Why I choose to study Medicine and Surgery at Birmingham

I was convinced I had my future planned. For as long as I can remember, medicine was the goal, and I thought I already knew exactly where I would end up studying it. London had always felt like the obvious choice, but the cost of living and aspects of the courses made me pause. I also knew I wanted to move away from home and build something new. So, I started looking into going to Open Days in new cities. That is when I found Birmingham. 

Here are just a few things I loved the most about Medicine at Birmingham. 

1. Course content

I wanted to find a Medicine and Surgery course which was more than science. I wanted to understand how it becomes medicine in real life. Birmingham’s integrated approach stood out immediately. Basic science and clinical medicine are taught together from the start, including anatomy, physiology and disease processes alongside clinical application.

2. Preparation for placements

One of my biggest fears was being thrown into clinical environments without understanding what was going on. Birmingham felt structured. You could build knowledge first, then apply it properly. The teaching style reinforced this. Lectures, anatomy and small group teaching suited how I learn and made the transition into medicine feel less overwhelming.

Then came the GP placements. I liked the idea of applying what we learned in lectures to real patients early on. Looking back, these placements have been invaluable for building confidence, communication skills, taking histories and understanding diagnosis in practice.

3. Campus and Medical School

The moment I stepped onto campus  at the Open Day, I could picture my life there. Even though it is in the UK’s second largest city, the campus felt calm and close knit, with life everywhere but still a strong sense of community.

What stood out was the variety of spaces. Silent study areas, group spaces, libraries and cafés. It made the campus feel flexible and lived in. The Medical School tour strengthened this. Lecture theatres, the medical library and learning spaces all felt built for students. The Anatomage tables made anatomy feel interactive rather than abstract. Seeing the clinical skills facilities also shifted something for me. Simulation rooms, venepuncture training and VR setups made everything feel closer, even before I had started.

4. Life outside of Medicine

The Guild of Students surprised me. With over 300 societies, I remember scrolling through them and realising there was something for everyone. It made me see how easy it would be to build a life outside medicine.

Sport was another huge factor. I have always prioritised fitness, and seeing the athletics track and sports facilities made me feel I could continue that part of my life. I even returned to athletics after years away, which I never expected when I applied.