Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

The MBChB course requires an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on entry to the course for any home student, or any student who has lived in the UK for more than six months within the last five years.

You will receive (or may already have) an email that outlines the process and provides you with a link to complete your DBS application online. This email will be sent to the email address you provided on your UCAS form.  

You will be required to take three forms of identification to a post office to have your documents verified. Please consult the DBS guidelines carefully as to which documents are accepted.

Once the ID check is complete, the form will automatically be sent to the Disclosure and Barring Service for the relevant police checks to take place.

We will then receive the result of your check electronically, and you will be sent the certificate in the post. Please note you will receive the only copy of the disclosure certificate, so keep this safe.

If you have any problems or queries regarding this, please email us: sms.dbs@manchester.ac.uk.

Frequently asked questions

I haven't received the email to begin the DBS process. What do I do? 

The email was sent to the address you provided on your UCAS form. Please ensure you check your spam/junk email folder before emailing us: sms.dbs@manchester.ac.uk.

What if I haven't got my DBS disclosure certificate back before my first day on the GEM programme? 

Evidence of DBS clearance is required before you start clinical placements; it is understood that this may not be complete before you start the programme but we expect all students to engage with the process so this can be completed as soon as possible.

I am an international student. Do I need to complete a DBS? 

You will have already provided a letter of good conduct or police check as part of your application process. This is in place of a DBS check. 

Therefore, assuming you completed the requirements in terms of your letter of good conduct/police check, there is nothing further you need to do, unless you have lived in the UK for a period of 6 months or more within the last 5 years. In this case, we will request that you complete a DBS in addition. 

I have completed my DBS application form, but I am worried I may have missed declaring something. How do I know what should be declared? 

Look at the government's guidance (GOV.UK) on what should be declared in your DBS application: 

If you think you have omitted information from your DBS application form, please contact  sms.dbs@manchester.ac.uk. 

I am not sure if the ID I have is sufficient. What do I do? 

Please refer to the ID checking guidelines: 

After you have checked this site, please email us if you have any further concerns: sms.dbs@manchester.ac.uk.

I already have a cleared DBS check. What do I do? 

We can arrange for you to come in and attend an Update Service check in person if:

  • you are registered on the DBS Update Service;
  • your original check was at the required level (Enhanced check, with Child and Adult barred lists checked);
  • you still have your original DBS disclosure certificate.

You will need to bring your DBS disclosure certificate and your ID.

In all other cases, you will need to do a full new check.

I have made a mistake on my application that I now can't amend. What do I do? 

Please get in touch with us by emailing  sms.dbs@manchester.ac.uk.

We will be able to either help you amend the application or cancel your application and send you a new link to restart.

I have more than one middle name. What do I put on the form?

You should enter your first middle name in the 'middle name' box.

You will then have an opportunity to declare any other names used. Here, you should enter your full name (including first, middle and surname).

Please note that if you have initials instead of full names as your middle names, we'll provide specific instructions on how to record this. It’s very important that you follow these carefully to avoid delays to your application.

Please also ensure that you select ID documents that match. It is not possible to use ID with differing variations of your name, so you may need to get ID documents updated in advance if you expect this will be an issue.