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Course review
Review by: Mamie L
University: King's College London, University of London
Course: Medicine
Year of study: 4th
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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The course in general
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
I did chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics and found that all were of some help to the course.
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
Kings was the only college that made the intercalated BSC optional. The programme also provided early patient-contact opportunity and regular dissection sections that other colleges do not have.
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
Pre clinical years consist of mainly lectures - usually averaging about 5 or 6 a day. Small group tutorials and lab work are limited to about 3 or 4 per month.
A day in clinical years (3,4&5)is more varied. Lectures are minimum. You will be given a timetable that allocates you time for ward work, clinics and tutorials. Apart from the scheduled times, it is up to you to arrange for extra clinics/ward time/ theatre and to improve your competency at a particular skill (which you will be signed off for) and thus these years more or less involve self-directed learning.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
For years 1&2 reading lectures are sufficient to pass you but for year 3, reading as much as you can is vital! It is also beneficial to spend some extra hours outside your scheduled timetable on the wards to further improve your skills - perhaps get some one to one bed-side teaching too if you can find a doctor willing to teach you.
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
The course is very well structured and throughout the years you realise just how important the previous years work is.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
You don't get much holiday in the 3rd, 4th and 5th years!
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
The library facility is brilliant, there are plenty of copies of essential books you need and during exam season, the libraries are open 24hours!
There is a academic registry specially dedicated to medicine - any problems, they are more than welcome to help.
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.
First 2 years, expect lots and lots of lectures - you can get by without attending them as lectures are all online after they are delivered but try to attend and make notes.
Teaching methods used in the clinical years varies from small groups tutorials to individual one to one sessions in clinics or by the bedside. Be prepared to do lots of reading in your spare time.
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Other reviews for Medicine
Sandy J, 1st Year doing Medicine at Queen's University Belfast
Vitie C, 1st Year doing Medicine at University of Leeds Jeremy A, 1st Year doing Medicine at Keele University Alice D, 4th Year doing Medicine at The University of Birmingham Gina I, 3rd Year doing Medicine at King's College London, University of London Tasha W, 1st Year doing Medicine at Imperial College London
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University review
Review by: Mamie L
University: King's College London, University of London
Course: Medicine
Year of study: 4th
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Visit the King's College London, University of London forum and see what people are discussing right now!
Click here to go back
Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
King's has offered me a lot in the past three years, from the 24 hour libraries, on site diseased-specimen museum to the SU that is open almost all the time. I spend so much of my time in the campus that I've built a bond with the place.
What is the academic life like at your university?
Regardless of which course you decide to do, you must be prepared to work hard. Academic life is pretty straight forward, work hard, play hard. Make the most out of the facilities the university has to offer and enjoy the reward it brings!
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Fresher's week at King's is always good. There is a Fresher's fair at each of the main campuses on different days and the events are always popular...
At the Fresher's fair, you can meet people on your course in the year above so you can ask them your questions,join clubs and societies and found out about certain things that go on throughout the year.
Are there any other notes you would like to add about life in general at university or anything else which would be relevant to a prospective student?
-No
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
The campus is quite spread out but there are individual student union facilities at each spot! As the campuses are spread around, you may be required to travel around, especially for medicine.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
There is a club for almost any sport you can think of. Just join!
Football and rugby are the current big ones - and inter-college matches attract great interest.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
Social life at Kings is greatly varied. Although there are bars in the SU where you can hang out, events are held throughout the year, such as sports nights, charity events and fund raising (RAG week for medics), themed-events and posh dinners...you'll enjoy yourself, with or without alcohol!
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
London is the most exciting place you could possibly spend your university years in. Expect the best nights out, great shops and rich culture - theatres, museums and famous landmarks - you name it, London has them all!
Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
I live in private accommodation - which is quieter and more chilled out but living in halls of residence provides a better opportunity to meet other students and be crazy if you are the social type.
If you are in a hall or college, is it catered or self catered? Which is better for the first year in your opinion and why?
I lived in a catered hall in the first year, it's definitely better than self-catered - you find that you're never hungry...and when you're tired, not bothered to cook, you'll thank yourself for choosing catered! After I moved out in my second year into self-catering accommodation, I was starving and living off bread and cornflakes.
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
About £100pw catered which is really cheap, but the halls were quite far out from central London. The self-catering halls were more central and generally more expensive, up to 130 pounds per week..
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