Are you a sixth form school student passionate about science in medicine? Look no further! The National Heart and Lung Institute and the British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence at Imperial College London present 5 contests to enter as part of the Science in Medicine School Teams Prize with awards including cash prizes to winning schools, online mentoring session with an academic and certificates of participation.

Children and Young People's Engagement Committee - Brings together children, young people, parents, carers and paediatricians to support the development of active participation and involvement of under 25s in RCPCH. There are 20 core roles on the committee: 6 young people, 6 parent/carers, 6 paediatricians including the Assistant Registrar (chair) and 2 sector reps (charity, medical students). Fantastic opportunity to gain work experience and show interest in medicine. Contact The Children and Young People's Engagement Team with through their email: and_us@rcpch.ac.uk I recommend telling them a bit about yourself, what you study, why you want to join the team and that you hope to pursue a medical career!

Aimed at anyone aged 15-18 years old. This essay competition challenges you to go beyond the school curriculum and think about the future of your subject. Medicine and Psychology are just two of the subjects you may want to submit an essay for! All shortlisted entrants will be invited to attend one of Oxbright's autumn conferences free of charge, and there are a variety of prestigious prizes for the winners such as a chance to go to Oxford Summer School free of charge and an OxBright online course or internship.

The John Locke Institute runs gap year courses across the world and at Oxford university for bright and ambitious gap year students hoping to go to university. 2023 applications are open

If you are over 18 and want to demonstrate your leadership skills, work on NCS as a mentor to help young people complete a social action project.

You can undertake a medical internship abroad in hospitals and clinics​ and get a deeper understanding of global healthcare issues.

Find a volunteer opportunity near you with the British Red Cross. Join as an ambulance volunteer, support refugees or help in a charity shop.

If you are a young person interested in social action you can get involved through your school or where you work, set up your own project or find out about one of the many excellent programmes that already exist around the UK.

Overseas volunteering opportunities for 18-25 year olds.

Training and shadowing experience for under 18s and over 18s.

Plan My Gap Year provides a safe, structured and social platform with volunteer, travel and immersion opportunities, available from 1-40 weeks.

Find all volunteering opportunities including on-ward volunteering which is popular amongst prospective medics.

Powered by the Good Samaritan app, Volunteer Responders supports the NHS and the social care sector during the pandemic. Volunteers are needed who can support vulnerable people in England who are at most risk from the virus.

Volunteer opportunities in your local GP, hospital and community.

Over 18s can apply for a healthcare assistant role. See an example CV and learn more about the role here.

An annual student essay competition. Winning essay published in the Journal of Holistic Healthcare & on the website. 2023 competition not open yet

Open to students in grades 9-12 (14-18 years) worldwide and asks students to examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics. Cash prize. Submissions open in Jan 2023

Students in Year 12 (S5 - Scotland, Y13 - N.I.) attending a UK state school are invited to submit an essay for Medicine or Veterinary Medicine between 1,000-1,500 words. 2023 prize not open yet

Annual competition for Year 12 students who are considering applying to study medicine. Open to students from state-funded schools and colleges. 2023 prize not open yet

Be there when a lonely older person needs to talk, provide community support for older residents. or fundraise so more older people can get the help they deserve and need.

Free work experience opportunity to a school student from a widening participation background plus a free annual online international summer conference to present research.

The Science Challenge competition (School Students section) involves producing a short piece of fun and engaging science communication about a topic! Open to UK students in Year 10-13 from Feb 2023.

Annual essay prize for Year 12 & 13 students. Write an essay based on a single word (see website). Be creative and try to pick words that may be applicable to the field of medicine! Deadline: 16 Apr 2023

Widening participation initiative aimed at raising the attainment and aspirations of young people from backgrounds underrepresented in higher education and medical school.

4-day summer schools which are run simultaneously in Easter half-term each year for students interested in applying for Medicine or Dentistry respectively.

National essay and art competitions, a chance to submit work to the Medic Mentor magazine as well as apply for their awards programmes and scholarship opportunities. Deadline: 1 Feb 2023

Medicine Essay Competition aimed at Year 12 students (though younger applicants are welcome). Deadline: 31 Mar 2022. Many other competitions and research opportunities can be found on their website.

2-year widening participation programme run by King’s College London for year 12 and 13 students in London & some parts of Essex. Special consideration given when you apply if you complete the programme.

A two-year widening participation programme for 16-18 year olds interested in studying medicine. Must be from state-funded schools and colleges.

National essay and art competitions, a chance to submit work to the Medic Mentor magazine as well as apply for their awards programmes and scholarship opportunities. Deadline: 1 Feb 2023