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Six-Year MD Track (MD Track 6)

Option for Placement Year

Option for Study Abroad

The Six-Year MD Track (MD Track 6) is suitable for students who have completed their high school education and performed well in science subjects. You will join the Northumbria University Foundation Year for Medical Sciences.

This established Track prepares students for Year One entry to several Northumbria University bachelor’s degree Programmes. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by participating in two modules exclusive to SGU students; Chemistry for Medicine and Introduction to Clinical Communication and Practice (starting in September 2024). After successfully completing your Foundation Year and meeting the necessary progression requirements, you will join the Five-Year MD Track (MD Track 5).

The SGU and Northumbria University MD Program and Tracks have been designed to develop your knowledge, clinical skills, and research interests. You can experience various healthcare systems, enabling you to practice medicine across all specialities with a global perspective. The Program and Tracks offered in Newcastle are equivalent to those delivered in Grenada.

The SGU MD Program opens doors for an international medical career, having been accredited and approved by many external regulatory and accrediting bodies. The accreditation standards used to accredit the SGU’s MD Program and Tracks have been deemed comparable to those used by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. This organisation accredits US and Canadian medical schools.

SGU has contributed over 23,000 physicians to the global physician workforce, and the University’s MD alums have practiced in every state in the US, as well as in more than 50 countries globally.*

*Based on the number of students who have completed the Doctor of Medicine program from 1981-2024.

If you are ready to submit your application, please visit the SGU website.

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

HS3012 - Chemistry for Medical Sciences

This module will teach you about important and inspirational areas of science, focusing on how chemistry is embedded in the development of new technologies, pharmaceuticals, materials, and processes as related to medical sciences. Through discussion of theory and engaging in practical experimentation you will develop an understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning the subject of chemistry specifically in areas related to medical sciences, such as, organic chemistry: where you will study atomic structure, bonding and reactivity of organic compounds; analytical chemistry: where you will study reactions to detect specific functional groups; molecular modelling: where you will study how to represent chemical structures using a computer, in addition to developing a better understanding of molecular geometry and isomerism related to drug design. Finally, you will also spend time developing chemistry-focussed laboratory skills including considering the implications of risk management and safety.

AP0311 - Introduction to Biomedical Sciences

You will receive an introduction to basic biological concepts relating to the organisation of the human organism. You will learn to describe the molecular, cellular (cytology) and tissue (histology) organisation of mammals, with particular emphasis on humans, and explain relationships between form and function at each level. You will find out about the basic principles of genetics including the structure and role of DNA in transmission of heritable information and the principles of Mendelian inheritance. You will begin to describe the biochemical characteristics of living organisms and explain how the human form is built up by the physical and chemical processes of digestion, absorption and assimilation of food and how energy is supplied at cellular level by respiration. You will learn about the concept of transport in humans by investigating gaseous exchange and transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide round the body by the heart, lungs and vascular system. You will receive an introduction to the defence functions of the blood and characteristics of mammalian vascular systems which are important in understanding and managing disease (blood pressure, heartbeat, white blood cells, phagocytes, antibody production, blood groups). You will be introduced to aspects of co-ordination, response and control in the human organism with reference to the processes of homeostasis and the endocrine and nervous systems.

HS3011 - Introduction to Clinical Communication and Practice (ICCP)

The module will start by introducing you to the history of medicine, the concept of patient journey and the physician’s role in the patient journey, medical ethics and the psychology of illness. The content will then move onto practical skills of history taking and measuring vital signs. The role of biomedical science in clinical practise is discussed, with introduction to essential concepts of reliability and validity of clinical measurements. Learning is enriched by observing skills and practices in real life settings. Throughout the module there is a strong emphasis on communication of ideas to various audiences, an essential skill to all physicians.

AP0307 - Practical Skills in Science

You will learn and acquire key practical skills that are needed for subsequent study in your progression degree. You will learn techniques associated with the specialisms of Food Science and Nutrition, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Forensic Science and Biology. You will learn how to use Excel spread-sheets to process experimentally acquired data and produce graphical representations of your results and you will learn how to present laboratory reports using the IMRAD style.

