faqs and misconceptions myths,
cal and surgical conditions to help keep
UCL is currently only one of two uni-
your ‘book work’ knowledge up to date.
versities in the UK to offer a formal
New for this year, there are tutorials
MBPhD programme. This unique
with Dr Marks every few weeks, where
programme offers research-inclined stu-
we each get given a real-life case in ad-
dents the opportunity to take time out
vance. We then discuss how we would
of full-time clinical studies to pursue an
like to proceed with specific questions
extended period of research in the form
in the history, clinical examination,
of a PhD. This means students follow-
investigations, work-up, and short and
ing the programme will graduate with
long-term management. There is also
MBBS, iBSc and PhD degrees.
the opportunity to get involved with
–
rums research
p r o g r a m m e m b p h d u c l
WHAT IS THE MBPHD PROGRAMME?
the on-call team at UCH whenever you WHEN DO STUDENTS UNDERTAKE THE
want, and this offers a great opportunity
PHD PHASE OF THE PROGRAMME AND
to keep your independent clerking up to
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
scratch. The clinical teaching delivered
There have recently been some changes
as part of the programme is certainly in
to the structure of the programme, and
line with - if not better than - the best
all students are now expected to enter
teaching which I received as part of 4th
the PhD part of the programme after
year. Besides a couple of random SBA
year 4 of the MBBS course. This means
facts which I may have forgotten, I do
that they will have already completed
not feel that my clinical knowledge has
pre-clinical years 1 and 2, along with
suffered as a result of pursuing the MB-
their iBSc year and first clinical year.
PhD. In fact, if anything, the excellent
The PhD phase then typically takes 3
clinical teaching is one of the best as-
years to complete, before students re-
pects of the programme!
turn to complete MBBS years 5 and 6. In total, the programme is therefore ex-
ALL THIS EXTRA TIME SOUNDS EX-
pected to take 9 years to complete.
PENSIVE, HOW IS IT THE PROGRAMME
DO I HAVE TO DO MY PROJECT IN THE
There are 3 aspects to the funding of
SAME LAB AS MY IBSC?
any PhD.
FUNDED?
Absolutely not! You do not need to choose your project until after you have been accepted onto the programme.
t h e
article by richard bartlett
Ever considered taking an MBPhD, or even know what it is? RUMS Review research editor and MBPhD student Richard Bartlett explores the programme, dispelling myths and explaining potential career benefits along the way.
Some people do indeed choose to con-
1
Bench fees – the money that goes your lab to pay for materials to allow you to conduct your research,
tinue projects from their iBSc, however, this is by no means expected. In fact, where the programme funds you personally - rather than a specific project as
2
Tuition fees – the money that goes to UCL to pay for the services provided by the Doctoral School.
with other PhDs - you are pretty much free to apply to any supervisor within
Stipend – the money that gets
UCL. This gives you great flexibility and
paid to you directly for living
choice in selecting your supervisors and project, since you can apply for projects
3
costs (akin to student finance e.g. a wage).
across all the UCL laboratories and specialist hospitals, in addition to affiliated
Although the programme organisers
organisations such as the NIHR and
cannot guarantee funding per se, to date
Cancer Research UK (both hosted at
there have been no instances where the
The Francis Crick Institute).
programme has not managed to fund MBPhD students in their entirety. This
WILL I FORGET ALL MY CLINICAL
means that pursuing the MBPhD pro-
KNOWLEDGE DURING THE 3 YEARS OF
gramme will not cost you a penny, nor
THE PHD PHASE?
will you have to repay any of it once
Unlikely! In recent years the programme
you graduate (as you would do with a
has really ramped up the amount of
student loan). All in all, this means that
clinical teaching which is on offer. Typ-
the programme should be financially
ically, there are 2-3 bedside teaching
accessible to anyone and financial wor-
sessions per week with consultants or
ries should certainly not be a barrier to
registrars - including the legendary Dr
applying.
Daniel Marks! In addition, there are also sit-down seminars covering core medi-
15
vol.
I,
no.
III