Royal Free and University College Medical School
Encyclopedia
UCL Medical School is the medical school
of University College London
(UCL) and is located in London
, United Kingdom
. It is one of the United Hospitals
.
UCL has offered education in medicine since 1834 but the current school developed from mergers between UCL and the medical schools of the Middlesex Hospital
(founded in 1746) and The Royal Free Hospital
(founded as the London School of Medicine for Women
in 1874).
Clinical medicine is primarily taught at University College Hospital
, The Royal Free Hospital
and the Whittington Hospital
, with other associated teaching hospitals including the Eastman Dental Hospital
, Great Ormond Street Hospital
, The Heart Hospital
, Moorfields Eye Hospital
, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
and the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital
.
UCL Medical School formed over a number of years from the merger of a number of institutions:
Middlesex Hospital and University College Hospital merged their medical schools in 1987 to form University College & Middlesex School of Medicine (UCMSM).
In 1998 The Royal Free & University College Medical School (RFUCMS) was formed from the merger of the two medical schools. On the 1st of October 2008, it was officially renamed UCL Medical School.
In appreciation of the historic beginnings of UCL Medical School, its student union has retained the name "RUMS" (Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students Society) which runs clubs and societies within UCLU.
The medical school is one of the largest in the country with a yearly intake of 330 students. Undergraduate teaching is spread across three campuses based in Bloomsbury (the Cruciform, University College Hospital
, the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Obstetric Hospital), at Archway (the Whittington Hospital
and the former Royal Holborn Infirmary) and in Hampstead (the Royal Free Hospital
).
It has arguably some of the best clinical sites in the country including:
Great Ormond Street Hospital
, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
(Queen's Square), Moorfields Eye Hospital
, The Heart Hospital
, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
and the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital
.
The school is widely regarded as one of the best medical schools in the country (frequently ranked between number 1–5 in the country), it has a very distinguished faculty which includes 78 Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences amongst its staff.
A report published in November 2005, by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) found that RFUCMS had the highest expenditure per student, an average spend of £50,103 per student, of any medical school in the country, followed by Oxford University Medical School (£42,348) and Imperial College School of Medicine
(£38,223).
(Hons) degrees and takes six years to complete: 2 years of preclinical medicine, 3 years of clinical medicine, and 1 year studying for the intercalated BSc degree, which at UCL is compulsory for all students except postgraduates. There is also the opportunity to intercalate a PhD, either by taking an 'interruption of study' directly after the intercalated BSc, or as part of the integrated MB PhD programme. The latter has been offered by UCL medical school since 1994 and allows students to be offered the MB BS, BSc and PhD degrees in eight years rather than nine if the PhD is undertaken separately.
(BMAT).
within UCL Union and as such is independent of the medical school
.
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
of University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(UCL) and is located in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is one of the United Hospitals
United Hospitals
United Hospitals is the historical collective name of the medical schools of London. They are all part of the University of London with the exception of Imperial College School of Medicine which left in 2007. The original United Hospitals referred to Guy's Hospital and St Thomas's Hospital and...
.
UCL has offered education in medicine since 1834 but the current school developed from mergers between UCL and the medical schools of the Middlesex Hospital
Middlesex Hospital
The Middlesex Hospital was a teaching hospital located in the Fitzrovia area of London, United Kingdom. First opened in 1745 on Windmill Street, it was moved in 1757 to Mortimer Street where it remained until it was finally closed in 2005. Its staff and services were transferred to various sites...
(founded in 1746) and The Royal Free Hospital
Royal Free Hospital
The Royal Free Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Hampstead, London, England and part of the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
(founded as the London School of Medicine for Women
London School of Medicine for Women
The London School of Medicine for Women was established in 1874 and was the first medical school in Britain to train women.The school was formed by an association of pioneering women physicians Sophia Jex-Blake, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Emily Blackwell and Elizabeth Blackwell with Thomas Henry...
in 1874).
Clinical medicine is primarily taught at University College Hospital
University College Hospital
University College Hospital is a teaching hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
, The Royal Free Hospital
Royal Free Hospital
The Royal Free Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Hampstead, London, England and part of the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
and the Whittington Hospital
Whittington Hospital
The Whittington Hospital is a British hospital in Archway, Islington, London. It is named after Richard Whittington.It is a district general hospital, although it is also a teaching hospital of the UCL Medical School and Middlesex University School of Health and Social Sciences.- History :Although...
, with other associated teaching hospitals including the Eastman Dental Hospital
Eastman Dental Hospital
The Eastman Dental Hospital is a specialist hospital for dental treatment in London, United Kingdom and forms a part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust...
, Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
, The Heart Hospital
The Heart Hospital
The Heart Hospital is a cardiac hospital in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
, Moorfields Eye Hospital
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS eye hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is the oldest and largest eye hospital in the world and is internationally renowned for its comprehensive clinical and research activities...
, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is a neurological hospital in London, United Kingdom and part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust...
and the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital
The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital is a hospital located on the Gray's Inn Road, London in the United Kingdom. It is operated by the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
.
History
- The Middlesex HospitalMiddlesex HospitalThe Middlesex Hospital was a teaching hospital located in the Fitzrovia area of London, United Kingdom. First opened in 1745 on Windmill Street, it was moved in 1757 to Mortimer Street where it remained until it was finally closed in 2005. Its staff and services were transferred to various sites...
opened in Fitzrovia in 1745 and was training doctors since 1746. - University College HospitalUniversity College HospitalUniversity College Hospital is a teaching hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
opened in 1834 as the North London Hospital, with the purpose of providing the then newly opened University College LondonUniversity College LondonUniversity College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
with a hospital to train medical students after refusal by the governors of the Middlesex Hospital to share its facilities with UCL.
Middlesex Hospital and University College Hospital merged their medical schools in 1987 to form University College & Middlesex School of Medicine (UCMSM).
- The London School of Medicine for WomenLondon School of Medicine for WomenThe London School of Medicine for Women was established in 1874 and was the first medical school in Britain to train women.The school was formed by an association of pioneering women physicians Sophia Jex-Blake, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Emily Blackwell and Elizabeth Blackwell with Thomas Henry...
was established in 1874, as the first medical school in Britain to train women. In 1877 The Royal Free Hospital agreed to allow students from LSMW to complete their clinical studies there and by 1896 was renamed The London Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine for Women and became part of the University of LondonUniversity of London-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
In 1998 The Royal Free & University College Medical School (RFUCMS) was formed from the merger of the two medical schools. On the 1st of October 2008, it was officially renamed UCL Medical School.
In appreciation of the historic beginnings of UCL Medical School, its student union has retained the name "RUMS" (Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students Society) which runs clubs and societies within UCLU.
Teaching
University College Hospital
University College Hospital is a teaching hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
, the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Obstetric Hospital), at Archway (the Whittington Hospital
Whittington Hospital
The Whittington Hospital is a British hospital in Archway, Islington, London. It is named after Richard Whittington.It is a district general hospital, although it is also a teaching hospital of the UCL Medical School and Middlesex University School of Health and Social Sciences.- History :Although...
and the former Royal Holborn Infirmary) and in Hampstead (the Royal Free Hospital
Royal Free Hospital
The Royal Free Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Hampstead, London, England and part of the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
).
It has arguably some of the best clinical sites in the country including:
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is a neurological hospital in London, United Kingdom and part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust...
(Queen's Square), Moorfields Eye Hospital
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS eye hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is the oldest and largest eye hospital in the world and is internationally renowned for its comprehensive clinical and research activities...
, The Heart Hospital
The Heart Hospital
The Heart Hospital is a cardiac hospital in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
, The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital is a specialist orthopaedic hospital located in London, United Kingdom and a part of Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust...
and the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital
The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital is a hospital located on the Gray's Inn Road, London in the United Kingdom. It is operated by the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
.
The school is widely regarded as one of the best medical schools in the country (frequently ranked between number 1–5 in the country), it has a very distinguished faculty which includes 78 Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences amongst its staff.
A report published in November 2005, by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) found that RFUCMS had the highest expenditure per student, an average spend of £50,103 per student, of any medical school in the country, followed by Oxford University Medical School (£42,348) and Imperial College School of Medicine
Imperial College School of Medicine
The Imperial College School of Medicine is the medical school of Imperial College London in England, and one of the United Hospitals....
(£38,223).
Course
The course in medicine at UCL leads to the award of the MB BS and BScBSC
BSC is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:Science and technology* Bachelor of Science , an undergraduate degree* Base Station Controller, part of a mobile phone network; see: Base Station subsystem...
(Hons) degrees and takes six years to complete: 2 years of preclinical medicine, 3 years of clinical medicine, and 1 year studying for the intercalated BSc degree, which at UCL is compulsory for all students except postgraduates. There is also the opportunity to intercalate a PhD, either by taking an 'interruption of study' directly after the intercalated BSc, or as part of the integrated MB PhD programme. The latter has been offered by UCL medical school since 1994 and allows students to be offered the MB BS, BSc and PhD degrees in eight years rather than nine if the PhD is undertaken separately.
