A free three-day hybrid programme for Year 12 UK students applying to medicine through a widening participation route. It combines an in-person taster day at the Southampton campus with virtual work experience sessions and interactive online learning. Students must be studying A-level Biology plus at least one other science, and meet at least two widening participation eligibility criteria. Applications open 1 September and close 1 December 2026.

UKWPMED is a network of medical schools — including Manchester, Birmingham, Keele, BSMS, and Hull York Medical School — offering students from widening participation backgrounds a guaranteed interview and a reduced grade offer for medicine (typically ABB). Year 12 students complete a local WP programme at a participating medical school, then record it on their UCAS application in the 2026–27 cycle for 2027 or 2028 entry. Check the Medical Schools Council website to find your nearest participating school.

The Manchester Access Programme is a free two-year widening participation scheme for Year 12 students in Greater Manchester considering medicine. Participants receive exclusive application support, mentoring, and — if they complete the programme — a reduced grade offer of ABB and a guaranteed interview at the University of Manchester. Applicants must live or study in Greater Manchester, be in Year 12 when applying, and have at least five GCSEs at grade 6 or above. Applications for the 2027 cohort open in November 2026.

The Widening Participation Medics Network is a free online community and resource hub for aspiring medics from underrepresented backgrounds. It offers peer mentorship, essay competitions, events, and a supportive community of aspiring and current medical students. Particularly useful for students who may not have local access to formal widening participation programmes — you can engage with the network at any stage of your application journey.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School's free online virtual work experience course is open to any student considering a career in medicine. Delivered through an interactive platform, it introduces learners to the NHS and explores the roles of different medical specialists through real-world case studies and clinical scenarios. Ideal for building understanding of clinical practice ahead of medical school applications and MMI-style interviews — students can work through it at their own pace.

Free Year 12 widening participation programme run by BSMS and partner medical schools. Undertake a guided research project with a medical student mentor, attend 4 online events and a 4-day residential summer school. Successful completers may receive an adjusted academic offer and guaranteed interview to study medicine at BSMS.

Free online work experience platform for students aged 13+. Complete self-paced NHS and healthcare science placements from home — 10 hours earns you a verified certificate. Explore careers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health. No application needed; start anytime.

Free 2-week research placement at a UK university or research institute for Year 12 students. Work alongside real scientists on active projects and produce a report. Fully funded with travel and subsistence support available. Applications open regionally between January and March each year.

Immersive 2-week medicine programme in London for ages 15–18. Step into a doctor's shoes with hospital site visits, patient consultations, suturing workshops and clinical skills training. Residential and non-residential options available. Dates in July and August 2026.

One-day in-person conference for Years 10–13 packed with expert talks, practical workshops and medical school application prep. Covers UCAT strategy, personal statement writing, interview skills and specialty insights. Multiple dates across the year at UK venues — check the website for the next event near you.

Annual essay competition open to all UK medicine and dentistry UCAS applicants. Write up to 4,000 characters arguing a position on a medical ethics prompt — the topic is typically an Autonomy vs Beneficence dilemma. Entirely student-written (no AI), with Harvard or Vancouver referencing required. Great for bolstering your personal statement.

Free residential summer schools for academically high-achieving UK state school students aged 16–17. Hosted at leading universities including Biomedical Science and healthcare tracks. Students attend lectures, meet current students and gain a real taste of university life. Applications typically open in January with a March deadline.

Free University of Oxford access programme for UK state school Year 12 students. Includes a residential stay in Oxford and online learning modules in your chosen subject — Medicine is one of the available subjects. Eligible students benefit from contextual consideration in their Oxford application. Applications open in December each year.

Free 3-day residential summer school at the University of Leeds for Year 10 widening participation students. Experience life as a medical student through interactive workshops, clinical skills sessions and talks from doctors and medical students. Priority given to students from Yorkshire & the Humber meeting WP criteria. Applications open each spring.

The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Work Experience programme supports students aged 16–18 who are interested in healthcare careers with:
- Virtual or face-to-face work experience, including opportunities to shadow NHS consultants.
- Resources and guidance, programme timelines, and a learning journal to help students reflect on their experiences.

A national charity (est. 2017) supporting current and future doctors of Black African and Caribbean heritage. The Envision Med Programme pairs Year 12 students with a medical student/doctor mentor for a year of 1-1 mentoring, medicine insight workshops, academic masterclasses and application support (personal statement, interview prep). Free to join via the Aspiring Doctors Network, which also offers free personal statement reviews and mock interviews year-round. Envision Med applications open periodically through the year (the 2026-27 cohort has just opened) – join the Aspiring Doctors Network or check the News page for exact application windows.

A UK-registered charity and the UK's leading widening participation mentoring initiative for aspiring medics, with over 4,000 medical student/doctor volunteer mentors. Provides free 1-1 mentoring (matched with a local medical student or doctor) for Year 12/13 (or S5) state-school students who meet at least one widening-participation criterion (e.g. first in family to attend university, free school meals, care experience, Black African/Caribbean heritage, low progression neighbourhood, and others). Also offers free webinars, work experience signposting, and UCAT/BMAT and interview preparation resources. Applications for mentees are accepted on a rolling basis via the online sign-up form.

Free, NHS England-funded residential, commuter and online summer schools for Year 11 and 12 students in England from underrepresented backgrounds, run by the Medical Schools Council and Dental Schools Council. Includes simulated medicine/dentistry teaching, insight into the values expected of doctors and dentists, careers information, confidence-building activities, and support with the application process (personal statements, admissions tests, interviews). Applications for the 2026 cohort have now closed; the scheme runs annually, typically opening in autumn/winter and closing around March – check the website for the next round.

A free five-year programme for Year 12 (or equivalent) students from lower-income or first-generation-university backgrounds who are interested in Medicine. Provides a professional mentor, skills workshops, UCAS/personal statement support, and access to Residential Work Experience (including a Medicine Insight Programme) and ongoing support through university and into the first graduate job. Applications open in September each year and typically close in December (exact 2026 date to be confirmed on site).

Run by Oxford's Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences. Sixth-form students design and present (via a 3-minute video) an idea for a clinical study in musculoskeletal disease (orthopaedics, rheumatology or trauma). Winners receive a week of work experience at the University of Oxford plus a certificate. Note: currently open only to students at Oxfordshire state schools. Deadline is annual, typically around 1 December – 2026 dates to be confirmed.

A prestigious international essay competition (not medicine-specific, but widely respected for medical school personal statements and applications) with categories including Science & Technology, Psychology, Philosophy and Public Policy. Open to students of any age under 19. Winners can receive scholarships worth up to $5,000 towards a John Locke Institute programme, and shortlisted candidates are invited to an academic conference in London. Regular submission deadline is annual, typically 31 May – check the website for the exact 2027 date.

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.

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.

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.

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.