Leeds School of Medicine Years 1 and 2 Cheat Sheet
Every unit of Leeds' first two years, from Introduction to Medical Sciences to Clinical Pathology, with the SimpleMed articles that cover it. Find your unit, open the articles, revise.
- 2 years
- 9 units
- 356 different SimpleMed articles
Independent guide, not endorsed by University of Leeds School of Medicine. About this page
Year 1, Semesters 1 and 2
Summative Exam 1Introduction to Medical Sciences (IMS)
100 articles
The year-long science foundation, in twelve strands from genetics and proteins to immunology and nerve and muscle. Articles follow the strand order, so you can revise strand by strand.
Genetics
- Introduction to DNA
- Gene Expression
- Introduction to Gene Mutation
- Genotype, Phenotype, and Inheritance
- Mitosis and Meiosis
- DNA Repair and Cancer
- Molecular Techniques for Medics
- Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism
Cells and tissues
- Introduction to the Cell
- The Cell Cycle, Checkpoints and Apoptosis
- Cellular Adaptations
- How to Read a Histology Slide
- Epithelium, Skin and Exocrine Glands
- Connective Tissue
- Cartilage: Structure, Growth and Repair
Proteins
- Structure of Proteins
- Protein Function in Oxygen Transport
- Protein Targeting
- Post-translational Modification and Collagen Biosynthesis
- Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism
Enzymes
- Enzymes and Regulation of Protein Function
- Alcohol Metabolism
- Oxidative Stress
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Poisoning and STOPP/START (prescribing checklists for older people)
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Newborn Screening
Embryology
Infection
- An Introduction to Infection
- The Infection Model
- Bacterial Structure, Classification and Growth
- Gram Staining and Infection Investigations
- Streptococci
- Staphylococci and Other Gram-positive Bacteria
- Gram-negative Bacteria: Structure, Entry Routes and Endotoxin
- The Organisms Gram Staining Misses
- Principles of Medical Virology
- Fungi and Parasites: The Eukaryotic Pathogens
- Biofilms
- Antibiotics
- Antivirals
- Sepsis
- Hepatitis
- Travel-related Infections
Membranes and signalling
- Biological Membranes
- Membrane Transport and Intracellular Calcium Regulation
- G-Protein Coupled Receptors
- Enzyme-linked and Intracellular Receptor Signalling
- Lipid Metabolism and Transport
Blood
- Haematopoiesis and the Spleen
- Full Blood Count
- Anaemia
- Iron Metabolism
- Vitamin B12 and Folate
- Haemoglobinopathies
- When Haematopoiesis Goes Wrong
- Haematology in Systemic Disease
- Blood Groups, Crossmatching and Transfusion Reactions
- Haemostasis and Clotting
- Thrombosis and Embolism
- Antiplatelets, Anticoagulants and Thrombolysis
Hormones and homeostasis
- An Introduction to Endocrinology
- Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation
- The Endocrine Pancreas
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Pharmacology of Insulin
- HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary axis) and Growth Hormone
- Pituitary Disorders
- The Thyroid Gland
- The Adrenal Glands and Adrenal Disorders
- Calcium Metabolism
- Control of Appetite
- Temperature Regulation
Pharmacology
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacogenetics
- Cholinergic Pharmacology
- Adrenergic Pharmacology
Immunology
- Innate Immunity
- Adaptive Immunity
- The Lymphatic System
- Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Type 1 Hypersensitivity
- Food Allergy
- Introduction to Autoimmunity
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- The Immunocompromised Host
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Immunological Therapies
- Immunosuppression and Disease-modifying Therapy
Nerve and muscle
- Cells and Components of the Nervous System
- Membrane Potentials
- Action Potentials
- Autonomic Nervous System Introduction
- Basics of Neuroanatomy
- Structure of the Muscles
- Muscles in Action
- Parkinson's Disease and Myasthenia Gravis
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Cell Physiology and Biology, Genetics, Immunology
Body Systems
131 articles
The cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, metabolic, renal and reproductive systems, from development to common disease. We group gastrointestinal and metabolic together.
