Studying medicine at Bristol? Connect with others by joining one of our sub-societies.
Are you interested in a career in Cardiothoracic or vascular surgery? Then BCVSS is the place for you! We are passionate about the world of cardiovascular surgery and this year we are back and better than ever. We plan to host a variety of events that will range from surgical skills days and consultant led talks to a teaching series covering lots of high yield exam topics. Additionally, we keep in mind that applying for this career is competitive and we want to give you the best chance early on in your journey. We welcome you to speak to us about presenting your own research at the society. We will also be running exciting socials such as fun runs to fundraise for charities close to our hearts. We know it is important to take a break in this fast-paced medical world! So, if you’re curious about cardiovascular conditions then sign up, follow us on insta and stay up to date with what we have on!
The Bristol Dermatology Society is back and better than ever! We are a group of medics who are passionate about the skin – your body’s largest and fastest-growing organ. We want everyone to get involved in our events that will be held throughout the year. Join us if you want to learn more about common conditions, sun safety, and the life of a dermatologist… Keep an eye out for our stand at Medics Fresh, and our Facebook group.
Bristol Friends of MSF is part of the official student organisation for Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), an independent international humanitarian aid charity which provides medical aid where it is most needed. Bristol FoMSF is committed to raising awareness of MSF’s work and to fundraising for ongoing and future MSF projects. From talks by those who have returned from MSF missions, to debates, film screenings and various fundraising events, all of our work revolves around the theme of humanitarian aid. Here at Bristol Friends of MSF, we want YOU to join us in supporting MSF’s cause. Global healthcare cannot be realised without global input. Come along and join us!
Join GPSoc to learn about all the opportunities a career in General Practice offers! We are a Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)-affiliated society which run events to inspire students and facilitate opportunities to network with GPs. We provide chances to practice and develop your clinical skills at our workshops. So, even if you’re unsure, just curious or set on a career in general practice, join our society and take advantage of all the opportunities we have to offer.
At BMRES our aim is to help students learn more about academic medicine and improve access and transparency to opportunities. We run events such as journal clubs, workshops and presentations on academic writing, reviewing research papers and how to pursue a career in academia as well as more casual events such as coffee with a scientist or academic doctor.
We are proud to be working in collaboration with INSPIRE to give students involved with our society the chance to present their own research and gain networking opportunities.
Welcome to Medics Netball! We are a club that is passionate about netball and we have members at all levels of ability.
We offer twice weekly training with lots of opportunity for match play. These sessions take place on Wednesday afternoons and Friday evenings. We play in a number of different leagues so whether you are just starting out or are a competitive player, there will be something for everyone! Our intramural league is a really fun way for everyone to get involved in netball. For our more competitive players, we participate in a local club league. Lastly our NAMS league is against other medical schools and is for our most competitive players. Our biannual trip to Nantes, France and varsity against Cardiff are both highlights in our year.
Our socials are the best Bristol has to offer, so players that are more socially inclined are more than welcome! Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!
UBHWRFC is now entering its 6th year as a club and has gone from strength to strength over this time. What started out as a small, social team who enjoyed a fair-weather run around and a pint, has grown into a fantastic group of girls from all years of the Medical School who compete at the highest level while maintaining this fun and friendly ethos. In the 2022/23 season, the first ever NAMS league for women was set up. Our Bristol team went undefeated in the league and went on to win the cup final in front of a large crowd in London! Our team is run by players, for players and encourages heads up rugby with individual flair, rather than setting a regimented playbook! If you love fun rugby, a run around on a Saturday morning and competitive matches with your friends then we look forward to welcoming you this September, whether you have played for years or never picked up a rugby ball!
For more information follow us on instagram @ubhwrfc, where you can also find the link to our facebook group for the 2023-2024 season.
Come join BOGS! The Bristol Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society (BOGS) is a fantastic way to explore what a career in Obs & Gynae has to offer. We’re a friendly, passionate team committed to promoting women’s health and supporting students interested in this rewarding specialty. This year, we’ll be running fundraising events, hosting talks from doctors working in the field, sharing useful resources for O&G revision, and providing guidance on electives in women’s health. Whether you’re already interested in the specialty or just want to learn more, we’d love to have you involved!
