Thank you for your support
Intercalated Scholarships impact report 2020/21
Intercalated Scholarships
An intercalated year provides our medical or dentistry students with a unique opportunity for self-development and investment in their future career. Intercalated degrees give the chance to study a subject in depth, gain greater skills and knowledge and be awarded an additional degree all in a single year. However, this opportunity can be difficult for those students from a disadvantaged background – being able to afford a whole extra year of study can be daunting for some.
Your generous support ensures that this opportunity is accessible to all students regardless of background. It gives students the opportunity to explore new subjects, enhance and develop skills and knowledge, and prepare for a chosen career path. It provides them with a unique opportunity to tailor their learning according to their own personal interests.
Students who are awarded an Intercalated Scholarship receive £3,000 to support them with this additional year of study, which ensures that background doesn’t limit the opportunities available. Since 2010, thanks to yours and other donors’ support, over 230 students have benefitted from an Intercalated Scholarship.
Having an Intercalated Scholarship has allowed me to develop my personal interests in cancer biology and therapeutics and it has given me the opportunity to develop my organisational and time management skills. It's been an amazing experience and now I’m ready to go back to medicine as a more well-rounded student. I have gained so much from this year and it’s all thanks to you! Being supported by a scholarship is such a wonderful thing which I will carry with me for the rest of my life – it has helped mould my future career. Thank you."
A message from the Head of Intercalated Programmes
I can’t thank you enough for supporting Intercalated Scholarships here at Leeds. An intercalated year provides our students with a unique opportunity to take charge of their learning and start to shape their own career. The year allows each student to enhance their academic and professional development, but it is also another year that they have to finance – and that can be incredibly difficult for some.
Given that intercalation significantly contributes to career development and future employability, leveling the playing field for students from less advantaged backgrounds is crucial. Studies have shown that students who intercalate have better research competencies than other students (Riley 2013; Collins 2010) and there is even some indication that students who intercalate perform better academically in their later years (Greenhalgh 2003; McManus 1999). It is therefore hugely important that this opportunity is available to all our students, regardless of background.
Thank you for investing in our students and in their future.
Alison Ledger
Associate Professor (Clinical Education Scholarship)
Head of Intercalated Programmes
On behalf of the Faculty, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the donors for their generous contributions to the Intercalated Scholarship scheme.
These scholarships have had a life-changing impact on our students and I am wholeheartedly grateful.”
Ben Silberstein
Cardiovascular Medicine
Intercalated Scholarship recipient
“I chose to intercalate to broaden my medical knowledge and gain an understanding of cardiovascular medicine. I also wanted to explore the research aspect of medicine. My degree has taught me many valuable research skills such as how to analyse and write scientific papers. These skills will transfer over to medicine, which I return to in September for my fourth year.
"My intercalated year focused on cardiovascular medicine. I particularly enjoyed the cardiovascular pumps, pipes and electrics module. It was very interesting to learn about the various mechanisms of the cardiovascular system and the relevant pathologies, such as heart failure. I also enjoyed the research element of the degree having never previously conducted a research project. It was really interesting to carry out a literature review and research project on the role of microRNAs in cardiovascular disease - a topic in which I now feel very knowledgeable.”
Chloe Sowerby
International Health
Intercalated Scholarship recipient
“I chose to intercalate in International Health in order to learn about healthcare delivery outside the NHS and how I can help the world of medicine and healthcare on a global scale. What I've particularly taken away from this degree is learning how health research is conducted, from collecting, analysing and discussing data, and how this fundamentally allows for new interventions to be put in place to improve public health globally.
"I believe that these are not only important lessons for my career path but also for my next year as a medical student where I will be completing a research project of my own. Thank you so much for not letting my ability to pay affect my academic ability. I will forever be grateful.”
Daniel Smith
MRes Medicine
Intercalated Scholarship recipient
"I was nervous about studying an MRes, thinking was this right for me, but the scholarship made me so excited and confirmed that I had made the right decision. It gave me a real boost at the start of my studies, making me very determined to do well and make the most of this amazing opportunity.
"This year has also allowed me to develop my own personal interests in cancer biology and therapeutics. I have thoroughly enjoyed cancer research, and this is something I am keen to continue. I have joined an Academic Foundation Programme (AFP) mentorship scheme. After discussions with my mentor, I have decided that I would like to apply for an AFP post after I graduate from medicine, hopefully gaining a placement in clinical research. This seems like a natural progression and is where I hope my passion will take me. I would like to gain experience working in different clinical settings, as well as trying my hand at academia.
"On the MBChB there is some research teaching but it is limited and most students spend time focusing on the clinical aspects of the course. However, spending a year studying for an MRes has given me valuable appraisal skills which allow me to look at a wide range of papers with a critical mindset. This year has also allowed me to develop my skills – it’s been an amazing experience and now I’m ready to go back to medicine as a more well-rounded student.”
When I found out I had been awarded the scholarship I was so happy – my housemates cheered along with me and when I rung my parents and grandparents they were so proud and happy too. Receiving the scholarship immediately made me feel much more relaxed and some of my worries about the coming year diminished."
Holly Krombacher
Psychology
Intercalated Scholarship recipient
I wanted to study an intercalation in Psychology so much and now I can - and I don’t have to worry about the financial burden. When I found out I had been awarded my scholarship, the relief was huge. It meant I could fully throw myself into the degree without any concerns.”
Noor Alwan
Medical Education
Intercalated Scholarship recipient
“I was so ecstatic when I found out I had been awarded the scholarship as it made intercalating a realistic possibility. I chose to intercalate in Medical Education because I love teaching, and wanted to open this door for later on in my career. This year, I have really enjoyed doing my own research project and working on my essay writing skills – which really needed improving! I especially enjoyed the Curriculum Development module, which had a group debate.
Thank you so much for making my dream of studying medicine and becoming a doctor a reality! It is because of your donation that, one day, I can give back to society and help save lives. You are shaping the future, and as one of the students you have supported, I am so grateful – thank you!”
Rory McNicholas
Psychology
Intercalated Scholarship recipient
“I chose to intercalate in Psychology as I was interested in learning more about the subject. I enjoyed learning about psychology as part of my medical degree, so wanted to further my understanding of the subject. I was particularly interested in mental health and neuropsychological physiology and pathophysiology. So far, I have really enjoyed studying psychology and have covered some interesting and pertinent research areas. I have also developed my research, analysis and report writing skills; skills that will certainly help me with my research project in the latter years of my medical degree, as well as in the future.
Although it sounds a cliché, for as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a doctor, and since about sixth form, I've known I wanted to specialise in psychiatry, neurology or neuropsychology. The more time I spend on placement, and the more I learn at university, the more I know this is the area I would like to specialise in.”
James Brooks
MSc Medical Imaging
Intercalated Scholarship recipient
I chose to intercalate to gain an understanding of the physics and technology behind medical imaging scanners. This year will help with my future medical studies, as imaging plays such a key role in the management of patients. I have particularly enjoyed learning about MRI and CT scanners, and their underlying physical principles.
“Thank you – scholarships really do help students, and your donation really makes a difference to a student’s university experience.”
Thank you
The support you provide towards Intercalated Scholarships really does make a world of difference to our students and to their medical careers. Thank you for investing in our students - allowing them to explore new opportunities and developing themselves to become the best medical professionals they can be.
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