Work experience expectations set by UK medical schools

Work experience expectations set by UK medical schools

Banner image: Medicine work experience expectations; photo by Khiet Tam on Unsplash

Our data table provides an overview of work experience expectations set by UK medical schools

Curious about how UK medical schools set various expectations for work experience?

Our interactive data table can help you compare work experience expectations of your target medical schools, so that you can plan accordingly.

Important notes

In our data table, we include notes with links to UK medical school websites —  follow these for more details on work experience guidelines set by your target medical schools.

Be sure to check our notes below on work experience affected by COVID-19 pandemic.

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By default, this table displays information about all UK medical schools. To focus only on medical schools of interest, you can filter by medical school names. To revert after applying any filter, and see all (unfiltered) results, use the 'Reset' button.

Displaying 1 - 39 of 39 UK medical schools

Medical school Work experience notes
Aberdeen

Expectations for work experience include: a range of experience in primary care or a hospital; voluntary work in care homes hospices or special schools; work experience form completed and returned at interview.
Anglia Ruskin

It is desirable for applicants to have undertaken work experience in the healthcare sector, whether that be shadowing, volunteering, paid work or observing. Clinical and non-clinical experience are important, which could be in a nursing home, nursery, charities, voluntary organisations, pharmacy as well as GP surgeries and hospitals. Work experience will be discussed during MMIs.
Aston

Applicants are not required to have healthcare related work experience but are expected to have some exposure to a work place.
Barts

Work experience is assessed in the shortlisting process but not scored. Interviewers will ask about work experience and candidates will be expected to draw on their experiences to answer competency-based questions.
Birmingham

Work experience does not factor into the process of selection for interview. Understanding gained from work experience will be invaluable in enabling applicants to address the issues presented to them at interview.
Brighton and Sussex

Applicants need an insight into medicine and the role of the doctor; this may or may not come from work experience. BSMS provides a Virtual work experience resource.
Bristol

While not a requirement for the course, applicants are encouraged to obtain a minimum of two weeks’ work experience to gain some insight into their potential vocation. 
Work experience may be discussed at interview.
Buckingham

No specific requirement
Cambridge

Candidates are strongly advised (though not required) to undertake some relevant work experience (either paid or voluntary) in a health or related area.
The medical school is not prescriptive about how this is obtained and recognises the widely differing opportunities available.
As explained in discussion of work experience on the website, "For students applying for 2022 Entry, we're mindful that the COVID-19 crisis will prevent prospective applicants from completing work experience in a care or medical setting. Consequently, applying without this experience will not disadvantage your application to Cambridge. We would encourage you to do some online research about the NHS and wider healthcare systems – the challenges they face generally, their structures, and staff perspectives – instead of practical work experience."
Cardiff

The university recognises that opportunities for work experience will vary according to individual circumstances. Applicants are encouraged to show an appreciation of the length of the training programme and the career structure.
Dundee

Normal recommendation is up to two weeks of work experience, which is discussed at interview.
Due due to the current pandemic, the Medical Schools Council has released guidance to support applicants seeking experience during the pandemic.
Edge Hill

No specific work experience required but students will be asked to draw on personal experience as part of the Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI).
Edinburgh

Quality of work experience is more important than quantity.
Applicants should provide clear evidence of reflection on these experiences, showing what personal lessons they took from them and using these to demonstrate an aptitude for medicine.
Work experience to be discussed if invited to the Assessment Day.
Exeter

Not considered as part of the entry requirements.
Applicants encouraged to understand the attributes and the responsibilities required to be a great doctor.
Glasgow

No requirement for medical work experience, but candidates must have a sound understanding of the role and responsibilities of medical professionals.
Hull York

A flexible view of work experience is taken in line with the published MSC guidelines. Healthcare-related work experience is encouraged but not mandatory.
An understanding of the reality of medicine as a career and having appropriate life experience along with personal qualities are all assessed at interview.
Applicants are encouraged to reflect upon their work experience in their personal statement and responses to interview questions.
Imperial

Work experience in a healthcare setting is strongly favoured.
During Covid19 pandemic, alternative work experiences (i.e. online) will also be considered.
Keele

Home applicants are selected for interview on the basis of a roles & responsibilities (R+R) form, which should include details of experiences involving direct engagement with people in one or more caring or supportive role(s).
Applicants are expected to have gained experience of working directly with people, preferably in a supportive or caring role.
Includes voluntary roles in care settings, community groups, charities, schools or paid employment involving interaction with the public.
Experiences do not have to be gained in healthcare settings and no credit is given for shadowing or other forms of observation.
Experiences should be gained in applicants' own communities if at all possible; undertaking international travel to gain experience is discouraged.
Kent and Medway

Work experience is desirable, particularly that gained in public-facing roles.
KMMS recognises it might be difficult to arrange medical sector experience and gives equal weight to care sector and other public-facing experience.
Work experience is considered within the personal statement.
King's College