We are the University of Bristol Ophthalmology society. If you are interested in ophthalmology as a career then this is the society for you! Throughout the year we will be holding various events ranging from revision teaching sessions, fundoscopy practice as well as helping you to prepare for the Duke Elder Examination. We LOOK forward to SEEING you all get involved with our society!
Bristol Ortho Soc is the University of Bristol Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Society. Founded in 2015, our society aims to provide medical students with opportunities to engage more in the speciality as well as support them through their learning of musculoskeletal surgery. Each year we run a Careers Evening and National Research and Innovation in Orthopaedics Conference. In addition, this year we will be running regular small teaching sessions for pre-clinical and clinical years. We will be covering Anatomy, OSCE skills and common cases you may encounter as a junior doctor in your rotations. Keep an eye out for our highly attended conference which consists of a fully packed day of interesting talks, hands-on workshops and Portfolio/CV advice to help students start their career in Surgery as soon as possible. We also provide students with the opportunity for poster/podium presentations as well as the chance to win some prizes. This is an excellent opportunity for you to get a taste of what is required for you to be able to present at a National Conference and an insight into the excitement of a career in orthopaedics.”
Whether it’s up a mountain, deep in a jungle or out in the desert, wherever people go, medicine must follow. The Bristol University Wilderness Medicine Society works with students outside the standard curriculum, we want to get you exploring and practicing medicine in challenging environments! We run weekend trips, day hikes and teaching sessions packed with simulations and learning for all years.
Think that good things come in small packages, patients included? You’ve come to the right place! We’re BUMPS – Bristol University Medics’ Paediatrics Society (you can understand why we went for the acronym)! Our society covers everything Paediatric and Child Health Related. We have an amazing committee passionate about Child Health and provide fun and exciting opportunities for Medical Students across all years including: Careers Events, Educational Opportunities, Volunteering, Fundraising and our Paediatric Conference!
Hello and welcome to Cardio Soc! We’re super passionate about all things cardiology and want to spread this and inspire more of you to follow cardiology as a future career option. The heart is the most vital organ in your body, so why not come and become an expert on it? This year we’re planning on even bigger and better events, including a cardiology conference, revision days for all years and loads of fundraising! We’re especially fortunate in Bristol to have amazing contacts with inspiring doctors at the Bristol Heart Institute, so the speakers and mentors we’ve got are some of the best in the country! Come along and say Hi to us at Medic Fresh to find out more about what we do and how you can join!
The Christian Medical Fellowship unites and equips Christian doctors and nurses to live and speak for Jesus Christ. We were formed in 1949 and currently have over 4,000 UK doctors and around 800 UK medical students as members. The Bristol group comprises Christian medical students plus doctors. We meet to get to know each other across the five years of the medical school and pray together. We meet termly with the doctors for dinner and for the Human Journey (an ethics course which looks biblically at issues from life to death). We usually head to the Student Conference once a year.
WHAT WE DO:
We teach CPR, first aid and basic life support skills to children and members of the community around Bristol from November to March.
WHY SHOULD YOU:
These are fun, relaxed sessions of <1 hr to empower others to save a life. These boost your portfolio and you receive a certificate. There are no minimum sessions. You can do whatever works for you.
HOW DO I:
Follow the instagram and sign up to the mailing list, also become a member within Galenicals. Add your name to the spreadsheet and you’re ready.
DON’T WORRY WE PROVIDE ALL TEACHING MATERIALS IN ADVANCE 🙂
You just need to have passed your BLS usually done in year 1.
Welcome to Bristol Medics Men’s Football Club, known as Galenicals FC! We are a very welcoming club focused on good football and even better socials. We are a very inclusive club accommodating for players of all abilities. We have a lot of football going on for all abilities. This includes a Wednesday league on Clifton down against other courses/societies/halls, weekly training sessions on Friday evening on a 4g pitch, and a more competitive Sunday league division, where we are currently competing in the top flight of the Bristol Sunday league. Lifts can be provided so need not worry about transport. We have an annual varsity against rivals Cardiff and biennial tour to Nantes, both alongside other medic sports, as well as competing nationally at NAMS (the national medical schools football tournament). This promises a weekend away you wouldn’t want to miss, which is why we have brought 2 teams on this tour with us in recent years. Our weekly socials on Wednesday are a brilliant opportunity to get to know some of the older students and members of the club, even if you aren’t all about football! Feel free to have a chat with any of us at the Freshers fair and if not don’t hesitate to pop us a message if you want any more information!
