What is Medical Aspirations? What is Medical Aspirations?

2021 SCHEME APPLICATIONS OPEN FROM SEPTEMBER 2020

*COMMENDATION - NEON WIDENING ACCESS INITIATIVE (OUTREACH) AWARD MAY 2019*

Applying to study medicine can be daunting, especially without any experience of university in your family to draw upon. Finding out more about more about medical careers can be difficult if you don’t know people who are already doctors. Medical Aspirations supports 40 year 12 students on their path to studying medicine through the following FREE activities: 

  • A three day, two night residential from 16-18 February 2021
  • Ongoing support with applying to study medicine including; a three day GP work experience placement in summer for up to 20 students, a dedicated current UEA medical student e-mentor, sessions on the UCAT admissions test and writing a personal statement, and mock interviews.
  • A guaranteed interview to study medicine at UEA if you attend the Medical Aspirations residential
  • The chance to receive a scholarship to study Medicine at UEA
  • Access to speak with current UEA medical students
  • For full details download our 2020 leaflet (now closed) - subject to change for 2021 scheme.

Programme 

See the 2020 programme of activities here (subject to change for 2021 scheme).

 

The Medical Aspirations Scheme is kindly funded by an alumnus of UEA who wanted to help aspiring medics from backgrounds under-represented in the profession and who are local to the University.

Eligibility

There are strict criteria for the programme, please read the FAQs below for details (yet to be confirmed for 2021 scheme). 

You can complete the expression of interest form for the 2021 scheme. We will then notify you when the application form is live.
The application form for the 2021 scheme will be available from September 2020 and will close at 5pm on Thursday 26 November 2020. Applicants for the 2021 scheme will hear about the outcome of their application before schools finish for Christmas.

FAQs FAQs

Am I eligible?

The criteria for the 2021 scheme has yet to be confirmed. The 2020 criteria (now closed) is below:

You must:

  • Live in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough or selected areas of Essex*

  • Be in year 12

  • Have the GCSE grades needed for one of the UEA medical courses. If you are planning on retaking GCSEs to achieve this level, you are still eligible to apply but need to outline this in your application. Entry requirements can be found at uea.ac.uk/med

*You must attend one of the following sixth forms/colleges: The Sixth Form College Colchester, Havering Sixth Form College or SEEVIC College, OR you currently attend or attended (before sixth form/college) a school where 25% or more pupils are eligible for pupil premium funding/free school meals at any time during the past 6 years – see list.

You must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • No family experience of Higher Education (i.e. university degree, HND, HNC, teacher training in this country) 

  • Household income for the tax year 2018/2019 is less than £35,000

  • Have been in or currently in Local Authority care (not applicable for adopted students).

The scheme is to help aspiring medics from areas and schools where the number of applications is normally low. This means we may also consider your home postcode and school.

If you are not eligible for the scheme, find out what else we offer prospective medics. If you have any queries about the eligibility criteria, please get in touch by emailing fmh.outreach@uea.ac.uk or call 01603 591487.

How do I apply?

2021 APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN SEPTEMBER 2020

Applications for the 2020 scheme has now closed and the residential took place in February 2020.

You can complete an expression of interest form for the 2021 scheme. We will then notify you when the application form is live.

The application form for the 2021 scheme will be available from September 2020 and will close at 5pm on Thursday 26 November 2020. Applicants will hear the outcome of their application before schools finish for Christmas.

If you have any questions email fmh.outreach@uea.ac.uk or call 01603 591487.

What do previous attendees think?

Cameron, Medical Aspirations 2011,
UEA Norwich Medical School Graduate 2018

How did you hear about Medical Aspirations?

I heard about the Medical Aspirations scheme during sixth form, and was very excited by the idea. As somebody who’s never had any family attend university, I was very unsure about the process of applying, but Medical Aspirations made things really clear and simple. It made getting into medical school feel like a possibility. 

What are you doing now?

I have just graduated, and managed to get my first-choice job in the UK, working as a foundation year 1 doctor in Edinburgh. I can look back at the Medical Aspirations scheme as the first step in this journey to getting my dream job - without the scheme I would have struggled to have the confidence and knowledge to apply and get into medical school. 

What happens on the residential?

If you are part of the Medical Aspirations scheme, you'll spend three days and two nights getting a real feel for what it is like to study medicine. 

You will have the opportunity to:

  • Meet current medical students, junior doctors, consultants and academics who teach at our Medical School.
  • Take on the role of a doctor by working in groups on a Problem Based Learning scenario.
  • Get hands on in practical sessions.
  • Receive advice on making your UCAS application stand out from the crowd.
  • Enjoy getting to know like-minded students on the evening social activities.
  • Explore our university and stay in on-campus en-suite accommodation (you even get a TV!)

Check out the 2020 programme to get a real insight into how the days run (subject to change for 2021 scheme).

There is no cost to attend and we will even arrange and pay for your transport to and from UEA. If your application for the Medical Aspirations scheme is successful, you automatically receive a place on the residential event and follow-up activities, and we will be in touch with more details.

How do I find out more about medicine at UEA?

The Norwich Medical School at UEA has an established reputation for exciting and innovative approaches to education, supported by a strong and rapidly developing research programme. You read about education, research and innovation and engagement on the Norwich Medical School webpages. 

 

Is there a scholarship to help with my studies afterwards?

We're proud to offer Medical Aspirations Scholarships to a select number programme participants, as an extension to the Medical Aspirations programme. The scholarship is for students who attended the the programme and went on to secure a place at Norwich Medical School. Find out more details on the scholarships webpages. 

 

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