What is the teaching like at Leeds

[Martin]

I am interested in finding out a bit more about the teaching at Leeds. I have read the course content but would value current students'opinions as to what it is really like from a quality point of view.

[alphaclark]

Originally Posted by Martin

I am interested in finding out a bit more about the teaching at Leeds. I have read the course content but would value current students'opinions as to what it is really like from a quality point of view.

Quite a few lecturers are excellent - especially some of the consultants who do the clinically based lectures - the majority of lecturers are good. I've only encountered one or two so far who are useless.

My tutors for small group work are also good, though I have heard not all of them are good. I guess it also depends on personalities.

Extra support is there if you need it and, on the whole, I think the teaching is good quality. They ask for feedback at the end of some modules and I know they have changed/improved some elements of the course this year based on criticism and suggestions from the previous year group.

If you have any more specific questions please let me know.

[Martin]

Thank you for the info - much appreciated. I am at the moment serously considering making Leeds my first choice. Any other info u think useful would be appreciated.

[Ruth D]

I haven't got much to add to what Alphaclark's said coz I agree with it all. Just wanted to add that we have MSRC (Medical Students Representative Council) who's purpose is to feed back comments and suggested improvements from the medical students and get things changed for the better. It's a really good system and I do feel from talking to older students that they change things based on what the students say to them.

[pretoria]

Originally Posted by Ruth D

It's a really good system and I do feel from talking to older students that they change things based on what the students say to them.

Except for 2nd year I&P!! :x

I would say that generally the teaching is pretty good. Some of the tutors are fantastic and some are hopeless (although sweet!). The pre-clinical teaching is generally better than the clinical, as a lot of doctors don't have much of a clue, but I think that is the same across all med schools.

As Alphaclark said, it mainly depends on the individual teachers, and that will be the same anywhere. However, I do think Leeds has an extremely good course, and we will be really well prepared to practise as doctors.

[Ruth D]

aww, is that the stats stuff pretoria?

[pully2183]

Leeds got pretty slated in the QALY assesment of the course. However since then there have been a lot of changes to the course and it has improved greatly. For example when I joined there was no pharmacology teaching but thanks to MSRC that has now been written into the syllabus. Leeds medschool is not due for another QALY assessment for another year or so but an unofficial assessment by the dean of manchester medschool said that the course has improved greatly and when assessed next would score a much higher rating.
So there!

Personally I prefer the Leeds system based course to the manchester and Liverpool Problem based learning course.

[Markov]

"The pre-clinical teaching is generally better than the clinical, as a lot of doctors don't have much of a clue, but I think that is the same across all med schools. "

This statement is not true. Clinical teaching at Leeds is excellent - one of the best around, whereas the pre-clinical is somewhat ropey.

[pretoria]

Okay - in my opinion the pre-clinical teaching I have received has been much better than the clinical. The pre-clinical teaching has been very well organised, with great teaching information packs - lecture notes in advance, self-directed learning, great anatomy work-sheets etc. Plus tutorials or small group sessions which really help you cement the knowledge from lectures.

The clinical teaching to date has seemed rather ad-hoc. Doctors don't always turn up, they don't always teach what they are supposed to, they often don't supervise properly, so you don't get feedback on your history taking and examination skills. I get the impression though that this is a problem with the doctors, not the med school, and is therefore pretty much of a muchness at any medical school. It is also just my opinion based on my experience so far. The GP teaching was brilliant however - shame we can't have a lot more of that.