Program Overview

International Medical Foundation Diploma

Overview

The International Medical Foundation Diploma is ideal for aspiring medical students. This 9-month programme is designed to provide fundamental scientific knowledge and skills across a range of science disciplines. This includes laboratory skills, basic numeracy skills and data handling, ICT and study skills. The aim of completing this Medical Foundation Diploma, is to support students to feel more confident and better prepared to pursue a degree in medicine and other allied health science degrees.

Key Facts

• Develop skills and knowledge to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree and gain a global perspective on areas within medical science.
• Enhance your English language proficiency, including academic vocabulary, writing skills, and independent language learning.
• As an affiliate of St. George’s University, QA students will receive one to one applicant support at every stage of the admissions process for the Five-Year Medical Degree (MD) Track while they are studying on the Foundation year.

What Will I Study?

This course aims to provide you with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and English, to prepare you for a Doctor of Medicine degree program.

• Foundation Biology: The aim of this module is to prepare you for successful study in the medical degree route. It introduces the processes which occur inside living cells which are vital for the operation of the whole organism. It is a practical module so that it teaches not only the facts needed to understand the topic, but also practical laboratory skills.
• Advanced Biology: By end of this module, you will be able to describe and explain the functional significance of the structures found in human organisms at all levels of organisation, the physical and chemical processes of digestion and energy supply, cardiovascular and respiratory structures and circulatory mediums (blood and lymph), infection immunity and defence and the roles of nervous and endocrine systems.
• Chemistry: This module is planned to help you acquire the knowledge to describe the structure and reactions of a range of in/organic compounds. You will spend time developing chemistry-focused laboratory skills including work confidently and effectively in a laboratory, with due attention to safety.
• Mathematics for Medical Sciences: You will get the opportunity to improve and practice key numeracy skills that will enable you to complete the tasks for the other modules you are studying during the programme. These will include calculations associated with experimental work in chemistry, biology, biochemistry and biomedical science.
• English for Medical Sciences: This module is designed to help you to meet the English level needed for both the International Medical Foundation Programme, and to give you the tools you need to become an independent language learner. It will teach you how to learn language for academic study, take responsibility for your own language learning, develop your skills, and improve your ability to apply them in the medical degree.
• Academic Communication and Professional Development Skills: This module is designed to help you to understand expectations of studying at Level 3 and to prepare you for progression to medical degree. You will develop the skills necessary to complete Higher Education assignments, such as essays, library research reports, presentations, groupwork and laboratory reports.

How Will I Be Taught and Assessed?

• Contact Hours: 18 hours per week in seminars and lectures.
• Self-Study Hours: 26 hours per week on an independent study – making use of the University’s electronic learning portal Blackboard.
• Assessment: You will be assessed through a mix of coursework and exams. This includes: portfolios, essays, reports, lab report, exams, poster presentation and group work.

Which Courses Can I Go On to Study?

Upon completion of the International Medical Foundation Diploma and meeting the required admission criteria, students may be eligible to apply and progress onto a Five-Year Medical Degree (MD) Track at St. George’s University (SGU). Students can start in the UK at Northumbria University or at SGU’s campus in Grenada.

Entry Requirements

• Academic Requirements: 5 GCSE at a grade C/4, including GCSE Maths at a minimum grade of C/4, or an equivalent level 2 qualification, or good high school grades.
• English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.0 with no single element below 5.5.
• Age Requirements: You must be 16 years old or older to study this programme.

Fees and Finance

• Tuition Fee 2025/26: £22,250.
• Scholarships and Bursaries for International Students: Depending on the country you are from, you may be eligible for a country bursary and/or scholarship when studying this programme.
• Payment Plans: If you need support to spread the cost of your tuition, you may be eligible for our payment plan.