2nd January 2026
If you’re planning to study medicine, you’ve probably heard that medical schools want to see “work experience”. But what actually counts? Do you need to spend weeks in a hospital? Or can volunteering in a care home or taking part in an online course make a difference too?
The truth is, work experience in medicine is about more than shadowing doctors — it’s about developing insight into what a career in healthcare is really like. This guide breaks down what counts, where to find opportunities, and how to make sure your experiences strengthen your medical school application.
Medical schools don’t expect you to perform clinical procedures. Instead, they want to know that you:
Work experience helps you confirm your motivation and gives you examples to draw on in your personal statement and interview. It’s less about the setting and more about what you’ve learned.
The good news? There isn’t one “right” type of work experience. Admissions tutors value a range of experiences that develop key skills such as teamwork, empathy, communication, and resilience.
Here are some of the main types that count:
The most traditional form of medical work experience — shadowing doctors or nurses on hospital wards. You might observe ward rounds, clinics, or the interactions between healthcare professionals and patients.
Even a few days in a hospital can give you valuable insights, especially if you take time to reflect on what you saw and learned.
Primary care placements help you understand how doctors diagnose and manage long-term conditions. You’ll see how communication and trust are built between doctor and patient — a key part of medical practice.
Volunteering is just as valuable as shadowing doctors. Admissions tutors consistently say they want students who have shown commitment and compassion through long-term volunteering.
You might help in a care home, hospice, pharmacy, charity shop, or even tutor younger students in science — all develop the people skills medicine demands.
Online experiences became popular after the pandemic and are now widely accepted by medical schools. Programmes like Premed Projects’ Virtual Medicine Work Experience Week allow students to learn from real doctors, explore case studies, and reflect on patient care — all from home.
Courses like Premed Projects’ London Summer Camps offer students the chance to gain hands-on experience in clinical workshops and hospital settings. These are ideal if you want a guided, immersive experience with other aspiring medics.
There’s no such thing as “bad” experience, but some things won’t help much unless you reflect on them:
If you do these, turn them into learning by thinking about what you took away — teamwork, communication, or patient empathy.
Finding placements can feel like a challenge, but opportunities exist in more places than you think.
Search for “NHS Trust work experience” in your region. Many Trusts run annual programmes for students aged 16–18. You’ll usually need to apply early, sometimes 6–12 months ahead.
Contact local GP surgeries directly by email or letter. Explain who you are, why you’re interested in medicine, and the dates you’re available. Even a day or two of observation can be valuable.
Look at charities, hospices, care homes, or health-related organisations. Long-term volunteering (one afternoon a week, for example) shows commitment and maturity.
Join a recognised virtual work experience like Premed Projects’ Virtual Medicine Work Experience Week or Future Doctors Month. They’re designed for students who can’t access hospitals locally and include interactive case studies, reflection tasks, and certificates of completion.
If you want an immersive experience with structured learning, Premed Projects’ London courses offer hospital-based sessions, workshops, and personal statement support — ideal for students who want to combine experience and learning in one.
When reaching out for placements, keep your message short and polite. Here’s an example you can adapt:
Subject: Work Experience Enquiry – Aspiring Medical Student
Dear [Name/Practice Manager],
I’m a [16/17]-year-old student interested in studying medicine and would love the opportunity to gain work experience or observe at your practice. I’m available between [dates] and would be grateful for any advice or opportunities available.
Thank you for your time,
[Your Name]
Always include your school, contact details, and any safeguarding paperwork they request.
Whatever experience you gain, reflection is key. After each day, ask yourself:
Keeping a simple reflection log or journal will make writing your personal statement much easier later.
When it’s time to write your UCAS personal statement or attend interviews, focus on what you learned, not what you did.
For example:
Instead of: “I shadowed doctors in a hospital.”
Try: “Shadowing doctors taught me the importance of communication when explaining diagnoses to patients.”
That shift from activity to insight is what impresses admissions tutors.
Premed Projects offers several pathways to gain experience that medical schools recognise and value:
Each experience is designed to help students explore medicine in a safe, structured, and enjoyable environment — with certificates perfect for your UCAS portfolio.
The best work experience isn’t about where you go — it’s about what you learn. Whether you’re volunteering in a care home, taking part in an online programme, or shadowing a doctor in London, every experience can teach you something valuable about medicine.
If you take the time to reflect, stay curious, and keep learning, you’ll be well on your way to showing universities that you’re ready for the journey ahead.
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