Allan Waters

Allan Waters, from Glasgow, graduated with a degree in Medicine (MBChB) in 2011.

Why did you choose to study at Dundee University?

I had heard the medicine course in Dundee was second to none in Scotland and possibly in the UK. I was keen to avoid the Problem Based Learning approach favoured by medical schools like Glasgow and liked that Dundee's course focused heavily on giving lots of clinical experience from an early stage of training.

Dundee is a great university city, the campus is fairly compact in the west end meaning that everything's within walking distance and it's impossible to go anywhere without bumping into someone you know. Additionally it allowed me to move away from home and get the full university experience, while still being close enough to go back for the occasional weekend catch-up.

What are your immediate plans after graduation?

I plan to go travelling around India for a few weeks immediately after graduating; I'm due to start work in Newcastle at the start of August so I'll also have to find a flat down there and move in!

What are your longer term career plans?

I'll be working as a junior doctor in Newcastle for two years, after which I'll be able to choose an area of specialist training. At the moment I'm considering a career in paediatrics or cardiology. However an increasing number of medics are taking a year out after FY2 to work in Australia or New Zealand and I could also see myself doing this.

What information do you think applicants need to know before starting this course?

As I alluded to previously, Dundee medical school is focused on providing extensive clinical experience and teaching on communication skills in order to produce junior doctors who are highly confident on the wards. However you may have to read up on your basic sciences in your spare time to feel confident with this too. You may have heard about the OSCE-style interview process - don't worry, this is more geared towards finding out about your professionalism and ability to work with others than what you currently know about medicine.

What was the most enjoyable thing about your degree and why?

I'd have to say this was the ability to go on outblocks across Scotland during 4th and 5th year. Last June I spent a month in Oban on a surgical placement and the scenery over there was beautiful; I've also had placements across Fife, Perth and Wishaw. I found the camaraderie between students on outblocks is great, you get to know people really well who you might not have had the chance to speak to before.

What was your best university experience and why?

I spent 4 years on the Dundee University Medical Society (DUMS) organising a number of social and charity events for the student body. My most enjoyable of these was organising the Medical Revue, a charity show where we put on comedy and musical sketches to poke fun at lecturers and the medical establishment in general.

What sports activities or clubs/societies (if any) were you involved with?

I tried my hand at almost everything during my 6 years in Dundee: squash, badminton, volleyball, basketball, kayaking, athletics. I was also an active member of the DARE society, going away on two summer projects in Borneo and Guatemala. I've already mentioned my time on the DUMS committee.

Do you have any advice for potential new students?

Be open to new experiences, don't get caught up on one aspect of university (whether that be revision or partying), and just enjoy it - these are the best days of your life!