DIPH Clinical Sciences
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Diploma of Higher Education
- Entry Requirements
- BBB including Biology and Chemistry and either Mathematics or Physics
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Course Overview
The Clinical Sciences programme at Norwich Medical School, UEA, is designed for overseas fee-paying students. It offers high-quality pre-clinical training and a guaranteed pathway to the four-year MD programme at St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine.
From day one, you’ll build a solid foundation in chemistry, biology, anatomy, and physiology, focusing on their application to medicine. Our experienced team will help you develop the professional, interpersonal, and communication skills needed for a career in healthcare. You’ll benefit from high contact hours, personalised guidance, and dedicated language and study skills support.
Teaching combines research-led lectures and seminars with small group tutorials. You’ll also gain hands-on experience through practical classes held in our modern anatomy and physiology laboratories.
The programme runs across two 12-week semesters each year. In year one, you’ll study core sciences and begin developing clinical communication skills. In year two, you’ll explore anatomy and physiology through an integrated, systems-based approach. After year two, you can graduate with a DipHE and progress to SGU’s four-year MD programme in Grenada or Northumbria. Alternatively, you can remain at UEA for a third year and graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Clinical Sciences.
We offer strong support for international students, including on-campus accommodation on UEA’s green campus near historic Norwich. You’ll enjoy a welcoming community, with excellent quality of life, and convenient transport links, including a 90-minute train to London. By completion, you’ll have a strong foundation in clinical sciences, along with the confidence and professional skills needed to progress towards a career in medicine.
Careers
Career Pathways
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
After completing the DipHE, you'll be eligible to apply to SGU to complete your MD training with the objective of working in the USA. Check out SGU for more details.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll gain a strong foundation in the scientific and communication principles essential for medicine. Through an integrated study of chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and clinical communication, you’ll begin exploring fundamental principles of health and disease. You’ll develop analytical, interpersonal, and reflective skills to understand patients holistically and prepare for advanced study. Through practical laboratory sessions, you’ll also build proficiency in scientific data analysis and professional written communication.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching includes lectures, seminars, workshops, and small group tutorials. You'll also undertake practical science and anatomy learning in our modern laboratory facilities. The curriculum is structured to provide time for you to consolidate your learning independently, at your own pace. You’ll develop an understanding of the fundamental scientific principles underlying modern medicine. You’ll also start to learn key clinical communication skills required for a career in medicine.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed regularly throughout the course to track your progress and ensure you meet the required standards. Assessments include both formative feedback and summative pass/fail evaluations. You’ll complete online tests, written and oral exams, coursework submissions, and Objective Structured Skills Examinations (OSSEs). You’ll also develop a Reflective Portfolio to demonstrate your learning, experiences, and professional growth.
Structure
You’ll cover the anatomy, physiology, and fundamental scientific principles of different systems of the body in health and disease. The course builds on principles introduced in year one through a spiral curriculum. You'll also learn about the importance of psychosocial aspects of health, and its role in health, illness, and healthcare outcomes. Clinical relevance underpins each module, supported by tutorials in current biomedical and translational research. Guided sessions with guest patients will further develop your clinical reasoning and communication skills.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
As before, teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and small-group tutorials. You’ll continue to take part in practical science and anatomy sessions in modern laboratory facilities. The curriculum is designed to give you time for independent study. You’ll continue to build a strong understanding of the scientific foundations of modern medicine and develop essential clinical communication skills.
Assessment
You’ll continue to be assessed regularly by a variety of formats including online tests, written and oral exams, coursework submissions, and Objective Structured Skills Examinations (OSSEs). In your final year, a project report will showcase your academic communication skills and development as an independent scientist.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
International fee-paying students. The entry point is in September each year. You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below.
- GCSE Requirements International
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, please refer to Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements Country Equivalents. You may also view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements International
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
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- Deferred Entry
This course does not permit deferred entry.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- Recent Study
Applicants must show that they have achieved successful academic study within the past five years. Qualifications to meet the subject specific requirement must also have been taken within this period.
If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
- How will you process my application?
Where demand exceeds the number of places available, applications may be ranked based on academic performance above the minimum entry requirements. Priority will be given to applicants demonstrating the strongest academic attainment in relevant subjects.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
- International Students: £29,300
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Course Related Costs
Please see additional course fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
To apply for this course, please complete our UEA Undergraduate Direct Application Form. It is not possible to apply for this course through UCAS. This course is only open to overseas (international) fee payers.