Medicine Work Experience: Free Medical School Work Experience
Why Medical Work Experience Matters?
Gaining medicine work experience is a crucial step for any aspiring doctor. All UK medical schools expect applicants to have spent time in caring roles or observing healthcare firsthand. This exposure isn’t just a tick-box exercise - it helps you understand the realities of a medical career and shows your commitment to the field.
Quality matters more than quantity: whether you volunteered at a care home or shadowed a surgeon for a week, what counts is what you learned and how you reflect on it. In short, the right experience can strengthen your personal statement and improve your confidence in medical school interviews.
Work Experience for Medicine: The Challenge
Work experience for medicine can be hard to get. Hospitals and GP clinics often have age restrictions and limited spots, especially for students under 18.
If you’re in Year 10 or Year 11, opportunities can be even more scarce due to safeguarding rules (for example, under-16s generally cannot undertake GP placements). Despite these hurdles, relevant experience is essential - and that’s where The Medic Life comes in to help.
Free Medical Work Experience with The Medic Life
The Medic Life offers a free work experience programme designed to give you valuable insight into healthcare without the usual barriers. We are NHS-aligned and UK-wide, meaning we work with doctors and medical teams across the UK to provide authentic, high-quality experiences. Here’s what you can expect from our program:
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Online and In-Person Workshops
Attend free workshops (both in-person and virtual) featuring talks from NHS Doctors and Medical Students across various specialties. In these intensive sessions, you’ll hear what a day in the life is like for a GP, surgeon, psychiatrist, dentist and more – the good, the challenging, and everything in between. Our workshops have been running for over 5 years and are extremely popular (our April 2025 event had over 2,000 students vying for 340 spots – tickets sold out in 60 seconds!), so you know you’re joining a trusted, high-demand experience.
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Hospital & GP Shadowing
We can connect you with in-person shadowing opportunities at GP clinics and hospitals through our network of mentors. The Medic Life has contacts with medics across the UK, which means we try to help you find medicine work experience near you. Whether it’s a day observing ward rounds at an NHS hospital or a week at a local GP practice, we aim to arrange placements that fit your schedule (flexible dates) and location. Note: Formal clinical placements usually require you to be 16 or older, but some NHS Trusts do offer programs for Year 10 and 11 students in a limited capacity (often observational roles). We’ll guide you toward opportunities you qualify for and help with any paperwork or approvals needed.
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Virtual Work Experience
If travel or age restrictions are an issue, we’ve got you covered with online medical work experience. In partnership with NHS initiatives, we can point you to virtual programs like Observe GP, a free interactive video platform by the Royal College of GPs for students aged 16+. Our own online workshops also simulate clinical scenarios and patient interactions, giving you a taste of hospital life from home. These virtual options are great additions to your CV and help you build insight even if you’re too young for in-person placements or live in a remote area.
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Expert Mentoring & Reflection
Work experience isn’t just about doing – it’s about learning. That’s why our team (led by experienced doctors, including our founder Dr. Bakhtar Ahmad) mentors you on how to reflect on your experiences. We’ll teach you how to draw meaningful lessons from what you see – for example, understanding teamwork in a ward, or empathizing with a patient’s journey – and then use those insights in your personal statement and interviews. Medical schools love applicants who can articulate what they gained from their experience, not just list it. After each placement or workshop, we provide reflection worksheets and one-on-one feedback to help you crystallize your learning.
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Nationwide Reach, Free of Charge
The Medic Life’s mission is to make medical work experience accessible to all aspiring medical students. Our services are completely free – aligning with guidance that students shouldn’t have to pay for work placements. We coordinate with NHS trusts and clinics across the country, so whether you’re in London, Manchester, Glasgow or anywhere in between, you can find medicine work experience in the UK through us. Because our events are free, demand is high; however, we run multiple sessions and maintain waiting lists to ensure as many students as possible get a chance. We’re proud to be value-driven and student-focused, breaking down barriers so you can pursue your dream career in medicine without worrying about costs or connections.
Who Is This For? (Year 10-12 and Beyond) - Free Medicine Work Experience?
Our Medical School Work Experience program is open to students of all ages planning to apply to medicine or dentistry. Here’s how we support different age groups:
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GCSE (Year 10–11)
If you’re in Year 10 or 11, you might be just starting to explore medicine. Some hospitals do allow Year 10/11 students in structured programs (often focusing on non-clinical insights and basic shadowing). We’ll help you find age-appropriate opportunities and encourage you to engage in volunteering – for example, helping at a care home or local charity – which is fantastic early experience that counts toward medical applications. Even at 14-15 years old, you can join our online workshops or attend our in-person events (with parental consent) to start learning about medical careers.
