Laboratories

The amount of time spent in a lab has recently decreased and this varies from one university to another. If applicants intercalate a degree, there may be more opportunity for lab work.

Lectures

These usually comprise a whole year group (up to 300 people). They usually last an hour and will be mostly delivered by a medical professional. Some lecturers try to make things interactive but generally applicants will be required to listen, look at slides and take notes.

Seminars and Tutorials

These are in much smaller groups and are intended to revise lecture work or look at topics in more detail. These will be more interactive and there may be discussion facilitated by a demonstrator.

On the Wards

In the later years of the course teaching takes place on the wards. Applicant may be asked to present cases or demonstrate conditions and practice their clinical skills. This is also an opportunity to see how the team in a hospital works together.

Dissection

Previously all medical schools did a full body dissection, but now increasingly videos and computers are used to learn anatomy. Some universities still do a full body dissection; some just do prosections (parts of the body).

Self-Directed Learning

Extra reading is essential as not all the work can be taught in lectures alone. Project-based work also has to be carried out in the applicant’s own time.

Theatre

Applicants may be asked to “assist” in operations towards the end of their course. Theatre is an opportunity to practice anatomy and physiology.

Clinical Skills

Clinical skills labs are run by nurses who teach applicants how to take blood, do fundoscopy, breast exams, catheterise, etc.