Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Degree Programme

These Regulations should be read in conjunction with the General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees hereinafter referred to as General Regulations.

Undergraduate Degree Programmes in the Faculty of Medicine shall be offered as follows: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

Applicants into programmes in the Faculty of Medicine may be accepted provided they have satisfied the entry requirements prescribed under the General Regulations for acceptance to the University and the specific Faculty requirements as follows:

Applicants into programmes in the Faculty of Medicine should have passed at least 5 subjects at ‘O’ Levels at Grade C or better. These should include Mathematics and English Language.

Applicants into programmes in the Faculty of Medicine should have at least 3 ‘A’ Level passes in Biology or Zoology and Chemistry as well as either Physics or Mathematics (or their approved equivalents).

Applicants into programmes in the Faculty of Medicine can be admitted on the basis of an appropriate Undergraduate Degree, normally at the First or Upper Second Class Degree Classification. Appropriate Degrees will be those with substantial cover in the biological or chemical sciences. Any requests by such candidates for exemptions from any part of MBBS programme will not normally be considered, but may be granted by Senate on advice from the Faulty Board.

Applicants into programmes in the Faculty of Medicine may also be required to satisfy a Faculty Panel in an interview.

• The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Degree Programme is a five and a half year programme, which includes a Medical Placement (Attachment) not exceeding three months. The placement period will fall during the penultimate year of study.

• The setting of the papers and modes of assessment shall be the responsibility of the Panel of Examiners of each Division.
• The Panel of Examiners for each Division will consist of the Lecturers who taught or supervised the courses that are the responsibility of each Division. The Panel will be assisted and advised by at least one External Examiner who is a specialist in the subject area examined. The Chairperson or Head of the Division will chair the Panel.
• The Panel of Examiners for each Division shall meet at least by the end of each semester and/or each Part (Year) as appropriate.
• The Faculty Board of Examiners shall be chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine or the Deputy Dean. The Board will consist of the Chairpersons or Heads of each Division, the available External Examiners and nominated members from the Divisions. The Board should have one member nominated by the Medical & Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe who may also be an External Examiner.

Each course is assessed by continuous assessment and final written examinations as stated in the General Regulations.

Continuous Assessment (CA) will contribute between 30% and 40% of the overall mark. To be eligible for Examinations, a student will be required to have a minimum continuous assessment score of 45%. This assessment will consist of multiple choice question papers presented during the teaching period, tests, assignments, practical or field study reports, oral examinations and/or presentations. A student who fails the CA below the minimum acceptable mark will have to supplement the CA. The overall mark awarded shall be the supplementation mark (Refer to Year Book Section 9.2.6 p109).

The final written examinations will normally be accompanied by an associated oral and/or practical examinations, which may each contribute up to a maximum of 10% of the overall mark. In both the written and laboratory practical examinations the minimum acceptable score will be 40%. In the clinical study courses, students will have to pass the practical clinical examination and the written examinations separately.

• In line with General Academic Regulations, supplementary examinations will be allowed at each part of a section, provided the student has satisfied the examiners in at least half of the combined total assessments, usually courses as indicated above, for each part of the section within the programme.
• If the student is to be allowed to supplement in any course or clinical specialisation area examination, his overall mark for that course should be at least 40%; and his aggregate mark for that part of the programme should be at least 50%.

Marking Scheme & Degree Classification

There shall be no overall degree classification, but the degree may be awarded “with a Distinction” or ‘’with Honours” in a specified field or study area or subject.

The Distinction or Honours classification shall apply to each separately examined subject or area of specialisation