LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF LIFE AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
September 2010
Integrated BSc (IntBSc) Strategy 2010-15
Quality, Focus and Value
Michael P Gilbey
Introduction
An IntBSc strategy has been developed following a review of the Intercalated BSc Programme
initiated by Professor Sir John Tooke (see Intercalated Review (IBSc) 2010). The recommendations of
the review group were endorsed by SLMS Education Board (September 2010) and permission was
granted to proceed to implementation. The aim of the IntBSc Strategy is to develop a range of IntBSc
programmes that are distinguished by their quality, focus and value and enhance the outcomes of
the MBBS programme.
Summary of the Review Group’s recommendations
A key component of SLMS Strategy 2010-15 is to develop a MBBS programme that provides a
contemporary, integrated, science rich programme designed to meet future health needs and to
provide a specific foundation for doctors wishing to either pursue an academic career in which they
undertake high quality research and/or become leaders within the profession.
(https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slms/staff-students/info/strategies/slmsstrategy). The first elements of the
new curriculum will be introduced in September 2011 with a view to achieving full implementation
by September 2013.
A vital feature of the revised MBBS programme (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/medicalschool/staffstudents/mbbs-review) will be an integrated BSc year that provides students with a strong
foundation in independent learning, critical thinking, scholarly writing and scientific method: a year
of focused study that substantially enhances outcomes not just in the domain of the Doctor as
Scientist and Scholar, but also in the domains of the Doctor as Professional and the Doctor as
Practitioner (http://www.gmc-uk.org/education/undergraduate/tomorrows_doctors.asp).
The review group recommended that each Integrated BSc Degree Programme that contributes to
the overall MBBS Programme must:
1. Identify and articulate its links to the overall MBBS programme.
2. Provide students with an integrated BSc experience in year 3 of the 6 year MBBS
programme.
3. Substantially enhance the key generic skills of independent learning, critical thinking,
scholarly writing and scientific method.
4. Provide small group work or tutorial based learning to facilitate the development of critical
thinking and/or critical appraisal skills.
1
5. Expose students to other professionals and scientists and, where possible, encourage joint
working and learning in preparation for the multidisciplinary nature of clinical practice and
research.
6. Identify and articulate its links to UCLPartners academic themes
(http://www.uclpartners.com/)1.
7. Allow sufficient time for students to comply with the overall requirements of the MBBS
programme during the IntBSc year (for example maintenance of the portfolio)
8. Provide robust personal tutoring in line with UCL requirements.
9. Consist of four course units and provide a compulsory laboratory, field, or literature based
project: the project contributing 1 - 1.5 course units. Where the project consists of a
literature based study this will need to be sufficiently robust to ensure students gain the
appropriate competencies in data analysis and interpretation.
Working with the Medical School Quality Assurance Unit a strategy group will be responsible for
ensuring that all programmes are of excellent quality, are aligned to the needs of The UCL Doctor
and that an appropriate range of IntBSc Degree Programmes are available.
All IntBSc providers will need to make a financial contribution to IBSc Programme proportionate to
their IBSC HEFCEt income to cover administrative costs of the overall IBSc programme.
All IntBSc providers will be required to complete an annual return to enable the strategy group to
assess the compliance of their programme against the requirements outlined above. The suggested
deadline for full compliance is September 2012 to meet the revised curriculum implementation date
of September 2013. Where quality standards cannot be met by a programme the strategy group will
recommend discontinuation of that programme. While working to maintain an appropriate breadth
of degree programme choice, some current IBSc degree programmes will be identified as
uneconomic in their current form. Such programmes will either have to merge with suitable
partners, broaden their intake or discontinue.
Implementation Process

From January 2011 UCL will neither customarily accept external applications to the IBSc
Programme nor customarily permit UCL students to leave the IBSc Programme to study at
external institutions.

From September 2012 the IBSc programme will run exclusively within year 3 of the 6 year
MBBS programme.

