Year 12 students from Shireland Biomedical UTC and Shireland CBSO Academy took part in a full-day UCAT training session delivered in partnership with Study Mind, designed to support those considering applications to medical and dental degree programmes.
The workshop introduced students to the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), a computer-based admissions assessment used by many UK universities. The test evaluates skills including problem solving, critical thinking, decision making and situational judgement, all of which are considered important for careers in healthcare.
Students completed a series of timed exercises designed to reflect the structure and pressure of the examination. The session formed part of the Academy’s wider commitment to supporting students applying for competitive post-18 courses.
Jo Lawrence, Head of Sixth Form at Shireland Biomedical UTC, commented: “Workshops like these are valuable because they give students a clear sense of what highly competitive selection processes actually involve, and the chance to start building the knowledge, resilience and self-belief needed to complete them successfully. They also play a crucial role in ensuring students step into the process on an equal footing.
“As a sixth form, our role is to open up those opportunities and make them part of every student’s experience. We want our learners to leave us having tested themselves, understand what’s required for their next steps, and ready to make ambitious, well-informed decisions about their futures.”
The UCAT was established in 2006 by a consortium of UK universities to support a more consistent and equal admissions process. Around 37,000 candidates sit the test each year in the UK and internationally, with results used by participating institutions when selecting applicants.
Study Mind is an education provider that works with schools and students to support with exam revision and test preparation. It offers a range of free learning resources, including question banks and video content, alongside one-to-one tuition. The organisation works in partnership with several universities and local authorities across the UK and is an approved by the Department for Education as a tuition provider.
The session is one of a number of initiatives aimed at supporting students as they prepare for post-18 pathways, including university applications and alternative routes.
