I published my work as joint first author in a peer-reviewed journal, and presented the findings at a national conference.

What motivated you to do an intercalation year and why at Sheffield? 

I have always been interested in Neurology, particularly neurodegeneration, and as a medical student it wasn’t a specialty that I had much exposure to. The content of the MSc Clinical Neurology course and the variety of teaching methods including neuroanatomy, clinical application and research was ultimately what made me decide to intercalate. I wanted to have the opportunity to focus on a particular topic in more detail, to gain new skills, and for it to help inform my clinical career. I did my undergraduate degree in Leeds and was initially apprehensive about moving to a new city for my intercalated year, but everyone in Sheffield was very friendly and the course was sociable (as much as it could be during the pandemic!) which made it very easy to settle.

What were the highlights of your intercalation year?

The four month research project was definitely a highlight for me. I did a project which looked at thrombolysis outcomes in cognitively impaired patients with acute stroke. The supervision throughout was great and incredibly supportive. I published my work as joint first author in a peer-reviewed journal, and presented the findings orally at a national conference. I was awarded the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience Department prize for highest result in the research project and the Irene and Richard Beard prize for the highest overall masters’ result which were also significant highlights.

How has your intercalation year helped prepare you for your future career?

My enjoyment of my MSc research project motivated me to apply for the Specialised Foundation Programme to do my clinical training in Sheffield. This gave me the opportunity to have a 4-month research block during FY2 where I was able to continue working on projects supervised by Dr Bell, building upon the work and mentorship I established during my intercalated year. I am currently working as a Clinical Research Fellow in Neurosciences, where I continue to work on stroke and dementia studies in Sheffield, and hope to continue a career in Clinical Academia.

What Skills did you develop most during your intercalation year? 

I developed my academic writing skills through writing essays for assessments, my research project thesis, and scientific abstracts and manuscripts for publication. During my intercalated year, I worked with a statistician who helped with my data analysis performing complex regression models and learnt how to use SPSS. I have continued to use and develop these skills in other research projects and during my career so far. Communication to lay audiences is a skill I developed during my intercalated year through the neurodegeneration module art presentation assignment, and my involvement with the ‘Hot off the Press’ initiative where I wrote lay abstracts for recently published scientific papers. These skills have been hugely beneficial for my current job when working with patients and members of the public to develop relevant research questions and studies.

How did your intercalation year differ from your medical degree?

I intercalated during the COVID-19 pandemic so the year differed significantly from my medical degree in many ways! Although the restrictions of the pandemic meant I did not have much clinical experience, I still had some face-to-face teaching sessions. Neuroanatomy was taught in small groups which enabled personalised learning with the tutors. The nature of different teaching methods with lectures, case-based discussions, reading and essays enabled me to take ownership for my own learning and to manage my time and workload effectively. I found this really helpful for the final years of my medical degree. The MSc Clinical Neurology cohort included students from allied healthcare professions and a diverse range of undergraduate backgrounds which has enabled me to enhance my understanding and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

What advice would you give to students considering an intercalation year?

I would advise other students to take time to think about which course you are interested in, and don’t be afraid to move to a different university for the right course. Speak to people who have done the course previously, and supervisors on the course to gain further insights as to what it involves. An intercalation year is an excellent opportunity to gain skills beyond those of clinical training, and the experiences and rewards gained from it are invaluable throughout the rest of your career.