The course in general
How many contact hours do you have in the average week?
9am to 5pm, except half day on Wednesday

Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
Chemistry is essential for the course as is one of Biology/Physics/Maths at A2. Biology, if not taken to A2 is needed at AS- however I would strongly recommend doing Biology to full A2 as it really is presumed knowledge. Maths will be of benefit to you t

Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
I wanted to combine my 'people-person' skills and outgoing personality with my aptitude for sciences. Also, whilst deciding on a career in medicine now, I will have the opportunity to sample different paths before deciding which branch of medicine to follow.

Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
Medicine isn't all work- you can party (albeit in moderation) and still pass! Medicine isn't all about making people better and doing the 'right thing'- the scientific basis is still needed.

Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
The course is taught mainly through lectures with the rest of the year group plus, in most lectures, the dental students- about 300 people!! However, the lecturers are all very approachable and are happy to take questions, answer e-mails or meet you for further help. There is also about one 'tutorial' a week- unfortunately there tend to be up to 25 students in each tutorial so one-to-one contact isn't available. There are also labs for physiology every week, in which the contents of the physiology lectures are exemplified. Labs are used in micro-anatomy, using virtual microscopy to further concepts introduced in lectures. We are lucky also to have four hours of gross anatomy per week! Unfortunately, there are no gross anatomy lectures but documents are provided to be studied before gross anatomy sessions. Gross anatomy involves dissection of cadavers and studying specimens also- it is very hands on!

How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
This is expected and page references are given to be read. However, the vast majority of the work is covered in the lecture and generally the complete lectures are available online.

The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
Everything is taught and taught well. Lecturers are always willing to give extra support/help where it is needed. Students are valued and their feedback is sought continually. Clinical Skills are well delivered Family Attachment program

What do you like least about your degree programme?
Anatomy lectures would be helpful.

Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
I feel that the people who are teaching me are often involved in what they are teaching, through research- Queen's is in the Russell Group for its great commitment to research- and the medical faculty are heavily involved in research in Cancer and Cell Biology. The facilities are also excellent. There is a new, absolutely beautiful library for use by all university students. There is also a 'Student Guidance Centre' which is a one-stop-shop for all enquiries. The Physical Education Centre (PEC) is excellent, albeit membership is expensive. In medicine, lectures and labs take place in the Medical Biology Centre, where other health science subjects are also based. Lots of lectures take place at the Royal Victoria Hospital also, which is problematic in that there are two smaller lecture theatres with a video-link in place. Though, a free bus operates between both sites. The MBC has its own library and there is also a library at the Royal Victoria site.

Explain how you expected your course to be and how it compares to how it actually is. Give an outline of the content of the course.
There are nine modules in first year: Semester 1: a: Systems of People and Populations: anatomy, epidemiology, sociology b: Genes, Molecules and Processes c: Cells, Tissues and Organs Semester 2: a: Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice: micro and gross anatomy b: Physiological Basis of Clinical Practice c: Concepts of People and Populations d: Principles of Disease and Treatment Other modules are Clinical Skills and the Portfolio. There is also a Family Attachment Program in which one visits a family with a member having a chronic condition and writes a report on how the condition affects various aspects of life.

ERASMUS scheme, study abroad and work placements
Have you studied on an ERASMUS or study abroad programme? Where did you go and what experience have you gained from your placement?
I haven't been on one, but in the summer between 4th and 5th year, I am aware that students can organise a placement in the UK or elsewhere.

Have you been on a work placement/year in industry? How has it benefited your study and career prospects:
Yes! For a half-day a week, we have a clinical placement- this is either in a General Practice or in one of the nearby hospitals. Clinical Skills are taught in the MBC's designated area but these can be reinforced by practicing on actual patients. This also makes the course seem more clinically relevant.