MLA content map

The MLA content map sets out all the topics and areas that the MLA could cover. These could be in the applied knowledge test or the clinical and professional skills assessment. 

You can download a PDF of the content map, or an Excel version of the content map.

The content map concentrates on the professional skills, knowledge and behaviours that are essential for safe practice – for example, effective communication, recognising risk and the diagnosis and management of common or acute presentations and conditions. It is based on Good medical practice (GMP), Outcomes for graduates (2018) and the Generic professional capabilities framework (2017). 

The content map has six sections, called domains: 

• Areas of clinical practice, such as mental health and surgery.
• Areas of professional knowledge, such as biomedical sciences and medical ethics and law.
• Clinical and professional capabilities, such as assessing and managing risk and safeguarding vulnerable patients. 
• Practical skills and procedures, as set out in the list of practical skills and procedures that supplements our Outcomes for graduates (2018).
• Patient presentations, which relates to signs, symptoms, investigation results and other relevant patient-related issues typically seen by doctors in a first appointment within the UK Foundation Programme. For example, a chronic rash or breast lump. 
• Conditions, which are pathophysiological diseases or clinical diagnoses typically seen by doctors in a first appointment within the UK Foundation Programme. For example, asthma and eating disorders. 

We’ll keep the MLA content map up to date to make sure it reflects real life day-to-day medical practice.

Your feedback

If you have any questions or feedback on the MLA content map, please email us at mla@gmc-uk.org.