Develop your research, communication and clinical skills
During this three-week summer school, you will attend lectures, interactive workshops and take part in a range of learning activities following the weekly theme.
You will be taught by experienced medical educators and clinicians, in various environments including our purpose-built consultation skills suite.
The school will encourage reflection on some of the key aspects of medical practice, providing you with skills that you can embed into your own practice throughout your future career.
You will also have the opportunity to improve your English writing skills and practice presenting in an academic setting.
The summer school is an ideal setting for medical students to consider some of the varied roles you can undertake as future doctors, and the direction you may wish to take in your own career.
The school is targeted at medical students who are preparing to enter the clinical years of study. Applications are welcome from students on related healthcare programmes and from other stages of undergraduate study, but please be aware that not all of the content may be relevant to you.
On this page:
Talking science
Our programme includes innovative practical sessions teaching you why and how to communicate about science and health with broader audiences. These sessions will be led by experienced faculty from the MSc Science and Health Communication programme.
Social activities
We offer a full range of social activities to introduce you to Manchester and the north-west of England.
What's included in the fee?
Fees include tuition fees, accommodation and scheduled social events.
Programme details
About your schedule
The summer school is structured around themed weeks, focusing on the Doctor as a researcher, a communicator and as a physician.
As well as deepening your understanding of each of these, you will have the opportunity to gain experience of British culture. Within each week, you will attend lectures, have interactive workshops and undertake some small group work.
We are not able to offer clinical placements as part of the Summer School experience.
Areas of study
The programme will vary each year, with each week structured around themes exploring different aspects of a career in medicine, such as research, communication and clinical skills. Last year's sessions included:
Students attended clinical debrief, which is an opportunity to reflect on the highs and lows of the week with an experienced clinical facilitator. Clinical cases were then discussed in depth, developing the students' clinical reasoning skills and preparing them for practice. Students also took part in a prescribing workshop, designed to improve their understanding of medical prescribing.
Students practiced patient-centred communication skills with simulated patients, as well as basic examination skills such as manual blood pressure and neurological reflexes in our purpose-built consultation skills learning centre.
Staff from Manchester's MSc Science and Health Communication programme helped students think about how, when, and why medical professionals engage in public discussions of medicine and health. Students worked through different scenarios that involve communicating with the public about medicine and health, helping them to think practically and creatively about how to address the challenges.
Students attended interactive workshops and talks on the fundamentals of biomedical research, interpreting research data and common pitfalls, referencing skills and academic writing. Students took part in practical laboratory classes exploring some basic microbiological techniques, led by staff from the MSc Medical Microbiology teaching team.
Students heard from experienced clinical teaching staff on a range of topics. These included talks about their own careers in the NHS, their experiences of taking part in global research, the basics of clinical reasoning, and working to address inequalities in healthcare.
Students learnt about the structure of the National Health Service in the UK and discussed how it differed from healthcare provision in their home nation. They worked in small groups to create a short video to present back to the group. We welcomed a speaker from the General Medical Council to talk about their role in regulating the UK medical profession and how to apply for registration in the UK, and heard from a junior doctor who moved to the UK after graduation.
Staff
Dr Hazel England
Academic Lead for the Medicine International Summer School
Dr England is Lecturer in Medical Education and Year Lead for our Foundation Year In Medicine and Dentistry, and the International Foundation programme in Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy.
Contact us
Find out more
For information about booking your place on the Medicine International Summer School, please get in touch.
Email: siss@manchester.ac.uk