University of Sheffield Biomedical Science Student - Ask Me Anything!

Hi Everyone!

My name is Mia and I’m in my final year studying BSc Biomedical Science with a Year in Industry at The University of Sheffield.

I’m originally from Essex, so I can relate to what it’s like to move to a new city and adjust to student life. Outside my degree, I enjoy baking, music, hiking, animals and reading.

If you’re interested in learning more about Sheffield or student life here, I have first-hand experience in many areas including:

Accommodation → I lived in Endcliffe Student Village (Froggatt) for my first year, followed by shared student houses around the city.

Placement Year → I spent a year working in the pharmaceutical industry on a bioscience placement.

Extra-Curriculars → I’ve been an academic representative, volunteered, and worked as a Bioscience Student Ambassador.

Societies → I’ve joined plenty, including Craft, Netball, Biomedical, Art, and Ice Skating (as a complete beginner!).

I’ve explored much of what Sheffield has to offer, from the city itself and its nightlife to walks in the Peaks, so I’m happy to share advice on both The University of Sheffield and the wider student experience.

I’ll be online Thursday afternoons, so please feel free to ask me anything about accommodation, courses, settling in, social life or general advice about life in Sheffield. I’ll do my best to help.

Looking forward to your questions! :smile:

- Mia (Bsc Biomedical Student with a Year in Industry)

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

medschlpls

Hi! I’m considering applying to Sheffield for medicine, so not biomedsci but quite similar. Do you know how open researchers tend to be to letting students getting with their research? No worries at all if you’re not sure

Reply 2

University of Sheffield Students

Official Rep

Original post

by medschlpls

Hi Medschlpls,

Thank you for your question. The University of Sheffield has a scheme called SURE (Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience). This program offers funded summer projects for undergraduates across all disciplines, including working directly with researchers or PhD students on current research. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on research experience and develop skills.

While every researcher may have different opportunities depending on their current projects, SURE is great as it's a structured program that makes it easier to get involved and gain experience. I have added a link for more information if this is something you are interested in. SURE

Does that help answer your question? I’d also love to hear more about the kind of research or industry areas you’re interested in.

Mia, Final Year Bsc Biomedical Science Student

Reply 3

medschlpls

Hi Mia,

Thank you so much for introducing me to SURE, it sounds amazing. Is it quite competitive though, as according to the page you’ve linked it can only accept about 100 students per year? If so, do you know whether there are any other similar opportunities (formal or informal)?

In terms of research areas, I’m particularly interested in immunology, developmental biology and evolution, but really I enjoy almost any part of biology with that characteristic complexity and interconnectedness. Thanks for asking!

Could I ask, is there anything that, to you, makes Sheffield particularly special compared to other universities?

(Btw I’ve applied to Sheffield now!)

Thank you, you’ve been very helpful,
- Ethan

Reply 4

University of Sheffield Students

Official Rep

Original post

by medschlpls

Hi Mia,
Thank you so much for introducing me to SURE, it sounds amazing. Is it quite competitive though, as according to the page you’ve linked it can only accept about 100 students per year? If so, do you know whether there are any other similar opportunities (formal or informal)?
In terms of research areas, I’m particularly interested in immunology, developmental biology and evolution, but really I enjoy almost any part of biology with that characteristic complexity and interconnectedness. Thanks for asking!
Could I ask, is there anything that, to you, makes Sheffield particularly special compared to other universities?
(Btw I’ve applied to Sheffield now!)
Thank you, you’ve been very helpful,
- Ethan

Hi Ethan,

It's so great to hear you have applied to Sheffield now! 👏

The SURE scheme can be competitive but it is honestly such a rewarding process and the showcase at the end of the summer is a great chance to see what other research has been produced and it gives you chance to get in touch with other people with similar interests.

There will be other research opportunities whether it be informally or by hearing from opportunities from academics in the field. There will also be course related opportunities such as the third year placement on public health and the impact of health inequalities on individuals and communities, which will give you the opportunity to work and research in a different area. There will also be a research project in phase two where you can work with a researcher to solve a medical problem etc.

So there are plenty of research opportunities, but yes, SURE is an amazing extracurricular one that I recommend to anyone (i'm actually looking to supervise a SURE project this year as I'm a postgraduate researcher!)

Please let me know if there are any more questions and I would be more than happy to help. Alternatively, you can chat to a current medicine student here if you want to ask any medicine-specific questions.

Best of luck to you!

Phoebe 😃
Student Ambassador - PhD in English Literature