Japsimar
3 min
Updated: Jan 12, 2023
Manchester medical school is a modern medical school that gives students an appropriate level of independence with studies.
Nevertheless, the medical school is big on wellbeing with a great supportive mechanism.
Teams and structures are designed to protect the students from increased workload and poor mental health.
The first 2 years of the course are based on campus, with a Problem-Based Learning structure. The final 3 years of the course are based at a hospital.
University of Manchester Interview Information
Two key components of being successful in a Manchester Medical School interview are 1. Communication skills and 2. Good knowledge of ethics, the GMC and being weary of what is expected of you as a medical student and a Junior Doctor.
Empathy and listening skills are essential in good communication, as well as speaking clearly and politely - taking a patient centred approach to any interview station you complete will almost certainly win over the interviewer.
Know about the GMC’s ‘Good Medical Practice’ and “Tomorrow’s Doctors’ documents, as well as knowing the 4 pillars of ethics.
Manchester offers exposure to full body dissections via the weekly anatomy sessions. Over the course of each semester, you and your group are allocated a fully body specimen that is used as visual learning for revision. Communication skills are key, and the medical school does an amazing job of embedding it the curriculum from the first semester with weekly sessions in the consultation skills learning centre, with surplus feedback and simulated patients to help you to improve your skillset. A wide variety of intercalation options after the 2 pre-clinical years are also on offer at the university.
The Problem-Based Learning approach offers the independence to do as much work as you feel is appropriate in order to pass your exams and make you a better Doctor, as well as meeting a minimal criterion with Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs). ILOs are embedded into the curriculum throughout clinical years too. Most would say that the work-life balance can be really good. The campus is big, with people from different backgrounds and courses. Everything from shops, accommodation and train stations are either within a 20–30-minute walking distance, or a short bus journey away (the campus is situated in the busiest bus route in Europe!). There are an endless number of societies and sports clubs that can be joined, and Manchester is an amazing city with lots to explore.
From the first week, the Students Union hosts events for all students from all courses, on a weekly basis. The medical school also has its own medical society that looks to host events for the incoming medical students. Therefore, there is opportunity to mix with both medics and non-medics and get involved with events regardless of your background or beliefs. The university buildings and libraries are majorly very modern, with nice places to take a break and network/interact with others. There is also a variety of different accommodations to suit your needs – same sex, ensuites or shared bathrooms/kitchens. Either way, it is yet another opportunity to meet new people and make friendships.
Manchester has one of the biggest medical school in Europe, with a year group just shy of 400 students. Social media is a great way for ManMedSoc to create, plan and host events for such a large number of students. It aims to be very inclusive and hosts a variety of events so that everyone can get involved in the fun. This can range from bar crawls and clubs, to going for a game of bowling or a meal. You can see this for yourself:
Facebook: @ManMedSoc
Instagram: @manchestermedsoc
Website: www.manmedsoc.co.uk
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