Studying medicine at Queen’s is a very rewarding and fascinatingly informative experience. It is a five year long course with a lot of patient contact, research opportunities and a case-based learning style of teaching.

Typical Timetable

Even though the degree is very well structured, no two weeks are the same in medicine! You can always expect variety and a mix of lectures, practicals, tutorials, clinical skills classes and GP placements within a week.

This was my second-year timetable for the month of October. Even though it looks full, there is enough time set aside for self-study to encourage learning discipline and time management skills.

The whole year group is divided into A and B groups, and these are further divided into 16 smaller groups (this can change depending on the size of each year group). This way every student gets attention from the professor/facilitator. The only time the entire year group has classes together is lectures. All practicals, tutorials etc. are small group teaching.

Monday

My week begins early with a 9am lecture. We generally have 3 lectures timetabled for the day with a break in between. On some days we have physiology practicals post lunch. I would usually go to the library/students' union with my friends during these breaks.

Tuesday

Tuesdays are always different! You can have a mix of either tutorials, practicals, lectures or case-based learning classes (CBL). I really enjoy CBL sessions as they are very thought provoking and give us autonomy to learn the way we want to. We are presented with a case and are expected to work as a team and produce learning outcomes for the same. The tutorials usually have background information with a worksheet which we need to solve in small groups.

Check out the range of medicine facilities at Queen's

Wednesday

Like Mondays, Wednesdays are also lecture days. We have the afternoon off on Wednesdays because most clubs and societies plan activities at this time. I am a member of a number of medical and non-medical societies and have enjoyed their events throughout the year. Being a part of the Scrubs and GPSoc has provided me with great networking opportunities and insights into medicine as a career.

Thursday

This would usually be the most interesting day of the week for me! My group’s clinical skills classes were always timetabled on a Thursday. We learn a lot of different skills like history taking, performing examinations and even taking bloods. There are simulated patients and dummies for us to practice on and the infrastructure is world class. Apart from this, either a lecture or tutorial could be scheduled.

Friday

Friday is the day I used to have my anatomy practicals. Queen’s is known for its cadaveric dissections, and it definitely is a great learning experience as you can visually see the theory you learned in your anatomy lectures! We also have case-based learning sessions on Fridays – these are the presenting sessions. Every group member makes a PowerPoint presentation on the learning outcome allocated to them and presents it to the group.

Training at the KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre

Saturday and Sunday

These are usually the days to catch up on the week’s teachings, rest and spend time with your friends. It is very important to maintain a healthy balance between studying and taking care of yourself! I usually spend the weekend organising chores at home, taking some time for self-care, revising, and spending some quality time with my friends! I use this time to do laundry, clean my room, and grocery shop. Having a clean and organised living space helps me stay focused!

Life post university hours

Once I’m done with classes for the day, I take half an hour to relax and unwind and get a snack. After that I spend some time revising and going over the content taught on that day. Most evenings, my friends and I would get together and cook or just spend time chatting in the living area!

There could also be activities the students' union organises/clubs and societies events that are fun to attend. Around Queen’s is a big student population and a lot of cafes, restaurants, and shopping areas etc. that we go to! I also try and fit gym sessions or a walk into my schedule to keep the mind and body fit.

Queen's has over 200 clubs and societies available to join

Medicine might be a challenging course, but it is also incredibly fulfilling. Queen’s helps us gain early clinical experience with patient contact from the first year itself. There is excellent technology and infrastructure with amazing teachers and a very supportive environment which helps us become empathetic and competent doctors!

Find out more

Study Medicine at Queen's

School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences

India: Admissions Guide

Manya Ranganathan  Medicine | Undergraduate Student | India I have just finished my second year of medical school at Queen’s. It has been an enjoyable two years in Belfast with lots of study sessions in the McClay, discovering new parts of the city and working together with my peers. I am an international student from Delhi, India but the wonderful people I have met and the friends I’ve made make Belfast seem like home.