Getting healthcare work experience that counts

Access is uneven — universities know that

Admissions teams are explicit that they assess what you learned, not how glamorous the placement was. Sustained voluntary work in a care home often demonstrates more than a single day observing in theatre.

Where to look

Broaden the definition of relevant experience.

• Care homes, hospices and disability support services
• Community pharmacy and optical practice counters
• St John Ambulance and similar volunteer services
• NHS-run and university virtual work experience programmes
• Any role involving responsibility for vulnerable people

Keep a reflection log

After each session write three lines: what happened, what it showed you about the profession, and what you would do differently. That log becomes your personal statement and your interview answers.