Walking the Walk: Stepping into Medical School on Open Day

🩺 Why Medical School Open Days Are a Must for Aspiring Doctors

From volunteering at hospitals to preparing for the UCAT, aspiring medics juggle countless tasks in the run-up to their UCAS application. But one often overlooked yet hugely valuable step?

🧭Attending medical school open days.

Whether you're applying for 2025 entry or looking ahead to the new structured personal statement format in 2026, open days offer insights that no website or prospectus can fully provide. Here’s why they’re so important — and how to make the most of them.

🎓 What Are Medical School Open Days?

Open days are in-person or virtual events hosted by universities to give prospective students a closer look at what studying medicine there is really like. From interactive tours of lecture theatres and simulation labs to Q&A sessions with admissions tutors and current students, they’re a window into your potential future.

Expect a blend of:

🔬 Talks from course leaders and clinical staff

🤝 Student-led campus tours

📄 Admissions and application guidance

🧑‍⚕️ Taster lectures or clinical demonstrations

💬 Opportunities to ask questions about everything from course structure to accommodation

Medical School Open Day Dates & Details

Medical School Open Day Calendar

🔍 Why Are They Worth Your Time?

In a highly competitive field like medicine, every insight matters. Here’s what open days can help you with:

✅ Clarify Course Differences

While all UK medical schools meet GMC standards, the teaching styles, clinical exposure timelines, and course structures can differ significantly. One school may offer early patient contact; another might focus on problem-based learning (PBL). Attending open days helps you understand which environment best suits your learning style.

🧠 Support Your UCAS Application

Open days provide genuine, firsthand experiences to reflect on in your personal statement — structured or not. Whether you’re writing about what drew you to a course or preparing to answer UCAS' new 2026-format questions like “Why do you want to study this course?”, specific insights from a visit will make your answers more authentic and reflective.

🗣️ Talk to Current Students

No one knows what it’s really like better than those living it. From workload and teaching quality to how they prepared for interviews and what they wish they’d known — current med students can offer unfiltered advice you won’t find in a brochure.

🚑 Get a Feel for the City and Campus

You’ll be spending at least five years there — possibly more. The “vibe” of the university and city life is just as important as the course content. Open days help you figure out whether you can see yourself living and studying there.

💬 How to Prepare for a Medical School Open Day

To get the most value, go in prepared. Here's how:

📘 Do Your Homework: Read up on the university beforehand. Know the basics of their medicine course so you can ask insightful, specific questions.

📝 Bring a Question List: Ask about clinical placements, support services, teaching style, intercalated degrees, or anything else that matters to you.

📸 Take Notes or Photos: Your future self will thank you when comparing schools later.

🧭 Explore the Area: Check out transport links, accommodation, and social spaces — it's not just about the lecture halls.

🌐 Can’t Attend In Person? Try Virtual Open Days

Many universities offer excellent virtual alternatives with live Q&As, video tours, and recorded sessions. These can be just as helpful, especially if you're exploring several options or live far from campus.

💡 How Open Days Tie into Your Medical Application

As we move towards the new 2026 UCAS structure — where you'll answer targeted questions like:

• “Why do you want to study this course?”

• “What else have you done to prepare outside of education?”

— open days will play an increasingly vital role. They provide detailed, relevant content you can reflect on with depth, which is exactly what admissions teams are looking for.

🎯 Top Tip:

Mention specific things you learned or observed during an open day in your personal statement or interview — it shows genuine engagement and makes your application stand out.

🚀 Final Takeaways

Attending open days might not feel as urgent as UCAT prep or writing your personal statement — but they can be a game-changer. They give you clarity, motivation, and compelling material to strengthen your entire application.

🧑‍⚕️ Looking to boost your application even further?

The Aspiring Medics Online Work Experience is a free virtual course covering real-world cases and specialties like Emergency Medicine, Surgery, and GP. It’s perfect to complement insights from open days and deepen your understanding of life as a doctor.