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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Too early for a Medicine 2027 thread?

279 replies

SuperSue77 · 31/08/2025 19:25

Just wondered if there was any interest in a medicine 2027 thread for those of us with YP going into year 12 who plan to apply for medicine? I've seen one or two lurking previously and will try to tag if I can find their user names. Just conscious that I am always posting on the 2026 thread, yet DD is a year behind them and so my comments aren't so relevant.

Please come and join me here if you are interested.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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SuperSue77 · 23/06/2026 14:36

How did everyone get on? DD's school said they would start chemistry 15 mins late so that they could try and book their test dates at 2pm, but I agreed with DD that I would do it at home with the computer plugged directly into the router for a better connection!

So I was sat chatting with DM on the phone about 13:50 and absently clicked on refresh and the 'Book test' box appeared! So quickly hung up and followed it through to book. Found the test centre we wanted and selected the date - but only 8am was available! I rang DD who was able to answer and she said just to book it - ideally she wanted 10-12am or 2-4pm but at least we got the date.

She told all her friends to refresh pages too but she said that they were in a queue - not sure if they managed to book or not. I'm in the Dr Admissions whatsapp group and lots of them were saying that only 8 am was available so maybe it would have been better to hold out and book later when maybe more slots are available?

There was an option to 'Reschedule' but I was worried that if I did that we might lose the slot we had (and it felt a bit greedy when other people couldn't even log in). My pulse rate is still heightened!

I was thinking I should try and get DD and me into routine of early night and early mornings to get her into a good place for sitting an early test. It's not that much earlier than her GCSEs which I think had a 8.45am start - though we do have a 45 min drive to get there!

OP posts:
AmbitiousHalibut · 23/06/2026 14:44

I'm still in the queue trying to get in so well done for getting anything, regardless of the time!

Satisfiedwithanapple · 23/06/2026 14:48

Websites quite clearly crashed

Do they release further dates then?

SuperSue77 · 23/06/2026 14:57

Satisfiedwithanapple · 23/06/2026 14:48

Websites quite clearly crashed

Do they release further dates then?

I believe they do, but not sure you know when they are released you just have to go on and check. I wonder if later times at the test centre we want were released later on - I actually booked before 2pm! But if I had waited then I probably wouldn't have got in, so it was that or risk not getting the date we want.

I asked in the whatsapp chat whether you lose your slot if you try to reschedule, and was told yes - but maybe they meant you lose it once you confirm you want your new slot, I might ring them to ask, but not sure I'll be able to get a 10am slot at the test centre we want as I think it's a popular one, so think we (DD and me) just be grateful we have a slot and start preparing for it.

OP posts:
Satisfiedwithanapple · 23/06/2026 15:04

The whole things an absolute farce.

Zokaluse73 · 23/06/2026 15:08

Hi everyone, sorry i've been fully absent - been a hectic few weeks!

We went to Bristol open day and whilst it was all ok neither of us liked it much - the open day itself wasn't great either with minimal things to see. Bristol has been crossed of her pro's and cons list.

We went to Liverpool Open day on Saturday and of course I made a long weekend of it as I am from Liverpool (live in Surrey) so wanted to show my DD all the amazing things to see and do through the eyes of a prospective student over Mums life and family visit experiences over the years. She already knew she love's Liverpool from past visits but it's even stronger now as she loved the uni, the course talks and options to do on the day having great chats with many current med students and of course the night life, the restaurants, the beaches, the parks etc. The only con is distance from home as she can't just pop home if she fancies or have us go meet her for lunch with the dog! I of course hope she gets offered and chooses Liverpool - I think it's the best city in the world and I'd love her to experience her young adult years there.

We are off to Southampton open day on Saturday and she is hoping she likes the uni enough to have it take Liverpool's number 1 spot, due to it only being an hour from home. She already knows she likes the shops there and the basic coastal front from previous visits.

I booked her UCAT today (she should have been going through security at Barcelona Airport with school but the plane was delayed 5 hours and she was sat at Gatwick!) and like you Sue when I refreshed at 13:50 it came up with the booking and I too took an 8am slot. I did then go back in and keep checking for other times on her date and checking if there were other times on other dates yet. I managed to see 'explore more times' 20 minutes later and got 3 days later than the original booking but the time was noon so much better and went with that - she is happy with it.
It was very stressful for me 😂

We are off to UEA Norfolk in July - 2 of her uncles are hoping she loves it as they live a 40 minute drive away or 25 minutes on the train, we are staying with them for the Weekend so she'll get to see more of the things to do & see there.

