Intercalated degrees
Completing an intercalated degree is an unparalleled opportunity to explore a discipline that interests you and develop skills and knowledge beyond the core undergraduate medical curriculum. Leicester Medical School welcomes and supports medical students to study one of our intercalated degree programmes to broaden their experiences before entering clinical medicine.
Why do an intercalated degree?
There are many benefits to completing an intercalated degree regardless of which course you choose to study.
- The medical curriculum by necessity/design means that you don’t ordinarily have the opportunity to explore a topic at length or in great detail. Studying an additional degree will provide you with the opportunity to do this. It is also an opportunity to explore a subject outside of the core medical curriculum.
- Completing an intercalated degree will provide you with high level analytical and research skills that are desirable when applying for SFP and specialty training places later on. Many intercalated degrees also provide you with the opportunity to present your work to the wider medical world and some students get to publish their work. This can also support SFP and specialty training applications and prepare students for higher research degrees (MD, PhD).
- Many intercalated degree courses provide you with the opportunity to study and learn alongside other healthcare professionals at varying stages of their training. Feedback shows that this builds confidence and prepares students well for returning to complete their medical training.
Intercalating opportunities at Leicester Medical School
Undergraduate degrees
iBSc in Psychology
The Intercalated BSc (Psychology) covers a variety of applied and broadly clinically relevant areas of psychology. You will take a number of core modules and optional modules – all of which have been tailor-made for medical students – to gain the knowledge and skills that will support you in your future careers as medical professionals.
Postgraduate degrees
iMSc in Medical Research
Our iMSc in Medical Research will provide you with training in research methods plus a substantial research experience. The additional knowledge and experience will ensure you are well-placed to incorporate a research element in your future career. Four taught modules will provide you with solid foundation in qualitative and quantitative research. Alongside these, you will undertake a research project - a substantial piece of practical work.
iMSc in Clinical Education
The iMSc in Clinical Education will allow you to study the training and development of healthcare professionals, develop your practical teaching skills and understand the evidence underpinning contemporary clinical education.
iLLM in Health Law
Our iLLM in Health Law trains you in health law and the inequalities that can manifest themselves within it. It has a rights and equality focus and addresses some of the most topical ethical dilemmas currently facing society. Core modules introduce the law’s involvement in regulating health and healthcare as well as the inequalities in these areas. You can then choose optional modules to reflect your interests, such as clinical negligence, mental health law, employment law, or bioethics.
iMSc in Healthcare Management
The iMSc in Healthcare Management has been developed in response to the growing interest in the application of management and leadership principles to multi-professional organisations in health and care settings. The programme has been designed to reflect the changes in medical education and careers, and builds on specialist management and leadership knowledge to make sense of a whole variety of challenges that belong to management and leadership roles - whether formal or not - in the NHS.
iMSc Psychology
The iMSc Psychology explores the fascinating world of psychology as we attempt to understand how people perceive, think, interact and behave.
The course offers a broad range of modules that cover the key areas of psychology, including cognitive, social, developmental and biological psychology, plus research methods. You also cover aspects such as individual differences and the historical foundations of psychology.
iMSc in Quality and Safety in Healthcare
The iMSc in Quality and Safety in Healthcare will equip you to lead change in healthcare that can make a real impact on the experiences and outcomes of patients. You will learn the practice and theories of healthcare quality and patient safety from our academics, who are leading world-class research in this area, and from experts in quality and safety at our NHS partners.
Intercalating further afield
The intercalate website provides details of most UK courses available to intercalating medical students. Here you should be able to find details about the level of course (BSc/MSc), the course structure and the size of any research dissertation components.
Contact details
If you have any questions about intercalating at Leicester, please do contact the intercalation office.
Intercalation office
George Davies Centre
University of Leicester
University Road
Leicester
LE1 7RH
How intercalated degrees work
Intercalation is an opportunity afforded to medical, dental and veterinary students to study for an additional degree part way through their primary degree. Depending on what and when you choose to intercalate, you may be able to complete an additional undergraduate degree or postgraduate masters level course.
- After 2nd year of medical degree – Bachelors course
- After 3rd year of medical degree – Bachelors course or Masters course
- After 3rd year of medical degree – Bachelors course or Masters course
How to apply
If you are a student from another medical school wishing to intercalate here at Leicester, then we warmly welcome you to apply through the dedicated intercalated route, which is outlined on the individual course pages. You will also need to let your current Medical School know that you plan to take an intercalating year and there will be specific timelines and processes you need to be aware of.
If you are a University of Leicester medical student then you should follow the local application process as described in the process map on Blackboard.
International students, both from other UK medical schools and Leicester should contact their respective international student offices to discuss visa requirements before applying. Leicester students should email visa@le.ac.uk for more information.
Funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for intercalated degrees will vary depending on the course and institution. Tuition fees for Leicester’s degrees are indicated on each course page.
Scholarships, bursaries and other support
Depending on whether you chose to complete an undergraduate or postgraduate course, as well as when you choose to intercalate, will dictate what funding opportunities are available to you.
You should explore SFE and NHSBSA to find out what support may be available.
There are a number of discipline specific and academic performance related bursaries that may be available to some students to support them in completing an additional year of study.
Leicester students can find more information on their Blackboard pages.
Leicester students choosing to stay in Leicester to intercalate are currently eligible for a 20% reduction in postgraduate course tuition fees.
Intercalating outside of the UK
Outside of the UK, intercalation is not an opportunity afforded to medical students. This makes it difficult to find opportunities to intercalate outside of the UK. Recognition of prior learning, course dates and duration as well as funding opportunities all need to be considered before exploring this as a potential option.
Want to know more?
You can read more about intercalated degrees on the BMA website.