Years 9-13 - BrightMed
BrightMed identifies and supports young people from across Sussex who have the potential to become tomorrow’s doctors.
The programme will increase awareness of what it takes to study medicine and healthcare subjects, through fun, inspiring and interactive teaching focused on medicine, health and science.
BrightMed works with students from Year 9 to Year 13. As a ‘BrightMedder’, young people will take part in regular Saturday sessions that involve knowledge sessions, activities, lectures and seminars. There is also an opportunity to experience life as a medical student with a Summer School at the end of Year 12.
Below is an example of the topics that students may cover as part of the programme.
BrightMed aims to instil confidence and develop vital skills in young people, enabling them to submit strong applications to medical schools throughout the UK. Providing advice, hands-on experience and practical exercises allow participants to make informed decisions concerning their future education; an approach that has already had great success.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
Sixth form students that are part of the BrightMed programme may be eligible for a guaranteed interview for the Medicine (A100) Undergraduate programme at BSMS.
Students need to:
Meet the academic criteria required:
- Taking the UCAT admission test in the year of application
- Accepted Level 3 qualifications include:
− Predicted and/or achieved ABB in 3 A-levels including Biology and Chemistry OR
− Predicted and/or achieved AA in Biology and Chemistry A-level plus a Merit in a Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate.
OR
− Predicted and/or achieved 34 points in the International Baccalaureate (IB) including higher level Biology and Chemistry, one of which must be at grade 5 and the other at grade 5.
- GCSE requirements:
− Predicted and/or achieved at least at grade 5 in English (Literature or Language) and a grade 5 in Maths.
Have at least one criterion from three different sections:
GEOGRAPHICAL:
You live in a neighbourhood that has low participation into higher education:
- POLAR 4 = Quintiilel or 2.* Check your POLAR4 quintile here >
- TUNDRA = Quintiile1 or 2.* Check your TUNDRA quintile here >
- INDEX OF MASS DEPRIVATION = living in an area that falls within the lowest 20%*. Check your Index of Multiple Deprivation Decile here >
EDUCATIONAL:
- Attended an 11-16 state school that performed below the national average according to Attainment 8*.Check your school Attainment 8 score here >
- First in family to enter HE.
HOUSEHOLD:
• You (or a parent or guardian) are in receipt of or have been eligible for a means-tested benefit
** View our eligible means-tested benefits here ›
- You receive / or have received during your secondary/post 16 education free school meals.**
- You received the UCAT Bursary.** https://www.ucat.ac.uk/register/bursary-scheme/
INDIVIDUAL:
- If you are or have been in receipt of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).**
- You are (or have been) eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). ***
- You are or have been a young carer during secondary school or post 16 education, this must be validated by your Head Teacher and/or your Local Authority.**
CARE LEAVERS:
Applicants that have been in local authority care for a period of at least 3-months during secondary and/or post 16 education will automatically be offered a place on the BrightMed programme. More details can be found here.
Meet the BrightMed criteria requirements:
- Have 75% attendance at BrightMed in Year 11 and Year 12
- Have completed a 5 minute NHS presentation
- Have attended a BSMS student society conference and write a reflective piece on it or attended four online monthly lectures and reflected on each of them.
- Completed the BSMS Virtual Work Experience Programme
- Attend the Year 12 BrightMed Summer School
- Submit their E-portfolio bringing together required evidence that is explain to participants taking part in BrightMed. Portfolios have to be submitted by 15 October to be considered.
Participants will be eligible to submit only once for a guaranteed interview and must submit within 18 months of completion of the BrightMed Summer School.
How to apply to BrightMed
Every year BrightMed aims to recruit 80 Year 8 students, who will start the programme at the beginning of Year 9. Often we also have spaces in other years and so would encourage applications from those currently in Year 8, 9, 10 or 11. To be considered for the programme, students will also need to have:
- Academic potential – an interest in science, specifically Biology and Chemistry
- An interest in medicine or other allied health professions
- An interest and commitment to being part of BrightMed
Applicants must have at least one criterion from three different sections:
GEOGRAPHICAL:
You live in a neighbourhood that has low participation into higher education:
- POLAR 4 = Quintiilel or 2.* Check your POLAR4 quintile here >
- TUNDRA = Quintiile1 or 2.* Check your TUNDRA quintile here >
- INDEX OF MASS DEPRIVATION = living in an area that falls within the lowest 20%*. Check your Index of Multiple Deprivation Decile here >
EDUCATIONAL:
- Attended an 11-16 state school that performed below the national average according to Attainment 8*.Check your school Attainment 8 score here >
- First in family to enter HE.
HOUSEHOLD:
• You (or a parent or guardian) are in receipt of or have been eligible for a means-tested benefit
** View our eligible means-tested benefits here ›
- You receive / or have received during your secondary/post 16 education free school meals.**
- You received the UCAT Bursary.** https://www.ucat.ac.uk/register/bursary-scheme/
INDIVIDUAL:
- If you are or have been in receipt of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).**
- You are (or have been) eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). ***
- You are or have been a young carer during secondary school or post 16 education, this must be validated by your Head Teacher and/or your Local Authority.**
CARE LEAVERS:
Applicants that have been in local authority care for a period of at least 3-months during secondary and/or post 16 education will automatically be offered a place on the BrightMed programme. Priority will be given to students that meet the above criteria. If we have space on the programme, we may consider applicants that only meet two or one criteria however, they would not be eligible for the guaranteed interview scheme.
Almost all of the young people we work with have no family background of higher education.
2025/2026 BrightMed Applications
If you are interested in applying for the BrightMed programme, please complete the “Register Interest Form” below. Applications will be opening in April 2025.
Register your interest here >
Applications are welcome from students who are currently in the following year groups: Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 & Year 11 and meet the above criteria. For students applying for the later years of the programme, please be aware we have limited spaces.
Please note: Students need to be living or studying in Sussex and attending a state school to be able to participate in this programme.
If you have any questions about this programme please contact Claire Johnson via: outreach@bsms.ac.uk