Zokaluse73 · 23/06/2026 15:10

SuperSue77 · 23/06/2026 14:57

I believe they do, but not sure you know when they are released you just have to go on and check. I wonder if later times at the test centre we want were released later on - I actually booked before 2pm! But if I had waited then I probably wouldn't have got in, so it was that or risk not getting the date we want.

I asked in the whatsapp chat whether you lose your slot if you try to reschedule, and was told yes - but maybe they meant you lose it once you confirm you want your new slot, I might ring them to ask, but not sure I'll be able to get a 10am slot at the test centre we want as I think it's a popular one, so think we (DD and me) just be grateful we have a slot and start preparing for it.

You lose it once you confirm the rescheduled. I was checking myself. it's worth having a look as you can press cancel at the bottom of the rescheduling page if there is not a time you want and that keeps your current booking as is.

Zokaluse73 · 23/06/2026 15:25

SuperSue77 · 21/05/2026 12:20

That is nice! DD and I did her registration last night after I got back from work. She wasn't that bothered! In terms of when booking goes live, DD is due in a biology lesson. I emailed the biology teacher and head of 'competitive applications' to let them know and suggest they might want to make special arrangements for those who need to book, but I haven't heard back - to be fair I don't need to, just hope any students wanting to book at that time are able to.

I have already agreed with DD that I'll book it for her, given it's my credit card that will be entered for the payment! And I'll be driving her to which ever test centre has a place. DD will only just have turned 17 so she won't be driving by then. Though we have managed to book her into the test centre we hope she'll sit the UCAT at for her driving theory, she takes it a few days after her 17th birthday so that she could do it before UCAT!

We just got her mocks report today, 3 x A, so hopefully they will feel confident enough to go with the 3 x A star predictions - I really hope to as otherwise Exeter may be off the table and that was one we both really liked and which I think would really suit DD.

@Zokaluse73 I can't remember what A levels your DD is sitting, is one Spanish? Or is there another reason for going to Barcelona? How many are in the prospective med students at her school? DD has about 10 of them plus a dentist, but I'm not sure if all of them are 100% sure. It is an increase on previous years. In their year 13 group, I have heard of 2 with med offers, one at UEA and one at Exeter, both med schools DD wants to apply to. Not sure if any of the others have offers, though the dentist in year 13 didn't get any and plans to reapply next year. I think their UCAT was too low, and I believe dentists applications need even higher scores than the medicine on account of their being less places to apply for.

DD is very sure she doesn't want to do dentistry and will not be putting it down as a fifth option, despite suggestions to do so by a popular medicine application adviser (we follow them on Insta).

Yes my DD did her Theory test at the one UCAT is in too so at least they'll know how it feels in there.

No she's doing Biology, Chemistry & Psychology. Barcelona is activity week and she'll keep up with her GCSE Spanish whilst there. There are 4 of them this year including my DD. So far everyone who has applied to medicine the last few years has at least 1 offer, we know girls at Exeter, Cardiff, Surrey, Sheffield, Imperial and one I can't remember.

Dentistry is so much harder to get into yes - we attended a talk at school that covered dental and med applicant numbers. Med is 15% of all applicants get in, Dentistry is 5%!

DD is putting Bio Med down as a fifth option just incase of clearing possibilities. She might be taking a gap year regardless of any offers or not. She is thinking of working as an HCA or alike for 6 months then travel a bit of the world for fun and volunteering for the latter 6 months. If she doesn't get an offer, this is her definite plan and then re do UCAT next year.

Satisfiedwithanapple · 23/06/2026 15:50

We eventually got into UCAT and are booked

Peachy80 · 23/06/2026 16:12

Hi everyone. We managed to book the date we wanted at 11.15am. I had a chat with our company IT guy yesterday and he highly recommended to do the booking from the ethernet at work. He said it was faster and more reliable. He was right. I logged in at 13.53 and I was able to book the date and time we ideally wanted with DD. It was very fast and she got the confirmation via email at 13.55. Our test centre is 5 mins drive from us so we are very happy. Her best friend has been in a queue for 2 hours but at the end she has also managed to book the time and slot she wanted. I think they release more dates and times later on. @SuperSue77my pulse rate is also still heightened. What an experience!

