What is an Educational Performance Measure (EPM)?
The Educational Performance Measure reflects how medical students have performed academically up to the point of application to the Foundation Programme. It is based on three components, with a combined score of up to 50 points:
- Medical school performance (34 – 43 points)
- Additional degrees (up to 5 points)
- Publications, presentations and prizes (up to 2 points)
Each medical school is consulting with its students on the ‘basket of assessments’ that will be used to calculate medical school performance up to the point of application in deciles in relation to the graduating cohort, and the final frameworks will be published online.
How many points is my previous degree worth?
|
Doctoral degree (Dphil, PhD etc) |
5 |
Masters degree
1st class honours degree
Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS)
B Vet Med |
4 |
2.1 class honours degree
1st class intercalated degree which does not extend the degree programme |
3 |
2.2 class honours degree
2.1 class intercalated degree which does not extend the degree programme |
2 |
3rd class honurs degree
Unclassified or honours degree
2.2 class intercalated degree which does not extend the degree programme |
1 |
Why replace quartiles with deciles?
The standardised framework will improve the consistency and transparency of the system used to assess medical students’ academic performance up to the point of application in relation to those in the graduating cohort. Further, deciles are fairer for applicants at the margins (i.e. an applicant who is 25th or 26th in a cohort of 100 students would be separated into the top or second quartile; with deciles, both applicants would be in the third decile).
I am unsure whether my degree, prize, publication or presentation will be eligible for points – how can I find out?
The UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO) Rules Group provides detailed information about the eligibility for points for educational achievements, and the evidence required. More information about the rules used this year for FP2012 can be found in the UKFPO’s Applicant Handbook.
Note – The BMedSci at Nottingham and Southampton, which does not extend the length of the undergraduate degree, will be awarded one point for FP 2012. For FP 2013, these degrees will be awarded points according to their degree classification but one point less than degrees that extend the length of a student’s programme. For example, an applicant from Oxford with a 1st class degree from an intercalated or previous degree would be awarded four points under the EPM framework, whereas BMedSci from Nottingham and Southampton would be awarded three points.
Why are there fewer points available for prizes etc this year?
All stakeholders agreed that there should be points for academic excellence. There was extensive consultation with stakeholders around the eligibility of additional points for degrees, and the criteria for presentations, prizes and publications. It was considered that there is an element of double counting, in the applicants scoring highly for degrees would also be the same applicants who would score highly on the number of prizes, presentations and publication. Stakeholders were also keen to ensure that most marks come from a student's academic performance throughout medical school rather than a single (albeit major) achievement. The final recommendations were agreed by all stakeholders, and accepted by the UKFPO Rules Group.
Why will I not receive any points for my extra-curricular activities?
It would be difficult to determine a reliable and valid measure of the impact of extra-curricular activities on being a good doctor and meeting the Foundation Programme person specification which does not double count the attributes already assessed on the application. It would be equally difficult to compare sporting achievements with climbing a mountain, volunteering abroad or caring responsibilities.
We would hope that all future doctors enjoy extra-curricular activities, and the benefits of these including leadership, decision making, and working as part of a team would inform their answers to the SJT part of the application.
How is my decile calculated if I am applying from overseas?
Overseas applicants will need to submit a Dean's Statement confirming the size of the graduate's cohort, their class rank within that cohort and the decile ranking awarded.
The Dean's Statement, as well as a submissions timeline can be found on the UKFPO website.
Note - the UKFPO website has not yet been updated with the timeline for FP 2013 applications.