An MBPhD programme in the UK: the UCL experience.

Traditionally, clinician scientists in the UK have been trained by a sequence of medical school, junior hospital posts, MRCP and research leading to a PhD. Thereafter they undertake a mixture of more senior middle-grade jobs leading to senior or lecturer consultant posts and beyond. Experience in the USA has shown how it is possible for young doctors to complete a PhD successfully while still at medical school, giving the graduate a combined MBBS and PhD qualification earlier in their career. UCL instituted such an 'MBPhD' scheme 18 years ago. The first graduates are now attaining chairs. Here, we review the experience of such a course in the UK context.