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A-Level (Year 12–13)
This is the prime time to gather work experience for medical school. At 16 or above, many more doors open: you can observe in GP practices and hospitals, volunteer in healthcare settings, and take on meaningful extracurriculars. In fact, a range of experiences – clinical shadowing, community service, research projects, part-time jobs in care – can all demonstrate your commitment to medicine. We specialize in helping Year 12s secure medical work experience year 12 needs before UCAS applications: whether through our workshops, connecting you to summer hospital placements, or guiding you to reputable programs (like NHS volunteering roles or summer schools). Year 13 students (or gap year applicants) can also use our resources to fill any gaps in experience before interviews.
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University Applicants and Others
If you’re a graduate or other applicant looking for medical work experience, you’re welcome too. Our network includes opportunities suitable for older students or career-changers, and our workshops cover foundational insights that benefit anyone applying to med school. We can advise on enhancing your portfolio with relevant experience, no matter your background.
Bottom line: If you are an aspiring medic in the UK who needs experience – be it Year 12 work experience for medicine, or earlier exposure in Year 10, or even online medicine work experience due to scheduling – The Medic Life is here to support you at every stage.
Bottom line
If you are an aspiring medic in the UK who needs experience – be it Year 12 work experience for medicine, or earlier exposure in Year 10, or even online medicine work experience due to scheduling – The Medic Life is here to support you at every stage.
How to Get Started: Join for Free Medicine Work Experience
Getting involved is simple and free. Here’s how you can kick off your medical work experience journey with us:
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Register for a Free Workshop
Check our upcoming events (we run them year-round, with both online webinars and in-person sessions across the UK). For example, our Medicine Work Experience Workshop 2026 is a full-day event at King’s College London with doctors from various specialties – and it’s free to attend. Visit our website’s Free Events section and sign up to reserve your spot. Remember, spots go fast due to high demand, so register early!
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Join Free Online Sessions
Sign up for live online webinars covering how to get into medical school, UCAT prep, personal statement tips, and more. These often include segments on finding and making the most of work experience. Online sessions are a convenient way to learn from home and still interact with our team (you can ask questions via chat).
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Fill Out Our Work Experience Form
If you’re interested in in-person placements (hospital or GP shadowing), fill out the Work Experience request form on our site. Provide details like your location, age/year group, and the kind of experience you’re seeking. Our team will reach out to discuss options. We collaborate with NHS trusts, clinics, and doctors nationwide; while we can’t guarantee an immediate placement for everyone, we do our best to match students with suitable opportunities. Because safety and quality are our priorities, we ensure any placement is properly supervised and aligns with NHS guidelines.
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Attend and Engage
Once you’re registered or placed, show up ready to learn. Treat your work experience like a professional opportunity – ask questions, help out where appropriate, and be enthusiastic. (For instance, if you’re on a hospital placement, you might follow a structured timetable similar to official NHS programs, including induction and a debrief session.) We encourage you to keep a journal of what you observe and feel; this will be invaluable later when reflecting on your experiences.
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Get Ongoing Support
After your work experience, our mentors will help you unpack it. We offer free follow-up resources, including reflection guides and even one-on-one consultation to discuss how to weave your experience into personal statements or interview answers. You’ll also join The Medic Life community – thousands of students like you aspiring to study medicine. Through our forums and group chats, you can share stories and tips (e.g. what to do if a patient interaction moved you, or how to handle seeing something difficult during a placement). We continue to support you all the way to your application deadlines and beyond.
Ready to jump-start your medical journey?
Don’t let lack of connections or funds hold you back. The Medic Life’s free work experience program is here to empower every student with the insights, skills, and confidence to pursue medicine.
Register now for our upcoming events or submit a work experience request form – take the first step toward your dream career in healthcare!
Free Medicine Work Experience with The Medic Life
About The Medic Life Free Medicine Work Experience Workshop
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 - Medicine Work Experience
What work experience is good for medicine?
The best work experience for medicine is any role that gives you exposure to caring for others or insight into healthcare. This can range from clinical experience (like shadowing a doctor or volunteering at a hospital) to community service (such as volunteering at a care home or charity) and even part-time jobs in a care environment. Medical schools aren’t fussy about the exact setting – what matters is that you’ve engaged with people, developed relevant skills (communication, empathy, teamwork), and learned about the challenges of healthcare. For example, working with patients in a nursing home or helping disabled individuals can teach you compassion and responsibility, which are highly valued.
Similarly, observing a GP consultation or hospital clinic can show you the day-to-day reality of medical practice. In short, good medicine work experience is any experience that helps you understand what being a healthcare professional entails and lets you demonstrate your commitment to serving others. Remember, even non-clinical experiences (like leadership in a school club or community project) can be spun into useful examples – as long as you reflect on how they’ve prepared you for a career in medicine.
Does the NHS do Year 10 work experience?
Yes, some NHS programs do offer work experience to Year 10 students, though opportunities are limited. Generally, NHS Trusts set their own policies: many require participants to be at least 16 (Year 11–12) for clinical shadowing due to patient confidentiality and insurance rules. However, a number of NHS Trusts have community or introductory programs open to Year 10 (age 14–15). For instance, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust provides work experience placements for students in Year 10–13 who live or study in the local area. These placements are typically observational – you might spend a few days rotating through departments, watching healthcare professionals at work without hands-on involvement.
Additionally, some hospitals run short “insight days” or healthcare career days for younger students (Year 10-11) to learn about NHS careers. The Medic Life can help by directing Year 10s to any available NHS schemes or by offering alternative experiences like virtual workshops until you’re old enough for clinical placements. Even if you can’t get a hospital placement in Year 10, you can still do volunteering (e.g. at a care home or charity shop) to build relevant experience early on.
How can I get medical work experience at 16?
At 16 (typically Year 12), you have more options – and it’s the perfect time to gather work experience for your medical school applications. Here are some steps to get started:
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Apply to Hospitals and GPs
Many hospitals have formal work experience programs for students 16 and over. Check your local hospital’s website for a “Work Experience” page or contact their education/training department. Also, reach out to GP practices – you can email practice managers explaining that you’re a 16-year-old aspiring medic seeking a short shadowing placement. Be prepared to contact many places; persistence is key, as spots fill up quickly.
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Use Your Network
Don’t hesitate to use personal connections. If you have a family friend or relative who works in healthcare, ask if you can shadow them or someone they know. Sometimes a quick introduction can bypass official channels and secure you an opportunity. Teachers and career advisors at school can also help, as they might have links to local healthcare providers or know of programs for students.
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Join Programs and Workshops
Take advantage of organized schemes. Some universities and medical schools run summer schools for Year 12 students interested in medicine. There are also charity-led programs and online initiatives. For example, the RCGP’s Observe GP (online video-based experience) is available once you turn 16 – it’s a great way to learn about primary care if you can’t get an immediate placement. The Medic Life’s own free workshops are another excellent option to gain insight and beef up your experience section: attending a day of medical talks and simulations shows initiative and gives you plenty to reflect on.
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Volunteer
At 16 you can volunteer in many healthcare or community settings. Consider becoming a hospital volunteer (some hospitals have a youth volunteer program), joining St John Ambulance as a first aider, or helping at a local care home or hospice. The British Medical Association notes that any caring or service role (paid or voluntary) in a health-related field is valuable for aspiring medics. These roles might not be glamorous, but they build communication skills and empathy – exactly what medical schools want to see.
In summary, getting medical work experience at 16 requires proactive effort: reach out directly to healthcare providers, leverage any contacts, participate in structured programs, and keep an eye on local NHS opportunities. It may take time and a few rejections before you land something, but don’t get discouraged - with persistence you’ll secure a placement that gives you the experience you need. And remember, The Medic Life can assist you in this process, from providing free work experience links to guaranteeing workshop spots that bolster your experience portfolio.
What are good extracurriculars for medicine?
Medical schools look for well-rounded candidates, so good extracurriculars for medicine are those that showcase your skills, passions, and dedication beyond academics. Here are a few standout categories:
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Volunteering & Community Service
Regularly volunteering demonstrates compassion and commitment to helping others – traits every doctor needs. Great examples include working at a care home, assisting people with disabilities, volunteering with the Red Cross, or fundraising for a health charity. These activities put you in real-world helping roles and can provide talking points about what you learned (e.g. communication skills with elderly patients, understanding of community health needs).
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Healthcare-Related Activities
If possible, engage in extracurriculars directly related to medicine. Join health/science clubs at school, become a first aider (through St John Ambulance or school first aid teams), or attend medical summer camps. Anything that shows your interest in health and medicine outside the classroom is a plus.
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Leadership & Teamwork
Positions of responsibility indicate maturity and teamwork. Being a sports team captain, a head student/prefect, or leading a club (like Science Club or Debate Society) highlights leadership and organizational skills. Team sports or playing in an orchestra/band also demonstrate collaboration and time management – you can mention how balancing sports and studies taught you discipline, for instance. Achieving awards like the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) can fall in this category as well, since it involves teamwork, perseverance, and community work.
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Academic Enrichment & Research
Participating in science fairs, Olympiads, or doing a research project (some students do a Nuffield research placement or similar in Year 12) shows intellectual curiosity. While not everyone has access to formal research in high school, even a self-initiated project or an extended essay on a medical topic can count as a super-curricular activity that bolsters your application.
The key is to choose extracurriculars you genuinely enjoy and stick with them. Depth matters more than breadth – it’s better to commit to a couple of activities for a long time (and maybe take on a leadership role in them) than to dabble in a dozen things superficially. Ultimately, good extracurriculars are those that help develop skills relevant to medicine (communication, empathy, teamwork, leadership, time management) while also reflecting your interests and personality.
Medical admissions tutors often say they want applicants who are not only academically capable but also interesting, balanced individuals. So whether you’re passionate about playing piano or captain of the basketball team, what matters is being able to discuss why that activity made you a stronger future medical student. And don’t forget to tie your extracurriculars back to medicine in your personal statement or interviews - explain what you’ve learned from them about yourself and how it will help you in your medical career.
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