Admission
Admission to the medical school, in common with all 32 medical schools in the UK, is extremely competitive. Prospective students must apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Acceptable qualifications for entry include grades AAA at A-level, to include at least Chemistry and Biology, and a pass at AS-level. The International Baccalaureate (Full Diploma), although less common, is also an acceptable entry qualification. Additionally, applicants must sit an entrance exam, the BioMedical Admissions TestBioMedical Admissions Test
The BioMedical Admissions Test is an aptitude test used as part of the admissions process for medicine, veterinary medicine or biomedical sciences in some universities in the United Kingdom...
(BMAT).
Associated hospitals and institutes
Hospitals
- University College HospitalUniversity College HospitalUniversity College Hospital is a teaching hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
- The Royal Free HospitalRoyal Free HospitalThe Royal Free Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Hampstead, London, England and part of the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
- Whittington HospitalWhittington HospitalThe Whittington Hospital is a British hospital in Archway, Islington, London. It is named after Richard Whittington.It is a district general hospital, although it is also a teaching hospital of the UCL Medical School and Middlesex University School of Health and Social Sciences.- History :Although...
- Eastman Dental HospitalEastman Dental HospitalThe Eastman Dental Hospital is a specialist hospital for dental treatment in London, United Kingdom and forms a part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust...
- Great Ormond Street HospitalGreat Ormond Street HospitalGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
- The Heart HospitalThe Heart HospitalThe Heart Hospital is a cardiac hospital in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
- Moorfields Eye HospitalMoorfields Eye HospitalMoorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS eye hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is the oldest and largest eye hospital in the world and is internationally renowned for its comprehensive clinical and research activities...
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryThe National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is a neurological hospital in London, United Kingdom and part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust...
- Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear HospitalRoyal National Throat, Nose and Ear HospitalThe Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital is a hospital located on the Gray's Inn Road, London in the United Kingdom. It is operated by the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust....
Research institutes
- UCL Ear InstituteUCL Ear InstituteThe UCL Ear Institute is an academic department of the Faculty of Brain Sciences of University College London located in London, United Kingdom...
- UCL Eastman Dental InstituteUCL Eastman Dental InstituteThe UCL Eastman Dental Institute is an academic department of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of University College London located in London, United Kingdom...
- UCL Institute of Child HealthUCL Institute of Child HealthThe UCL Institute of Child Health is an academic department of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences of University College London located in London, United Kingdom. It is a leading biomedical research centre and has a history in children's medical research which dates back to its founding.ICH...
- UCL Institute of NeurologyUCL Institute of NeurologyThe UCL Institute of Neurology is an institute within the Faculty of Brain Sciences of University College London and is located in London, United Kingdom...
- UCL Institute of Nuclear Medicine
- UCL Institute of OphthalmologyUCL Institute of OphthalmologyThe UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is an institute within the Faculty of Brain Sciences of University College London and is based in London, United Kingdom...
- UCL Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research at UCL
- National Institute for Medical ResearchNational Institute for Medical ResearchThe National Institute for Medical Research, commonly abbreviated to NIMR, is a medical research facility situated in Mill Hill, on the outskirts of London, England. It is mainly funded by the Medical Research Council, or MRC, and is its largest establishment and the only one designated as an...
(NIMR)
Clubs and societies
As well as being able to join all the UCL clubs and societies, medical students can also join those specifically for them. These clubs and societies are run by the Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students Society (RUMS) which is the MedsocMedsoc
MedSocs are the students' unions for the 32 medical schools in the UK. It is their remit to look after the educational, pastoral, social and representational needs of the 7,000 medical students in the UK.- History :...
within UCL Union and as such is independent of the medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
.
Sports
- RUMS Rugby
- RUMS Badminton
- RUMS Boat ClubRoyal Free and University College Medical School Boat ClubRoyal Free and University College Medical School Boat Club is the rowing club for UCL Medical School, part of the University of London. The boat club is commonly referred to by its acronym; RUMSBC. RUMSBC row out of the University of London Boat Club boat house which is situated on the River Thames...
- RUMS Cricket
- RUMS Men's Football
- RUMS Women's Football
- RUMS Men's Hockey
- RUMS Women's Hockey
- RUMS Netball
- RUMS RFCRoyal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFCRoyal Free, University College and Middlesex Medical Students RFC is the rugby union club for UCL Medical School, which is part of the University of London. The rugby club is commonly referred to by its shortened name of RUMS RFC or RUMS Rugby...
- RUMS Squash
- RUMS Tennis
Societies
- RUMS Christian Medics
- RUMS Islamic Society
- MD's Comedy Revue
- Medical Ethics
- Medsin
- RUMS Music Society
- RUMS RAG
- RUMS Spectrum
- UCL Surgical Society
- Wilderness Medicine
Sources
- University College Hospital and its Medical School: a history by W R Merrington (1976) ISBN 0434465003