Attending a Medicine Offer Holder Day – What to Expect and How to Make the Most of It
🎓 What Is a Medicine Offer Holder Day?
Medicine offer holder days are special events universities organise for students who have received an offer to study medicine. If you’ve secured a place—congratulations! Now it’s time to explore what life could be like at your future medical school.
Unlike general open days, offer holder days give you a deeper insight into your specific course. You'll get the chance to:
Meet current students and future coursemates 👥
Attend subject-specific taster sessions 🧪
Explore campus facilities, including clinical skills labs and lecture theatres 🏥
Ask questions in relaxed Q&A panels or one-to-one chats ❓
Tour accommodation and get a feel for student life 🏡
🩺 Why You Should Attend – Even If You've Been to an Open Day
Even if you went to the university’s open day before, attending the offer holder day is still worth attending. Why? These events are usually more focused on the medicine course, with in-depth information on:
Teaching style and course structure
Clinical placements and hospital partnerships
Student support and wellbeing services
Extracurriculars and medical societies
These days are also a great way to get honest, unfiltered advice from current medical students. They'll tell you what it’s really like to study medicine at that uni—what they love and what they’d improve.
📋 What to Expect on the Day
Every university runs their day slightly differently, but most include:
A welcome talk and introduction to the course 🎤
A sample lecture or hands-on workshop 🧬
A student-led campus and accommodation tour 🚶♀️
A Q&A session with staff and current students 🗣️
Please read any information the university sends beforehand and bring anything they request—usually your offer letter or ID.
🧠 Top Tips to Make the Most of It
Treat the day like a fact-finding mission and a personal vibe-check. Here’s how to get the most out of it:
✅ Come with a list of questions—big or small!
(Think about course structure, placement locations, student support, and social life.)✅ Take notes or voice memos so you don’t forget your impressions
✅ Observe how the campus feels—can you picture yourself thriving there?
✅ Chat with student ambassadors for real insight
✅ Follow up with any unanswered questions after the event
As one student blogger put it, offer holder days provide “valuable insight into university life and clarity on any uncertainties.”
🎯 Final Thoughts
Medicine offer holder days aren’t just a box to tick—they're your chance to explore your future. By attending with curiosity and confidence, you’ll feel clearer about your firm and insurance choices on UCAS. 🌟
Soak it all in, ask the questions that matter to you, and trust your instincts. This is your future—own it! 💪
📝 Medicine Offer Holder Day – Printable Checklist ✅
Questions to Ask & Things to Look Out For
🎓 Course & Teaching
☐ What is the teaching style like (PBL, traditional, integrated)?
☐ How much clinical exposure is there in Year 1?
☐ Are anatomy lessons taught using cadaver dissection or prosection?
☐ What types of assessments are used (written, OSCEs, practicals)?
☐ How are placements arranged, and where are they located?
☐ How does the university support students academically throughout the course?
👩⚕️ Clinical & Practical Experience
☐ When do placements start, and what do they involve?
☐ Are there opportunities for intercalation (extra degree year)?
☐ Is there access to simulation centres or clinical skills labs?
💬 Student Support & Wellbeing
☐ What support services are available for mental health and wellbeing?
☐ Is there a personal tutor system or academic mentor scheme?
☐ How are students supported during stressful periods like exams or placements?
🏡 Accommodation & Campus Life
☐ What are the accommodation options like—on-campus or private?
☐ Is accommodation guaranteed for first-year medics?
☐ What’s the student community like?
☐ What clubs, societies, or medic-specific events are there?
💬 Chat with Current Students
☐ What’s the workload really like?
☐ How do they balance studies and social life?
☐ What do they wish they’d known before starting?
☐ What’s one thing they love—and one thing they’d change?
🧠 General Vibe & Impressions
☐ Do I feel comfortable and welcomed here?
☐ Can I see myself thriving in this environment?
☐ Did anything stand out (good or bad)?
☐ How does this uni compare to my other choices?
👉 Pro tip: Tick off questions as you go, and jot down quick notes beside each one! Trust your gut—it’s not just about the facts, but how the place feels too.
