BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0)
About this course
BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0), an undergraduate medicine degree incorporating a compulsory foundation year designed to support students whose education has been impacted by adversity. The course includes placements to build clinical and professional competence. The initial year covers the foundations through Molecules to Cells, Introduction to Human Physiology, Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning), Active Life Sciences Learning, Foundations in Human Sciences, and Foundations in Core Competencies. These modules introduce key concepts in cell regulation, human anatomy and physiology, multidisciplinary teamwork, higher education learning strategies, scientific communication, and current issues in the health professions.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
GCSE: Applicants need to achieve 5 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects: English Language Mathematics Two Science subjects - either GCSE Double Award Science or two from single award Chemistry, Biology, or Physics We are unable to consider functional skills in lieu of GCSEs. A level: The typical offer is BBB at GCE A level which must include the following: Grade B in Biology Grade B in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology Your third A level can be from any subject area and does not need to be science based. When shortlisting for interview we do not give preference to those who complete three Science A Levels. General Studies is not accepted BTEC National Extended Diploma: DDM in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient Biology and another science. BTEC National Diploma: DM in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient Biology and another science GCE A Level grade B in Biology Access to Higher Education Diploma: Pass a Science Access with 60 credits overall to include 30 at Distinction, of which 15 must be in Biology and 15 credits in a second science (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology). The remaining 15 credits to be at Merit or above. Please note: The only GCSE requirements are grade 6/B or above in both English language and mathematics. Applicants must also have a UCAT score. Irish Leaving Certificate: H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3 to include Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology Welsh Baccalaureate: The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge can be considered in place of a third A Level alongside Biology and a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. Scottish Advanced Highers: BBB to include the following: Grade B in Biology Grade B in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. International Baccalaureate: 28-32 points overall to include the following: Higher Level 5 in Biology Higher Level 5 in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology Other UK qualifications: Other UK qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact the Admissions Team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk for advice, ensuring you provide all details of your qualifications. Contextual entry requirements: All applicants, in addition to meeting or exceeding the academic criteria, will need to meet a total of at least 5 points from any combination of the following criteria: Each worth 2 points Being in care or care-experienced Being in receipt or eligible for free school meals during your level 3 qualifications Refugee status Attending a low performing school/college based on 16-18 performance In receipt of EMA or 16-19 bursary In receipt of UCAT bursary Each worth 1 point Living in an area categorised as being in indices of mass deprivation (IMD) 1-4 or local equivalent Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme Living in a low participation area as determined by POLAR4 quintile 1 postcode analysis Being a south west resident (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset) In receipt of service pupil premium Explanation of above terms In care/care leaver Being in care or care-experienced – Evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). What's a care experienced student? A care experienced student is someone who has spent any amount of time in local authority care, such as foster care or residential children's homes, but may not meet the definition of a care leaver. Free school meals Being in receipt of free school meals whilst completing your level 3 qualifications, at the school/college you undertook these qualifications – evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). Refugee status Evidenced by either an official letter from the Home Office or preferably a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), submitted by the applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). Where English is not your first language and you do not have a GCSE or IGCSE Grade 4 in English language you, must have an alternative English language qualification. Examples of acceptable language qualifications are the Certificate of Proficiency in English (Cambridge - Grade C) or the International English Language Testing System IELTS (at least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in every element). School performance Attending or attended a low performing school/college whilst completing your level 3 qualifications e.g. 16–18 performance in the ‘below’ or ‘well below average’ classifications. If you attend a secondary school or college in England, please visit the Compare School and College Performance gov.uk website. If you attend a secondary school or college in Wales, please visit My Local School website. If you attend a secondary school or college in Northern Ireland, please visit the Schools Plus, Department of Education website. If you attend a secondary school or college in Scotland, please visit the School information dashboard, Education Scotland website. UCAT, EMA or 16-19 bursary In receipt of one or more of these bursaries. UCAT bursary entitlement can be evidenced by providing a copy of your award email or a copy of your invoice showing a deduction of the test fee. EMA or 16-19 bursary entitlement to be evidenced by an official award letter or a school letter. Documents should be submitted at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). Indices of Mass Deprivation Living in an area categorised as being in Indices of Mass Deprivation (IMD) 1–4 or 20% most deprived as determined by your English postcode , Northern Ireland postcode , Scottish postcode , and Welsh postcode . POLAR4 Living in a low participation neighbourhood as determined by your postcode (POLAR4 quintile 1). South west resident Living in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset or Somerset as determined by your postcode. Service pupil premium Being in receipt of service pupil premium – Evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme Significant engagement includes completion of the five-day summer Work Experience Programme, being a member of the e-Mentoring scheme and having attended a minimum of three of the various Peninsula Pathways workshops by the end of Year 12.
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What students say
Based on about 105 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 78%
- Learning opportunities: 71%
- Assessment and feedback: 58%
- Academic support: 78%
- Organisation and management: 53%
- Learning resources: 75%
- Student voice: 72%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 44 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 79%
- Working and studying: 18%
- Unemployed: 1%
Most common jobs
- Medical Practitioners: 97%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 95%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 100%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 260 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 8%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 15%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 35%
- Wales: 6%
- Scotland: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 80%
- Access course: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC), this primary medical qualification entitles the holder to apply to the GMC for registration to practise medicine in the UK.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Molecules to Cells
- Introduction to Human Physiology
- Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning)
- Active Life Sciences Learning
- Foundations in Human Sciences
- Foundations in Core Competencies
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0) at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £43,000 after 15 months, £48,000 after 3 years, £52,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £47,000 and £59,500. The £52,000 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Medicine.
What do graduates of BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0) at University of Plymouth do next?
97% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0) at University of Plymouth?
78% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0) at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 28 points in the IB. The average entrant had 135 UCAS points.
Is BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0) at University of Plymouth accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC), this primary medical qualification entitles the holder to apply to the GMC for registration to practise medicine in the UK.
How many students continue on BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Foundation (Year 0) at University of Plymouth?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.