
The School of Medicine
Start Date: 4th September 2023

- Length 2 Years
- Study Full Time
- Location West Lancashire College
More about the course
The School of Medicine is the very first of its kind and offers a unique learning experience in a variety of roles in the medical sector. Born from a collaboration between leading industry employers and the UK’s top university medical schools, this two-year programme is designed to give West Lancashire College students a distinct advantage over the competition.
This exceptional programme offers hours of exclusive placement opportunities on our Discovery Industry Placement Programme within the NHS, Virgin Care and the West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group. Students will receive hands-on clinical and surgical experience, follow a patient’s journey from GP reception to diagnosis to treatment, as well as undertake exclusive workplace and educational visits that cannot be found anywhere else in the country.
Entry requirements
Biology
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above
- Double Award GCSE Science Higher Tier Grade 6 or above
- GCSE Biology Grade 6 or above
- GCSE Maths Grade 6 or above
- GCSE English Grade 6 or above
Chemistry
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above
- Double Award GCSE Science Higher Tier Grade 6 or above
- GCSE Chemistry Grade 6 or above
- GCSE Maths Grade 6 or above
- GCSE English Grade 6 or above
Maths
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above
- GCSE Maths Grade 6 or above
Psychology
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above
- GCSE Maths Grade 5 or above
Sociology
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above
Criminology
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above
What will I learn?
- A Level Psychology
- A Level Biology
- A Level Chemistry
- A Level Physics
- A Level Maths
How am I assessed?
- End of unit tests
- Practical sessions
- Workshops
- Discussions
- External visits
- Mock examinations
Where can I progress?
Criminology
This qualification will give you the required understanding and skills to be able to consider employment in some areas of the criminal justice system, e.g. the National Probation Service, the police or the Courts and Tribunals Service. However these are just some of the possibilities
Biology
Biology is an essential subject if you are interested in a career with a medical or bio-medical bias e.g. medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, forensic science, or biochemistry. It is also an important and useful subject for anyone interested in careers in conservation, biotechnology, sports science and psychology. In addition there are a large number of biology related university degree courses e.g. Marine Biology, Microbiology, Zoology.
Chemistry
Chemistry is recognised by many employers as a subject that allows students to develop their problem-solving skills through an analytical and logical approach – vital skills in any workforce. The staff in the Department of Chemistry are committed to helping students develop their knowledge and interest in the subject, preparing the way for potential careers in many areas: Manufacturing, Forensic Science, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Nursing, Cosmetics, Medicine, Dentistry, Sports Science, Pharmaceutical Design, Brewing, Petrochemicals, Environmental Sciences, Finance, Media, Sales & Marketing, Health & Safety, Law, Consultancy, IT and Education.
Psychology
Psychology is very useful in any career that involves working with people, e.g. in social care, policing, or teaching. Many students continue to study Psychology at university which can lead to a variety of careers including clinical, educational, sport or forensic psychology.
Maths
Students with A level Mathematics have excellent study and career opportunities. The qualification is very highly regarded for a broad range of university courses and is highly valued by employers. Many students will progress to mathematics degrees or engineering and science-based courses including medicine. Future opportunities include training as an accountant or an economist.
Sociology
Sociology is an excellent course to study for a wide range of careers. Universities welcome applicants who have studied Sociology as they have developed an awareness and understanding of the processes within modern British society. Studying Sociology can lead to careers in journalism, education, social care, health, police, armed forces, business, law, the media and politics.
Course costs
If you are 16-18 years old, you do not have to pay course tuition fees*.
If you need information on any financial support that may be available to you with fees or study costs on this course, please contact Student Services who can offer advice and assistance on accessing any financial support that may be available.
*This is subject to attendance.
Contact our team
Meet our students and tutors

Elizabeth
School of Medicine StudentMy experience at West Lancashire College has been very positive, especially with helping me gain my work experience placement in a dental practice. I shadowed both the dentist and the hygienist, in which I was taught to chart and also made my own impressions and fillings.

