MEDICINE
A medicine degree is a mixture of science based learning with soft skills development and a grounding in medical ethical and legal knowledge. It is a direct route in to becoming a doctor and will look at a variety of different subject fields some of which include: anatomy, bodily systems, clinical procedure, cell biology and genetics, as well as pathology and epidemiology.
SOME INFORMATION:
Books
- Bad Science
- This Is Going To Hurt
- Do No Harm
- When Breath Becomes Air
- Where There Is No Doctor
- Being Mortal
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
- In Stitches
- Happy Accidents: Serendipity in Modern Medical Breakthroughs
- Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on An Imperfect Science
- Life at the Extremes
- Spillover
- The Dressing Station
- The Emperor of all Maladies
- The Epigenetics Revolution
- Time, Love, and Memory
- Virolution
- An Angel At My Table
- The Brain: A Very Short Introduction
Podcasts
Competitions
Every year, we invite students across the UK to tackle one of our academics’ ‘big’ questions. These are designed to challenge you beyond the school curriculum and get you thinking ‘big’ about your subject and what it might be like to study it at university. Simply record a video of 5 minutes or less presenting your arguments, research, evidence and opinions.
To enter you must: live in the UK, attend a state school, be in Year 11, 12, or 13. Winners will be invited to visit Oxford where they will have the opportunity to discuss their entries with subject tutors, take a tour of the college, and enjoy lunch in the dining hall.
First Prize: £100 – Second Prize: £50 – Subject Awards: £35
How to enter:
Send us a video of no more than 5 minutes in length.
There’s no need for any fancy equipment, you can film on your phone if you like – we will be judging entries based on your engagement with the question.
Your video doesn’t have to include your face – feel free to get creative! You could narrate a PowerPoint, record yourself drawing or even apply your TikTok-making skills…
Submit your video as an unlisted YouTube video or via WeTransfer.
This was the question for 2025 – entries are now closed but visit the website to get updates for the next competition!
The Minds Underground™ Medicine Essay Competition is aimed at students in Year 12 (though younger applicants are welcome). The competition provides students with an opportunity to engage in university-level research, hone their writing & argumentative skills and prepare for university interviews. Entrants must choose 1 question to answer.
The 2025 Minds Underground Essay Competition results are now live — view the full results on our Results Page. 2026 questions will be released in November 2025.
Can AI replace human doctors in the next 50 years?
Hint: Consider diagnostics, treatment personalisation, and the ethical implications of AI in medicine.
How should medical professionals approach health inequality in the 21st century?
Hint: Discuss social determinants of health, the impact of socio-economic status, and the role of public health initiatives.
Should the NHS continue to provide free healthcare for all?
Hint: Explore the balance between funding, quality of care, and alternative models such as privatisation or insurance-based systems