Birmingham Medical School Years 1 and 2 Cheat Sheet
Every unit of Birmingham's Years 1 and 2, semester by semester, with the SimpleMed articles that cover it. Some articles sit under more than one unit. The units follow Birmingham's Foundations of Medical Science and Practice (FMSP) modules, which apply to students who started before 2026 entry. Find your unit, open the articles, revise.
- 4 semesters
- 19 units
- 356 different SimpleMed articles
Independent guide, not endorsed by Birmingham Medical School. About this page
Year 1, Semester 1
FMSP 1 examMolecules to Medicine
34 articles
Cells as the building blocks of tissues, how DNA is copied, packaged and read, early development, and how inheritance explains disease in families.
Cell Physiology and Biology
- Action Potentials
- Autonomic Nervous System Introduction
- Biological Membranes
- Enzyme-linked and Intracellular Receptor Signalling
- Enzymes and Regulation of Protein Function
- G-Protein Coupled Receptors
- Introduction to DNA
- Introduction to the Cell
- Membrane Potentials
- Membrane Transport and Intracellular Calcium Regulation
- Molecular Techniques for Medics
- Post-translational Modification and Collagen Biosynthesis
- Protein Function in Oxygen Transport
- Protein Targeting
- Structure of Proteins
- The Cell Cycle, Checkpoints and Apoptosis
Genetics
- DNA Repair and Cancer
- Epigenetics, Genomic Imprinting and Mitochondrial Inheritance
- Gene Expression
- Genetic Testing and Counselling
- Genotype, Phenotype, and Inheritance
- Introduction to Gene Mutation
- Mitosis and Meiosis
Pathology
- How to Read a Histology Slide
- Epithelium, Skin and Exocrine Glands
- Basics of Pathology
- An Introduction to Pathology
- Cellular Adaptations
- Regeneration and Repair of Tissues
From other subjects
- Basics of Embryology
- Teratology and Congenital Malformations
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Newborn Screening
- Connective Tissue
- Cartilage: Structure, Growth and Repair
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Cell Physiology and Biology, Genetics, Embryology
Cellular Communication, Endocrinology & Pharmacology
24 articles
How cells signal to each other, how the endocrine system keeps the body in balance and goes wrong, and the first principles of how drugs act and are handled by the body.
Cell Physiology and Biology
- G-Protein Coupled Receptors
- Enzyme-linked and Intracellular Receptor Signalling
- Membrane Transport and Intracellular Calcium Regulation
Endocrinology
- An Introduction to Endocrinology
- Calcium Metabolism
- Control of Appetite
- Diabetes Mellitus
- HPA and Growth Hormone
- Pituitary Disorders
- The Adrenal Glands and Adrenal Disorders
- The Endocrine Pancreas
- The Thyroid Gland
Pharmacology
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacogenetics
- Research Methods in Pharmacology
- Pharmacology of Insulin
- Safe Prescribing
- Poisoning and STOPP/START
OSCE
- Diabetic Foot OSCE Examination
- Cushing's Syndrome OSCE Examination
- Acromegaly OSCE Examination
- Thyroid Status OSCE Examination
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Endocrinology, Pharmacology, Cell Physiology and Biology
Neurones and Synapses
12 articles
How neurones are built and fire, how they pass messages at synapses, and how the peripheral nervous system controls muscle. A foundation for the brain and behaviour teaching in Year 2.
Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry
Cell Physiology and Biology
Musculoskeletal System
Pharmacology
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry, Cell Physiology and Biology, Pharmacology
People, Patients and Populations
8 articles
The link between health and illness: how disease is counted across populations, and the psychological, social, ethical and legal factors that shape what patients experience.
Population and Social Science
- Introduction to Population Science
- Epidemiological Studies
- Describing Data and Testing Hypotheses
- Models of Health
- Beliefs of the Public
- Population and Social Science Summary
From other subjects
Practice Population and Social Science questions on SimpleMed+
Year 1, Semester 2
FMSP 2 examIntroduction to Respiratory Medicine
18 articles
Lung anatomy, ventilation, gas exchange and the control of breathing, then the conditions that fill respiratory clinics: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), infection, lung cancer and respiratory failure.