AP0309 - Research and Science Communication Project

This module will teach you how to expand your scientific research, science communication and team work skills through the collaborative research and presentation of a scientific research project. Lectures and seminars will be delivered teaching you how to research a scientific subject, how to work as team in doing this and how to condense large amounts of information into a concise message. All of these are essential core skills for a career in science.

AP0306 - Scientific and Numeracy Skills

You will get the opportunity to improve and practice key numeracy skills that will enable you to complete the tasks for the other modules you are studying during the foundation year. These will include calculations associated with experimental work in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, food science, nutrition, forensic science and sport science, such as making solutions of different concentrations using solid chemicals, preparing dilutions using stock solutions, serial dilutions, making buffers, calculating rates of reaction, equilibrium constants, enthalpies, interpreting outcomes of antibiotic sensitivity testing, processing histological, physiological and biometrics measurements, calculating biodiversity indices, etc. You will also review your IT skills to ensure you can easily access the eLP, library and other on-line resources, including guidance on correct referencing of scientific literature. You will use Microsoft Excel to process data similar to those that you will acquire experimentally in other modules, do simple statistics and produce graphical representations and tables of your data. You will learn about the style of scientific writing used in peer-reviewed publications and how to present scientific data in different formats, eg. scientific report using the IMRAD style, short summary, poster, oral presentation, mini-literature review, essay. You will also learn how to find relevant and reliable sources of information and you will practice extracting relevant details from such sources and presenting them in your own words.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted online through the SGU website. Once you have submitted your application, representatives from SGU will be in touch to advise on the next stage of the process. If you have any questions about your SGU application, please contact SGU at admission@sgu.edu.

Entry Requirements

Please visit the SGU entry requirements page for further information. Please note that the SGU Faculty Student Selection Committee will consider the whole of each applicant’s background – academic, personal development, extracurricular activities, social commitment – when making determinations for suitability for admission. If you have any questions about SGU entry requirements, please contact SGU at admission@sgu.edu.

Fees & Scholarships

Fees for SGU programmes are different to those for standard Northumbria University courses. Please visit our SGU Fees and Scholarships page for further information. SGU also offer a range of scholarships options. If you have any questions about SGU fees or scholarships please contact SGU at admission@sgu.edu.

Course Information

Level of Study
Undergraduate

Mode of Study
4 years Full Time

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2024

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

You will learn through lectures, laboratory classes, early patient contact, and small group activities. These class activities will allow you to critically evaluate the disciplines that comprise the science and art of medicine.

International SGU students taking the USMLE 1 for the first time 2019-2023 had a 85% pass rate.*

Many classes are facilitated by junior doctors in small groups of 6-8 students. This approach ensures personalised instruction throughout your studies. Classes emphasise clinical skills, centring on case studies, practical exams, and real medical histories.

Due to medicine’s ever-developing nature, our modern teaching is evidence-based. The SGU-NU staff are consistently at the forefront of cutting-edge medical practice, ensuring teaching constantly evolves alongside new treatment methods and diagnostics.

*Total results from the five calendar years 2019-2023. First-time pass rate is defined as the number of international (non-US citizen/permanent resident or Canadian) students passing USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt divided by the total number of international students taking USMLE Step 1 for the first time within the given time range. In order to be certified to take USMLE Step 1, students are required to pass all basic sciences courses.

You will be based at our City Campus in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The University has invested more than £250 million in its estate over the last decade, and our campus is continuously evolving to create an environment where you can shape your future. Students will live together at the Trinity Square student accommodation in Gateshead, a twenty-minute walk or a quick Metro ride from our City Campus.

SGU has contributed over 23,000 physicians to the global physician workforce, and the University’s MD alums have practiced in every state in the US, as well as in more than 50 countries globally.*

SGU’s campus in Grenada is located on the southwest tip of the island in the Caribbean. The campus constantly expands to keep up with the latest technologies and provide students with the best learning environment.

*Based on the number of students who have completed the Doctor of Medicine program from 1981-2024.

Beyond your time in Newcastle, you will be exposed to various experiences working within different healthcare systems, enabling you to practice medicine across all specialities with a global perspective.

For the eleventh year in a row, SGU secured more US residency positions than any medical school in the world.*

*As the medical school graduating the largest number of students per year, SGU places the largest number of graduates into residency programs each year, based on internal SGU graduate/expected graduate and residency placement data as of October 2024.

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