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.
Of the 20 participants in the 2019/20 Year 12 cohort, 10 applied to study medicine with them all receiving one or more interviews.
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 relevant 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 35 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 6.
- GCSE requirements:
− Predicted and/or achieved at least at grade 5 in English (Literature or Language) and a grade 5 in Maths.
Meet at least two of the social criterial required:
- No immediate family history of higher education (eg, university), excluding siblings
- Currently in, or have been in, the care of a local authority for a minimum of 12 weeks (if the student joins in Year 12)
- Care for someone at home with a long-term disability
- Have an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Are eligible for free school meals and/or a 16-19 “discretionary” bursary
- Parent/carer eligible for any means tested benefits (eg, Jobseeker's Allowance, Universal Credit etc)
- Currently or previously attended a secondary school where the attainment 8 is below national average
- Current home postcode shows that you live in an area with low levels of progression to higher education. (Postcodes within the lowest 2 POLAR4 quintiles) OR current home postcode shows that you live in area that falls within the lowest 20% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).
Meet the BrightMed criteria requirements:
- Have 75% attendance at BrightMed in Year 11 and Year 12
- 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 meet all of criteria 1 and at least two of criteria 2 outlined below. Students that are in, or have been in, local authority care only need to meet criteria 1. Students that fulfil more of the criteria will be given the greatest priority.
Criteria 1
- 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
Criteria 2
- No immediate family history of higher education (eg, university), excluding siblings
- Currently in, or have been in, the care of a local authority
- Care for someone at home with a long-term disability
- Have an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Are eligible for free school meals and/or a 16-19 “discretionary” bursary
- Family eligible for any means tested benefits (eg, Jobseeker's Allowance, Universal Credit etc)
- Currently or previously attended a secondary school where the attainment 8 is below national average
Check eligibility re your secondary school >
- Current home postcode shows that you live in an area with low levels of progression to higher education. (Postcodes within the lowest 2 POLAR4 quintiles)
Check the eligibility of your area >
OR current home postcode shows that you live in area that falls within the lowest 20% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).
Check the Index of Multiple Deprivation >
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