Medway NHS Foundation Trust offers a structured Medical Professionals Work Experience Programme for Year 12-13 students aged 16-18 who are aspiring to study medicine. Participants observe consultants and multidisciplinary teams across specialties including Emergency Medicine, Theatres, Radiology, and Paediatrics at a major hospital in Kent. Applications are accepted at regular intervals throughout the year.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust offers structured work experience placements for students aspiring to study medicine or healthcare at university. Based in West Yorkshire, the Trust provides observation opportunities across clinical departments including medicine, surgery, and primary care. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and priority is given to local students in their final two years of secondary education.

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust provides work experience placements for secondary and sixth-form students with an interest in medicine. Students can observe clinical practice across a range of departments in a busy district general hospital serving North West Kent. The Trust offers a well-organised programme with structured learning objectives to help students reflect on and articulate their placement experience in UCAS personal statements.

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust offers work experience placements for students considering a career in medicine across Surrey and South West London. Students observe a wide range of clinical specialties at a large teaching hospital trust, building the clinical exposure needed for a competitive medical school application. Applications are welcome from secondary school and sixth-form students, with priority given to those in the local catchment area.

RadReach is the Royal College of Radiologists' dedicated mentoring scheme connecting aspiring doctors — including school students and undergraduates — with consultant radiologists and clinical radiology trainees. Mentees gain insight into life as a radiologist, guidance on building a medical school application, and one-to-one support from a specialist. Applications typically open in spring each year — register your interest on the RCR website.

The William Harvey Research Institute at Queen Mary University of London offers a structured work experience programme for sixth-form students interested in biomedical research and medicine. Participants gain hands-on exposure to an active research environment at one of the UK's leading medical research institutes, observing laboratory techniques and learning from early-career researchers and clinicians. Provides excellent material for UCAS personal statements and genuine insight into academic medicine.

Oxford Royale Academy offers a residential Medicine Summer School for aspiring medical students aged 14-18, held at the University of Oxford. The programme includes lectures from medical academics, clinical skills workshops, hospital visits, and structured guidance on medical school applications including UCAT, interview preparation, and personal statement writing. A prestigious and immersive experience for students serious about pursuing a career in medicine.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust offers structured work experience placements for secondary school and sixth-form students aspiring to study medicine. The Trust provides clinical observation across a range of departments at two major hospitals in Kent, helping students build the clinical exposure needed for a competitive medical school application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis — check the website for current availability and how to apply.

Lancaster University's free Access to Medicine programme supports Year 12 students from widening participation backgrounds interested in studying medicine. The programme offers problem-based learning sessions modelled on Lancaster Medical School's curriculum, clinical skills workshops, expert application guidance, and limited NHS work experience placements. Students who complete all compulsory elements may receive a guaranteed interview at Lancaster Medical School. Applications for the 2026/27 cohort open in September 2026.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers the Aspire to be a Doctor programme for Year 12 students from local sixth forms and colleges who are studying subjects enabling them to apply to medical school. Students gain first-hand experience across different hospital departments, shadowing healthcare professionals and gaining invaluable insight into clinical medicine. Applications reopen in late August 2026 — contact the trust directly for details.

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust offers a dedicated Year 12 programme for students aspiring to study medicine. Participants attend workshops run by NHS consultants and clinical staff, and shadow healthcare professionals across a range of hospital departments to gain insight into different medical specialties. Open to Year 12 students at local sixth forms — check the website or email rduh.workexperience@nhs.net for the next application window.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers work experience placements for secondary school and sixth form students interested in healthcare and medicine. Applications for spring term placements open in October 2026, and summer term applications open in February 2027. Placements give students direct exposure to a major NHS teaching hospital environment. Check the website for eligibility criteria and available departments.

Preparing for Medicine is a free widening participation programme for Year 12 state school students in England aspiring to study medicine. Run in collaboration between the University of East Anglia and Anglia Ruskin University, it includes a dedicated e-mentor (a current medical student), UCAT coaching, mock interviews, online ethics sessions, and an in-person summer school. Students who complete all elements and meet entry requirements receive a guaranteed interview at UEA Medicine. Applications typically open in September each year.

The Future Doctors Programme at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust is a structured three-day experience for sixth-form students interested in studying medicine. Students shadow hospital doctors across multiple specialties, attend career information and application advice sessions, and have the opportunity to ask questions of practising clinicians. This is the Trust's only recognised formal medical work experience pathway, offered free of charge. Contact the programme administrator to apply.

Medics & Me is a UK widening-access charity for medicine, founded by two medical students in 2020, that partners with non-selective state schools to help their students succeed in medical school applications and beyond. Each student gets a personal mentor for tailored support, plus access to events with practising doctors, mock interviews, and their own work experience programme.

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.

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 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.