Target Medicine Mentoring Scheme - Volunteer Application - 2017-18

What is Target Medicine?

Target Medicine (TM) is UCL Medical School’s Widening Participation initiative aimed at raising attainment and aspirations of young people from underrepresented backgrounds into medicine and health care. All events we run are free of charge. Young people who take part in Target Medicine programmes will be from non-selective state schools around Greater London who meet selected eligibility criteria as outlined by UCL’s Widening Participation Team.

Target Medicine currently comprises of the following programmes:

1. Target Medicine Mentoring Scheme
A 12 month mentoring scheme for high achieving Year 12 students from underrepresented backgrounds aspiring to become doctors.

2. Target Medicine Summer School
A week-long non-residential programme for Year 11 students considering a career in medicine. The summer school teaches young people about the pathway into medicine and gives them an opportunity to experience what it’s like being a medical student through hands-on workshops, projects, and an opportunity to work with real patients.

3. Summer Challenge
A series of courses over five weeks for Year 12 students to explore medical ethics and different perspectives on a range of ethical issues. The programme encourages critical thinking and debate, and gives students valuable practice at crafting academic essays.

4. Target Medicine Outreach
A series of aspiration raising events or masterclasses for pupils across key stages 2, 3, 4 and 5. Current events include Meet the Doctor, UKCAT and BMAT information session and mock exams, and admissions interview prep.

UCL is committed to widening participation to ensure those with the ability, regardless of their background, will have the opportunity to apply for and succeed in higher education. UCL Medical School also recognises the importance of a diverse NHS that better reflects patients and their needs. Through Target Medicine we aim break down barriers to Medical School, support, guide and empower young people from diverse backgrounds with the potential to study Medicine, and help create an NHS that is reflective and understanding of a changing national population.

What is the Target Medicine Mentoring Scheme?

The Target Medicine Mentoring Scheme matches over 230 sixth form pupils with 60 UCL medical students offering guided lessons and targeted support enabling pupils to become more competitive, well-informed, medical school applicants.

The programme recognises that although young people from underrepresented backgrounds may have the aspiration, desire and ability to study medicine, they may not receive the necessary support and guidance when making their applications. The TM Mentoring Scheme aims to rectify this.

The work of volunteer mentors takes place to support the whole of the university application process and therefore runs over a calendar year rather than an academic year.

As a volunteer mentor on the Mentoring Scheme you and your team of medical student volunteers would work with a small group of sixth form students to give them a better understanding of what is needed to be a successful applicant to medical school. You would provide structured support and guidance to them throughout the application process.

What roles can I apply for in the Target Medicine Mentoring Scheme?

There are several volunteer roles within the Mentoring Scheme:

Mentor: responsible for mentoring a small group of sixth form students and working your team of TM Mentors

Team Leader: responsible for mentoring a small group of sixth formers and leading a team of TM Mentors. Medical Students must have mentored for at least one year to apply for a Team Leader role.

Deputy Student Lead: responsible for supporting the student lead in coordination and management of Mentoring Scheme. Medical students must have mentored for at least one year to apply for Deputy Student Lead.

Student Lead: responsible for supporting team leaders and mentors, coordinating and managing lesson plans and mentoring sessions, and working closely with the Target Medicine Manager and Academic Lead for oversight over Target Medicine. Medical students must have mentored for at least one year to apply for Student Lead, with preference given to those with Team Leader experience.

What training and support will I receive?

As a Target Medicine volunteer you will be fully trained in mentoring, presentation skills, child protection and safeguarding and group work. This training takes place on four or five Wednesday evenings during the autumn term. The scheme is structured to ensure every volunteer mentor is well supported by team leaders, peers and staff.

What’s in it for medical students?

• The opportunity to inspire and enable others to study medicine
• The satisfaction of contributing your personal experience with the next generation
• The opportunity to mentor school/college students
• Working with like-minded peers
• Training opportunities
• Gaining key transferable skills including team work, event organisation, teaching, presentation, project management, leadership and group work
• Priority for paid work opportunities within Target Medicine
• Recognition through the Volunteering Services Unit
• Supporting a worthy cause
• Fun!

How do I apply?

To apply, please read the Application Guidelines and complete the following application form on Eventbrite by relevant deadline below.

Please note: different year groups will have different application deadlines due to varying university start dates.

SSC Applications: If you are applying as an SSC, you must indicate this on your application and email Targetmedicine@ucl.ac.uk with your full name to notify us of your application. Use the subject heading “TM Mentor Application – SSC Yr [insert year]” This is so that we can process your application before the Medical School SSC deadline.


Deadline to apply
Team Leader Applications

Y4 & Y5: 10am - Wednesday 13th September 2017
Y2 & Y3: 10am - Monday 2nd October 2017

Mentor Application

Y2 SSC: 5pm – Thursday 5th October 2017
All other applications (including Y1 SSC): 5pm - Sunday 8th October 2017

Quotes from previous volunteers

“Target Medicine has reminded me how privileged I am to be a medical student, and how much I want to help enable anybody who wants to be here to get here.”

“Target Medicine is a great opportunity to work with young people from backgrounds not well represented at medical school.”

“Knowing you are making the difference to students who otherwise would not have any support with their applications is a fulfilling and rewarding experience.”

“It’s been amazing to see the development of many of the students in Target Medicine and their progression over the year.”

“During my time with Target Medicine I have had the opportunity to mentor, teach and perform presentations, learning skills that will prove very useful throughout my medical career."

Click here to go back to the main UCL Target Medicine volunteer website.