Respiratory System
- Anatomy of the Respiratory System
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis
- Carbon Dioxide Transport
- Chemical Control of Breathing and Plasma pH
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Development of the Respiratory System
- Lung Cancer
- Lung Function Testing
- Pneumonia and other Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
- Pneumothorax and Pleural Effusion
- Properties of Gas Exchange
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Respiratory Failure
- Tuberculosis
- Ventilation and Lung Mechanics
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Respiratory System, Pharmacology
Digestive System
37 articles
From mouth to rectum plus the liver, biliary tree (the bile ducts) and pancreas: anatomy, digestion and absorption, and the metabolic states of feeding and fasting.
Gastrointestinal System
- Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Canal
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Foregut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Hindgut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Midgut
- Development of the Gastrointestinal Tract
- Distal Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
- Gastroenteritis and Enterocolitis
- Gastrointestinal Emergencies
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy
- Gastrointestinal Motility and the Enteric Nervous System
- Gastrointestinal Secretion, Digestion and Absorption
- Hepatic, Biliary and Pancreatic Pathology
- Intestinal Pathology
- Liver, Biliary and Exocrine Pancreatic Physiology
- Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
Metabolism
- Alcohol Metabolism
- Dietary Energy Production
- Energy Reactions in Cells
- Energy Storage
- Glycolysis
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Newborn Screening
- Lipid Metabolism and Transport
- Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation
- Nutrition, Diet and Body Weight
- Oxidative Stress
- Oxygen-dependent Pathway
- Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism
- Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism
- Temperature Regulation
- Vitamins, Cofactors, Minerals and Trace Elements
OSCE
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Gastrointestinal System, Metabolism
Muscle, Joints and Movement
54 articles
Bones, joints and muscle groups, with trauma, inflammation and degenerative disease introduced alongside the anatomy.
Musculoskeletal System
- Anatomical Terms
- Basics of Bone Anatomy
- Bones of the Foot
- Bones of the Hand
- Bones of the Lower Limb
- Bones of the Upper Limb
- Cartilage: Structure, Growth and Repair
- Conditions of the Ankle
- Conditions of the Arm
- Conditions of the Back and Neck
- Conditions of the Elbow
- Conditions of the Foot
- Conditions of the Hand
- Conditions of the Hip
- Conditions of the Knee
- Conditions of the Lower Back
- Conditions of the Lower Leg
- Conditions of the Shoulder and Clavicle
- Conditions of the Thigh
- Conditions of the Wrist
- Connective Tissue
- Dermatomes and Myotomes
- Joints
- Key Areas of the Lower Limb
- Key Areas of the Upper Limb
- Muscles in Action
- Muscles of the Forearm
- Muscles of the Gluteal Region
- Muscles of the Lower Leg
- Muscles of the Shoulder
- Muscles of the Thigh
- Muscles of the Upper Arm
- Structure of Bones
- Structure of the Muscles
- The Brachial Plexus
- The Lumbar Plexus
- The Sacral Plexus
- The Spine
Head and Neck
- Introduction to Head & Neck Anatomy
- The Skull
- The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
- Fascial Planes, Muscles and Triangles
- Development of the Head and Neck
OSCE
- Ankle and Foot OSCE Examination
- Elbow OSCE Examination
- GALS Screening OSCE Examination
- Hand and Wrist OSCE Examination
- Hip OSCE Examination
- Knee OSCE Examination
- Shoulder OSCE Examination
- Spine OSCE Examination
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Musculoskeletal System, Head and Neck
Doctors, Patients and Society
10 articles
People across the lifespan and how lifestyle, life events and ageing change health, with the legal and ethical side of the doctor-patient relationship and the basics of reading medical evidence.
Patient-Centred Care
Population and Social Science
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Population and Social Science, Patient-Centred Care
Year 2, Semester 3
FMSP 3 examCardiovascular System
29 articles
Heart and vessel development, anatomy and histology, how the heart is controlled, and the common congenital and acquired conditions with the drugs used to treat them.
