Ideal university for Medicine

[Kayt79]

DS is in Y12, and set on Medicine. He's been to a few open days already, but until he's done his UCAT next summer it's impossible to know where will be realistic to apply.

So, just out of interest, and putting aside entry requirements and "prestige", which would be your ideal universities for Medicine, based on the overall student experience?

It depends on what you want. At most Unis, Medics can have a bit of "normal" student experience in the first couple of years and then end up in a very medicine orientated experience.
And you'd do better to think about what kind of training he wants:
London
Does he want to intercalate?
Not London
Any extracurriculars he's keen on

ideally you’d take into account where placements are and what the public transport is like - if you’re going to need to run a car for placements that’s a consideration.

I think there are some medical degrees where more graduates don't become doctors in the usual sense but go into research, consultancy, academia etc

One that comes to mind is Oxford. I think?

Any of them. It honestly doesn't matter. None of them are more prestigious than another, although some might think they are.

There may be some variations in the course that you may prefer. Plus the city or university itself but that's a personal choice. Pretty much everyone ends up thinking their medical school was the best.

The main thing to bear in mind is that most people end up working in the region they qualified in, often for the rest of their lives. So London/not London is a big decision given that in some areas of the country you will have cheap rent and affordable house prices, and in London you will struggle to find anything affordable until well into your career.

The levels of accreditation in medicine mean the courses and syllabuses are fairly similar.

He should therefore choose the city he wants to live in, how big or small, what sports or hobbies he has or imagines having. The open days will help.

Brighton and Sussex Medical school is meant to be a hidden gem.

Have a look at Nottingham.
its a lovely campus and a great city with lots of accommodation for students thats not crazy prices.
Pretty well regarded for Med and Stem generally with excellent links to industry

All good points, thank you!

I've deliberately been a bit vague because I'm trying not to influence responses, and am keen to find out which universities other people would have top of their list for Medicine. I'm also trying not to be biased by my own university experience, studying a completely different subject.

I just want him to be somewhere he'll be happy, make friends, enjoy the city he's in, feel part of wider university life / clubs etc.

Thank you - we've heard good things about Nottingham but not yet visited.

Interesting - thank you. I'm slightly put off (maybe wrongly!) by the fact it's 2 universities combined. How does that work? Do they feel properly part of the university or are they somewhat separate?

Went to a talk at DC school a few years ago when they were considering medicine, and a local consultant said something that I remember well.

If you are going to do medicine you are probably used to being top of the class, well you won't be at uni and you need to get used to it.
Do you know what the people I was at uni with who were bottom of the class are doing now? .... They are doctors! To be a doctor you don't have to be the best, you have to pass and you don't have to go to Oxbridge to be a doctor you need to go to any university that offers a degree in medicine.

The best Uni is the one that gives him an offer 😊. Strategic applying is so important (see attached - I can send the whole spreadsheet by email if PM me).

Medicine is such an intense course - you basically have a full time job - that you don't spend that much time with people doing other courses anyway. Plus later on you spend most of your time on placements.

Even on a campus university we all felt different to the other students as we had our own building, own library, own social clubs etc.

PS from the hundreds of students I've helped get into medicine no one has ever not liked the Uni they ended up at.

But, I really like UEA, Sheffield, Notts, Liverpool and Brighton. Really nice to deal with if have had issues.

@flotsomandjetsome this 😊

@mumsneedwine is correct as ever - if you’ve got more than four that you could reasonably apply to, that’s when a lot of what’s discussed in this thread (including my own point above) comes in. But realistically with clinical subjects…it’s the one you get an offer at. Medics often really stick together and so they end up with a brilliant student experience no matter where they are - almost having a separate experience to a lot of other students. In a very positive way!

Consider style of teaching - v academic little early patient contact (oxbridge and UCL) versus integrated course versus problem based learning (Manchester, Exeter and UEA + many others).

DD did not like Brighton medical school so opinions do vary. DD liked campuses in a city not out of city like Brighton.

The ideal university for medicine is the one you get into.

I actually think it’s a bonus for the medical school. As far as I know the med school has ring fenced finances and students benefit from both universities facilities and services. The local NHS trust is excellent and research active so it’s a wonderful place for learning. Good luck to you LO.

DS is only at the start of Y12, so at this point it's "wishlist" rather than thinking tactically. After UCAT it could all change, but trying to do some research now. I'm sure he'll be happy wherever he ends up 🙂

Off topic but just wanted to say wow to your spreadsheet. Really impressive!

@MoodEnhancer thank you. I share it with anyone who needs it 😊

@Kayt79 look at ones he might already not be good for (eg they score GCSEs and his aren't perfect). Then look at things like full body dissection, placement locations (& funding), exam retake leniency etc. campus or town. Make a long list for now and can refine once have UCAT.

That's a helpful list of points - thanks. I might get in touch for a copy of that spreadsheet at some point - it looks very thorough! Is there much change from one year to the next usually do you know?