The NHSGGC Get Ready for Nursing Programme is a 3 day timetabled programme delivered by NHS and Educational Professionals to support your Application to study Nursing or Midwifery.
The programme delivered by NHSGGC Nursing Staff and colleagues form Universities and Colleges.
Activities
Discussion workshops hosted by Nursing and University/College Admissions teams:
The application process for nursing and midwifery
Life as a student
Life as a nurse or midwife
Career pathways within nursing.
Hands on workshops include:
Patient observations
Core nursing skills
Medical equipment
Tours of wards and specialty areas, e.g. operating theatres
Profession specific workshops, e.g. Mental Health, Paediatrics etc.
This programme is currently suspended as a result of COVID-19but we hope to resume programmes in early Autumn 2022.
You can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when the programme will reopen for applications.
Medicine
The Get Ready for Medicine programme, developed in collaboration with the University of Glasgow Medical School, is a two-day Programme that supports senior phase school pupils and adults applying for post-graduate or access programme entry schemes (e.g. SCOTGEM, SWAP) to apply to medical school. The intention is to deliver a meaningful programme of activity that will give participants more to speak about within their medical school application and at interview.
The programme is delivered by NHSGGC Consultants, Junior Doctors and University of Glasgow Medical Students in an NHSGGC Hospital.
Activities
Discussion workshops hosted by doctors, medical students and medical school staff:
On the application process for medicine
Life at medical school
Life as a doctor
Career pathways within medicine.
Hands on clinical skills workshops include:
Giving experience of blood taking
Suturing (stitching)
Patient observations
Basic life support.
Can’t I just do a week’s work experience instead?
Medical work experience used to simply refer to “shadowing” doctors in the workplace – either in hospital or in a GP practice. It has now been recognised that far more important than “what you have done” is “what you have learned from it”.
Within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde all medical work experience now takes place as part of an organised programme.
When can I apply for the Get Ready for Medicine Programme?
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that the programme delivery on hospital site is currently halted, but we will aim to continue to deliver this programme using “virtual” resources until government restrictions allow the programme to restart in a hospital setting.
You can visit nhsggc.scot/beadoctor to view content that may help you gain insight and support your application to study medicine.
You can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when the programme will reopen for applications
Dentistry
The NHSGGC Get Ready for Dentistry is a 3 day timetabled programme delivered by NHS Professionals to support your UCAS Application.
The intention is to deliver a meaningful programme of activity that will give participants more to speak about within their UCAS application and at interview.
The programme delivered by NHSGGC Dental Professionals and colleges form the wider Dental Team.
This programme is currently suspended as a result of COVID-19but we hope to resume programmes in early Autumn 2022.
You can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when the programme will reopen for applications
Physiotherapy
The NHSGGC Get Ready for Physiotherapy is a 2 day timetabled programme delivered by NHSGGC Physiotherapists to support your UCAS Application.
The intention is to deliver a meaningful programme of activity that will give participants more to speak about within your application and at interview.
The programme delivered by NHSGGC Newly Qualified and Experienced Physiotherapy staff.
Activities
Discussion workshops that include:
The application process for physiotherapy
Life as a Student
Life as a Physiotherapist
Career pathways within Physiotherapy.
Hands on workshops include:
Tours of wards and specialty areas, e.g. rehabilitation suites
Speciality specific workshops, e.g. cardiac rehabilitation.
This programme is currently suspended as a result of COVID-19but we hope to resume programmes in early Autumn 2022.
You can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when the programme will reopen for applications
Biomedical Sciences (Labs)
The NHSGGC Get Ready for Biomedical Sciences programme is a 5 day timetabled programme delivered by NHSGGC Laboratory Medicine Professionals to support your Application to study Biomedical Science
The intention is to deliver a meaningful programme of activity that will give participants more to speak about within their UCAS application and at interview.
The programme delivered by NHSGGC Biomedical Scientists and their Laboratory Medicine colleagues.
Activities
Discussion workshops hosted by Nursing and University/College Admissions teams:
The application process for biomedical science
IBMS Accreditation
Working within an NHS Laboratory
Career pathways within Biomedical Sciences.
Hands on workshops that include:
Tours of wards and specialty areas, e.g. Haematology Laboratory
This programme is currently suspended as a result of COVID-19but we hope to resume programmes in early Autumn 2022.
You can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when the programme will reopen for applications
Clinical Psychology
The NHSGGC Get Ready for Clinical Psychology is a 2 day timetabled programme delivered by NHS Professionals to support your UCAS Application.
The intention is to deliver a meaningful programme of activity that will give participants more to speak about within their UCAS application and at interview.
The programme delivered by NHSGGC Clinical Psychologists and Professionals and colleagues form the wider Clinical Psychology Services Team.
Activities
Discussion workshops hosted by Clinical Psychology Team:
This programme is currently suspended as a result of COVID-19but we hope to resume programmes in early Autumn 2022.
You can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when the programme will reopen for applications
Speech and Language Therapy
The NHSGGC Get Ready for Speech and Language Therapy is a 3 day timetabled programme delivered by NHS Professionals to support your UCAS Application.
The intention is to deliver a meaningful programme of activity that will give participants more to speak about within their UCAS application and at interview.
The programme delivered by NHSGGC Speech and Language Professionals and colleagues form the wider Speech and Language Services Team.
Activities
Discussion workshops hosted by Speech and Language Therapy Team:
The application process for speech and language therapy
Life as a student
Life as a speech and language therapy
Career pathways within speech and language therapy.
This programme is currently suspended as a result of COVID-19but we hope to resume programmes in early Autumn 2022.
You can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when the programme will reopen for applications
Diagnostic Radiography
The NHSGGC Get Ready for Diagnostic Radiography is a 2 day timetabled programme delivered by NHS Professionals to support your UCAS Application.
The intention is to deliver a meaningful programme of activity that will give participants more to speak about within their UCAS application and at interview.
The programme delivered by NHSGGC diagnostic radiography professionals and colleagues form the wider Diagnostic Radiography Services Team.
Activities
Discussion workshops hosted by Diagnostic Radiography Team:
The application process for diagnostic radiography
This programme is currently suspended as a result of COVID-19but we hope to resume programmes in early Autumn 2022.
You can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when the programme will reopen for applications
NHSGGC Get Ready for Medicine Programme
What is the “Get Ready for Medicine” Programme?
The Get Ready for Medicine programme, developed in collaboration with the University of Glasgow Medical School, is a two-day programme that supports senior phase school pupils and adults applying for post-graduate or access programme entry schemes (eg SCOTGEM, SWAP) to apply to medical school. The intention is to deliver a meaningful programme of activity that will give participants more to speak about within their medical school application and at interview.
The programme is delivered by NHSGGC Consultants, Junior Doctors and University of Glasgow Medical Students in an NHSGGC Hospital.
Activities include:
Discussion workshops hosted by doctors, medical students and medical school staff:
On the application process for medicine
Life at medical school
Life as a doctor
Career pathways within medicine.
Hands on clinical skills workshops that include:
Giving experience of blood taking
Suturing (stitching)
Patient observations
Basic life support.
Can’t I just do a week’s work experience instead?
Medical work experience used to simply refer to “shadowing” doctors in the workplace – either in hospital or in a GP practice. It has now been recognised that far more important than “what you have done” is “what you have learned from it”.
Within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde all medical work experience now takes place as part of an organised programme.
When can I apply for the Get Ready for Medicine Programme?
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the programme delivery on hospital site is currently halted, but we will aim to continue to deliver this programme using “virtual” resources until government restrictions allow the programme to restart in a hospital setting.
Click the links below to view content that may help you gain insight into working as a Doctor.
You can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when the programme will reopen for applications.
Other Programmes
Reach Programme
Reach is a national project funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) which aims to support eligible S4-S6 pupils in local state secondary schools. who are considering pursuing degrees or careers in law, medicine or veterinary medicine.
Pupils’ participation in the programme takes place over the three years of their senior phase (S4 to S6), and covers everything from introducing pupils to medicine in S4 to supporting their applications to University to study medicine in S6.
Scotland has five medical schools: Glasgow,Edinburgh, St Andrews,Dundee and Aberdeen and all five take part in Reach, specifically focused on widening access to medical degrees to students from Scotland’s poorest neighbourhoods.
The Reach programme will offer you encouragement, and impartial advice on medicine as a career, as well as give you guidance on school subject choices.
They will also help you with all aspects of the UCAS application process.
Medic Insight is a programme that offers week-long or day events to fourth and fifth-year school students in Scotland who are interested in becoming doctors. The programme allows the opportunity for these students to sit in on consultations, go to theatre and provide access to a wide range of specialities and levels of clinicians in a hospital setting.
There are programmes in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. If you would like more information or wish to apply, please visit the Medic Insight Facebook pages:
Work experience requirements when applying to study medicine
When applying to medical school the important thing is not so much what you have done for work experience but what you have learned from it and how that has given you a better understanding into the career.
That means that someone who has never been into a hospital but has read lots, spoken to healthcare staff and maybe done some volunteering or worked a part-time job dealing with the public, and who can talk about these things widely, may perform much better at application and interview than someone who has spent many days shadowing doctors but who cannot describe what this taught them about being a doctor, working in the NHS and looking after patients.
Read what the Medical Schools Council advise on the type of work experience needed to support your application to study Medicine. You should also visit the entry requirement pages of the university you wish to apply to for detailed information about the application process.
The Medical Schools Council has released guidance [PDF 421KB] to support applicants who are seeking relevant work experience during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has launched a free online platform, Observe GP, designed to support aspiring medics in making informed career choices and in preparing their application for medical school.
You will find more guidance on applying to medical school here.
Can I get work experience in a Hospital?
Rather than ad hoc work shadowing or work experience for medicine, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde delivers their Get Ready for Medicine Programme in collaboration with the University of Glasgow School of Medicine.
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the programme delivery is currently halted, but you can apply to join our mailing list for notification of when programmes will reopen for applications
While watching videos cannot fully replace real-world experience and conversations with health professionals, we have created some resources to guide your own reflections on what you are seeing. By working through these you will take away some important learning points about how the whole team interacts in a hospital environment and how both patients and staff may feel about certain scenarios.
How to use these resources
For each video we have set a number of questions in the documents attached. We would encourage you to come up with your own answers first, and then to look through our thoughts beneath. Remember – there is rarely a “right” or a “wrong” answer but the truth normally lies somewhere in the middle. It is important to have a reason for any answer you give however so that you can back it up if challenged on it at interview.
Remember also that our own “answers” here are far from complete and are simply designed to stimulate further thought and reading around the topics. For some of the videos we also suggest which supplementary “student interviews” are worth watching and are related to that particular scenario.
We hope you enjoy the videos and find these reflection materials useful and thought provoking.
It is almost impossible to describe “life as a doctor”. After finishing medical school the potential career pathways are so varied that no two doctors follow the exact same route.
There are obviously the roles which are well known and most commonly seen in the media – for example General Practice, Accident and Emergency, Surgery, Paediatrics, but there are also a huge number of other specialties which are equally important but less visible such as laboratory specialties (pathology, biochemistry, microbiology), radiology, and occupational health. Each role has its own necessary skills and so there really is a potential job for everyone within medicine.
Remember that no matter what specialty you pursue there will be further studying and exams and it often takes around 10 years after graduation from medical school before being a fully qualified specialist in your particular field.
Below are a number of videos from doctors in a range of specialties to give a flavour of the career after medical school.
Kathleen: Trainee in Palliative (End of Life) Care
Adam: Consultant Anaesthetist Obstetrics
Nat and Thalia: Foundation Doctors in Acute Receiving
Dr Robot: Medicine and Technology
Surgical Robot – Colorectal Surgery
Surgical Robot – Orthopaedic Surgery
So you have decided to study medicine
Currently there are around 10 applicants for every available place at Medical School and achieving the grades required for entry is not enough. Your personal qualities are just as important as your academic ability and medical schools want applicants to show evidence of commitment, ability to work effectively under pressure, team-working skills, leadership and compassion.
The following resourses are designed to support you in your journey to Medical School.
Do I have the right grades in the right subjects?
The entry requirements for entry to each university can vary but excellent grades in science subjects such as chemistry and biology are essential.