Cardiovascular
- 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 (cardiovascular system)
- Haemodynamic Shock
- Heart Failure
- Hypertension
- Murmurs
- Pulses and Pressures
- Special Circulations
- The Cardiac Cycle
- Haemostasis and Clotting
- Thrombosis and Embolism
- Stroke
- Hypertension and Heart Failure
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Antiplatelets, Anticoagulants and Thrombolysis
- Hyperlipidaemias
- Cardiovascular System OSCE Examination
- Peripheral Vascular OSCE Examination
- Blood Pressure Measurement OSCE Guide
Respiratory
- 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
- Pharmacology of Airway Control
- Respiratory System OSCE Examination
Gastrointestinal and metabolic
- 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
- 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
- Diabetes Mellitus
- The Endocrine Pancreas
- Pharmacology of Insulin
- Drugs Affecting Acid Secretion
- Antiemetics and Laxatives
- Abdominal OSCE Examination
- Rectal (PR) OSCE Examination
- Stoma OSCE Examination
- Hernia OSCE Examination
Renal
- 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
- Diuretics and Renal Pharmacology
- Calcium Metabolism
Reproductive
- 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
- Reproductive and Post-reproductive Health
- Testicular OSCE Examination
- Breast OSCE Examination
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Gastrointestinal System, Urinary System, Reproductive System
Year 2, Semesters 1 and 2
Summative Exam 2Essential Medical Science
42 articles
The processes behind most disease (injury, inflammation, repair, immunity, infection and cancer), plus Genetics in Medicine.
Disease: injury, inflammation and repair
- Basics of Pathology
- An Introduction to Pathology
- Cellular Adaptations
- Acute Inflammation
- Chronic Inflammation
- Regeneration and Repair of Tissues
- The Lymphatic System
- NSAIDs
Disease: immunity and infection
- Innate Immunity
- Adaptive Immunity
- Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Type 1 Hypersensitivity
- Introduction to Autoimmunity
- The Immunocompromised Host
- An Introduction to Infection
- The Infection Model
- Bacterial Structure, Classification and Growth
- Gram Staining and Infection Investigations
- Principles of Medical Virology
- Fungi and Parasites: The Eukaryotic Pathogens
- Biofilms
Disease: vessels, shock and neoplasia
- Atherosclerosis
- Thrombosis and Embolism
- Haemodynamic Shock
- Hypertension
- Introduction to Neoplasia
- Pathogenesis of Neoplasms
- Behaviour of Neoplasms
- Cancer Chemotherapy
- DNA Repair and Cancer
- The Cell Cycle, Checkpoints and Apoptosis
Genetics in medicine
- Genotype, Phenotype, and Inheritance
- Introduction to Gene Mutation
- Gene Expression
- Mitosis and Meiosis
- Epigenetics, Genomic Imprinting and Mitochondrial Inheritance
- Genetic Testing and Counselling
- Molecular Techniques for Medics
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Newborn Screening
- Haemoglobinopathies
- Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis
- Teratology and Congenital Malformations
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Pathology, Genetics, Immunology
Control and Movement
106 articles
Two strands. Movement covers the bones, joints, muscles and nerves of the limbs and spine, with their injuries and arthritis. Control covers the brain, spinal cord and nerves and common neurological conditions.
