Welcome to the Future Doctor Programme
Introduction
The Future Doctor Programme at University Hospitals Dorset is a three day course for sixth form students who are interested in studying Medicine. It gives them a taste of what it is like with career information, shadowing hospital doctors, advice regarding the application process and the opportunity to ask questions.
To ensure that we maintain a high quality, recognised experience, and that the students have the appropriate support and supervision, the programme provides the trust’s only recognised opportunity for those seeking medical work experience and all enquiries should be directed to the Future Doctor Programme Administrator, Filomena Barros at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Who is the programme for?
The programme is designed for Year 12 students as timely preparation for sitting the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) the following summer and the subsequent application to the University & Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) in October.
The programme is popular and over-subscribed so in order to maximise this opportunity for the target audience in an equitable way we have introduced the following two eligibility criteria:
1. Student must have passed seven or more GCSEs including at least grade 6 in English, Maths, Chemistry and Biology.
2. Student is sitting (or has sat) three A levels, including at least two sciences, of which one must be either Chemistry or Biology, and the second must be one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
These eligibility criteria are taken from published admission requirements for the majority of medical schools. For those students who are interested but do not satisfy these criteria, please contact Filomena Barros for the alternative arrangements that are available.
What does the programme include?
The programme includes a one day Introduction to Medicine course which has historically been held twice annually during the October and February half-terms, although an additional course was held during March 2025 due to increased demand and looks likely to continue. Each course can accommodate up to 40 students and includes talks by doctors and medical students about medical careers and applying for medical school. There are also practical simulation sessions covering suturing, phlebotomy and resuscitation.
Pending occupational health approval, the remaining two days of the programme are split into half-day sessions spent shadowing doctors in four areas of the hospital such as the emergency department, operating theatres and wards. Historically this has been organised on an individual basis during February, March, April, May (half-terms and easter holidays), June and July (Summer holidays).
Certificates of Completion are presented to students attending the Introduction to Medicine course and Shadowing Programme that can be used as evidence in the medical school application process.
How can doctors get involved?
We already have a growing faculty of enthusiastic doctors supporting the programme and are always looking for more as we expand. If you are a clinician who would like to get involved, please contact the team.
Who are the team and how can I contact them?
Future Doctor Programme Administrator
Filomena Barros This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Clinical Leads
Dr Nilu Ranaweera
Dr James Berrington
Dr Lauren Fox
Dr Simon Jackson
