City University London - Academic Prizes

What these prizes are

City, St George’s, University of London, refers its students to a list of academic prizes and competitions organised by external medical organisations. These do not involve any payments from the university itself. These include essay competitions, project grants and scholarships from organisations such as the British Association of Dermatologists, the British Society for Haematology and the Pain Relief Foundation. The cash prizes are generally small, often amounting to up to 500 GBP (approximately 580 EUR) for an essay. Some research scholarships are more generously funded, for example up to 5,000 GBP (approximately 5,800 EUR) for a short-term dermatology placement. These are won by entering a specific competition, not by applying to a centralised programme.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are a student at City, St George’s, University of London. Most of these awards are aimed at students of medicine and health sciences.
• Level: Most prizes are aimed at undergraduates. Depending on the competition, some may also be open to Master’s or PhD students.
• Field of study: Medicine and related health sciences. Each prize focuses on a specific topic, such as palliative care, neurophysiology, gastroenterology or dermatology.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• What you submit: Usually an essay, a research report or a project on a set topic. Each organiser sets their own rules.

How to apply

Each prize is awarded by an external organisation, not by the university. Applications are submitted directly via that organisation’s website, where you will also find details of the topic, the entry requirements and the application deadline.

How realistic are your chances?

In these competitions, the quality of your work is assessed; they are not open grants. Whether you win depends on how well your essay or project compares with those of the other entrants. As each prize is linked to a narrowly defined medical topic, only students working in that field will apply for it. If you write well on a subject you know well and enter several competitions, your chances are good.