A group created for Mature medics (anyone starting the course aged 21 or over) studying at Bristol University. We all know how daunting it is to go back to studying as a mature student. We have all had second thoughts, especially knowing you’re at a different point in your life compared to your potential peers and how it can become daunting. So fear not! we have created this community to help you meet and chat with other mature medics who have been in a similar position to you.
It will allow you to communicate but also mingle with students from across the years and allow you to have common ground but also get all the support needed which include words of wisdom but also health and well-being support! So come join us! Facebook: Official Bristol Mature Medics
Welcome to women’s medic’s football. We are a friendly, welcoming and inclusive club. If you are looking to have fun, meet other medics and maybe even learn a few tricks then this is the club for you. We welcome players of all abilities and levels. We accommodate to everyone’s needs, so whether it’s your first time kicking a ball or you’re more experienced, come along to our training sessions and give it a go. We often have matches with other clubs and we also offer wide range of socials so join our Facebook page to get more information – “Bristol Medics women’s football” and follow our instagram
Medics Yoga Society is new for 2020, and brings an opportunity for experienced yogis and complete beginners to join together for a weekly practice – encompassing both a physical and mental release. Use your breath to strengthen your body as we flow through practices taught by medical students, who are also qualified yoga instructors. Here we provide you with a safe space and a way to engage in mindfulness in a more accessible format for many. A hug to the body, a thank you to the soul and a break for the mind. Keep up to date with our events via our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1868084096660464/) and Instagram (@yoga_4_medics) and remember that all levels are welcome!
Official subsociety for medical students of colour! We plan loads of social events such as game nights, potlucks and paints and sips, so come along and meet other BAME+ students!
Meet-A-Medic is a charity that works through the medical school where we go into primary schools and deliver interactive talks to children of all ages. The children are always enthusiastic and full of questions making each session individual and lots of fun! The aim of delivering these sessions is to encourage children to develop an interest in medicine and appreciate the importance of good health. It’s good practice for teaching and also a great thing to have on your CV! We’re always looking for students from any year to get involved so get in touch if you’re interested! Places are usually allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis, but we’ll do our best to make sure everyone gets a chance to give it a go!
The Oncology Society is a welcoming community for anyone curious about cancer, its treatment, and the people working to beat it. We run talks, workshops, and socials where you can meet others, learn from experts, and connect with practicing oncologists. Whether you’re set on working in the field or just want to find out more, our society is a great place to build networks, get inspired, and make a difference together.
Keen to don your scrubs and learn about surgery? Welcome to SCRUBS, the University of Bristol’s surgical society aiming to give all medical students a taste of a surgical career. We host a variety of events, including many suturing workshops throughout the year to hone your practical surgical skills, as well as national conferences where students can present research which they have carried out. Other events include a popular battle of the surgeons whom compete to prove their specialty is the best and our renowned surgical skills day. As a society, we are passionate about providing students with a wide variety of exposure to the many different surgical specialities.
Join StreetDoctors if you are committed to ending youth violence! StreetDoctors teaches emergency first aid to young people at risk of youth violence so they know what to do if someone is bleeding or unconscious. We do this through our movement of young healthcare volunteers who train 11-25 year olds to understand the true medical consequences of violence and empower them to become lifesavers in their communities. You could be teaching young people at criminal justice services, schools, pupil referral units, sports and community groups leaving them equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions about how to keep themselves and others safe. #endyouthviolence
Welcome to Teddy Bear Hospital! We are a sub-society committed to making healthcare less scary for children through interactive learning. We run weekly sessions every Wednesday going to local primary schools and run a circuit of fun and interactive stations for children typically aged 3-7 years old. This is a great opportunity to get experience around young children especially if you’re interested in paediatrics or health education. It is a very low commitment society and we would love to see you!
The Black Bag has been the Medical Student Magazine since 1937. Published twice every year, we are the voice of both students and alumni. Initially designed by the Faculty of Medicine as a scholastic publication, the Black Bag was taken over by students in the 1970s and replaced with a slightly less-polished perspective on the raucous life of medical students. Today, our articles range from the informative to the satirical, providing a platform for both thought-provoking discussion and comical musings. We look to reflect on the wide variety of Galenicals sub-societies (sports, music, drama) as well as to evaluate (and lampoon) the current state of the Bristol Medical School and the world of medicine. The Black Bag are always looking for contributors. If you are interested in writing for us or providing material, please email: blackbag1937@gmail.com.
