An impressive 20 students have now secured places to study Medicine and Dentistry this year, with 34 offers in total. Students have received offers from a range of leading universities in the fields of Medicine and Dentistry, including the University of Cambridge.
This success marks the latest chapter in the growing legacy of the Medics, Dentists and Vets (MDV) Programme, which has supported over 143 students since it began in 2019.
The programme includes:
- Opportunities to gain work experience and volunteering experience
- Access to lectures, events and webinars exploring current issues within these professions, helping students to enrich their understanding and develop the confidence to have informed discussions at interview
- Bespoke mock interview sessions to prepare students and provide valuable practice for the admissions process
- Mentoring from current MDV university students, giving applicants insight into the professions and the application process
- Guidance on building an excellent work experience and extracurricular enrichment portfolio to strengthen their applications
- Strong encouragement to prioritise their A Level studies to ensure they achieve their full academic potential
Kyle Su, one of the three students studying Dentistry at the University of Manchester, reflected on the nerves he experienced leading up to Results Day: “I was so incredibly nervous, knowing that Clearing wasn’t an option. Seeing that ‘Congratulations’ made me completely speechless, and I had to double-check if I had read it correctly!”
Kyle is looking forward to beginning his university journey: “After achieving 5 A*s through the help of my incredible teachers, I cannot wait to dive into the hands-on learning, clinical training and studying that are taught by the top professionals in the field!”
He continued by praising the MDV Programme: “Xaverian’s MDV Programme is incredibly beneficial and, in my opinion, one of the best in Manchester. Without it, I wouldn’t have had the foundations needed to get through the high-pressure University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), interviews and the incredibly important guidance for personal statements and references. Honestly, it made everything a lot clearer. When you see all those courses and a barrage of information online, I think the MDV Programme really helps to filter down what you need to succeed.”
Joining Kyle at the University of Manchester is Awan Saleh, who received offers for both Medicine and Dentistry. Speaking about her A Level and MDV experience, she said: “I know that it is going to be a lot of work, but I am ready to take on the challenge, live by myself and meet all different kinds of people! The MDV Programme was invaluable during my time at Xaverian. I found our interview preparation sessions and talks with previous applicants extremely helpful. Most of all, I enjoyed meeting others who have the same aspirations as me. We supported each other through the arduous process and I hope to continue helping future MDV applicants at Xaverian in any way I can!”
Duaa Jamiullah, who has also secured her place at the University of Manchester to study Medicine, said: “As soon as I saw the email from UCAS confirming my place to study Medicine, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was ecstatic to know that my hard work had truly paid off! I’m forever grateful to all my teachers for helping me on this journey.
“I’m looking forward to university and am quite fascinated by the field of Medicine. It feels unreal that now I’ll be able to study this very field that I’ve admired for so long. I’m also excited for the social aspect of university, especially since UoM has a huge number of societies that you can join, as well as many fun activities in the city itself. The MDV Programme guided me through every single aspect of the application process, as well as providing lots of exciting opportunities.”
Staff have also praised the programme’s impact. Priyanka Nayar, Chemistry Teacher, who helps run the programme, praised the students for their dedication and resilience: “I am delighted for our students and wish them the best of luck at university. They have balanced their A Level studies alongside the competitive process of applying to an MDV course, and I am thrilled for them. All their teachers are exceptionally proud of what they have achieved.”
Explaining the importance of the programme, Oliver Gibson, Assistant Principal, added: “One of the best things about the MDV Programme at Xaverian is that it does not just prepare students for the demands of the interviews and tests that they undergo as part of their application. By developing problem-solving, resilience and calm decision-making, it also influences all the academic work that students do.”
Kayleigh Brien, MDV Co-ordinator, added: “Watching our students secure places on such rigorous and competitive courses is incredibly rewarding. Their success is a true testament to their unwavering determination and strong work ethic. As they head off to university, we couldn’t be prouder and have no doubt they will thrive in their future professions.”
The MDV Programme continues to demonstrate clear results, providing students with the knowledge, experience, confidence and support they need to pursue competitive careers in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine.