The Aspiring Medics
3 min
Updated: Jan 11, 2023
Lancaster Medical School is a relatively small medical school, with a close community of students from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Medicine at Lancaster is taught with a holistic approach, with students given a variety of opportunities to work independently and within a wider team.
The course also incorporates the local community, with a key emphasis on health inequalities on a local and national scale.
Lancaster Medicine Interview Tips
Ensure you read any information given to you by the university before the interview – this will tell you where you need to go, as well as general details regarding how the interview will be carried out.
During the interview, articulate your thoughts out loud – the interviewers do want to give you marks, and this is a great tip if you’re unsure of what to say. In addition, try to get along with other candidates!
Whilst you are competing with each other, being a doctor involves working with a team, which is reflected in the group interview at Lancaster.
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Situated in the new Health Innovation Campus, it provides early clinical experience; in Year 2, students start hospital placements, providing early patient contact and real-life context to the knowledge gained from PBL. Finals are done at the end of 4th year, with 5th year focussing on preparing you for your role as a doctor. Students can also access a wide variety of support options – first years are paired with second years from the beginning of the course, and each student has an academic tutor with whom they can discuss any concerns.
Lancaster is a quiet city in the North West – the campus is separate from the main city. However, there are regular buses which run from campus to the city, as well specific university buses which run to the main shops and nightclubs. There are also bus and train services which run to the Lake District nearby, as well as to other cities such as Preston and Manchester, making it easy to organise a day out with friends. There are a variety of societies in the university; MedSoc organises events and talks, with many subspecialties also having their own branches for interested students. There are also various other societies to join, making it easy find a new interest and find friends outside of the medical school.
Lancaster is one of the few universities in the UK with a collegiate system – there are 9 colleges in total, with all students being allocated to one. Accommodation on campus (where most first years choose to live) is organised by colleges, with students having a mix of flatmates from a range of courses. However, the system also creates a community feel between students, with competitions and events run between and within colleges. There are over 175 societies in the university, including (but not limited to) sports, arts, political, and recreational societies, so there is something for everyone to join and take part in!
Lancaster MedSoc run a variety of events and socials throughout the year, including the MedSoc Freshers’ and Winter Balls, as well as the yearly charity pantomime. The society also provides support for students, running events such as mock OSCEs before exams. There is a wide range of societies within MedSoc – these include those affiliated to various specialties, as well as Medic Sports Teams, BME Medics and the WP Society. These ‘sub-societies’ also run a range of revision sessions and talks for students, which are especially useful when considering future career options.
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