Cardiovascular System
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Anatomy of the Cardiovascular System
- Artery and Vein Disease
- Cardiac Conduction and Contraction
- Cardiovascular Drugs
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Control of Cardiac Output
- Electrocardiogram Pathology
- Electrocardiograms
- Embryological Development of the CVS
- Haemodynamic Shock
- Heart Failure
- Hypertension
- Murmurs
- Pulses and Pressures
- Special Circulations
- The Cardiac Cycle
Pathology
Pharmacology
- Hypertension and Heart Failure
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Antiplatelets, Anticoagulants and Thrombolysis
- Hyperlipidaemias
OSCE
- Cardiovascular System OSCE Examination
- Peripheral Vascular OSCE Examination
- Blood Pressure Measurement OSCE Guide
- Varicose Vein OSCE Examination
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) OSCE Examination
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Cardiovascular System, Pharmacology
Immunology, Infection and Haematology
44 articles
How the immune system defends us and misfires, the microbes that cause disease and how they are controlled, and how blood is made and how it clots.
Infection
- Adaptive Immunity
- An Introduction to Infection
- Antibiotics
- Bacterial Structure, Classification and Growth
- Biofilms
- Fungi and Parasites: The Eukaryotic Pathogens
- Gram Staining and Infection Investigations
- Gram-negative Bacteria: Structure, Entry Routes and Endotoxin
- Hepatitis
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Innate Immunity
- Principles of Medical Virology
- Sepsis
- Staphylococci and Other Gram-positive Bacteria
- Streptococci
- The Immunocompromised Host
- The Infection Model
- The Organisms Gram Staining Misses
- Travel-related Infections
Immunology
- Food Allergy
- Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Immunological Therapies
- Introduction to Autoimmunity
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Type 1 Hypersensitivity
Haematology
- Anaemia
- Blood Groups, Crossmatching and Transfusion Reactions
- Full Blood Count
- Haematology in Systemic Disease
- Haematopoiesis and the Spleen
- Haemoglobinopathies
- Iron Metabolism
- Vitamin B12 and Folate
- When Haematopoiesis Goes Wrong
Pathology
Pharmacology
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Immunology, Infection, Haematology
Renal and Urinary System
23 articles
How the kidneys filter blood and set the volume and make-up of body fluids, how they act as endocrine organs, and the main diseases of the kidneys and bladder.
Urinary System
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Anatomy of the Kidneys, Bladder and Urethra
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Control of Plasma Osmolarity
- Control of Plasma Volume
- Control of Potassium
- Development of the Urinary System
- Diabetic Nephropathy
- Diuretics
- Glomerular Disease
- Glomerular Filtration Rate and the Measurement of Kidney Function
- Hyponatraemia
- Male Urological Conditions
- Micturition
- Prostate Pathology
- The Glomerulus: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion
- The Nephron
- Urinary Incontinence
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Urinary Tract Obstruction
- Urological Malignancy
From other subjects
Health Services, Chronic Illness and Disability
12 articles
How care is organised and paid for, how infection and chronic disease are tracked across populations, and what long-term illness and disability mean for patients, families and clinicians.
Population and Social Science
- Health Economics
- Patient Safety and Quality Control
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Population and Social Science Summary
Patient-Centred Care
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Population and Social Science, Patient-Centred Care
Year 2, Semester 4
FMSP 4 examReproduction, Endocrinology and Development
31 articles
Gametes, fertilisation, pregnancy, birth and the growing child, with the hormones that run puberty, the menstrual cycle and the menopause, and breast and gynaecological (female reproductive system) disease.
Reproductive System
- Anatomy of the Man
- Anatomy of the Woman
- Benign Conditions of the Breast
- Development of the Reproductive System
- Diseases of the Mother in Pregnancy
- Gametogenesis
- Infections of the Reproductive Tract
- Introduction to the Breast
- Labour and Delivery
- Malignancies of the Reproductive Tract
- Malignant Breast Disease
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Physiology of the Fetus
- Physiology of the Mother
- Puberty
- Sex, Infertility and Contraception
- The Menopause
- The Menstrual Cycle and Menstrual Abnormalities
- The Pelvic Floor
- The Placenta
- The Postpartum Period
From other subjects
- Teratology and Congenital Malformations
- Genetic Testing and Counselling
- HPA and Growth Hormone
- Pituitary Disorders
- Reproductive and Post-reproductive Health
- Breast OSCE Examination
- Testicular OSCE Examination
- Male Urological Conditions
- Prostate Pathology
- Sepsis in Paediatrics
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Reproductive System, Embryology, Endocrinology
Cancer, Causes to Cures
16 articles
Cancer as a genetic disease of cells: what drives it, how tumours grow and spread, how cancer is screened for, diagnosed and treated.
