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Medicine

Medicine has a strong tradition in Girton.

Why choose Medicine at Girton?

Medicine has a strong tradition in Girton. Our aim is for our graduates to be caring, kind and empathetic doctors, who are knowledgeable, reliable and trustworthy, with a robust scientific background. There is a large and supportive medical fellowship; the fellows in Medicine cover a range of disciplines, helping to prepare the students to be the doctors of tomorrow, in whatever branch of medicine they choose.

Girton has a reputation as a friendly and inclusive college and this is clear both within the medics’ community and across college. The fellows take a great interest in developing the students’ abilities. It is an ideal environment to stretch yourself, with a background of support in all the transitions; from school to university, from Part I to Part II, from undergraduate to clinical school and into a career.

Undergraduate Medicine

  • No. of students admitted per year: 9
  • Entry requirements: All entry requirements are A-Level standard or equivalent, unless otherwise stated. Chemistry and one from Biology, Mathematics or Physics.
  • Typical offer: A*A*A
  • Assessment arrangements: All Cambridge applicants are required to take a written assessment  prior to interview. Applicants must register in advance and further information about the written assessment can be found here.
  • Interview arrangements: Usually two interviews. One interview will assess the applicant's suitability for the profession as well as their scientific ability.  The other interview will concentrate on testing the applicant’s ability in and enthusiasm for science. The interview panel will include practicing clinicians.

Medicine undergraduate information

The University of Cambridge offers one of the largest pre-clinical medical courses in the UK, by admitting over 300 students each year. The course in Cambridge differs significantly from other universities: during the first two years the full range of basic biomedical and pre-clinical science is taught. This covers almost all the material necessary for the 2nd MB examination.  The third year then offers an excellent opportunity to specialise in one of the subjects from the Natural Sciences Tripos Part II. Some courses offer the chance to do project work and scientific research under supervision. After the third year students graduate with a BA degree and move on to a three-year clinical training programme which is based at the Clinical School at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Medicine postgraduate information

For more research-oriented students there is the possibility to apply for the MB-PhD programme, this integrates clinical training with three years of original research. As well as the normal Medical degree, this leads to the higher degree of PhD. PhD students at Girton are currently researching many varied topics. One example is molecular imaging – specifically developing imaging probes for detection of cell death in the context of cancer response to treatment. Masters courses, in subjects such as epidemiology, may be of interest to medical graduates.

Research and postgraduate students are admitted to the University by the Board of Graduate Studies. You must therefore apply centrally and not to the College, however you must be admitted to a College to be able to study at the University. To ensure that this is Girton you need to indicate this on your application form.

Career destinations

The majority of those reading Medicine go on to practice, be it in hospitals or as GPs, while a number make a significant contribution in terms of their scientific research. Some work overseas – either in voluntary or research work. Some go into policy making and public health. Whatever they choose, we hope they will all be ‘good doctors’.