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.
Year 1 Academic Lead
The Academic Lead for Year 1 of the programme is Dr Liz Sheader, Elizabeth.a.sheader@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Sheader and the module leads for Semesters 1 and 2, are able to answer questions about curriculum content in Year 1. Communications and information supplied to all students in a year group will usually be by email, notifications or through 1Med.
If you require further information about a specific module or component then you should contact the relevant module or component lead (see Contacts). If you require further help, e.g. advice about methods of study or other academic matters you should approach Dr Sheader directly or through the MBChB Curriculum and Programmes Team.
Year 2 Academic Lead
The Year 2 Academic Lead is Dr Silke Conen, silke.conen@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Conen and the module leads for Semesters 3 and 4 are able to answer questions about curriculum content in Year 2. Normally, communications and information supplied to all students in a year group will usually be by email, notifications or through 1Med.
If you require further information about a specific module then you should contact the relevant module leader (see Contacts). If you require further help, e.g. advice about methods of study, or other academic matters you should approach Dr Conen directly or through the MBChB Curriculum and Programmes Team.
Facilitated sessions
Each semester 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.
You can approach academic staff should you need, for example, to ask for advice about methods of study, or other academic matters. Equally, a facilitator may ask to see you should your progress or attendance be giving cause for concern, but if this is a continuing problem you will be referred on for further support and advice.
Academic Advisors
You will also be assigned an Academic Advisor from the beginning of Year 1. Advisors will promote a sense of belonging and encourage a more interactive personal approach to life-long learning across the medical programme. Mandatory meetings with Advisors will be arranged throughout each semester to discuss individual development together with regular communication and signposting to wider student support where appropriate.
Study Skills support
Medical students are expected to learn independently, which means taking responsibility their own studies. Many of the academic skills needed may be new to Year 1 students; therefore, in Year 1, students are expected to attend specific timetabled workshops delivered online through live webinars. These will begin in the induction weeks and aim to provide you with the essential time management and active study techniques that will be required for your transition to independent learning on the medical programme. Other skills such as exam and revision techniques are covered in further workshops throughout semesters 1 and 2. These workshops are also supported by online resources on 1MedLearn and where requested tailored support through individual 1:1 meetings with a member of the study skills team.
Peer Mentoring
Peer mentoring is a social support network for students and the Year 1 Peer Mentor scheme in Semester 1 aims to help all students settle into life in Manchester as a medical student.
The scheme is organised by a team of student coordinators who are all third year medical students. Second year medical students will act as your mentors. The student coordinators and student mentors organise a range of activities for Welcome Week and beyond.
The School also has international mentors for international students or students joining us from the EU.
If you have already completed a first degree or taken time out between leaving school and starting at university, the School’s mature student mentors can help and advise you during your first year.
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.
For information on peer mentoring provided in the clinical years see Additional Support in Years 3, 4 and 5.
Online Support and guidance
There is a huge amount of advice and guidance on line, 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 further resources available to help you to provide proactive self-care and support your wellbeing.
The Students’ Union offers advice too, through their advice service. They can offer guidance for lots of different issues that you may be facing including advice for finance, housing, wellbeing and academic issues.
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.
You can arrange a meeting with an SPS tutor to discuss your wellbeing, studies or anything else that may be affecting you.
If you would like a meeting or have any worries or concerns regarding your wellbeing, please get in touch: med.sps@manchester.ac.uk, 0161 275 1452.
Support for your wellbeing outside of working hours:
Sometimes you might need support when the University is closed for the day or weekend. When this is the case you might want to look into some further support that is available to you outside of traditional working hours.
Students can access 24-hour mental health support from Spectrum Life, which is a helpline for students if you need to speak to someone urgently. You can call them on 0800 031 8227 (UK) or 00353 1 518 027 (International) at any time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to speak to one of their trained counsellors and advisors who are ready to listen and provide support whenever you need it.
You can also text ‘Hi‘ to their Whatsapp number on 074 1836 0780. If you are not seeking urgent support, you can sign up to Spectrum Life by going to this link app.spectrum.life/login and use the code ‘UOMWELL’.
Qwell is a 24/7 service that provides free and anonymous online mental health support whenever you need it. Qwell is a digital support service that can put you in touch with a mental health professional.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) are also available 5pm–midnight every day to call on 0800 58 58 58 or on webchat if you are struggling and need to talk