Pathology
Genetics
- DNA Repair and Cancer
- Introduction to Gene Mutation
- Epigenetics, Genomic Imprinting and Mitochondrial Inheritance
From other subjects
Brain and Behaviour
39 articles
How the central nervous system is organised and works, and how damage and disease change it. Then the neurological and psychiatric conditions that follow, and the drugs that act on the brain.
Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry
- Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
- Arterial Supply to the Brain
- Auditory and Vestibular Systems
- Basics of Neuroanatomy
- Cells and Components of the Nervous System
- Delirium
- Dementia
- Development of the Nervous System
- Headaches
- Higher Cortical Function
- Infections of the Central Nervous System
- Mood Disorders
- Motor System
- Movement Disorders
- Production and Circulation of CSF and Related Disorders
- Psychosis
- Raised Intracranial Pressure
- Reticular Formation
- Somatosensory System
- Stroke
- Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
- The Cerebellum: Circuits, Coordination and Clinical Signs
- The Hypothalamus and Limbic System
- Visual System
Head and Neck
- The Meninges
- Cranial Nerves I-VI
- Cranial Nerves VII-XII
- The Eye
- Anatomy of the Ear
- Blood Supply to the Head and Neck
- Autonomics of the Head and Neck
Pharmacology
OSCE
- Cranial Nerve OSCE Examination
- Upper Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Lower Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Cerebellar OSCE Examination
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry, Head and Neck, Pharmacology
Decision Making
14 articles
Applying epidemiology, ethics, law, psychology and social science to difficult real cases: pain, sleep, memory, mental illness, addiction and end of life.
Population and Social Science
Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry, Population and Social Science, Patient-Centred Care
Throughout Years 1 and 2
Regional Anatomy 1 and Regional Anatomy 2 (RA 1 and RA 2)
70 articles
Anatomy taught region by region across both years. These articles cover the regions as the body systems come up.
Musculoskeletal System
- Anatomical Terms
- Basics of Bone Anatomy
- Bones of the Foot
- Bones of the Hand
- Bones of the Lower Limb
- Bones of the Upper Limb
- Cartilage: Structure, Growth and Repair
- Conditions of the Ankle
- Conditions of the Arm
- Conditions of the Back and Neck
- Conditions of the Elbow
- Conditions of the Foot
- Conditions of the Hand
- Conditions of the Hip
- Conditions of the Knee
- Conditions of the Lower Back
- Conditions of the Lower Leg
- Conditions of the Shoulder and Clavicle
- Conditions of the Thigh
- Conditions of the Wrist
- Connective Tissue
- Dermatomes and Myotomes
- Joints
- Key Areas of the Lower Limb
- Key Areas of the Upper Limb
- Muscles in Action
- Muscles of the Forearm
- Muscles of the Gluteal Region
- Muscles of the Lower Leg
- Muscles of the Shoulder
- Muscles of the Thigh
- Muscles of the Upper Arm
- Structure of Bones
- Structure of the Muscles
- The Brachial Plexus
- The Lumbar Plexus
- The Sacral Plexus
- The Spine
Head and Neck
- Anatomy of the Ear
- Autonomics of the Head and Neck
- Blood Supply to the Head and Neck
- Cranial Nerves I-VI
- Cranial Nerves VII-XII
- Development of the Head and Neck
- Ear Pathology
- Fascial Planes, Muscles and Triangles
- Head and Neck Cancers
- Imaging of the Head and Neck
- Introduction to Head & Neck Anatomy
- Lymph Nodes and Neck Lumps
- The Eye
- The Larynx
- The Meninges
- The Nose
- The Oral Cavity and Pharynx
- The Skull
- The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Gastrointestinal System
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Foregut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Midgut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Hindgut
- Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Canal
Reproductive System
From other subjects
- Anatomy of the Cardiovascular System
- Anatomy of the Respiratory System
- Anatomy of the Kidneys, Bladder and Urethra
- Basics of Neuroanatomy
- Arterial Supply to the Brain
- Development of the Limbs and Body Wall
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Musculoskeletal System, Head and Neck, Embryology
Professional and Academic Skills 1 and 2 (PAS 1 and PAS 2)
9 articles
Evidence-based medicine, ethics and law, and academic skills.
