutor, Pathways to Postgraduate Training in Medicine Director, and Dean of Postgraduate Medicine.
• Appraisal meetings with supervisor – regular appraisal meetings and review of competence progression are set out in the ePortfolio.
• Dissertation – Literature review 10,000 words.
• Workplace-based assessments – regular workplace-based assessments are conducted throughout training. These include the Acute Care Assessment Tool (ACAT), Case-Based Discussion (CbD), mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX) and multisource feedback (MSF) with additional assessment methods to assess Audit (AA).
• MRCP examination – the various parts of our curriculum have been mapped to the MRCP (UK) curriculum and this provides a knowledge base assessment.

The current training hospitals are Milton Keynes University Hospital, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals and University Hospital of North Durham.

We encourage candidates to obtain MRCP.

The principle methodology will be bedside teaching. Each student will be assigned to a clinical team and will be supervised by a consultant. The student will see patients at speciality clinics and on the ward together with the supervisor. The student will also undertake medical ward duties and outpatients as defined by the hospital. There will also be on-call duties.

Students will be required to undertake self-directed reading of medical journals based on their clinical specialism in order to build up an understanding of the leading edge medical practice.

Students will be required to maintain an e-portfolio detailing their clinical experience and they will need to show reflection on that experience. The e-portfolio will be monitored by the supervisor to ensure that it meets requisite standards.

• The key assessment output is the e-portfolio which will be audited annually by an NHS appointed auditor.
• Case Based Discussion
• OSCE
• Dissertation defended in a traditional viva voce examination.

Powering your potential, wherever you’re starting from.

We partner with the University of Derby because of their strong track record in delivering career-focused education underpinned by real-world impact. Like us, Derby believes education should transform lives and meet the changing needs of students, professionals, and industries alike.

The University of Derby is a modern, career-focused university located in the heart of England. Known for its supportive community, cutting-edge research, and real-world teaching, Derby has earned a reputation for delivering education that makes a difference.

Why choose Derby?

• Top 5 in the UK for Employability – Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025
• Top 5 for Course Quality – Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025
• Top 15 UK University – Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025
• 96% of Graduates in Work or Further Study – Latest HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey
• Top 25 in the UK for Overall Student Satisfaction – Complete University Guide 2025

Postgraduate excellence

A postgraduate qualification from Derby is more than a degree – it’s an investment in your potential. With flexible study options, including online and block delivery, you can shape your learning to fit your life. You’ll benefit from:

• Top 10 in the UK for Postgraduate Study – Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
• Top 15 for Teaching and Skills Development – Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024
• World-leading academics driving research in critical areas such as sustainability, AI, and zero carbon
• Strong industry links and professional body accreditations
• Real-world projects and practical learning

A welcoming, student-friendly city

Derby is a vibrant, diverse, and safe city, officially recognised with Purple Flag status. Rich in history and full of places to relax, explore and connect, it’s a place where you’ll quickly feel at home.

International community

Join over 2,000 international students from more than 100 countries who have chosen Derby as their academic home.

Your story starts here. Apply today, and let Derby be the launchpad for your next chapter.

Route 1
PLAB

Candidates need to have a primary medical degree and will need to obtain full registration with the General Medical Council ahead of starting the course. Additionally, they should also have the following:

• Successfully completed one year of internship at a hospital and must supply their Certificate of Completion.
• An IELTS score of 7.5, with a minimum of 7.0 in each section or an OET with an average of 440-350 overall and a minimum of 350 in each component.
• Graduated from an internationally recognised medical school.
• Completed their undergraduate training and be fully registered with the Medical Council in their respective countries.
• Two character reference letters from any member of their medical school academic staff, OR from their current senior medical colleagues and consultants.

Route 2
The GMC sponsorship Scheme

The university is now running a GMC sponsorship Scheme for international students, if you are an overseas student applying for the University GMC Sponsorship Scheme, you will be required to have English Language overall score of 7.5 with a minimum requirement of 7.0 in all four areas.

You will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and Occupational Health screening prior to any clinical placements. You will also be required to undertake a telephone interview, which will be conducted by the Head of Postgraduate Medicine.

To enquire and apply please complete the form and upload your CV (preferably as a PDF). Our application team will then check your eligibility for this course.