The recommendations of the General Medical Council on undergraduate medical education include a system-based core curriculum. This defines the requirements that must be satisfied before a newly qualified doctor can assume the responsibilities of a pre-registration house officer. The education committee of the GMC is encouraging various organizations to develop model core curricula in particular topics which can be made available for use by individual medical schools. Following a consultation exercise within the Renal Association (the professional body to which most British renal physicians belong), a model core curriculum in adult renal medicine has been agreed. It is offered as a basis upon which individual medical schools can build this part of their curriculum.