Katie Witts is a student on the BNurs Adult Nursing course at Manchester. Here, Katie runs through some of the things to expect on the first year of the course. Please note that all information is correct as of the date of publication, and is based on Katie’s individual experience of the course. The first semester, including Welcome Week, gives you an opportunity to get to know the University and meet your course lectures and peers. Different events are also held regularly throughout the year to try and give you the opportunity to get to know people and feel involved within the cohort. You wil ..read more

Katie Witts is a Year 2 student on the BNurs Adult Nursing course at Manchester. Here, she runs through some of the key reasons why students might choose to study at Manchester. There are lots of things to consider when you are making a choice about where you want to study and live for, potentially, the next 3 years of your life. I have tried to summarise some of the aspects of being a student to try and help you learn about Manchester from the perspective of someone who is currently a student. The University The University of Manchester is one of the best universities in the country, with lot ..read more

Yibei Kang is a Year 2 Medicine MBChB student at Manchester. Here, Yibei talks about peer mentoring during Year 1 of the course, which forms part of the support available for our medical students. All first-year medical students are mentees, and second-year medical students can apply to be mentors to first years. I really like this peer mentor scheme, because it creates a supportive environment and helps to form bonds between different year groups. Therefore, I became a peer mentor this year. What is the Year 1 peer mentor scheme? Two Year 2 medical students mentor a group of six Year 1 medica ..read more

Aisha Mehmood is a Year 3 student on the BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course at Manchester. Here, she talks about the differences between what dental therapists and dentists do. While dentists are widely recognised, there’s often confusion regarding the roles of dental therapists compared to dentists. However, dental therapists are equally integral members of the dental team, making significant contributions to patient care and oral health. Educational paths Dentists go through extensive education, typically five to seven years at university. This comprehensive training equips them with a d ..read more

Katie Lowles is a postgraduate research student in her final year of the Wellcome Trust PhD in Immunomatrix in Complex Disease at Manchester. Here, she talks us through a typical week for postgraduate researchers working in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). A typical day for a PhD student in a STEM subject is quite different from that of an undergraduate or master’s student. With no taught elements or regular pieces of work to submit for marking, it might sound like a walk in the park!  However, making the change from structured taught learning to ..read more

Aisha Mehmood is a Year 3 student on the BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course at Manchester. Here, Aisha looks back at her studies to reflect on what she has learned and how she has developed her skills. As I near the completion of my Dental Hygiene and Therapy degree, I find myself reminiscing about the transformative journey I’ve taken at The University of Manchester. From immersive anatomy classes to hands-on clinical experiences, each phase of the course has shaped me into a competent and compassionate student dental therapist. Year 1: Laying the foundation The first year of the course la ..read more

Bia Hashmi is a student on the BSc Public Health course at Manchester who has previously written about why she chose the course. Here, Bia talks about an event that brought students from different healthcare fields together to work on a task. Embarking on uncharted terrain often ignites a mix of excitement and trepidation, particularly when the journey entails delving into critical healthcare issues. Recently, I had a transformative experience – the inaugural Allied4Health BootCamp, a pioneering initiative tailored for the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at Manchester. Working with oth ..read more

First-year BSc Biochemistry Student Cinta Ghifiardi discusses her experience taking part in an exciting lab practical. She discusses the new skills she learnt and the insight she gained into molecular genetics and population genetics. Have you ever wondered how scientists’ study genetic variation within populations? Or how they uncover the secrets hidden in our DNA? As a first-year biochemistry student, the PV92-Alu polymorphism practical allowed me to dive into the world of molecular genetics and explore these very questions. A scientific breakdown: what is the PV92-Alu insert and why is it ..read more

Olivia Pilson is a Year 3 student on the BSc Neuroscience course at Manchester. Here, she talks about the experience of studying biosciences as a student from the US. When I was in high school, I really wanted to choose a university experience that was different to what I had grown up with. For me, that looked like moving overseas. My favourite thing about being an international student is the independence that you have. Manchester and other universities in the UK grant more autonomy to their students than a lot of schools in the USA. This means you have a few more responsibilities – but, hon ..read more

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