St George's - Student View

Large modern complex of buildings in Tooting, south west London; all pre-clinical and approximately half clinical teaching on site. First years are guaranteed a place in mixed halls with the option of catered or self-catered, 10 minutes' walk from the medical school; halls life is good (socially) and easy (financially and domestically).

Tooting is good for eating and drinking; theatre, film and cabaret require a short five-minute bus journey; Central London is about 20 minutes by tube.

The apolitical SU has fortnightly discos in the medical school, with many events in between (plays, films, band nights, happy hours, quiz nights, karaoke) and special events (Christmas revue, rag week, freshers' fortnight). The bar, which has just been refurbished, is rumoured to be the longest student bar in London and cheapest in the country: as well as the usual, it has guest beers, wines and malts on constant promotion plus hot and cold food.

Most sports and leisure interests are catered for and new clubs are constantly becoming active, inactive and reactive (depending on demand). Sports ground is at Cobham (Surrey) but a sports hall on site has 5 squash courts and 2 multigyms and a weights room; discounted use of Tooting swimming pool. Successful clubs include hockey, football, basketball, cricket, tennis, rugby and rowing. All clubs are remarkably active socially!

Failures are not by a set rate and once through the first year you're unlikely to be thrown out; about a third of students intercalate a BSc at the end of the second year. New courses in physiotherapy, radiography and biomedical science as well as nursing and a relatively new graduate entry medicine course. Student-staff relations are relaxed and friendly. Ideal if you want to become a capable and caring physician, and still enjoy every moment.