fortnightly general practice days, clinical skills and communication skills training. Years three to five consist largely of clinical placements covering all major specialties in partner NHS Trusts and GP practices located in the West Midlands. In addition to the five-year MB ChB, a four-year graduate entry course is open to those who have already achieved a first class life sciences degree. The first year of the graduate entry course is a problem based learning design, before students join those on the five-year course for clinical study. In addition there are a small number of places on a three-year MB ChB programme designed for dental graduates wishing to train in maxillofacial surgery. The medical school remains extremely competitive with high entry standards. Requirements for 2019 entry was A*AA at A Level. Dentistry at Birmingham often receives many applications for each place available. With few spaces on the course, it is extremely competitive and candidates are expected to perform excellently at interview. Pharmacy admissions accepted the first intake of students in August 2013, in the first year alone 1007 applicants applied for 70 available places. Requirements for current entry remain at AAB at A Level and A's in Maths and Science GCSEs. This course was accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) in June 2017. The BNurs Nursing degree allows students to specialise in Adult, Mental Health and Child and Public Health clinical settings. A new four-year undergraduate Masters in Nursing (MNurs)starts in September 2018 which prepares students for management roles and clinical academic careers. The School also offers a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science (BSc) leading to further study at postgraduate level. Medical students may also intercalate, usually after their third or forth year, on a range of specialist Bachelors or Masters-level programmes. The College of Medical and Dental Sciences also offers Dental Surgery (BDS), Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSc) and Biomedical Materials Science (BMedSc). These courses are based at the Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry. The College of Health Sciences at the University of Zimbabwe was modelled after the Birmingham Medical School. The two hence share and enjoy a special relationship. Clinical teaching partners Clinical placements for medical students take place in a variety of secondary and tertiary referral hospitals and community general practices across the West Midlands. These include: Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Birmingham Children's Hospital The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust The