GP Work Experience: Work Experience In GP Surgery
GP work experience provides an unmatched insight into how the NHS works on the frontlines. By shadowing a GP (General Practitioner) you see how medicine is practised for patients of all ages and backgrounds.
With The Medic Life, you can secure these shadowing placements (in person or online) and get expert support at every step of your journey. We offer free GP-focused workshops and live Q&A sessions with real GPs and medical students, giving you insider tips and confidence before, during and after your placement.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in a GP setting - watching 10-minute consultations, patient checks and nurse clinics - all while learning directly from practicing doctors. Our resources (like reflective diaries and checklists) help you capture and reflect on what you learn, just as top institutions recommend.
The Medic Life mentors guide you through the entire process: from finding the right placement to reflecting on it effectively for your personal statement. Our program covers the full range of GP practice – patient diversity, holistic care, communication and more – so you arrive at university with real-world skills and stories to share.
GP Work Experience: Work Experience In GP Surgery -> What We Offer?
Shadowing Placements
We help secure GP work experience at local GP surgeries across the UK (in-person or virtual). There are far more GP practices than hospitals, so finding a placement can be easier in general practice. During your placement you’ll observe doctors seeing a broad range of patients – everything from childhood illnesses to chronic conditions.
GP Workshops & Webinars
Join our free online workshops and live Q&A webinars featuring GPs and medical students. Learn about general practice roles, consultation styles, and what patients typically discuss in a GP surgery. These sessions give you expert advice and let you ask questions in a friendly setting.
1-on-1 Mentoring
Receive personal guidance from our team (including GPs and senior medical students). We help you understand what to expect, prepare for your placement, and later reflect on your experiences. For example, we train you to use a reflective diary so you can note lessons learned and apply them to your medicine interview.
Preparation Resources
Get comprehensive guides and checklists for GP placements. We’ll provide tips on professional dress, patient confidentiality, and key medical tasks. You also get resources on how to turn your GP experience into strong personal statement material – exactly as The Medic Life programs recommend.
PS: You can trust The Medic Life with your GP Work Experience. The Medic Life is runned by actual Doctors, just ask our Founder, Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad (a doctor in the South of England).
GP Work Experience: Skills & Insights You’ll Gain
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Diverse Clinical Exposure
GPs are often the first contact for most patients, so you’ll see a wide variety of cases. From acute illnesses to routine check-ups, GP shadowing lets you encounter everything from childhood ailments to elderly care.
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Whole-Person Care
Watch how GPs treat the whole patient – covering both physical and mental health. Unlike specialists, GPs manage complex, undifferentiated problems with a holistic approach, which is invaluable for aspiring doctors.
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Communication & Consultation Skills
You’ll observe how GPs explain medical issues clearly, tailor communication to different patients, and efficiently run 10-minute consultations. These skills – courtesy, empathy and clear communication – are exactly what med schools look for in applicants.
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Teamwork in Primary Care
Shadow nurses, healthcare assistants and reception staff alongside the GP. General practices work as teams, and your experience will show you how all members (nurses, pharmacists, admin) contribute to patient care. This broadens your understanding beyond just the doctor’s role.
PS: Don't forget about The Medic Life Medicine Work Experience Opportunities!
Mentorship Through Your Medicine Journey: GP Work Experience
The Medic Life is committed to mentoring you throughout your entire career path, not just a single placement. We’ll help you reflect on your GP work experience and use it effectively in applications and interviews.
Our mentors – many of whom were in your shoes – can also advise on GCSEs/A-Levels, UCAT, and interview prep.
In short, we’re here to support you from the moment you register for GP experience right up until you enter medical school.
Ready to Start?
Taking action is easy and free: simply register with The Medic Life and submit our work experience form. We’ll match you with a placement and keep you informed about upcoming workshops and Q&As.
Register now for free and take the first step towards an insightful, valuable GP work experience.
GP Work Experience: The Medic Life’s FREE GP Work Experience Opportunities, Mentorship & Support!
In-person Medical Work Experience Workshop: GP Work Experience Related!
In person Tickets go live 1 week before the event!
FREE Medical Work Experience Workshop with talks from Doctors from various specialties aimed at Medical School applicants.
Time & Location
Sun, 22nd Feb | King's College London
About The Medic Life Free Medicine Work Experience Workshop -> GP Work Experience Related.
Following on from the success of The Medic Life Work Experience Workshops over the last 6 years, and especially due to the HUGE demand this year. We are very excited to announce the FREE Medical Life Work Experience Workshop on 22nd February 2026.
This will be a day packed full of talks from Doctors across various specialties, explaining what their roles consist of. You’ll gain an understanding of the variety of experiences they go through, along with the pros and cons of working in the medical field. We will also guide you on how to reflect on your medical work experience and use it effectively in your personal statements and interviews.
Last year, over 2000 students wanted to attend The Medical Life Work Experience Workshop on 27th April at King's College London, but with only 340 spaces available in the lecture theatre, free tickets were given out on a first come, first serve basis — and sold out within 60 seconds!
HOW DO I SECURE MY SPOT?
To support your application to Medical and Dental School, we’re offering GUARANTEED spaces to anyone who books onto our 2-day LIVE Online UCAT course this summer. Priority will be given to iIf any tickets remain, they’ll be released 1 week before the event. Please register NOW to join the ticket release list.
FAQs - GP Work Experience: Work Experience In GP Surgery
What to do at GP work experience?
During GP work experience you mainly observe and learn. You’ll sit in on consultations and watch the GP interact with patients of all types. You may also have the chance to shadow nurses or other staff during clinics. Some surgeries let you observe home visits, minor procedures (like vaccinations or stitches) or telephone appointments as well. In short, stay curious: ask appropriate questions, take notes in your reflective diary, and focus on how the GP communicates, diagnoses and cares for patients.
Is a GP higher than a doctor?
No. A GP (General Practitioner) is a doctor. “GP” simply refers to a doctor who provides general primary care to patients, rather than specializing in one organ or system. There are many types of doctors (surgeons, cardiologists, etc.), but GPs are all fully qualified medical doctors who chose to work in community care. It is not a “higher” or more senior rank – just a different role in medicine.
Is GP hard to get into?
Becoming a GP doctor involves a full medical school education and training, which is challenging but rewarding. Admission to medical school itself is competitive for all specialties. After graduating, doctors enter GP training programs which are also competitive and require passing exams. However, GP training is not harder to “get into” than other specialties; many doctors choose GP because of the variety and continuity of care it offers. If you mean getting GP work experience, there are many GP practices available, making placements quite accessible.
What is a GP placement?
A GP placement is a period of clinical training or work experience spent in a General Practice (GP surgery). For medical students, this typically means spending several days or weeks in a GP’s office each year, doing supervised consultations and learning about primary care. For school students, GP work experience means shadowing a GP and learning from their daily routine. In all cases, a GP placement lets you see first-hand how primary care is delivered in the community.