Generally speaking you are aiming to achieve at least 5 Highers, usually at AAAAB or AAABB grades in S5 and SQA Advanced Highers at AB or BBB in S6, however consideration will be given to factors which may affect you achieving these grades.
Scottish Medical Schools are committed to ensuring that a person’s background or life circumstances are not a barrier to them studying medicine.
This means that Medical Schools will consider all circumstances which may prevent you meeting their standard entry requirements and make adjusted offers of entry accordingly.
This process is called contextualised admission and consideration is given to potential barriers such as disability, care experience*, carer responsibilities, refugee status and challenging financial or family circumstances. View more about the Adjusted Entry Criteria for the University of Glasgow.
* Care experienced applicants are people who live/have lived with foster parents/kinship carers or who live/have lived in a residential children’s setting/secure unit.
I’m not a school leaver and I don’t have these highers – can I still apply?
You can find out more about applying to study medicine and links to specific entry requirements for each university, including other accepted academic qualifications here.
If you are not a University Graduate you may also be able to apply via the Scottish Wider Access Programme here.
Aside from good grades what else do I need?
Having the right grades is just the start of the application process. Most Universities will need you to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). UCAT is designed to test your attitudes and identify the professional behaviours required for new doctors and dentists to be successful in their clinical careers.
I don’t think I can afford to study Medicine – is there funding available?
If you are resident in Scotland and study full-time in Scotland, the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) should pay your tuition fees. For all enquiries relating to SAAS, please consult them directly.
SAAS student loans
If you are a Scottish student, you can apply for a SAAS student loan when you apply for tuition fee funding. Loan payments are paid monthly; and you should receive the first instalment within 3 or 4 days of registering as a student. Make sure you have enough money to support yourself for those first few days and please check whether the loan payment is in your account before spending money.
Grants
If you are eligible, SAAS can offer supplementary grants or a Young Student’s Bursary. Please consult SAAS for more information on grants.
Further information about SAAS eligibility, support available and how to apply can be found here:
Bursaries, Scholarships and Other Financial Support
You may also be able to apply for additional funding directly from your University. Use the links below to find our more about each universities arrangements:
Does a disability, Illness or mental health condition mean I can’t apply to study medicine?
A disability, chronic illness or mental health condition will not necessarily prevent you from becoming a doctor. The General Medical Council (independent regulator for doctors in the UK) states that “we firmly believe disabled people should be welcomed to the profession and valued for their contribution to patient care”.
Before you submit an application for medical school via UCAS, you should contact medical schools to request advice about your individual circumstances. Each medical school has a disability support adviser who can help.
All Universities offer confidential support services for disabled students.
This includes students with physical and sensory impairments, mental health difficulties and dyslexia.
You can find out more about what support is available by clicking the links below:
Yes, but you will be given guidance and support in advance of your interview and its designed to be a conversation rather than an a question and answer session.
While each medical school has its own interview process it is a vital part of the application and selection wherever you are applying. There are several sources of interview guidance online and it is worth practising with anyone you can – whether that is family, friends or teachers.
Remember that just like there is no “right” person for medicine, there is rarely a “right” answer in an interview. It is a conversation and your score will depend much less on what you say but more on how you say it. Try to have a reason behind any answer you give, make your answers as personal to your own experiences as you can and speak as clearly and confidently as you can. Enthusiasm and commitment are the key things an interviewer will be looking for.
Once at university there are frequent assessments and you will have a more hectic schedule than most other students, but there is an immense camaraderie amongst fellow medical students and a sense of growing confidence in your own ability.
Each Medical School has a slightly different structure to their course, but broadly speaking the first couple of years are spent learning the basic science behind human physiology and disease, and the later years are spent learning how to apply this clinically. As you progress through medical school you will not only learn the knowledge to become a doctor but also the skills and attitudes you will need.
You will be taught by doctors, nurses and a whole range of other healthcare professionals and each one is committed to making you the best doctor you can possibly be.
After medical school you will progress through the different grades before qualifying as a Consultant or a General Practitioner – with competitive entry to each grade and post-graduate exams. These things should not put you off but it is important to be aware that the challenges continue long after university.
Each student has their own experience of life at medical school but there are some things which are common to everyone. There is a huge feeling of being “in it together” and although there are regular challenges the support of your colleagues is always there. Most doctors still consider their time at medical school to be the most enjoyable time of their life.
Here is a selection of interviews with current medical students at Glasgow University to see how they feel about certain aspects of medical school.
Medicine is one of the most challenging but rewarding careers available. The combination of daily academic stimulation, technical procedural skills and working with patients, their families and the wider healthcare team is one which few other professions can offer.
Medicine is a profession that is open to everyone. There is no “right” person to be a doctor but all doctors are united by a passion for patient care and a dedication to their profession.
Working as a Doctor means you will train in and probably spend the majority of your career working within the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS is Scotland’s largest single employer and one of the largest healthcare employers in the world. The Chief Executive of NHS Scotland heads the directorates and is accountable to ministers for the efficiency and performance of the service and the work of the 14 NHS Boards and 8 Special Health Boards.
The life of a doctor is not for everyone – long hours and witnessing distressing illness in patients at times can be stressful and emotionally demanding. But for those who are passionate about the profession the job satisfaction cannot be beaten.
If you are considering applying to study medicine we have created a number of resources you can access from the menu below to help you gain an insight into the career.
Please note that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde supports a number of programmes but is not responsible for content of an external website or involved the selection of candidates for programmes.
As part of our commitment to widening access to NHS employment we host a number of pre employment training programmes in partnership with the DWP and a number of employability agencies across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Our programmes provide training, work experience and application support to people experiencing barriers (real or perceived) to employment enabling them to become competitive job applicants.
Everyone who successfully completes our programmes will be guaranteed to be offered Job Interviews for suitable vacancies across our Health board area.
Healthcare Support Workers (Nursing Assistants)
This six week Sector Based Work Academy programme has been developed with support from our nursing leads and the NHSGGC Practice Education Team.
The programme includes Core induction sessions on NHS Policies and Procedures, Ward Skill sessions delivered by our Practice Education Nursing team in a simulated ward environment and a 3 week hospital based work placement followed by application support and interview preparation.
All training is delivered by NHS Professionals and placement activity takes place on NHSGGC Hospital locations.
In addition all participants complete the Statutory and Mandatory NHS training (Learnpro) and issued with certificates and will complete the training required and are issued with the NHS Scotland Manual Handling Passport.
All participants who successfully complete the programme are guaranteed interviews for Healthcare Support Worker vacancies across our Board area and to join our Nurse Bank – subject to satisfactory report from placement and attendance at all sessions.
Support Services Assistants (Domestic and Catering)
This six week programme has been developed with support from our Facilities Managers and the Facilities Recruitment and Training leads.
The programme includes Core induction sessions on NHS Policies and Procedures, Practical Skill sessions delivered by our Domestic Supervisory team in a simulated ward environment and a 3 week hospital based work placement followed by application support and interview preparation.
All training is delivered by NHS Professionals and placement activity takes place on NHSGGC Hospital locations.
In addition all participants complete the Statutory and Mandatory NHS training (Learnpro) and issued with certificates and will complete the training required and are issued with the REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene Certificate.
All participants who successfully complete the programme are Guaranteed interview for Healthcare Support Worker vacancies across our Board area – subject to satisfactory report from placement and attendance at all sessions.
Project Search
The primary aim of Project SEARCH is to connect young people with learning disabilities and additional support needs with competitive employment. There are no formal entry requirements. However, applicants must participate in a selection process, where they may undertake assessments and interviews with a host business, and education partners, such as their school or local college to be accepted on Project SEARCH.
Interns are supported through placements within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. They get hands-on experience and are given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities while learning new complex and varied, practical and vocational skills to help ready them for the world of work.
The NHSGGC programme is open to Glasgow City Council area residents and runs for one year, delivered in partnership with Glasgow Clyde College.
There is a lot of information available on line to support you in planning your career pathway. These are just some of the resources you can access.
You can also contact Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s National Skills Agency who offer specialist support to individuals to build their career management, work-based and employability skills, throughout their career journey, from school, into further learning opportunities and employment.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Work Experience Team Department of Human Resources and Organisational Development 2nd Floor, West Glasgow ACH Dalnair Street Yorkhill G2 8SJ