Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The main focus of Year 6 is on the consolidation of skills in care and management and preparation for entry to postgraduate training. The first six months of the year include senior rotations in medicine and surgery in Oxford and in district general hospitals and student-selected options in clinical specialities. Students undertake summative assessments in January and March or May of the final year. In the final six months, all students complete a Preparation for Practice module (comprising a taught course) and a student assistantship attachment. The remainder of this period is allocated for student-selected components, including special study modules and a ten-week elective period. During this period, students must finalise their portfolio of achievement.

Please note that the course structure below relates to the current curriculum and may be subject to change, in line with the GMCs 'Outcomes for Graduates' standards guidance.  Click here to go to GMC website and view 'Outcomes for Graduates'.

YEAR 6: GENERAL CLINICAL STUDIES

Medicine (5 weeks)

Students spend 5 weeks attached to a medical firm consolidating their clinical skills and knowledge.

Surgery (5 weeks)

Students will be allocated to two specialties for their five week block, split into a two week and a three week attachment.  These specialties will be different to those covered during year 4.  Tutorial groups consist of 4 students who are offered weekly bedside teaching.  Students will undertake a long case assessment with a nominated consultant and may sign up to cover emergency admissions.

Clinical Options (12 weeks)

Twelve weeks spread throughout the final year are devoted to student selected clinical options and special study modules. Options last from 2 to 4 weeks, but may be extended with the approval of the Director of Clinical Studies.  Students may also design their own options. Options are grouped into themes:

  • Clinical Medicine
  • Clinical and Scientific Research
  • Community-Based projects
  • Management
  • Humanities including foreign languages
  • Medical Education

Options are usually taken in Oxford, but a maximum of four weeks may be spent in another institution if approved by the Director of Clinical Studies and the host institution.

Medicine and Surgery at a District General Hospital (6 weeks)

During the District General Hospital attachment students spend 3 weeks in medicine and 3 weeks in surgery at one of the following locations:  Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Trust, Milton Keynes General Hospital, Great Western Hospital, Swindon Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust (3 weeks Wycombe Hospital and 3 weeks Stoke Mandeville Hospital), Northampton General Hospital.

YEAR 6: VOCATIONAL SKILLS

Elective (10 weeks)

During the final six months of the course there is a ten week period of elective study. Students may study any topic relevant to medicine either in the United Kingdom or abroad during the elective. Most students opt to travel overseas for clinical attachments, some pursue research and some arrange attachments in the UK.  Students present either a poster or an oral presentation at the Electives’ Conference which takes place in the final week of the course.

Special Study Modules (see Clinical Options)

Student Assistantship (2 weeks)

Towards the end of the final year students undertake a student assistantship in which they work closely with a clinical team to develop the practical and team-working skills required of a foundation doctor.

Preparation for practice as a doctor Course (2 weeks)

The preparation for practice as a doctor course takes place over 8 days during June.  The small group teaching and lectures cover some of the very important practical skills and knowledge that students will require as junior doctors.  Some of the topics covered in the course have been the handling of common calls to the ward, an excellent and interactive discussion on the on-call management of diabetes, a very funny but important lecture on ‘being a perfect F1doctor’ and a very popular practical prescribing session.