BrightIdeas gives aspiring medics in Year 12 across England an opportunity to complete a medicine focused research project, with the support of a medical student e-mentor. The free programme, which is delivered over four online events and ends in a 4-day summer school, provides invaluable insights into the roles of a doctor as a scientist, a clinician and a teacher.
Applications are now open and will close on 30 November 2025.
This programme is delivered in collaboration between Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the Universities of Southampton and Surrey. You will attend four online sessions, complete a research project with 1:1 guidance from a medical student mentor and join us in Brighton for a 4-day, 3-night summer school. Throughout the programme you’ll experience undergraduate level medicine, have the opportunity to develop your confidence and communication skills and explore how you can make a competitive application to medical school.
Students that successfully complete the BrightIdeas programme may be eligible for an adjusted academic offer and guaranteed interview at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
We will introduce the pathways programme, staff and medical student mentors before exploring the medical school admissions processes and considering our next steps for building a competitive application. For the second half of the session, you will experience undergraduate level teaching with an interactive radiology session, learning how to interpret chest x-rays.
Hearing from doctors and healthcare professionals, you will gain insights into the day-to-day lives of those working in the NHS before you explore the inner workings of the MDT, discussing the diagnosis and management of several clinical cases.
You’ll discover the multitude of ways in which we communicate and discuss the challenges and barriers that healthcare professionals may face when communicating with colleagues, patients and their families. You’ll also look to develop your own communication skills as you engage in conversations with people with lived experiences of the chronic conditions.
This session will have dual focus. The first half of the session will focus on exploring and developing presentation skills ahead of the summer school Conference. The afternoon workshop will introduce you to the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), provide an opportunity to practise questions and discuss top tips for preparation.
As part of the programme, you will attend a 4-day, 3 night summer school at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. During your stay with us, you will take part in a number of activities that aim to develop a realistic understanding of medicine, provide support and guidance with various facets of the medical school admissions process and enable you to experience university life.
The Summer School will take place Sunday 19th – Wednesday 22nd July 2026 at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex.
MSC Summer School programmes are open to students in Year 12 in England from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly those from areas with limited outreach to medical schools. Applications are now open and will close on 30 November 2025. Use the links below to check the eligibility criteria and submit your application.
Summer School Eligibility 2026Make a Summer School application