What Are SSCs?
Student Selected Components (SSCs) are modules selected by students within the undergraduate medical curriculum in UK medical schools. In 2003, the GMC required that between 25% and 33% of curricular time be available for SSCs. However in the 2009 edition of Tomorrow's Doctors this requirement was reduced to a minimum of 10%. This is in response to some of the knowledge and skills previously acquired through the SSC programme now being acquired through part of the core.
SSCs at the University of Glasgow are 5 week dedicated blocks selected by students from a wide range of options and are undertaken in Years 2, 3 and 4 of the curriculum. (in Years 3 and 4 onwards, students are also provided with the opportunity to develop their own SSC). SSCs are delivered across a variety of teaching formats and cover topics such as research projects, the study of core curriculum-related topics in more depth, and topics outside medicine including humanities and languages.
Although programmes vary between Medical Schools, the major aims and objectives remain broadly similar and in 2003, the GMC provided the following guidance as to what particular skills students should have the opportunity to develop.
- Learn about and begin to develop and use research skills.
- Have greater control over their own learning and develop their self-directed learning skills.
- Study, in depth, topics of particular interest outside the core curriculum.
- Develop greater confidence in their own skills and abilities.
- Present the results of their work verbally, visually or in writing.
- Consider potential career paths.
SSCs also help in addressing the GMC graduate domain “Doctor as a Scholar and Scientist”.