Hannah du Preez
Why did you choose BSMS?
I chose BSMS because I already knew and loved the Brighton area from my biomedical sciences degree at the University of Brighton. During my biomed course, I visited the anatomy labs at BSMS and was fascinated by the hands-on experience. I was drawn to the course structure, including early clinical placements, the integrated teaching style and the spiral curriculum that builds knowledge over time.
How have you found the course?
I’ve found the course at BSMS well-structured. In Years 1 and 2, we built a strong foundation of clinical knowledge, complemented by early placements in GP practices and community hospitals. We also learned essential skills such as aseptic non-touch technique, which prepared us well for Year 3, where placements take centre stage. Year 3 has been my favourite so far, as it’s given me the chance to meet a variety of patients and gain hands-on experience. The teaching has been excellent, and I appreciate how BSMS listens to student feedback, constantly improving the course for each cohort.
What have you enjoyed the most about your time at BSMS?
I’ve enjoyed the placements the most during my time at BSMS. My favourite placement was a week in A&E during my first placement in Year 3. Working in small groups with a clinical fellow, I had the chance to take bloods, perform ECGs and carry out examinations on patients. It was an incredibly hands-on experience, and I learned so much about diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions. It was fascinating to see in real life the conditions we had studied in earlier years
What are the clinical years like?
The clinical years at BSMS (Years 3–5) are an exciting progression into hands-on learning. Year 3 focuses on areas like surgery, elderly medicine, psychiatry, and general medicine, while Years 4 and 5 delve into more specialised fields. I’m currently in Year 3 and have just completed my first placement in surgery, which I thoroughly enjoyed. We rotated through specialties like urology, orthopaedics, plastics and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. Placements involve attending ward rounds, clinics and multidisciplinary team meetings, as well as observing surgeries and learning how to get surgically ‘scrubbed up’.
In some rotations, we’re assigned a clinical fellow who provides teaching, supports us during ward rounds and helps with skills, ensuring there’s always someone to guide us. At the medical school, we’re also taught essential clinical skills like cannulation, NG tube placement and catheterisation, which prepare us to practise and refine these techniques during placements
What’s it like living in Brighton?
Living in Brighton has been amazing—it’s my sixth year here due to my previous degree, and I still love it! Brighton offers the perfect mix of city life and a beautiful beach. There’s always something happening, from events and festivals to live music and markets. BSMS societies often host events across the city, so there’s always something to get involved in.
The transport links are excellent, with buses that go almost anywhere and run late, making it easy to explore. The beach is stunning year-round, offering great walks and sunsets, and there are iconic places to visit like the Royal Pavilion. Brighton is also full of scenic spots for walking, a huge variety of shops and a lively student population.
What are your plans for the future?
For now, I’m keeping an open mind and not solidifying any decisions about my future career. It’s really common to change your mind in medicine, as there are so many fascinating areas to explore. A few specialties that have sparked my interest so far include anaesthetics, obstetrics and general surgery. I really enjoyed my anaesthetics placement, especially learning about pre-optimisation of patients. General surgery appealed to me because of the wide variety of cases, and I’ve been fascinated by obstetrics from a young age. For now, I’m focused on enjoying the course, exploring different specialties and gaining as much experience as possible.