You’ve been accepted to medical school—congratulations! A new chapter is about to begin, filled with challenges, exciting discoveries, and plenty of new experiences. To make the transition as smooth as possible, a little preparation can go a long way. Use this guide to make sure you’ve taken care of the essentials before your first day.
It’s time to start your medical school journey and discover the world of medicine. Let’s take it step by step!
University Matters
Welcome Week and Meeting Your Coursemates
Before the academic year begins, your medical school will usually send information about enrollment, induction, welcome events, your timetable, and the first days of teaching. Check your university email and student portal regularly, as this is where you’ll find important updates and instructions.
Most universities organize welcome or induction activities before teaching begins. These are a great opportunity to meet your coursemates, get to know your medical school, and familiarize yourself with the university before the academic year gets busy. You may also meet student representatives, peer mentors, or members of medical student societies.
It’s also worth joining your year group’s online communities. Students often create group chats, social media groups, or other online spaces to share practical information, organize study groups, and get to know one another. Having a few familiar faces around on your first day can make the transition much easier.
Get to Know Your Medical School
Before teaching starts, take time to explore your campus and find the places you’ll use regularly. Locate your lecture theatres, teaching rooms, anatomy and laboratory facilities, library, student services, clinical skills or simulation centre, cafés, and other important facilities.
If your medical school is spread across different university buildings or hospital sites, it may take some time to learn your way around. Check the campus map and work out where you'll teach before your first day.
It’s also a good idea to plan your journey to university. Check public transport routes and timetables, cycling options, walking routes, or parking arrangements if you’re driving. If your course involves teaching at different sites, make sure you know how you’ll get between them.
Take a look at your class schedule – it is usually published on the official university website. It is also worth reviewing the requirements for individual classes. This information can be found in the syllabus (a treasure trove of information about the course) available on the university website or in materials posted by the department running the specific class.
There might be a need to prepare in advance for your first meeting with a given subject or instructor—doing so will help you avoid any unexpected surprises, such as an entry quiz. Being well-oriented regarding the required materials and expectations will definitely make your participation in classes more effective.
Once your timetable is available, take time to review it. Depending on your medical school, your first year may include lectures, tutorials, small-group teaching, anatomy or practical sessions, clinical skills, simulation, and other teaching activities.
Check the module handbook, course information, or online learning platform for each part of your course. These resources usually explain what you’ll be learning, what preparation is expected, which resources are recommended, and how assessments are organised.
Some sessions may require advance preparation, such as assigned reading, videos, online activities, or pre-session questions. Checking these requirements ahead of time will help you start the year feeling prepared rather than overwhelmed.
Student ID and University Accounts
Make sure your student ID card is ready, and know how and where to collect it if you haven’t received it yet. You can use your student ID to access university buildings, libraries, facilities, and other student services.
You should also activate your university email account and student portal as soon as possible. These will usually be your main sources of information about your timetable, teaching, administrative requirements, announcements, and university events.
Core Health and Immunisation Requirements
Before starting medical school, you may need to complete health clearance and immunisation requirements. These vary between universities and may include vaccination records, occupational health forms, TB screening, or other requirements related to clinical placements.
Check your medical school’s requirements carefully and complete any necessary forms, vaccinations, or appointments before the relevant deadlines. Keep your health and immunisation records somewhere accessible — you may need them again when you begin clinical placements.
University and Learning Systems
Make sure you can access all the digital systems your medical school uses. This may include your student portal, virtual learning environment (VLE), university email, online library, electronic resources, and teaching and communication platforms.
Test your login details before teaching begins. If your university uses platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or other online learning tools, make sure you know how to access them in case you need them during the year.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Medical school can be a significant financial commitment, so it’s worth exploring your funding options early. Start by checking what financial support your university offers, including scholarships, bursaries, hardship funds, grants, and other forms of student support. Depending on the university and your circumstances, funding may be based on financial need, academic achievement, widening participation criteria, leadership, community involvement, or other eligibility requirements.
If you are studying medicine in England, it is important to know how NHS Bursary funding works with your student finance. For most medical courses that last five years or longer, NHS Bursary support usually starts in the fifth year. Graduate-entry courses follow different eligibility rules.
Funding arrangements differ across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, so make sure you check the guidance that applies to your circumstances and where you are studying. Your eligibility may also depend on factors such as your domicile, previous higher education, course type, and year of study.
Don’t wait until your final year to look for funding. Some scholarships and bursaries are available only at specific stages of medical school or target particular interests, such as research, electives, or specific specialities. Check your university’s funding pages and relevant organisations regularly, and keep track of application deadlines.
