Student reviews
What is studying medicine at University of Sheffield actually like?
The interview gets you a place; these reports are about the five or six years after that. Gathered from current student and recent graduate forums, weighted by how many independent sources agree. These are unverified community reports, not official university information.
6 reports · 1 widely reported
Years 1 and 2 mix whole-year-group lectures with fortnightly small-group Integrated Learning Activities (ILAs, groups of about 10) that alternate week to week with GP sessions; students say the ILA case discussions are where the course content actually clicks into place.
Widely reported · 3 sources(spans several cycles)
Years 1 and 2 mix whole-year-group lectures with fortnightly small-group Integrated Learning Activities (ILAs, groups of about 10) that alternate week to week with GP sessions; students say the ILA case discussions are where the course content actually clicks into place.
"We have a range of lectures for the whole year group and small group teaching (10 people)... used for Integrated Learning Activities (ILAs), these are sessions where you come together as a group to discuss a Clinical Case (paraphrase)"
Life of a Medic, interview with Charlotte (5th year student)"ILAs are small group sessions where there will be a case and some questions/learning objectives attached that you have to prepare for in advance... one week is GP then the next is ILA (paraphrase)"
The Student Room, Sheffield Medicine Student AMA threads"an integrated learning and teaching approach, linking the clinical side of Medicine to the Medical Sciences behind it (paraphrase)"
6med Sheffield reviewAnatomy is taught through full-body dissection in small groups of about 10 sharing the same cadaver all year with a dedicated facilitator, a point students specifically call out as a highlight compared to prosection-only schools.
Several reports · 2 sources(spans several cycles)
Anatomy is taught through full-body dissection in small groups of about 10 sharing the same cadaver all year with a dedicated facilitator, a point students specifically call out as a highlight compared to prosection-only schools.
"In Sheffield we are taught anatomy via full body dissection. This means you and a group of 9 others work with the same cadaver through the year. Each group of students has their own facilitator so you're not left alone (paraphrase)"
Life of a Medic, interview with Charlotte"Student emphasis on full-body cadaveric dissection as a key learning differentiator (paraphrase)"
6med Sheffield reviewClinical exposure starts in year 1 through Early Years GP (EYGP) sessions, small groups of 5-6 visiting the same GP practice; once full placements begin in later years, intensity varies hugely by site, some finish by 11am most days while others run full 9-to-5/6 shifts including nights and weekends.
Several reports · 2 sources(spans several cycles)
Clinical exposure starts in year 1 through Early Years GP (EYGP) sessions, small groups of 5-6 visiting the same GP practice; once full placements begin in later years, intensity varies hugely by site, some finish by 11am most days while others run full 9-to-5/6 shifts including nights and weekends.
"Unique to Sheffield clinical exposure begins in your first year. This exists as Early Years GP (EYGP) sessions... a group of 6 of you go to a local GP surgery (paraphrase)"
Life of a Medic, interview with Charlotte"Some placements have very little to get involved with after 11 AM, while other placements have been much more involved and 9-5/6, and some placements included nights and weekends (paraphrase)"
The Student Room, Sheffield Medicine Student AMA threadThe early years ride entirely on end-of-year exams rather than continuous assessment, students call this one of the worst parts of the course since a whole year's grade comes down to a handful of sittings, and summer holidays end up shorter than at other medical schools as a result.
Several reports · 2 sources(spans several cycles)
The early years ride entirely on end-of-year exams rather than continuous assessment, students call this one of the worst parts of the course since a whole year's grade comes down to a handful of sittings, and summer holidays end up shorter than at other medical schools as a result.
"One of the biggest negatives for me is that we only have end of year exams... Our summer holidays are also not as long as in other Medical Schools (paraphrase)"
Life of a Medic, interview with Charlotte"you don't have any exams until the end so in 1st year, your entire grade is determined by how well you do in the 3 exams you do at the end of the year (paraphrase)"
6med Sheffield reviewAfter each year's exams, every student is given a numeric class rank against their whole cohort; several students describe this as stressful at first, though most say they adjust to it over time.
Several reports · 2 sources(spans several cycles)
After each year's exams, every student is given a numeric class rank against their whole cohort; several students describe this as stressful at first, though most say they adjust to it over time.
"Every year after completing your exams you get a ranking. This tells you the place you've come in the year compared to your peers (paraphrase)"
Life of a Medic, interview with Charlotte"a bit stressful to begin with... you get used to it! (paraphrase)"
The Student Room, Sheffield Medicine Student AMA threadSheffield's medical school is described as unusually friendly and supportive, with a deliberate push for work-life balance and outside interests, helped by the city sitting about 15 minutes from the Peak District.
Single report(2020)
Sheffield's medical school is described as unusually friendly and supportive, with a deliberate push for work-life balance and outside interests, helped by the city sitting about 15 minutes from the Peak District.
"Sheffield Medical School is probably one of the most friendly and kindest Medical Schools in the country... perfect balance of being a city and only a 15 minute drive away from the Peak District (paraphrase)"
Life of a Medic, interview with CharlotteGet into University of Sheffield
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