The WATCCH programme combines in-person and online workshops and student mentoring as well as a face to face GP work experience placement in a London practice. 

Should you be offered a place on the WATCCH programme, participation is free of charge.

The 2023/24 workshop programme:

• Wed 26 July at Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital campus, W6 8RP
  10:00 – 16:00 
  Welcome workshop, introductory session and pre-work experience information
• August – work experience
  Three days in a London-based GP practice (student and GP practice availability and location will be matched as far as possible)
  The cost of food and travel will be paid for by Imperial
• Sat 2 September at Imperial College London, White City, W12 7TA or Charing Cross Hospital campus, W6 8RP
  Full day, timings TBC
  Post placement reflections, interview skills and coaching workshop 
• Saturday 30 September | online 
  Half day, timings TBC
  Multi-professional Panel and Personal Statement Clinic 
• Sat 11 November 2023 at Imperial College London Charing Cross Hospital campus, W6 8RP
  Half day, timings TBC
  Mock Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)

Each successful WATCCH applicant will have an Imperial College student mentor who will be able to provide advice on healthcare careers and admissions processes. Mentoring will take place via the Brightside Online Mentoring Platform and the WATCCH workshops.

Applications are open to students who are:

• Currently in Year 12, and
• Attending a non-selective state school in London

 You will also need to meet one of the following criteria:

• You currently receive free school meals/a means-tested bursary or you have in the past
• Neither of your parents have a university degree
• You are currently, or you have previously been, in care
• You are a carer with significant and sustained caring responsibilities
• You or one of your parents is an asylum seeker/refugee

If you are not eligible to apply for the WATCCH programme but would like more information on healthcare careers and the relevant higher education application processes, you may find the ‘Additional resources’ section below helpful.

Application for the 2023/24 programme have now closed.

You will need to provide details of your parent/guardian, and also a referee who is not a family member who is able to verify the information you have provided if asked. This referee could be a teacher or community member who knows you well.

Before filling out the application form, please read the eligibility criteria in the ‘Who can apply?’ section above.

We will use the information you provide on the application form to select eligible participants. Due to the competitive nature of the programme, unfortunately we cannot guarantee every applicant a place on the programme. We will consider your eligibility criteria and personal statement during the shortlisting process and will try to prioritise those who have not done healthcare work experience before and have not participated in another programme focused on accessing healthcare careers or university.

The WATCCH programme is run by the Medical Education Innovation and Research Centre (MEdIC), based in the Department of Primary Care and Public Health at Imperial College London.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at watcch@imperial.ac.uk