Keele University Prospectus Undergraduate | 2016 | Page 162

HEALTH

The assessments have two main aims: first to help
you achieve the learning objectives of the course
(formative) and secondly to certify those students
who have achieved those learning objectives
(summative). Formative assessment is a key,
integrated component of the course and there is
regular, web-based material on which you can assess
your understanding. These assessments will reinforce
what you need to know, reassure those who are on
track and point out any areas which require extra
study. They will help to guide you in your professional
development. You will meet all different methods of
testing in this formative way before you encounter
the same method in a summative examination.
We use a variety of different testing methods at
Keele. We will test your ability to apply knowledge
with written methods such as multiple choice
questions, extended matching questions and key
feature problems. We will examine your ability to
comprehend a medical text and paraphrase it in
lay terms. From an early stage in the course, we
will examine your practical and clinical skills in the
laboratory and clinical arena. These tests include
OSSEs (objective structured skills examinations) and
OSCEs (objective structured clinical examinations).
You will have an opportunity to learn and practise
these skills and receive feedback throughout the
learning year and prior to the summative exams.
You will keep a portfolio detailing the development
of your clinical practice including reflections on the
new situations that you encounter. This will be linked
to appraisal. You will also participate in multi-source
feedback that will help you understand how you
perform as a team member and will assist you in
developing professionalism.
In the final year of the course there will be a final
OSCE exam but throughout the year there will
be a series of ‘real-life’ examinations of clinical
performance in the workplace. This will help both
us and you to know whether you are ready to take
on the role of a Foundation year doctor.

Skills and careers

On successful completion of the undergraduate
course you will receive your MBChB degree, which
is a primary medical qualification (PMQ). Holding
a PMQ entitles you to provisional registration with
the General Medical Council. Provisionally registered
doctors can only practise in approved Foundation
year 1 posts: the law does not allow provisionally
registered doctors to undertake any other type
of work. To obtain a Foundation year 1 post you
will need to apply during the final year of your
undergraduate course through the UK Foundation
Programme Office selection scheme, which allocates
these posts to graduates on a competitive basis.
So far, all suitably qualified UK graduates have found
a place on the Foundation year 1 programme, but this
cannot be guaranteed, for instance if there were to
be an excessive number of competitive applications
from non-UK graduates. Successful completion of the
Foundation year 1 programme is normally achieved

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