The Aspiring Medics
3 min
Updated: Jul 10, 2023
Swansea has a unique course which offers case-based learning with early clinical contact.
They offer clinical skills within the first few weeks of learning, and 5 weeks of clinical placement in the second term. The course emphasises on LOCS in hospital and GP placements.
There is a vast variety of anatomy models to work with alongside body prosections. The University supports students with all matter of needs, including physical and mental health.
The Swansea website states the indicators it looks for, try and come up with scenarios and questions you will be asked under these categories.
Practice interview style questions with a friend or teacher, it is really vital as it is a panel based interview.
Swansea states that your personal statement will be ‘considered and discussed’.
It’s very important you go through your personal statement again before your interview to remind yourself of it.
Read GMC ‘Good Medical Practice’ and ‘Outcomes for Graduates’ before your interview since the interview is based around the qualities stated in these.
Swansea's case based learning links the clinical case with anatomy, and clinical skills sessions during each week. Rather than sticking to one system, knowledge is built slowly over time through each case, as would happen in the hospital setting. The vast majority of lecturers are either currently practicing, or retired, clinicians or medical staff. With the hospital and GP placements, there is opportunity to see cases you've learnt early in the setting fairly quickly. Being one of only 2 med schools in Wales, there are a lot of opportunities to do things like national conferences, and Welsh-based research.
Swansea is a beautiful sea side city, with great places to explore such as cliffs, waterfalls, forests and every terrain you could want. There are many beaches for water sports, and seaside towns a short walk away. In Uplands where students mainly lodge, there are many bars and restaurants just like in the town centre. The medical school is also opposite the beach, with many cafes and the hospital right next door to practice clinical skills and to work in the hospital library. Within the medical school, being relatively small, there is a thriving tight-knight community atmosphere. Anatomy Suites and Clinical Skills Simulation Laboratories are present on the Singleton Campus. The library is fully equipped with resources to support medical education.
Swansea has lots of societies and sports to choose from, especially with so many facilities around the city it gives so many options. These are hosted across the city, and it means that there are plenty of options for your preferences. Personally, I used to do cheerleading and now do some pole sports. Alongside taking trips to the beach for some surfs and SUPing! There’s something for everyone. Boozy nights out, quiet bars and restaurants, trips to Snowdonia, conferences, medic sport teams, teaching evenings, fundraising, revision sessions and formal balls with the whole faculty. The University is located on some of the UK's most beautiful coastlines (the Bay campus even has its own private beach!).
Swansea has a MedSoc which organises lots of different events. They introduce everyone at the start to your cohort, and then throughout the year organise events at bars, and balls. There is no pressure, it's great to just enjoy time with the cohort.