SuperSue77 · 23/06/2026 17:36

Peachy80 · 23/06/2026 16:12

Hi everyone. We managed to book the date we wanted at 11.15am. I had a chat with our company IT guy yesterday and he highly recommended to do the booking from the ethernet at work. He said it was faster and more reliable. He was right. I logged in at 13.53 and I was able to book the date and time we ideally wanted with DD. It was very fast and she got the confirmation via email at 13.55. Our test centre is 5 mins drive from us so we are very happy. Her best friend has been in a queue for 2 hours but at the end she has also managed to book the time and slot she wanted. I think they release more dates and times later on. @SuperSue77my pulse rate is also still heightened. What an experience!

I had a chat with my Head of IT at work too a few weeks back! I asked where would it be best to try and book and he said go home and plug your laptop into your home router, as if someone at work suddenly sets a large job to process it will reduce the bandwidth. DH plugged our son's super duper gaming PC into the router and I used that.

@Zokaluse73 I might have a look at what is available if we reschedule. Though I'm not sure if there will be any yet as DD's friends were only able to book September dates and wanted August 😬

OP posts:
AmbitiousHalibut · 23/06/2026 18:34

After I spent an hour and a half in the queue, my son popped on and did it via his mobile on the train back from college😂He's got the date and time he wanted so good for him. I'm fine. FINE!

Zokaluse73 · 23/06/2026 18:44

I just did it on my Mac and had no issues.

it's worth a look and keep looking as I believe they release more over 48hrs.

Mafaldaweasley · 23/06/2026 18:56

Hi all, glad everyone seems to have been able to book. I also happened to refresh the page just before 2 and saw booking had opened so was able to book a time we wanted at local test site; but dd's friend logged on at 2 and ended up in the massive queue and like others had to book a September test date instead of August.

8 weeks does not seem long though, and it's hard to devote enough time to it before summer holiday, so who knows, might end up postponing!

Ladyinamask · 26/06/2026 16:41

I need to join this thread.
DS has just done GCSES and desperate to do Medicine.
I'm here for any advice and support.

He had his transition day at 6th form today and met the medical society. The guy on the stand told DS he doesn't need Maths??
But this guy apparently has taken Biology, Chemistry and maths and has an offer for medicine for September.

DS now really confused as was planning on doing Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
Is this OK? DS is not the best at essay questions so although was also considering Psychology the fact a lot of the exam is essays has rather put him off.

How on earth do you secure work experience also? We have an outreach programmes with the local university for medicine booked but getting anything in hospital etc is going to be really hard.

mumsneedwine · 26/06/2026 17:34

@Ladyinamask you don't need maths but if it's best subject then bio, chem maths is a popular combo
Google work expedience/shadowing and any local hospitals as many offer to local kids. Email a few practice manager of GPs (not your own). But you don't need medical wex. Volunteering in a care home, day centre, or having a customer facing job is just as valuable. Doing these MOOCS counts as wex too.

https://www.bsms.ac.uk/about/news/2020/09-17-bsms-virtual-work-experience-programme-added-to-barclays-lifeskills.aspx

https://www.uniadmissions.co.uk/application-guides/observe-gp-virtual-medical-work-experience/

Observe GP: Virtual Medical Work Experience Guide

Gaining medical work experience can be extremely difficult without the right contacts. Here's how to get work experience WITHOUT a doctor in the family.

https://www.uniadmissions.co.uk/application-guides/observe-gp-virtual-medical-work-experience/

SuperSue77 · 26/06/2026 22:03

Ladyinamask · 26/06/2026 16:41

I need to join this thread.
DS has just done GCSES and desperate to do Medicine.
I'm here for any advice and support.

He had his transition day at 6th form today and met the medical society. The guy on the stand told DS he doesn't need Maths??
But this guy apparently has taken Biology, Chemistry and maths and has an offer for medicine for September.

DS now really confused as was planning on doing Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
Is this OK? DS is not the best at essay questions so although was also considering Psychology the fact a lot of the exam is essays has rather put him off.

How on earth do you secure work experience also? We have an outreach programmes with the local university for medicine booked but getting anything in hospital etc is going to be really hard.

Hello! In terms of which A levels, chemistry and biology are definitely to be included if you want to keep your options open for all med schools. The third should be the one he thinks he can score highest in. My DD has done the bio, chem, maths trio because maths was the subject she felt she could score highest in. She also enjoys it and it's probably the one her teachers are most confident about her getting an A star in, so it was a good choice for her.

In terms of work experience our local hospital does a scheme for local students of a week in a team. They open the slots for the academic year around May/June time and they go really quickly, so it's worth checking the websites of hospital trusts to see if any do anyting like this and when their applications open so that you can get in as soon as they do. DD did this and was able to select the week she wanted (Feb half term in yr 12) and got her second preference of team (respiratory).

It's also worth seeing if any hospitals have any volunteering opportunities. DD tried for about a year to join our local hospital as a volunteer - she couldn't start until she was 16, but she eventually started in April this year. Although a lot of trusts will say volunteers need to be 18+ there are sometimes roles for 16-18 yr olds.

We found local GP practices less keen to have students because of the risk that they might know a patient, but if you were willing to travel you might find a practice that would agree to a few days of experience. My DD was lucky to get 3 days at a GP practice in Norfolk which takes medical students from UEA on placement in year 1, they had a 3 day programme of observing various parts of the busy practice. We were only lucky enough to get it because an old school friend of mine was a senior partner there - but I'm sure there are some GPs who would look kindly upon a nicely written letter. failing that the ObserveGP virtual wex that mumsneedwine gave a link to is meant to be highly regarded.

The main thing is what he learns from the experience. Understanding the role of a doctor and he challenges of the job and the skills and attributes needed is the important thing. The BSMS virtual wex (also link provided by mumsneedwine above) is good for reflection of what you have learnt from the wex you have done.

BSMS is great for webinars aimed at medicine applicants and if you sign up for their newsletters (you get a weekly one if you have started their virtual wex) then they often advertise other med school events as well as their own - DD managed to get on a Southampton uni hospital live virtual wex with them for two days in the October half term - they said they gave preference to widening participation students, which DD is not, but she sent off her application early and had to write a few paragraphs about why she wanted to do it, and was selected to do so. She really enjoyed it, got to see surgery happening and hear from lots of consultants about their jobs.

If your son is keen, he could try getting the BSMS wex under his belt over the summer as year 12 can be pretty full on, as you want to get the best predicted grades if possible, as that also helps widen the number of med schools you can apply to, as whilst some don't even look at them, some won't consider your application if you don't meet their minimum criteria.

I hope that helps and nice to have you on the thread.

OP posts:
Ladyinamask · 26/06/2026 23:11

SuperSue77 · 26/06/2026 22:03

Hello! In terms of which A levels, chemistry and biology are definitely to be included if you want to keep your options open for all med schools. The third should be the one he thinks he can score highest in. My DD has done the bio, chem, maths trio because maths was the subject she felt she could score highest in. She also enjoys it and it's probably the one her teachers are most confident about her getting an A star in, so it was a good choice for her.

In terms of work experience our local hospital does a scheme for local students of a week in a team. They open the slots for the academic year around May/June time and they go really quickly, so it's worth checking the websites of hospital trusts to see if any do anyting like this and when their applications open so that you can get in as soon as they do. DD did this and was able to select the week she wanted (Feb half term in yr 12) and got her second preference of team (respiratory).

It's also worth seeing if any hospitals have any volunteering opportunities. DD tried for about a year to join our local hospital as a volunteer - she couldn't start until she was 16, but she eventually started in April this year. Although a lot of trusts will say volunteers need to be 18+ there are sometimes roles for 16-18 yr olds.

We found local GP practices less keen to have students because of the risk that they might know a patient, but if you were willing to travel you might find a practice that would agree to a few days of experience. My DD was lucky to get 3 days at a GP practice in Norfolk which takes medical students from UEA on placement in year 1, they had a 3 day programme of observing various parts of the busy practice. We were only lucky enough to get it because an old school friend of mine was a senior partner there - but I'm sure there are some GPs who would look kindly upon a nicely written letter. failing that the ObserveGP virtual wex that mumsneedwine gave a link to is meant to be highly regarded.

The main thing is what he learns from the experience. Understanding the role of a doctor and he challenges of the job and the skills and attributes needed is the important thing. The BSMS virtual wex (also link provided by mumsneedwine above) is good for reflection of what you have learnt from the wex you have done.

BSMS is great for webinars aimed at medicine applicants and if you sign up for their newsletters (you get a weekly one if you have started their virtual wex) then they often advertise other med school events as well as their own - DD managed to get on a Southampton uni hospital live virtual wex with them for two days in the October half term - they said they gave preference to widening participation students, which DD is not, but she sent off her application early and had to write a few paragraphs about why she wanted to do it, and was selected to do so. She really enjoyed it, got to see surgery happening and hear from lots of consultants about their jobs.

