Medical courses fall into 3 different categories:
1. Problem-based learning (PBL) Pioneered by medical schools such as Liverpool and Manchester, the course is taught with a patient orientated approach from day one and students are heavily involved 
in clinical scenarios from the first year. This type of course requires a great deal of self motivation as its emphasis is on self directed learning. Teaching styles vary from place to place, but generally consist of small group tutor led teaching with computer work, practical sessions and a large amount of time for personal study. Universities offering this type of course include Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Queen Mary, Peninsula, Sheffield, Keele, Hull and York, Barts, East Anglia.
2. Integrated or systems based
This type of course is run at the majority of UK medical schools such as Birmingham and Leeds and was devised under recommendation of the GMC after it published the guidelines. It sits as a compromise between a traditional style course and a PBL course. The amount of patient contact increases as the years progress with there still being a slight divide between pre-clinical and clinical years. Most students are happy with only having limited contact with patients in year one as they feel that at this point they do not have sufficient clinical knowledge base to approach patients on the wards. Teaching is based on body systems such as the digestive system, learning the anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry of the relevant system and clinical knowledge is also supplemented. There is also an emphasis on teaching communication skills and understanding the local community. This type of teaching is a mixture between lectures, tutorials, self directed learning (and hospital work in later years).
3. Traditional or subject-based
This type of course is a bit of a rarity in the new world of medical education. Limited to establishments such as Oxford, Cambridge and St Andrews, there is a definite pre-clinical/clinical divide and the pre-clinical years are taught very rigidly in subjects. In some of these institutions you may have to apply again for a 'clinical' place and your clinical place may not even be in the city you started. E.g. St. Andrew's students finish their clinical years in Manchester and some Oxbridge students finish their years in London. This type of degree offers much more scope to complete research (such as a Masters or PhD) without overly disrupting your degree. Definitely a choice for those with a great deal of motivation and those that like the idea of studying a science degree before embarking on clinical studies.
Different types of people suit different types of course and only you can decide which one might suit you best. At the end of the day, everybody obtains the same degree at the end so pick a university where you really think that you will flourish both academically and socially
Teaching is delivered by...
- Lectures
- Seminars and Tutorials
- Laboratory Work
Dissection- Again, all medical schools once did full body dissection. However, more medical schools are using videos and computers for their anatomy teaching. Some universities offer teaching from prosections only (parts of the body dissected by a professional anatomy teacher), however some still do full body dissection. Because it is very practical, dissection is usually a welcome break from lectures and most students get a lot out of it. It also helps you appreciate the differences in the human body between different people.
Computer-based Because everything is much more 'technical' these days, more and more teaching is done using information technology. This can range from on-line exams, to interactive discussion forums and web-based material.
- Clinical skills
All medical schools will have a clinical skills area. This can often be located in the school of medicine or on NHS property. Clinical skills is a vital part of the medical curriculum and helps us practise certain things before we are let loose on real people! Clinical skills labs are often run by nurses who are excellent and very experienced at teaching. Here you will learn how to take blood from plastic arms, do fundoscopy, breast exams, how to catheterise etc.
- On the wards
Teaching in the later years of the medical degree mostly takes place on the wards. This can take many different formats, for example during ward rounds you may be asked to present a case that you have seen. Or on the ward a doctor may take you to a certain patient to demonstrate a specific condition. There are also lots of chances for you to see how the rest of the team works e.g. nurses and midwives. You will also get the chance to do some of the clinical skills you've been practising e.g. taking blood and inserting a catheter.
- Theatres
Theatres are a perfect place to brush up on your anatomy and physiology. If you are with the surgeons, you will often be asked to 'scrub up' and assist in the operation (i.e. hold equipment and bits of intestine etc. - not anything major!). If you are with the anaesthetist it's a great opportunity to brush up on cardiovascular and respiratory physiology.
- Self-directed learning
