Functions of Undergraduate Medicine Committees

The Education Sub-Committees have responsibility for matters of curriculum, examination policy, quality assurance and learning resources for specific aspects of the programme. They have the autonomy to agree and implement changes within the boundaries stated in their terms of reference. Any changes that fall outside of these boundaries must be reported forward as a recommendation to the Education Committee or Medical Studies Committee as appropriate.

The Education Committee  maintains an overview of curriculum content, structure, organisation, assessment, learning resources, quality assurance and enhancement, and delivery of the teaching of the six-year MBBS/BSc course.

The Medical Studies Committee considers, advises and makes recommendations on all matters relating to undergraduate education, including strategies for future development in undergraduate medical education.

Recommendations for improvements to the MBBS/BSc course are proposed, approved, implemented and disseminated to Imperial College teaching staff, NHS teaching staff, Imperial College support staff, NHS support staff and students via the Undergraduate Medicine Committee structure. The Directors of Clinical Studies Committee and the North West Thames Foundation School Management Committee contribute to all stages of discussions and to the implementation and dissemination of information to NHS teaching and support staff. There is student representation on all committees and, in addition, the Staff-Student Liaison Groups provide a forum for consideration of academic and non-academic issues raised by staff and/or students.

There are formal procedures in place for consideration of changes to non-clinical and clinical elements of the programme. Proposals for changes to the curriculum are submitted for consideration to the relevant Education Sub-Committee. Proposals must be made through completion of a Changes to Teaching Proposal form which requires proposers to consider a wide range of issues such as additional educational value and funding considerations. The relevant Education Sub-Committee which will then consider and discuss proposals before making recommendations to the Education Committee or Medical Studies Committee as appropriate.

Recent developments in techniques of teaching and learning, new advancements in subject areas and any changes in professional requirements feed into curriculum development through this process via the relevant Education Sub-Committee.