Pre-Arrival
Course Structure
Warwick’s medicine course starts with university-based teaching in Year 1, with some early clinical exposure in healthcare settings. From Year 2, time in hospitals and GP practices increases steadily, and by Years 3 and 4, you’ll be based mostly in clinical placements across partner trusts. As clinical time ramps up, your housing and transport needs may change — living near campus works best for Year 1, but from Year 2 onward, be prepared to commute
more information on structure: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/study/ugr/why/courseinfo/structureLink opens in a new window
What To Bring
You'll probably not be able to fit everything in your suitcase, so prioritise what you need! Remember, you would need to move everything from airport accommodation room! (possibly repeating the process if you're moving out after Year 1)
Essentials
- Important immigration documents!
- Check if travel visas are needed for accompanying family members (New
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for selected countries since 2025)
- Copy of immunisation records
- Money - Opening banks accounts might take some time. Keep in mind, UK-based online banks are good options but requires you to be physically in the UK when opening!
General
Electronics
- IT equipment and chargers - Computers are available all around University (including the med school) and in libraries of the 3 major hospitals you will be placed
- Adapters - UK uses Type G sockets
Bedding and Comfort
- Bedding and pillow sheets (or buy on arrival, but having a light set helps for first few nights)
| UK Bed Size | Mattress Dimensions (cm)/(inches) |
| Single | 90 x 190 cm / 35" x 75" |
| Small Double | 120 x 190 cm / 47" × 75" |
| Double | 135 x 190 cm / 53" × 75" |
| King | 150 x 200 cm / 59" × 79" |
| Super King | 180 x 200 cm / 71" × 79" |
- Moisturiser (skin can dry quickly in UK climate, especially if from a tropical country)
- Comfy walking shoes (lots of standing/walking during placements)
Clothing and Weather Gear
- Winter - Thermal base layers, puffer jacket, windbreakers (it can get extremely windy), gloves + mask (if you're planning on cycling in winter)
- Summer - breathable clothing
-
Rain - waterproof jacket/coat, small portable umbrella, waterproof shoes/boots
Kitchen and Daily Living
- Reusable items: food containers, bottle, shopping bags
- Basic kitchenware
Placement
- Pens: preferably non-smudging pens for clinical placement. (Although an ipad-mini and apple pen will be given on arrival and most places have went paperless)
- Professional attire - mostly useful for attending conferences or networking events but scrubs are typically used in all clinical placements (two pairs of scrubs will be given by the university)
Note:
Laundry gets expensive if you are living in student accommodation so bringing extra clothing that is frequently washed might save you some money ie. workout attire, socks, and under garments
Things the medical school will provide for clinical placement:
- Ipad mini
- Ipad case
- Apple pen
- 2 sets of Warwick medical student scrubs (top + bottom)
- Lanyards + card holders
- Name tags
- Stethoscope (not given to students
transferring from partnered universities in year 2)