Rajdeep
School of Medicine StudentStaff are more than welcome to aid you in your studies, but also provide exceptional resources to boost your understanding of what being a medical professional entails. All tutors give helpful insights on UCAS applications and what to expect with medical aptitude assessments too.
What can I do with a qualification in Science and Medicine?
Daily tasks:
- Supervises the implementation of care and treatment plans by other healthcare providers.
- Prepares and delivers lectures, undertakes research, and conducts and participates in clinical trials.
- Refers patient to specialist where necessary and liaises with specialist.
- Supervises patient.
- Administers medical tests and inoculations against communicable diseases.
- Diagnoses condition and prescribes and/or administers appropriate treatment/surgery.
- Examines patient, arranges for any necessary x-rays or other tests and interprets results.
Daily tasks:
- Ensures that drugs and medicaments are in good supply and are stored properly.
- Tests and analyses drugs to determine their identity, purity and strength.
- Liaises with other professionals regarding the development, manufacturing and testing of drugs.
- Maintains prescription files and records issue of narcotics, poisons and other habit-forming drugs.
- Checks that recommended doses are not being exceeded and that instructions are understood by patients.
- Highlights a drug.
- Advises health professionals on the selection and appropriate use of medicines.
- Prepares or directs the preparation of prescribed medicaments in liquid, powder, tablet, ointment or other form following prescriptions issued by medical doctors and other health professionals.
Daily tasks:
- Carries out research with glass and lens manufacturers.
- Refers patient to a specialist, where necessary.
- Advises patient on proper use of glasses, contact lenses and other aids, and on appropriate lighting conditions for reading and working.
- Prescribes, supplies and fits appropriate spectacle lenses, contact lenses and other aids.
- Examines eyes and tests vision of patient, identifies problems, defects, injuries and ill health.
Daily tasks:
- Prepares and delivers lectures, undertakes research, and conducts and participates in clinical trials.
- Maintains patients.
- Refers patient to specialist, where necessary.
- Educates patients on oral health care.
- Supervises patient.
- Constructs and fits braces, inlays, dentures and other appliances.
- Carries out clinical treatments, restores teeth affected by decay etc., treats gum disease and other disorders.
- Administers local anaesthetics.
- Assesses and recommends treatment options to patients.
- Examines patient.
Daily tasks:
- Carries out post-treatment reviews and follow-ups.
- Explains treatment to patient and management of any side effects.
- Calculates radiation dosage and maps volume to be treated.
- Plans course of treatment with clinical oncologists and physicists.
- Maintains records of all radiographic/therapeutic work undertaken.
- Positions patient and operates x-ray, scanning or fluoroscopic equipment.
- Decides length and intensity of exposure or strength of dosage of isotope.
- Verifies identity of patient and ensures that necessary preparations have been made for the examination/treatment.
- Assesses patients and interprets clinical requirements to determine appropriate radiographic treatments.
- Uses a range of imaging devices for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Daily tasks:
- Refers patients who require further medical or surgical attention.
- Delivers foot health education to groups such as the elderly, children, the homeless, those with medical problems such as arthritis.
- Advises patients on aspects of foot care to avoid recurrence of foot problems.
- Those with advanced training may carry out minor surgery on the feet.
- Prescribes, makes and fits pads and other orthotic appliances to correct and/or protect foot disorders.
- Treats conditions of the skin, nails and soft tissues of feet by minor surgery, massage and heat treatment, padding and strapping or drugs.
- Administers local anaesthetic where appropriate.
- Provides vascular and neurological assessment for the long-term management of chronic disorders and high risk patients.
- Examines patient.
Daily tasks:
- Monitors patient.
- Supervises physiotherapy assistants.
- Offers advice and education on how to avoid injury and promote patient.
- Explains treatment to and instructs patient in posture and other exercises and adapts treatment as necessary.
- Plans and undertakes therapy to improve circulation, restore joint mobility, strengthen muscles and reduce pain.
- Writes up patients.
- Examines medical reports and assesses patient to determine the condition of muscles, nerves or joints in need of treatment.
- Provides prosthetic devices to patients and advises on rehabilitation.
- Carries out a range of oral/dental treatments.
- Diagnoses and treats patients with a variety of hearing-related problems.
Daily tasks:
- Delivers lectures and other forms of formal training relating to nursing practice.
- Plans, manages, provides and evaluates nursing care services for patients, supervises the implementation of nursing care plans.
- Advises on nursing care, disease prevention, nutrition, etc. and liaises with hospital board/ management on issues concerning nursing policy.
- Plans duty rotas and organises and directs the work and training of ward and theatre nursing staff.
- Participates in the preparation for physical and psychological treatment of mentally ill patients.
- Monitors patient.
- Manages own case load.
- Assists medical doctors and works with other healthcare professionals to deal with emergencies and pre-planned treatment of patients.
Daily tasks:
- Delivers lectures and other forms of training in midwifery practice.
- Plans and manages midwifery care services.
- Supervises more junior staff and directs the work of the midwifery unit.
- Advises on baby care, exercise, diet and family planning issues.
- Monitors recovery of mother in postnatal period and supervises the nursing of premature and other babies requiring special attention.
- Delivers babies in normal births and assists doctors with difficult deliveries.
- Monitors condition and progress of patient and baby throughout pregnancy.
Daily tasks:
- Records and collates data obtained from experimental work and documents all work carried out.
- Operates and services specialised scientific equipment, undertakes prescribed measurements and analyses and ensures that sterile conditions necessary for some equipment are maintained.
- Grows cultures of bacteria and viruses, prepares tissue sections and other organic and inorganic material for examination and stains and fixes slides for microscope work.
- Prepares and analyses body fluids, secretions and/or tissue to detect infections or to examine the effects of different drugs.
- Sets up and assists with the construction and the development of scientific apparatus for experimental, demonstration or other purposes.
School of Medicine at West Lancashire College

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