Welcome to Medics Hockey! UBHMHC prides itself on being a welcoming, diverse and inclusive club dedicated to the love of hockey. With over 70 members (and growing), we cater to all hockey abilities, including complete beginners. Training takes place every Friday evening and there are regular mixed and separate Men’s and Women’s matches throughout the season, as well as mixed intramural games every Sunday. The social side is also very important to us. Medics Hockey is an amazing place to meet people with a wide variety of socials, larger events and tours to other universities throughout the year. We’re also a great platform for raising and giving, offering opportunities such as coaching in primary schools and working with our charity partners Help Bristol’s Homeless.
Follow our social media for regular updates on training, socials and matches:
UBHRFC (United Bristol Hospitals Rugby Football Club) is the rugby club for Bristol’s Medics, Vets, and Dentists – though we welcome anyone who wants to get involved. More than just a team, we’re a community that balances competitive rugby with the camaraderie, support, and fun that make demanding courses far more manageable.
We run both a 1st XV and 2nd XV in NAMS (National Association of Medical Schools Rugby), playing group-stage fixtures against rival medic clubs before progressing to national knockout stages. In first term, the 1st XV face Peninsula (Plymouth & Exeter), Southampton, Swansea, and Cardiff (our varsity rivals), while the 2nd XV take on Warwick and Cardiff. Alongside NAMS, we organise friendlies against other medical schools and intramural course-based teams at Bristol, with the Engineers (TUBES) being our Bristol rivals. Training is held twice a week at Coombe Dingle, led by our experienced coaching team: Lee (Head Coach), Mike (Director of Rugby), and Ryley (Skills Coach).
What makes UBHRFC unique is how well the club fits around medical school life. With fixtures and socials on Saturdays, members can still enjoy other societies that meet midweek. The club brings together students from every year group, giving younger members the chance to meet older students who are an invaluable source of advice, resources, and support. Importantly, UBHRFC makes it easy to keep playing rugby throughout clinical years, when weekday placements make other sports harder to commit to.
Off the field, we’re known for our legendary socials, charity events, and the famous biennial tour to Nantes with other Galenicals sports clubs. For many members, UBHRFC becomes the highlight of their time at Bristol, offering competitive rugby, unforgettable memories, and friendships that last long after graduation.
If you’re looking for quality rugby, tradition, and a community that understands your academic pressures whilst welcoming players of all abilities, UBHRFC is the club for you.
Interested in learning more about mental health? Interested in a career in psychiatry? Interested in learning how to support yourself and/or someone else? Welcome to Bristol University Psychiatry Society (BUPS)! BUPS offers a range of events, including film nights, talks, workshops and festivals, where you can learn about these topics and much more.
Ever wondered what happens after you “panic call the anaesthetist” in your A-E sim? At UBSACC we focus entirely on this. We are an exciting society organising a variety of events including careers talks, practical workshops, simulation and experiences in areas such as critical care, pre-hospital medicine and many more. Anaesthetists are involved in all specialties and make up the largest fraction of hospital doctors. We are really excited for the year ahead so find us online or at Medic Fresh for a chat!
Bristol Sports & Exercise Medicine Society brings together students passionate about the science of sport, health, and performance. We run talks from leading clinicians, practical workshops, and opportunities to explore careers in sports and exercise medicine. Whether you’re aiming for a career in SEM or just interested in the role of exercise in health, come and get involved!
“Welcome to Women in Surgery society!
Are you an aspiring surgeon? Do you want to know what it’s like to be a woman in surgery?
At WinS we always have something on: with regular surgeon talks, teaching series, elective planning, surgical skills workshop and our annual Women in Surgery conference, there’s lots to get involved in! Even if you’ve never thought about surgery before, everyone is welcome! We focus on opportunities for women in the surgical field, networking with people at different levels of their training pathway and being there to guide and support each other.
Follow our instagram (@bristolwins) to see what we have on, and feel free to reach out via email or DM if you have any questions, suggestions or just want to chat!”
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