The widening participation event was aimed at giving Year 12 students an insight into studying medicine plus the opportunity to speak to medical students, Lancaster Medical School staff and doctors from various specialities.

The schools included Our Lady’s Catholic College, Lancaster; Barrow Sixth Form College; St Christopher’s C of E High School in Accrington and Loreto Sixth Form College in Manchester.

The taster day included an opportunity to try problem-based learning (PBL), to learn a clinical skill and to experience anatomy teaching. 

Jasmine Broadbent from Barrow Sixth Form College said the day had persuaded her to apply to Lancaster University.

“I definitely will apply now because I like the way medicine is taught at Lancaster. The emphasis on problem-based learning makes it much more interesting than sitting in lectures.”

Rudi Brabbs from Barrow Sixth Form College said he had wanted to become a doctor since year 10.

“This is a really good experience because I’ve never been to a medical school before and I really like it. I don’t come from a medical background so I didn’t know what it would be like.”

Their Biology teacher, Ann Boardman, said last year’s taster day at Lancaster Medical School had proved crucial in persuading one of her pupils to apply to medical school.

“I think coming here can influence them as they realise what they have to do to as a doctor.  Talking to medical students means they can ask any questions they want.” 

The event was organised by Dr Karen Grant, the Director of Admissions to the MBChB programme, who said: “There are so many things that can put people off applying to medical school and we wanted to show people what it’s really like and to pique their interest.”

The sessions were based on what a first year medical student would learn, with sessions on anatomy, clinical skills and an introduction to Problem Based Learning where students work in groups  and learn through discussion and their own curiosity.