Third Year Medicine at St Andrews
Third Year Medicine at St Andrews – Hear From Our Students
Third year marks a turning point in the medical student journey. The reasons for choosing medicine are still there, but they are now enriched by experience built steadily from the start of the programme. With hands-on training embedded from the early years, students develop confidence over time and begin to see themselves not just as medical students, but as future doctors.
Why Medicine matters
The decision to study medicine is a big one. For many students, it’s shaped by personal experiences, early inspiration, and a desire to make a difference. As our MBChB students explain, those motivations remain central, but third year adds clarity and depth to what they mean in practice:
▶ Watch: Why our MBChB students chose to study medicine
Advice from the inside
With experience comes perspective. Having navigated the transition into medical school and progressed through the early years of the programme, third‑year students can offer valuable advice to those considering a future in medicine.
In this interview our third year MBChB students speak about the importance of curiosity, resilience and being open to learning, not just academically, but personally. Many emphasise that there is no single “perfect” route into medicine, and that what matters most is a willingness to engage, ask questions and grow.
▶ Watch: Thinking about studying medicine? Here’s our students’ advice
Looking ahead with confidence
As our third-year MBChB students look forward, there is a clear sense of anticipation. In this video, they speak about what excites them most in the months ahead, from developing new clinical skills to deepening their understanding of patient care and preparing for future placements:
▶ Watch: What are Third Year MBChB students looking forward to?
A shared journey
Taken together, these reflections capture something essential about third year on the MBChB programme. Students are not just acquiring knowledge; they are developing the mindset, values and self‑awareness required to practise medicine with confidence and care.
Find out more about studying Medicine at the University of St Andrews and hear directly from our MBChB students by exploring the videos above.