And remember: scholarships and bursaries aren’t the only options. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for student loans, grants, hardship funds, or other forms of financial support. A good first step is to speak with your university’s student finance or funding team and ask which opportunities are available specifically to medical students.
Student Societies and Extracurricular Activities
You may also find opportunities to get involved in leadership, advocacy, or professional organisations.
Medical school isn’t only about studying. Once the academic year begins, explore student societies, medical and specialty societies, volunteering opportunities, research programs, sports clubs, and other activities at your university.
You’ll probably find plenty of opportunities to meet people outside your course and develop interests beyond medicine. Making time for these activities can also help you maintain a healthy balance alongside your studies.
Study Resources
Your medical school will usually provide recommended resources for each module or subject. Before buying every textbook or study resource on the list, check which are required and which are recommended. Your university library may provide access to many of them, either in print or online.
You can also look for second-hand textbooks, digital editions, or resources recommended by students in the years above you. Don’t be afraid to ask your coursemates what they actually use — you may save yourself a lot of money.
If you’re looking for a more structured way to study, Medcourses brings medical learning resources together in one place. Explore our Basic Science Courses, designed to help you build a strong foundation in the subjects you’ll encounter early in medical school.
Accommodation Matters
If you’re moving away from home for medical school, finding the right place to live is one of the first major decisions you’ll need to make. Whether you’re considering university accommodation, a private rental, or sharing a house or flat with other students, it’s worth exploring your options before the academic year gets busy.
Start by considering what matters most to you: location, budget, commute time, privacy, and the kind of living environment you prefer. Would you rather live alone or share a place with roommates? Would you prefer to live close to campus or choose a more affordable neighborhood with a longer commute?
If your university offers halls of residence, check the application deadlines and eligibility requirements early. Accommodation can be limited, and some universities have specific deadlines for new students. UCAS similarly recommends checking accommodation availability and deadlines early, as options and contract lengths can vary between universities.
If you’re looking for private accommodation, explore reputable rental websites, local listings, and student accommodation groups. If possible, view the property before agreeing to rent it. Check its condition, what is included in the rent, and whether the location and commute work for you.
Before signing a lease, read it carefully and make sure you understand the rent, security deposit, lease term, utilities, maintenance responsibilities, and any other conditions. If anything is unclear, ask questions before signing.
If you’re renting privately, check whether you’ll need a guarantor. Some landlords or letting agents may require students to provide a UK-based guarantor, while international students may be asked to provide alternative financial arrangements.
Your Medical Student Starter Kit
You don’t need to buy everything before day one. Your exact requirements will depend on your medical school, your courses, and the type of teaching you’ll be doing.
For anatomy, laboratory, or clinical skills sessions, your school may require items such as a lab coat, scrubs, protective eyewear, gloves, or other personal protective equipment. Some schools provide certain items or give students specific instructions, so check your course materials and school requirements before buying anything.
You’ll also want a few reliable basics for everyday studying: a laptop or tablet, notebooks or digital note-taking tools, pens and highlighters, and anything else that fits your study style. Your school may also recommend specific technology or software, so check those requirements before making any big purchases.
Before spending money on expensive equipment or textbooks, ask students above you what they actually use. Your medical school student organisations, library, or student representatives.
Keep in mind that from day one through to your first years of practice, Medcourses is here to support you all the way with your med studies.
Last, But Not Least
Campus and building access: Find out how to get into the buildings and facilities you’ll use. Some places might need your student ID card or special permission.
Library access: Learn how to use your university library, online databases, textbooks, journals, and other resources. Most universities offer numerous digital materials through the library or virtual learning environment.
Travel: If you need to commute, check out student travel discounts, public transport passes, cycling routes, or parking in your area. If your course takes you to different sites, plan how you’ll get between them.
Student support: Learn where to go for academic advice, financial help, wellbeing services, disability support, or other assistance. It’s a good idea to know your options before you need them.
Scholarships and financial support: Look at your university’s finance or funding pages for scholarships, bursaries, hardship funds, and other support. If you’re studying medicine in England, the NHS Bursary is only available in certain later years, so check the latest NHSBSA rules to see when you might qualify.
Student life: Explore medical and specialty societies, university clubs, volunteering opportunities, research programs, sports, and other activities. You’ll spend a lot of time studying, but making room for life outside medicine matters too.
Starting medical school is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. You'll learn new systems, meet new people, and take in a lot of information at once. You don’t need to have everything figured out before day one.
Focus on the essentials, get familiar with your new environment, and give yourself time to adjust. The rest will come as you go.
Welcome to medical school—your journey starts here!
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