The name Integrated BSc will adopted from September 2013.
The key features of the proposed structure to achieve quality management and enhancement are
outlined in Fig. 1. The IBSc Steering Committee is established and is responsible for overseeing
and monitoring the IBSc programme.
1
Either the programme’s links to the UCLP emerging research theme areas or the overall themes of:
harnessing academia to effect health gain; improving the health of populations locally, nationally or globally;
illness prevention or the role of primary care/novel service provision.
2
To ensure that all IBSc degree programmes are fit for purpose an IBSc strategy group (Sub Dean
IBSc, all MBBS Curriculum Sub Deans, FLS Faculty Tutor) will be established and work with the
IBSc Steering Committee to:

Oversee the annual review that will monitor programme quality and alignment with
required MBBS programme outcomes.

Provide feedback to degree programme organisers and in cases where programmes have
not met the required essential criteria explain the action required to become compliant
and the timeline. For the degree programme to remain in the IBSc portfolio the degree
programme tutor will be required to produce an action plan that will need to be endorsed
by the IBSc strategy group.

Commission new IBSc degree programmes/modules and/or discontinue established
degree programmes/modules as indicated following review .

Ensure that number of IBSc degree programmes offered provide suitable student choice
over the range of programmes deemed to be appropriate while being mindful of resource
limitations.
As part of the monitoring process an IBSc Programme student staff committee will be established
and all students will complete a questionnaire concerning their IBSc experience: this questionnaire
will supplement degree programme specific feedback.
FIG. 1
3
Objectives for April 2011

Each IBSc Degree Management Group will either provide evidence that their programme
meets the essential criteria for IBSc programmes or where there is non-compliance
provide details of planned changes, an indicative timeline for changes and any possible
barriers to implementation (see IBSc Degree programme Return at end of this document).

The IBSc Steering Committee and IBSc Strategy Group will then endorse the IBSc Degree
Programme, approve the planned changes and timeline or provide feedback on the
rejected action plan. If it is considered that the degree programme could meet the criteria
every effort will be made to assist the degree programme organisers to successfully
address issues of concern with a view to approval.
Full compliance required by September 2012

Degree programmes will be required to become fully compliant by September 2012 for
inclusion in the IntBSc programme academic year 2013-14.
4
APRIL Annual IBSc Degree programme Return
Self assessment of compliance with essential criteria
(see “Essential Criteria for IBSc Programmes within the MBBS programme” in Intercalated BSc (IBSc) Review and Strategy Document 2010)
Category
REQUIREMENT
Financial
Viability
The Degree Programme
must be financially
viable
Timing and
Selection
The IBSc year must be
provided to medical
students exclusively in
year 3 of the 6 year
MBBS undergraduate
programme (from 201213).
1
2
Self assessment
statement on
compliance
Details of changes
planned or areas
under review
Indicative timeline for
implementation of
planned changes or
review
Challenges to
implementation
Evidence used to
verify extent of
compliance (name
specific
documents)
Overall ranking in
academic achievement is
not used for allocation
of student places on
5
programme or on
modules
Programme
Orientation
and Content
Induction Session
Provided
3
4
Provides students with
exposure to other
professionals and
scientist.
5
Clearly addresses the
key generic skills of
independent learning,
critical thinking,
scholarly writing and
scientific method.
Identify links with
UCLP/ASHC
6
7
Provides sufficient time
for students to maintain
clinical contact (e.g.,
maintenance of
6
portfolio)
Teaching
Methods
8
Provides small group
work or tutorial sessions
to facilitate the
development of high
level skills such as critical
thinking.
9
Provides robust personal
tutoring in line with the
requirements of the
MBBS course overall
10
Consists of 4 course
units and provides a
compulsory laboratory,
field, or literature based
project. The project
must contribute
between 1 and 1.5
course units.
11
Literature based project
is sufficiently robust to
ensure students gain the
appropriate
7
competencies outlined
under criteria 5 in
Essential Criteria
Document
Quality
management
and
Enhancement
12
Degree Programme
annual return completed
providing Degree
Programme and Module
Mark statistics
13
Response to student
feedback from
questionnaires and SSCC
8