ASPIRE

We encourage all students to take the opportunity to engage with the myriad research areas that they will be exposed to throughout their preclinical and clinical years of undergraduate medical education.

Specific research opportunities exist at various stages within your medical degree. If you're interested in undertaking a research placement, there are specific questions you may want to consider:

What is my goal in research engagement?

• Understanding a specific discipline in more detail.
• Developing a deeper understanding of research.
• Enhancing my CV via acquisition of skills, knowledge and publications.

How is this best achieved?

• Undertaking an additional qualification (e.g. intercalation).
• Working alongside a research group (e.g. summer placement or intercalated degree with a significant research component).

Consider your prior educational background, experience and future ambitions carefully. An additional qualification is extremely valuable for many competitive specialisms.

What are the financial implications?

If you are paying your own fees, intercalating will cost an additional year's fees. Some bursaries are available and these are awarded according to need. There is further information on the intercalated degree web page.

Summer studentships/bursaries are available from various agencies such as the Wellcome Trust, the British Neuropathological Society, the British Neuroscience Association, and the Royal Society of Biology to support student vacation projects.

School of Medicine ASPIRE funding is also available to students wishing to undertake a summer project at Keele. These typically provide funds for living expenses and may include some project costs. Please visit the ASPIRE summer studentships page for more information.

Regardless of the research path you embark on, it is recommended that potential supervisors be contacted as early as possible to enable them to work with you on developing a feasible research project and funding plan.