If your son is keen, he could try getting the BSMS wex under his belt over the summer as year 12 can be pretty full on, as you want to get the best predicted grades if possible, as that also helps widen the number of med schools you can apply to, as whilst some don't even look at them, some won't consider your application if you don't meet their minimum criteria.

I hope that helps and nice to have you on the thread.

Thank you.
DS is actually booked to do the 2 days in Southampton next month. He also did the application as didn't qualify for widening participation.
He went to London last year for a similar thing.
We are looking at local hospitals to try and get anything. But not being very successful.
I'm guessing you are probably quite local to me if your DD did the Southampton days? Can I ask which hospital had options to do work experience?
He is trying to get into Hampshire hospitals. with RHCH being the ideal option really.

SuperSue77 · 27/06/2026 00:38

Ladyinamask · 26/06/2026 23:11

Thank you.
DS is actually booked to do the 2 days in Southampton next month. He also did the application as didn't qualify for widening participation.
He went to London last year for a similar thing.
We are looking at local hospitals to try and get anything. But not being very successful.
I'm guessing you are probably quite local to me if your DD did the Southampton days? Can I ask which hospital had options to do work experience?
He is trying to get into Hampshire hospitals. with RHCH being the ideal option really.

Wow, sounds like he's doing lots already, even if you haven't found the in-person hospital experience yet. We're actually in Surrey and within the M25, so not so close, there were people from all over the country on the Southampton virtual wex that DD was on. We did visit Southampton uni last year though, our first uni visit! We've since seen Exeter, Norwich, Keele, Nottingham and BSMS, and off to Leicester next weekend.

Hospitals we found that do wex are Epsom & St Helier Trust, East Surrey hospital Trust in Redhill (DD applied to that but wasn't successful), the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford has a 6 month volunteer programme where you visit for a couple of hours once a week to help patients at meal times - though I believe they favour local students as difficult for those further away.

GOSH have a great scheme and they take applications 3-4 times a year, they say when they open so you can get your application in straight away - I advise you do this as they close the application window once they reach a certain number. DD got her application in last year but was unsuccessful :-(

These are the dates for the next GOSH one:
Autumn Cohort - 26 October - 30 October 2026

  • Applications Open: 3 August 2026 at 9am
  • Applications Close: 14 August 2026 at 3pm
  • Notification of Decision: 14 September 2026

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/learning/gosh-learning-academy/outreach-and-work-experience/gosh-young-visitors-programme/

But beware you need a teacher to write a reference for you, so your son would need to contact school and see if anyone would - might be easier if he plans to stay for sixth form, or he could wait for the next cohort which I think will be February half term as they don't run them over Christmas.

GOSH Young Visitors Programme

Interested in studying medicine? Register for a short placement with us to gain insight into a range of specialties.

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/learning/gosh-learning-academy/outreach-and-work-experience/gosh-young-visitors-programme

OP posts:
Ladyinamask · 27/06/2026 05:14

@SuperSue77
I will look at GOSH, thank you. Currently between schools due to having separate 6th forms in Hampshire. But not impossible. 6th form has medical society etc and very successful in medical applications so hopefully they have links.
He is doing face to face in Southampton so not sure if that's what your DD did?

Mysteryposterpaint · 27/06/2026 18:26

Hello, may I join? Didn’t realise this existed! Thank you for setting this up, @SuperSue77

@mumsneedwine might I please have a copy of the spreadsheet? Thank you 🙏

mumsneedwine · 27/06/2026 18:30

@Mysteryposterpaint if you pm me your email I'll send it over. If anyone knows a way I can 'store' it somewhere for anyone to see it please let me know. Tech savvy I am not !

Placestogo · 28/06/2026 09:27

Hello, my DS is also thinking of applying for med school. He has just finished his GCSES and is planning to take Bio, chem, maths and further maths at a level.

Thank you for posting the links for WEX. Definitely will be looking at that.
@mumsneedwinecould i also ask you to send me the spreadsheet? Id be very grateful thanks - i have no idea how to PM someone so please tell me how to do it! Thanks a lot

mumsneedwine · 28/06/2026 10:08

@Placestogothink you have to go bus the website and then there's a messages tab. I'm trying to figure out a pay to get it public but need it help so will have to wait til I'm back at work

DoggerelBank · 28/06/2026 14:28

Another way to get good experience is via St John cadets. My DD did a few years of it, and from 16 she was helping adult St John volunteers at festivals and football matches. Also doing first aid competitions as a team, which was incredibly good practice for medicine interviews.