Population and Social Science
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Describing Data and Testing Hypotheses
- Epidemiological Studies
- Introduction to Population Science
- Patient Safety and Quality Control
- Health Economics
- Models of Health
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Population and Social Science, Patient-Centred Care
Clinical Skills Days and Community Based Medicine (CBM)
50 articles
One day a week alternates between simulated practice and real GP placements, with communication, history taking and examination. The guides below are grouped by body system.
Browse every examination guide on the SimpleMed OSCE hub
Start here
- Index Conditions for OSCE exams
- Blood Pressure Measurement OSCE Guide
- Venepuncture and Blood Cultures OSCE Guide
Heart, lungs and circulation
- Cardiovascular System OSCE Examination
- Respiratory System OSCE Examination
- Peripheral Vascular OSCE Examination
- Varicose Vein OSCE Examination
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) OSCE Examination
Abdomen and groin
- Abdominal OSCE Examination
- Rectal (PR) OSCE Examination
- Stoma OSCE Examination
- Hernia OSCE Examination
- Testicular OSCE Examination
Nervous system
- Cranial Nerve OSCE Examination
- Upper Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Lower Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Cerebellar OSCE Examination
Joints and spine
- GALS Screening OSCE Examination
- Shoulder OSCE Examination
- Elbow OSCE Examination
- Hand and Wrist OSCE Examination
- Hip OSCE Examination
- Knee OSCE Examination
- Ankle and Foot OSCE Examination
- Spine OSCE Examination
Endocrine
- Thyroid Status OSCE Examination
- Diabetic Foot OSCE Examination
- Cushing's Syndrome OSCE Examination
- Acromegaly OSCE Examination
Eyes, ears, nose and neck
- Eye and Vision OSCE Examination
- Visual Acuity OSCE Assessment
- Fundoscopy (Ophthalmoscopy) OSCE Examination
- Anterior Segment Eye OSCE Examination
- Ear, Otoscopy and Hearing OSCE Examination
- Nasal OSCE Examination
- Neck Lump OSCE Examination
Skin, breast and lymph nodes
- Pigmented Skin Lesion OSCE Examination
- Rash and Non-Pigmented Skin Lesion OSCE Examination
- Breast OSCE Examination
- Lymphoreticular OSCE Examination
Surface anatomy
The wider consultation
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: OSCE, Patient-Centred Care
How Birmingham assesses Phase 1
- For students who started before 2026, Foundations of Medical Science and Practice (FMSP) 1 to 4 each end with a written paper: 100 multiple choice, 30 very short answer and 13 short answer questions. Regional Anatomy has its own written paper, plus a prosection test in Year 2 (an anatomy test on specimens that have already been dissected for you).
- From 2026 entry, Year 1 is one module, Medicine 1 (Medicine 2 follows). It has an Applied Knowledge Test (a closed-book exam in two parts: Part A in January, Part B in summer), a Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA) and a pass or fail portfolio. The CPSA uses OSCE style and OSPE style stations. An OSPE (objective structured practical examination) tests practical skills at set stations.
- The sections above follow the FMSP modules, which publish the most detail. Medicine 1 and 2 have no published system order, so use the search box.
- Birmingham Medical School publishes the official dates and formats. Always check your own course materials.
Test yourself
Reading is half of revision. Each unit above links to matching single best answer questions on SimpleMed+.
SimpleMed+ Encyclopaedia
Hard topics, made short and simple
A free bank of short and simple explanations of complex topics, with memory aids, in bitesize pages. Each one links to the SimpleMed+ questions that test it and to the core knowledge your exams expect.
- Bitesize explanations
- Memory aids
- Linked to the question bank
Getting ready for clinical
Years 3 to 5 are the clinical years, spent on placements in hospitals and general practice.
This is an independent revision guide written by SimpleMed. It is not endorsed by, or affiliated with, Birmingham Medical School or the University of Birmingham. Unit names are the component names in Birmingham's published Foundations of Medical Science and Practice module descriptions. The article mapping is our own. The short exam labels are ours, taken from the module titles. Always check your official course materials. Last updated October 2026.
