Autumn Edition: Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October 2026, open to students in years 10 and 11
Summer Edition: Thursday 22 and Friday 23 July 2027, open to students in years 9, 10 and 11

Running since 2013, Experience Medicine gives students a close look at what it takes to train and work as a doctor. Over two days, students spend time in University Hospital Southampton and with the LifeLab team, taking part in a range of activities designed around medicine and the people who work in it.

What’s involved:

• a tour of specific clinical areas within University Hospital Southampton.
• time in the anatomy labs, with anatomy and pathology teaching.
• a look round the research facilities.
• clinical skills practice on models, with guidance from health professionals.
• conversations with current medical students about training and the application process.
• a keynote talk from someone working in medicine.
• where the timetable allows, students can observe a simulated trauma scenario in action.

See an example of the course programme (this is subject to change).

The full cost of the programme is £400 per student. All food and drink is included, but participants need to make their own transport arrangements. Accommodation is not included.

Bursary (100% of the cost) and subsidised places (50% of the cost) are available for students meeting a range of eligibility criteria. Our eligibility criteria is grouped into three lists.

Meeting one criterion from the first list means a place is fully funded. This list includes things like:

• having been eligible for free school meals.
• being in care.
• being a young carer.
• having a parent or guardian who currently receives a means-tested benefit.

Meeting one criterion from the second list, or three from the third list, brings the cost down to £200. The second list includes things like:

• being the first in your family to go to university.
• having a parent who currently serves or has served in the armed forces.

The third list includes things like:

• attending a state school that isn’t selective.
• living in an area with fewer opportunities than average, based on your postcode.

You don’t need to meet every criterion, and there’s space on the application form to explain anything that doesn’t fit neatly into any of the categories.

I missed the application deadline, can I be added to the reserve list?
Once the application deadline has passed, all applications will be assessed and places offered to 40 students. If your application was not one of the 40 allocated places your name will be added to the waiting list.

Experience medicine runs twice a year, so you can also register to be the first to know when applications open for the next course.

I don’t live near Southampton, can you help with accommodation?
Accommodation is not provided for Experience Medicine with Lifelab. We are based at Southampton General Hospital (SO16 6YD) and there are plenty of places to stay nearby and in the city centre, which is about a 15-minute bus ride away.

I can no longer attend, can I get a refund?
If you let us know at least two weeks before the event starts, we can arrange a refund for you. After that, please contact the LifeLab team and we’ll do our best to help. Refunds after this point are not guaranteed and depend on whether your place can be filled.

How do I secure a subsidised place or bursary and what does it include?
There are bursary places and subsidised places available for each Experience Medicine with LifeLab course. To secure a bursary you must:

• meet the eligibility criteria as explained in this document.
• provide a teacher’s contact details for us to confirm you meet the criteria.

If awarded a bursary place, you will not pay the course fee and can claim up to £100 towards travel costs (travel only, not accommodation). Accommodation is not provided for bursary students.

If awarded a subsidised place, you will pay 50% of the course fee.

I’m in year 8, can I attend?
Unfortunately not. The Autumn edition is for students studying in years 10 and 11 only. The Summer edition is for students studying in years 9, 10 and 11 only.

Is there anything similar for students in years 12 and 13?
Yes! We have opportunities for students in Year 12 and 13, including Experience Medicine with LifeLab Online, the Widening Access to Medicine Taster course and Virtual Work Experience.

Is there funding available for travel to the hospital?
Funding is only available for those students who obtain a bursary place.

Is parking available?
Paid parking is available at the hospital, but it can get very busy. There is also a drop-off option and some parking in the
surrounding area. More details will be included in your joining pack.

Where should I meet you?
On day 1, student ambassadors will meet you in the hospital foyer. Full instructions on how to find LifeLab will be included in your joining pack.

What should I wear?
Please dress appropriately for a professional work setting. You should wear short sleeves or sleeves that can be rolled
up. You should not wear open-toe shoes or ripped jeans or hoodies.

Can I bring my phone?
Yes, but you will not need it during the course. Valuables can be left in the lockers securely at LifeLab.

Can I bring a friend?
Only students who have secured a place can attend Experience Medicine with LifeLab.

I have dietary requirements, will suitable food be available?
We will support all dietary requirements where possible.

Does attending Experience Medicine with LifeLab count towards contextualised admissions?
If you secure a bursary place, the summer school counts as one intensive activity.