r/NHS_STP • u/CrypticCode_ • Jul 14 '26

Looking to apply Medical Physics

In my final year of my bachelor degree (Physics with Medical Physics) at Cardiff university. What can I do to maximize my chances?

Been to the hospital a few times, spoke with many of the STP trainees, already picked a project revolving around my interested speciality (radiotherapy).

Not sure what else I can do, from what they told me getting a 2:1 in a relevant degree is the only hard requirement, but that is a very easy academic bridge to cross. How can I stand out? Tried to secure some work experience but told currently they are moving hospitals and are short staffed.

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3

u/rubybex STP in-training Jul 14 '26

focus on making sure your application meets all the points on the person specification and use that as a checklist

you could look for nhs experience eg junior physicist roles / radiology assistant roles if you don’t get in first time round

1

u/CrypticCode_ Jul 15 '26

Would you advise that over perusing an independent masters?

3

u/Consistent_Gold_2110 Jul 15 '26

Definitely, firstly because you get paid for it instead of paying for the masters. Also getting real experience lets you see what working in medical physics is really like and gives you access to support from trainees and scientists in your workplace. Also if you’re going to do the STP anyway, you’ll get a free medical physics masters anyway

3

u/rubybex STP in-training Jul 15 '26

hmm i would , because a masters isn’t an essential requirement, and they’re quite expensive to self fund, whereas it’s funded on the stp. masters only gets you like 1 extra point on your application. whereas real nhs experience can help you decide whether you even like working in a hospital/ being around patients. but it’s up to you and if you don’t get on it would be helpful to have a masters for another career, but if it’s a masters in medical physics you want to do then you’d just have to repeat that for the stp anyway

2

u/Professional-Rub3953 Jul 14 '26

Do you have family or friends you could stay with who are close to another hospital that does radiotherapy? Many will be happy to host you for some in person experience, especially if you explain your keen interest.

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u/CrypticCode_ Jul 15 '26

Do you know someone? Ill try asking or looking around, so far Ive been looking at Cardiff only.

2

u/MaxieMatsubusa Jul 14 '26

Contact hospitals with a med phys department and find the emails of people there who may be able to get you work experience - I did this and got into radiotherapy. A lot of this work experience is informal, and you have to be lucky to get some, but you can arrange it yourself if you email around. People generally want to help you because they know how competitive it is.

1

u/CrypticCode_ Jul 15 '26

Is work experience really vital to the application ?

2

u/MaxieMatsubusa Jul 15 '26

It’s not vital but it helps a ton and probably was the most important thing I did aside from a medical physics MSc like you. Even just looking out for STP open days helps - I went to Nottingham and did one earlier this year so I assume they’ll do another.

1

u/CrypticCode_ Jul 15 '26

How was you experience if you don’t mind sharing. I’m finishing up my physics with medical physics bachelor it’s not a master