Support is available as soon as you begin your medical studies.
Below is an outline of the main sources of support available to all students on the Programme.
Academic Lead for MBChB Medicine (Graduate Entry) – GEM
The Academic Lead for the Graduate Entry Medicine pathway is Dr Cathy Armstrong, catherine.armstrong@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Armstrong and other members of the GEM teaching team can answer questions about the programme and curriculum content for GEM. Normally, communications and information supplied to all students in a year group will be by email, notifications or through 1Med.
If you require further help, e.g. advice about methods of study or other academic matters you should approach Dr Armstrong directly or through the MBChB Curriculum and Programmes Team.
Academic and Study Skills support
Medical students are expected to learn independently, which means taking responsibility in their own studies. As a graduate you will have already developed your own approaches to learning and academic skills. However, some learning approaches on the medical programme may be new to you. You will be introduced to our learning approaches in the welcome week and will be supported further across the year by the GEM teaching team.
You will be supported directly in your learning by your PBL facilitator who you will see in your PBL sessions across each semester. You will also be allocated a GEM tutor from within the GEM teaching team (this may be your PBL tutor or a different member of the team). You will meet with them at least 4 times across the GEM Year. These meetings are an opportunity to reflect on your learning and academic progress, and to develop a personalised action plan to help you stay on track and achieve your goals. If you are experiencing any challenges outside of your studies, and feel comfortable sharing them, your GEM tutor can also provide guidance and direct you to appropriate support services where needed.
The University of Manchester Library provided an award-winning skills programme: https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/training/my-learning-essentials/
Clinical Academic Advisors
You will also be assigned a Clinical Academic Advisor from the beginning of the second semester, after you know which clinical education campus you will be based at. This advisor will support you across the four years of the programme.
Advisors will promote a sense of belonging and encourage a more interactive personal approach to life-long learning across the medical programme, especially preparing you to think ahead to the clinical campus-based years of the programme. Mandatory meetings with Advisors will be arranged within the 2nd semester to discuss individual development together with regular communication and signposting to wider student support where appropriate.
Facilitated Sessions in Personal & Professional Development
Tutor-facilitated sessions will provide a supportive learning environment for you to explore various aspects of professionalism and encourage the sharing of learning experiences with your peers. You will learn how to apply the process of meaningful reflection to enhance your own development as a medical student and future doctor.
Peer Mentoring
Peer mentoring is a social support network for students and the Peer Mentor scheme in the first semester aims to help all students settle into life at Manchester as a medical student.
The scheme is organised by a team of student coordinators who are all Year 3 medical students from the medical programme. GEM students currently in their 2nd year of study will act as your mentors during the GEM Year. The student coordinators and student mentors organise a range of activities from early in the year and beyond.
To find out more information on the Peer Mentor scheme and the names of your mentors/co-ordinators visit the Peer Mentoring page of 1MedBuzz.
On-line support and guidance
There is a huge amount of advice and guidance online, developed by the University. The guidance covers issues such as homesickness, social isolation, managing your finances, exam worries and many more. The University Counselling and Mental Health Service provide self-help resources both on-line and through workshops that many students find helpful. There are also resources available to help you to provide proactive self-care and support your wellbeing. The Students’ Union offers advice too.
Student Pastoral Support (SPS) Support
The Student Pastoral Support (SPS) team is here to support you if you are having difficulties during your time on the Medical Programme and can give specific tailored advice and guidance around impact of personal circumstances on the Programme.
If you feel your issues are affecting your performance on the Programme and/or ability to perform to the best of your ability in exams, then please do not hesitate to get in touch as the SPS team can explain your options to you and can ensure that you are fully aware of the Programme’s mitigating circumstances processes.
If you have any worries or concerns regarding your wellbeing, please get in touch: med.sps@manchester.ac.uk, 0161 275 1452.