Course Comparison

Course
BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0)
Award
Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons) Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery - BMBS
Duration
3 years 6 years
Assessment breakdown
- -
Course type
Full-time Full-time
Placement
(with placements) (with placements)
Location
Plymouth Plymouth
Provider
Peninsula Medical School Peninsula Medical School
Entry requirements
Please note the following information concerning entry requirements for this course:
  • None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.
  • We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2016 would still be valid when applying in September 2021.
GCSEs
Applicants need to achieve 5 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects:
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Science
Plus one of the below Level 3 qualifications
Level 3 qualifications must include the equivalent of one A Level in one of the following subject:
Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Electronics; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths; Life and Health Sciences; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics.
GCE A level
The typical offer is BBC at GCE A level to include one science as listed above
BTEC National Extended Diploma
DMM in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient science as listed above
BTEC National Diploma
D*D* in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient science as listed above
Access to Higher Education Diploma
Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a predominantly science subject area, meeting the following criteria:
  • 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits
  • You must achieve Distinction in 15 level 3 credits, and Merit in the remaining 30 level 3 credits
International Baccalaureate
28-30 points overall including Higher Level 5 in one science as listed above
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC to include one science as listed above
Other UK qualifications
Other UK qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact the Admissions Team on meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk for advice on suitability.
Applications from military veterans are welcomed and each application is assessed on an individual basis, as we realise that some military courses are not externally validated.
International Applicants
We welcome and encourage applications from suitably qualified international students who are either self-funded, supported by scholarships from their respective governments, or sponsored by scholarship programmes operated by the British Council and similar funding bodies.
International applicants need to meet the equivalent admissions criteria described for home students as outlined above. Applicants applying with overseas qualifications should contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk prior to submitting an application through UCAS. In addition, international applicants need to be fully proficient in English language.
All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have one of the following English Language qualifications. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk:
If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent of a GCSE grade A/8 in English Language providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
  • GCSE or IGCSE grade A in English Language
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band 7.0 or above with no element below 6.5 taken within 12 months prior to entry. The University will no longer accept the IELTS indicator (online test). All applicants will have to take the IELTS test at an approved centre.
  • IB score of 5 in English B at the standard level.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 94 or above.
We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you are a long way from home. You will find us friendly and supportive. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive, and have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International student advice also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them.
Students who have an offer of a place should apply under for a Student (formerly Tier 4 General Student) visa. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website.
Re-sit Applicants
Re-sit applicants are considered for this course, with the following requirements:
  • If you are applying with predicted grades, a minimum of CCC must be achieved on first sitting of A Level
  • Where CCC is not achieved on first sitting, applicants must re-sit the required qualifications and apply once suitable grades have been achieved
  • A Level or accepted equivalent qualifications must be completed in no more than 3 years of study, unless otherwise advised
  • A suitable qualification profile must be achieved on first re-sit attempt
We do not have an AS Level resit policy, however, full A Levels must be completed within the above timeframe.
For re-sit criteria of other qualifications, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
Selection and admissions process
Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically the 15th January.
All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.
The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows:
1. Shortlisting for interview– Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview
The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants
2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews. Find out more about our medicine and dentistry selection and admissions process .
Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course
3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.
Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.
The University is supportive of students with special needs and disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to disclose any needs or disability so that appropriate adjustments can be made in learning support and their individual needs met. A comprehensive procedure is in place involving Student Services and the Admissions team to ensure that all applicants are treated equitably
The Diagnostic Radiography programmes follow the guidance for Occupational Practitioners when providing adjustment for students in regulated professions.
The Faculty of Health has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee . The webpage associated with this committee has a link you can access for more information and support.
Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.

Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise
We aim to build a picture of the circumstances that may have adversely affected an applicant’s education and academic potential. When assessing an application we will consider a range of educational, social, family, and individual characteristics and experiences. Applications for this course will therefore only be considered if the contextual entry requirements are met alongside the academic criteria.
Applicants for this course must not meet the A level and GCSE grade requirements for the five-year BMBS Medicine (A100) course. However, if you meet either the GCSE or A level requirements for A100 but not the other, then you would be considered for the foundation course.
Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.
International applicants
This programme is open to international applicants who are currently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom – no other international applications will be considered.