Movement: bone, joint and muscle basics
- Anatomical Terms
- Basics of Bone Anatomy
- Structure of Bones
- Cartilage: Structure, Growth and Repair
- Connective Tissue
- Joints
- Structure of the Muscles
- Muscles in Action
- Dermatomes and Myotomes
- Development of the Limbs and Body Wall
Movement: upper limb
- Bones of the Upper Limb
- Bones of the Hand
- Key Areas of the Upper Limb
- Muscles of the Shoulder
- Muscles of the Upper Arm
- Muscles of the Forearm
- The Brachial Plexus
- Conditions of the Shoulder and Clavicle
- Conditions of the Arm
- Conditions of the Elbow
- Conditions of the Wrist
- Conditions of the Hand
Movement: lower limb
- Bones of the Lower Limb
- Bones of the Foot
- Key Areas of the Lower Limb
- Muscles of the Gluteal Region
- Muscles of the Thigh
- Muscles of the Lower Leg
- The Lumbar Plexus
- The Sacral Plexus
- Conditions of the Hip
- Conditions of the Thigh
- Conditions of the Knee
- Conditions of the Lower Leg
- Conditions of the Ankle
- Conditions of the Foot
Movement: spine, joints and arthritis
Movement: examination
- GALS (gait, arms, legs, spine) 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
- Diabetic Foot OSCE Examination
Control: brain, cord and coverings
- Basics of Neuroanatomy
- Cells and Components of the Nervous System
- Development of the Nervous System
- The Meninges
- Arterial Supply to the Brain
- Production and Circulation of CSF and Related Disorders
- Blood Supply to the Head and Neck
- Autonomics of the Head and Neck
- Autonomic Nervous System Introduction
Control: pathways, nerves and senses
- Somatosensory System
- Motor System
- The Cerebellum: Circuits, Coordination and Clinical Signs
- Reticular Formation
- The Hypothalamus and Limbic System
- Higher Cortical Function
- Cranial Nerves I-VI
- Cranial Nerves VII-XII
- Visual System
- The Eye
- Auditory and Vestibular Systems
- Anatomy of the Ear
- Ear Pathology
Control: neurological disease
- Stroke
- Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
- Raised Intracranial Pressure
- Headaches
- Movement Disorders
- Infections of the Central Nervous System
- Dementia
- Delirium
- Parkinson's Disease and Myasthenia Gravis
- Epilepsy and Anti-epileptic Drugs
Control: pain and nervous system drugs
- Opioids
- Anaesthetics
- NSAIDs
- Cholinergic Pharmacology
- Adrenergic Pharmacology
- Introduction to Psychopharmacology
Control: head and neck anatomy
- Development of the Head and Neck
- 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 Larynx
- The Nose
- The Oral Cavity and Pharynx
- The Skull
- The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Control: examination
- Cranial Nerve OSCE Examination
- Upper Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Lower Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Cerebellar OSCE Examination
- Eye and Vision OSCE Examination
- Visual Acuity OSCE Assessment
- Fundoscopy (Ophthalmoscopy) OSCE Examination
- Ear, Otoscopy and Hearing OSCE Examination
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Musculoskeletal System, Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry, Head and Neck
Clinical Pathology
94 articles
Disease through five disciplines: systematic pathology (disease studied organ system by organ system), microbiology and infection, haematology, clinical immunology and clinical biochemistry.
Systematic pathology
- Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
- Intestinal Pathology
- Distal Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
- Hepatic, Biliary and Pancreatic Pathology
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy
- Gastrointestinal Emergencies
- Atherosclerosis
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Heart Failure
- Artery and Vein Disease
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis
- Pneumothorax and Pleural Effusion
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Lung Cancer
- Introduction to the Breast
- Benign Conditions of the Breast
- Malignant Breast Disease
- Malignancies of the Reproductive Tract
- Prostate Pathology
- Urological Malignancy
- Male Urological Conditions
- Glomerular Disease
- Diabetic Nephropathy
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Urinary Tract Obstruction
- Epithelium, Skin and Exocrine Glands
- Pigmented Skin Lesion OSCE Examination
- Rash and Non-Pigmented Skin Lesion OSCE Examination
- Head and Neck Cancers
- Lymph Nodes and Neck Lumps
- Pituitary Disorders
- The Thyroid Gland
- The Adrenal Glands and Adrenal Disorders
- Teratology and Congenital Malformations
Microbiology and infection control
- Streptococci
- Staphylococci and Other Gram-positive Bacteria
- Gram-negative Bacteria: Structure, Entry Routes and Endotoxin
- The Organisms Gram Staining Misses
- Antibiotics (infection)
- Antibiotics (pharmacology)
- Antivirals
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Sepsis
- Sepsis in Paediatrics
- Gastroenteritis and Enterocolitis
- Pneumonia and other Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Infections of the Central Nervous System
- Infections of the Reproductive Tract
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Travel-related Infections
- Child Immunisations
Cancer treatment
Haematology
- Anaemia
- Iron Metabolism