Expectation of experience in a caring environment and / or observation in a medical clinical setting.
If this is not possible, evidence desired that you have worked in a setting where you can interact with the general public (for example, in a pharmacy, check-out or restaurant).
It is important for applicants to have a realistic appreciation of what a career as a health professional involves.
Lancaster

Specific experience not required though applicants must show evidence of research into a medical career.
Insight is more important and voluntary placements in hospices, residential homes etc, where there is interaction with vulnerable people, is just as valuable as shadowing doctors.
Reflection on work and voluntary experience will be explored at interview.
After interview, attempt to verify work and voluntary experiences discussed in the applicant's personal statement.
Leeds

There is a requirement for experience in a healthcare setting, though this is broadly defined.
Leicester

Healthcare-related work experience is not required but applicants, particularly those who are borderline, must showcase reflection in whatever type of work they have encountered (voluntary, paid work in retail, catering, health or social care).
Lincoln

Work experience is not expected from March 2020, due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Liverpool

As explained on the website, applicants are advised to follow the Medical Schools Council's guidance on work experience in time of Covid-19.
Manchester

Work experience is normally assessed at interview using the electronic non-academic information form and discussion with applicant.
As explained on the website, changes have been made regarding work experience as a result of the Covid-10 pandemic: "For 2022 entry, we are happy for you to declare work experience or activities you intend to carry out after the 15 October UCAS deadline."
Newcastle

Emphasis on applicants being able to show a commitment to caring, which can be accomplished in a number of ways other than in a hospital or general practice setting, such as volunteering in an elderly care home, hospice, nursery or helping someone less fortunate. The medical school is also interested in individuals who have shown commitment to working as part of a team over a prolonged period of time in any area, including voluntary, sports, other extra-curricular activities.
Norwich (UEA)

Work experience is considered at interview.
Applicanants encouraged to undertake people-focused work experience and consider how this has informed their decision to study medicine.
Candidates will need to evidence two different experiences that have informed their decision to study medicine.
Nottingham

Note: Work experience not expected from March 2020, due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Work experience normally is reviewed after interview and before offers are made.
Applicants should have ongoing voluntary experience in a caring setting and should try to get some NHS work experience or talk to a doctor about what a career in medicine would be like.
Valuable experience can be gained from paid or unpaid jobs that involve working with people.
Oxford

Considered alongside all other aspects of the application.
Candidates may explain how work experience has enabled them to demonstrate their suitability for medicine.
Plymouth

No specific requirements
Queen’s Belfast

No specific requirements.
Experience encouraged in healthcare-related environments and volunteering.
Sheffield

Clinical work experience is preferred but not required.
Emphasis on what candidates learn from work experience.
Shadowing a doctor, care home volunteering, or other community work experience accepted.
Southampton

Work experience and volunteering not explicitly required.
Applicants should indicate what they have learned life experiences and how this has shaped their decision to pursue a career in Medicine.
Work experience can include paid employment, personal experiences both in and outside health and social care settings.
St Andrews

Work experience in a health/care environment required, though this is not limited hospitals or GP surgeries.
General experience with those with disabilities or ill health accepted.
Limited opportunities for work experience during COVID pandemic are taken into account.
St George's London

Applicants normally would discuss how work experience has shaped attitudes and behaviours essential for medical practice.
Reflection on work experience is sought, considering how care is delivered and received.
Applicants must provide confirmation letters or references for verification.
As explained in discussion of work experience on the website, due to the COVID-19 pandemic work experience requirements that would normally be required have been relaxed but applicants are still expected to show "understanding of the realities of working as a healthcare professional and to show they have the necessary skills and attributes for their chosen career." 
Sunderland

Work experience should show communication and leadership skills.
Roles that involve working with customers or clients requiring support, assistance or service are favoured.
UCL

Experience working with other people and gaining insight into healthcare professions is beneficial.
Applicants should reflect work experience in their personal statement.
Applicants should take into account work experience guidance provided by Medical Schools Council.
UCLan

Applicants are asked to submit a transferable skills statement, which gives opportunity to reflect on: work experience /shadowing/ voluntary work or experience in a caring role, impact and value of the work undertaken, and the level of responsibility taken within this experience.
Work experience is discussed at one of the stations in the multiple-mini Interview.

Notes on work experience adjustments

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, as explained in general Medical Schools Council (GMC) guidance on work experience, "all UK medical schools are aware that the opportunities open to you have been affected and will take this into account".

Given the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns and other limitations, since the 2020-21 admissions cycle UK medical schools have made significant adjustments to their work experience guidelines for applicants.

Going forward, as some UK medical schools move on from or continue with some adjustments made during the previous year, applicants are strongly advised to check directly on medical school websites for latest updates to their work experience guidelines.

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