Most applicants meet our academic requirements, so non-academic criteria are crucial in distinguishing candidates.
We provide the following details to help you to describe your own personal qualities. Evidence will be sought from the UCAS form and at interview, if a candidate is called.
We have prepared a document to help you write your Personal Statement. This can be found here.
Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills include verbal, non-verbal, written and presentational aspects. We will seek evidence of these from the activities in which you take part and/or from the reference provided on your UCAS form.
Insight into a career in medicine
You should demonstrate that you have considered your reasons for choosing medicine and have taken steps to investigate what a medical degree and career holds for you.
Normally you should be able to report some direct experience of both hospital and community medical practice and describe what you have learnt from your experience.
Although direct observation of medical consultations may not be possible due to issues of confidentiality, most applicants should be able to observe reception or other aspects of health care.
Tip: Provide details of the type of work experience and its duration.
If attempts to gain work experience have been unsuccessful, there should be some reference to this contained within the Referee’s statement.
In addition to work experience, you should also have some factual knowledge about potential careers and be realistic about the future.
Social and cultural awareness
A medical career depends on interacting with all members of society, usually under difficult situations.
It is useful for applicants to have some regular experience (not necessarily medical) of society beyond their immediate environment, preferably over a period of several months. This may help you to reflect on health and healthcare in the wider community. Many applicants gain this insight through work experience, voluntary work, part-time employment and organised community schemes.
Activities connected to and independent of school are given equal merit.
Responsibility
Doctors carry a huge responsibility for their patients and you should be able to demonstrate that you have begun to develop this aspect of your character. Demonstration of responsibility within school, through paid employment, and through family or leisure activities is desirable.
Non-academic achievements
The School believes that people who have developed interests outside their career and who try to lead a balanced life are more likely to be effective medical practitioners. Successful applicants will have found time to pursue non-academic interests whilst still meeting the necessary academic requirements. The nature of these outside interests is personal, but successful applicants will provide verifiable evidence of such achievements in more than one area, for example through sports, performing arts or community service.
Deferred entry
We encourage deferred entry for those applicants who wish to spend a year in employment, voluntary service or travelling. If you have concerns about the appropriateness of your plans, contact the Admissions Office for guidance.