- Vitamin B12 and Folate
- Full Blood Count
- Haemoglobinopathies
- When Haematopoiesis Goes Wrong
- Haematopoiesis and the Spleen
- Haemostasis and Clotting
- Thrombosis and Embolism
- Antiplatelets, Anticoagulants and Thrombolysis
- Blood Groups, Crossmatching and Transfusion Reactions
- Haematology in Systemic Disease
- Lymphoreticular OSCE Examination
Clinical immunology
- Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Type 1 Hypersensitivity
- Food Allergy
- Introduction to Autoimmunity
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- The Immunocompromised Host
- Immunological Therapies
- Immunosuppression and Disease-modifying Therapy
Clinical biochemistry
- Hyponatraemia
- Control of Plasma Osmolarity
- Control of Potassium
- Chemical Control of Breathing and Plasma pH
- Calcium Metabolism
- Glomerular Filtration Rate and the Measurement of Kidney Function
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Lipid Metabolism and Transport
- Hyperlipidaemias
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Newborn Screening
- Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation
- Vitamins, Cofactors, Minerals and Trace Elements
- Alcohol Metabolism
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Pathology, Haematology, Infection, Immunology
Throughout Years 1 and 2
Clinical Assessment, Reasoning, Ethics and Patient Safety (CARES)
59 articles
Runs through both years and covers clinical assessment, reasoning, ethics and patient safety. The examination guides are grouped by 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
Recognising acute illness
- Sepsis
- Sepsis in Paediatrics
- Haemodynamic Shock
- Respiratory Failure
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Gastrointestinal Emergencies
Mental health assessment
Ethics, safeguarding and prescribing
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: OSCE, Patient-Centred Care
Individuals and Populations
19 articles
Psychology, sociology and public health: how people develop, behave and cope with illness, how social circumstances shape health, and how disease is prevented across populations.
People, behaviour and health
Mental health and long-term conditions
Public health and prevention
- Introduction to Population Science
- Epidemiological Studies
- Health Economics
- Child Immunisations
- Travel-related Infections
- Population and Social Science Summary
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Population and Social Science, Patient-Centred Care
Innovation, Development, Enterprise, Leadership and Safety (IDEALS)
8 articles
The professional strand, including leadership and safety. SimpleMed articles cover only part of it: safe prescribing, infection, patient safety and health economics.
Pharmacology
Infection
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Patient-Centred Care, Pharmacology
ENQUIRE
6 articles
Research skills: asking a good question, finding and appraising evidence, and handling data and basic statistics.
Population and Social Science
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Describing Data and Testing Hypotheses
- Epidemiological Studies
- Introduction to Population Science
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Population and Social Science, Pharmacology
How Leeds assesses Years 1 and 2
- Year 1 ends with Integrated Summative Exam 1 (summative means the result counts towards progression). It has two online single best answer papers of 120 questions and 1 hour 40 minutes each, plus an anatomy spot test. You must pass to progress.
- Year 2 ends with Integrated Summative Exam 2: two online single best answer papers of 120 questions and 1 hour 40 minutes each. You must pass to progress. An integrated formative exam (a practice exam that gives feedback) comes several weeks beforehand.
- Along the way, Assessment for Learning (AfL) tasks run through Body Systems and through Control and Movement, and Introduction to Medical Sciences has three in-course multiple-choice tests.
- Leeds School of Medicine 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
From Year 3, learning moves predominantly to a clinical environment, with rotations across primary, secondary, private and voluntary care settings. In the 2026/27 catalogue the clinical unit is called Campus to Clinic 3 in Year 3 and Campus to Clinic Advanced in Years 4 and 5.
This is an independent revision guide written by SimpleMed. It is not endorsed by, or affiliated with, the University of Leeds School of Medicine or the University of Leeds. Unit names for Years 1 and 2 follow the published 2026/27 programme catalogue for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBChB). The article mapping is our own. Some articles appear in more than one unit, so the unit counts add up to more than the total of 356. Leeds says its MBChB is under curricular review, which will bring some changes to the course structure and to assessments, so the units and exams on this page may change. The Leeds course page for 2027 entry already lists different module names for Years 1 and 2 (Fundamentals of Medicine, Clinical Practice, Professional Practice and Student Choice). Always check your official course materials. Last updated October 2026.
