Work Experience

Here are some suggestions as to why and how to organise relevant work experience

Medicine is a career which involves lifelong learning and a lengthy training process, it’s important to be sure that it’s the right career for you before applying
Work experience is a way of gaining insight into what a career in medicine involves
Reflecting on work experience is a good opportunity to demonstrate to universities that you have seriously considered the positive and negative aspects of a career in medicine

The most important thing to consider when it comes to work experience is quality over quantity
The University of St Andrews is the only Scottish university which mandates work or shadowing experience in a caring or health environment, this includes hospitals, GP surgeries, nursing homes or local hospices, or by working with people who have ill health or a disability. This experience does not need to be formal work experience but could be gained through working or volunteering at a local hospital or with a vulnerable group
Emphasis is on being able to reflect on your experience working with members of the public and show realistic insight into the career
Whilst the other Scottish universities don’t mandate work experience they all expect applicants to have undergone some form of career exploration and be able to demonstrate this in personal statements and at interview. To find out the expectations of specific Medical Schools you can email their admissions team and ask

Open to all students (not just those from a widening participation background).
The Step Into Medicine Programme is a 5 day timetabled event delivered by the Workforce Development Team, NHS Lothian Medical Education Directorate (MED) and You Can Be a Doctor.
The week includes Clinical skills sessions, personal statement workshops and mock interviews run by clinicians. So, participants would have an opportunity to interact with staff and also do some simulated clinical work.
Launched in June 2024, with a plan to run annually.
Applications are open to young people in S4- S6 and you must be at least 14 to apply.
To apply email loth.workexperience@nhs.scot to let them know you are interested and request an application form.

Clinical work experience is not currently offered in Lothian for school-aged applicants, be reassured that universities are aware of this and the insight gained from the step into medicine week will be more than sufficient for a strong application.
Applications for self-found work experience are still accepted for people looking to apply for graduate medicine opportunities.
More information can be found on the NHS Lothian website or by contacting loth.workexperience@nhs.scot.

Initially offered during covid, this can be used to supplement in person experiences but ideally should not be the only form of work experience.
Currently offered by:

Observe GP (Royal College of General Practitioners)

Virtual Ward Rounds NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde