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Life at WMS

Medical students

Life at medical school isn't all about your academic work. Where you live, how you travel and what you can do to relax is also important. Find out more about life at WMS below.


Starting at Warwick

Starting any new course can be daunting, but with such an intensive four-year course, we make every effort to help you settle into your new lives, first as medical students and later as qualified doctors.

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Travel

As much of the course is based off campus at hospitals and in the community, it is important that prospective students are aware of the travelling required and the options available.

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Accommodation

As a Warwick medical student, you can apply for accommodation on campus for your first year of study. Depending on demand, accommodation on campus is subject to availability.

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Sports and societies

Although the Warwick MB ChB programme is intensive you should find time to get involved in an impressive array of sports, charitable initiatives and community interactions which medical students have established.

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Blogs

Our Med Life blogs are all written by current WMS MB ChB students. Discover a little more about what life as a med student at Warwick is really like.

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See our older blogs here.

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Starting at WMS

Starting any new course can be daunting, but with such an intensive four-year course, we make every effort to help you settle into your new lives, first as medical students and later as qualified doctors.

Acceptance Day

Those applicants definitely confirmed as having a place on the programme (i.e. unconditional offers and those who have accepted an offer) will be invited to an Acceptance Day in the June/July before they start the course. This will allow them to meet other students before starting at WMS as well as receiving other information on the curriculum, accommodation, occupational health and student finance.

Learning Medicine (week one)

Learning Medicine is a time for new MB ChB students to familiarise themselves with each other, their surroundings and educational backgrounds. Students will be introduced to the structure of WMS and the wide range of support mechanisms available to them throughout their course. The WMS learning medicine is a week-long module designed to introduce you to a new profession, not just onto the MB ChB course.

Learning Medicine introduces you to the foundations of the subjects you will study at WMS, however it's not all hard work. A number of social events are arranged and time is set aside for students to explore sporting and other extra-curricular activities during the week.

Once you're accepted onto the programme, you will receive your first week timetable with details of specific sessions including:

  • Welcome from the Dean
  • Meet your Personal Tutor
  • Introduction to Case Based Learning
  • Welcome Ball

Travel

As much of the course, especially after the first year, is based off campus at hospitals and in the community, it is important that prospective students are aware of the travelling required and the options available.

By car

Students can access Pay-and-Display spaces and Pay-on-Foot car parks. Students who qualify for an "Essential Users" permit are permitted to park in designated spaces on campus.

Each of the partner hospitals provides parking and details of the arrangements for medical students parking will be given as you start your clinical placements.

By bus

Local buses offer a frequent and convenient way of travelling to and from campus, and Coventry is well served by national coach links.

The University is primarily served by two bus companies, National Express CoventryLink opens in a new window and StagecoachLink opens in a new window. There are regular bus services to the University campus from Coventry City Centre, Coventry Rail Station, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth.

Coach links nationwide are provided by National ExpressLink opens in a new window band MegabusLink opens in a new window.

To the hospitals

There are a number of bus services that go from the University of Warwick to our individual partner hospitals:


Accommodation

As much of the course is based off-campus at hospitals and in the community, it is important that prospective students are aware of the travelling required and the options available.

First year medical students are usually able to book a room on campus at Warwick, subject to availability and meeting eligibility requirements. Warwick Accommodation aim to allocate you with other medical students on campus, however in some cases you may share with other postgraduates. If rooms on campus become fully allocated, you have the option to explore private accommodation options in the local area. Whilst you can conduct your own search for private accommodation, the University offers an exclusive property search platform, Warwick Studentpad, to help you search for properties if you need a helping hand.

Find out more about accommodation at Warwick for MB ChB students.


Sports and societies

Although the Warwick MB ChB programme is intensive you should find time to get involved in an impressive array of sports, charitable initiatives and community interactions which medical students have established.
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MedSoc

The University of Warwick Medical Society (or MedSoc) represents all students of Warwick Medical School and all Medical School societies and charities, as well as organising social events and raising money for charity.

In addition to the recreational groups provided by MedSoc, there is an active journal club and specific groups set up for those with specialist professional interests including:

  • Oncology
  • Psychiatry
  • Global health (MedSin)
  • Trauma and emergency medicine (STEP
  • Anaesthetics
  • General practice
  • Surgical Society
  • Wildness, aviation and space medicine (WASPS)

During Semester 1 MedSoc organises an array of events and activities including, quizzes, BBQs, drinks and balls.

Sports

Whether you’re a casual gym-goer or a competitive enthusiast, Warwick offers numerous ways to become involved in sport with state-of-the-art facilities. There are numerous leagues open to all, fitness classes and a wide variety of clubs offering anything from football to parachuting - all of which welcome beginners as well as pros.

MedSoc sports

Due to the busy schedule for medical students, WMS has its own sports teams including:

  • Rugby
  • Football
  • Cricket
  • Hockey
  • Netball
Charity work

Sexpression
A national network of student-led sex education initiatives using the unique blend of approachability and knowledge invested in medical students to assist local schools with their sex and relationship curriculum.

SKIP (Students for Kids International Projects)
A registered charity, run by medical students, that organises and manages projects to help children in developing countries. SKIP Warwick is a recently established branch of SKIP National, and they have already got a project up and running in the city slums of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

In the summer holidays a group of volunteers are sent out to help work on the project, which involves teaching the kids and running a feeding programme, amongst other things. It's not all work, there is lots of time for exploring the country and culture too.

Teddy Bear Hospital
The Teddy Bear Hospital has two main objectives:

To educate children about staying safe and promote healthy living
To reduce the fear children may experience when visiting a hospital, known as 'hospital anxiety'
The Teddy Bear Doctors are medical student volunteers who work with the children, guiding them through the consultation, firstly allowing the child to explain the history of the illness or injury their teddy bear has. The Teddy Bear Doctor examines the teddy and plans investigations, for example an x-ray.

The teddy bear then receives non-invasive medical treatment, usually in the form of plasters or bandages, and to finish the doctor writes a 'paw-scription' for love and hugs.

Medics' Revue
This is an annual show of song, dance, comedy and exhibitionism by our medical students which raises money for local charities.

Read more about Sports and Societies at WMS.

Other societies

The University of Warwick has over 250 societies covering the most diverse interests.

There are cultural societies representing 38 different nationalities and cultural groups and a wide range of religious societies.

Nearly every aspect of performance is provided for, from those who enjoy taking centre stage in Shakespeare or improvised theatre, to those who prefer to remain behind the scenes. There are societies providing for more than 10 different dance styles and the Music Centre supports over 20 instrumental and vocal ensembles, catering to musical tastes from rock-gospel to chamber music.

Other areas of interest include:

  • Political interests
  • Campaigning
  • Debate
  • Welfare
  • Travel
  • Volunteering
  • Languages
  • Food and drink appreciation
View a full list of available Warwick Students' Union societiesLink opens in a new window