Lab experience as a first year

Hi everyone,
I'm 5 weeks into my first year at Anglia Ruskin University doing a BSc Medical Science degree. I've decided after much turmoil that I would like to do my MSc at Oxford University for various reasons, mainly the quality of education and international prospects. My problem is finding lab experience or healthcare experience that will set me apart from other future applicants when I eventually apply. Does anybody have any UK based institutions (preferably based near London) that offer experiences to first years or have you done something like that yourself?
I'm also interested in finding a summer internship and getting into contact with some Oxford professors to explore my opportunities for internship there. I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this post, please let me know if it isn't but I'd be grateful for the advice anyhow.
Thank you!

Hi everyone,
I'm 5 weeks into my first year at Anglia Ruskin University doing a BSc Medical Science degree. I've decided after much turmoil that I would like to do my MSc at Oxford University for various reasons, mainly the quality of education and international prospects. My problem is finding lab experience or healthcare experience that will set me apart from other future applicants when I eventually apply. Does anybody have any UK based institutions (preferably based near London) that offer experiences to first years or have you done something like that yourself?
I'm also interested in finding a summer internship and getting into contact with some Oxford professors to explore my opportunities for internship there. I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this post, please let me know if it isn't but I'd be grateful for the advice anyhow.
Thank you!

Hey!
Thank you for your message! My name is Chloe, I am a third year medical science student. My first tip would be to visit our Employability Service who run drop-in sessions Mon-Fri 11-2pm. They can help you with CVs, advice on where to find opportunities and application support. Have you downloaded Handshake? It's an employability app where you can view career events, find internships and speak to talent acquisition teams and various employers. I would sign up to events and go to careers fairs to speak to employers who could have lab opportunities.
I would also recommend LinkedIn, market yourself as looking for lab opportunities (again the Employability Service have masterclasses on how to do this) and then connect with employers, Talent Acquisition Managers and join groups. You can connect with Oxford Professors here too.
More specifically, I know Pfizer are advertising at the moment for undergraduate positions but keep looking elsewhere! In previous years, ARU have had lab opportunities come up as internships in the summer where you work in the faculty on a project so ask ARU Temps/ your lecturers for more details.
My experience has been more commercial as that's what I am interested in. In my first year, I completed an internship with BAE Systems as a business analyst and in my second year I completed an internship with Vertex Pharmaceuticals as a business analyst. The first one was advertised on the Bright Network and Handshake, and the other I found through the 10 000 Interns Programme.
Any more questions, please reply to this thread.
Kind regards,
Chloe
Digital Student Ambassador