Three former students of Elliott Hudson College have shared their inspiring journeys from studying A Levels to securing places at the University of Leeds to study medicine, highlighting the determination and support needed to succeed in one of the UK’s most competitive fields.

We caught up with Yusuf Yusuf, Maisey Howson and Freya Baxter during the college’s careers fair, Future Focused Day 2026, where they spoke about their experiences and the challenges they overcame on the path to becoming doctors.

All three students studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths at Elliott Hudson College, subjects widely regarded as essential for aspiring medics, and each progressed to the University of Leeds to continue their studies in medicine.

Maisey Howson
Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Maths
Secondary School: The Morley Academy

Maisey Howson, a former student of The Morley Academy, explains the journey from studying A Levels, through her experience of completing a medical degree.

“Studying medicine is a long but really rewarding journey. The degree itself is five years at university, and once you graduate, you become a qualified junior doctor. After that, you complete two more years of on-the-job training called F1 and F2,” said Maisey Howson, who is now in the final year of her medical degree and will begin F1 training next year.

“Throughout the degree, you take part in placements known as rotations, where you experience different areas of healthcare like A&E, surgery, mental health and paediatrics, which helps you understand what each field is like in practice. During your F1 and F2 years, you continue rotating through different specialities, sometimes choosing areas you’re particularly interested in and sometimes gaining broader experience. After that, if you decide to specialise, whether that’s surgery, cancer care, general practice, or psychiatry, you take on a few more years of further training. I’m still not sure which path I want to take just yet, but that’s the beauty of it—I have time to explore different areas and figure out what suits me best.”

Yusuf Yusuf
Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Maths
Secondary School: Bishop Young Church of England Academy

Yusuf Yusuf, who previously attended Bishop Young Church of England Academy, described the application process as demanding but rewarding. “Applying to medical school is tough, and it can feel overwhelming at times,” he said. “But the support from the college really helped me stay focused and confident.”

“I’ve always known I wanted to be a surgeon, so everything I’ve done since A Levels has been working towards that goal,” said Yusuf Yusuf, who will also be doing his F1 training next year. “Medical school has been a really exciting journey, especially getting to experience different rotations, but surgery has always stood out to me. Now that I’m finishing my degree and starting my foundation years, I’m looking forward to building my skills further and taking the next steps towards specialising in surgery.”

Freya Baxter
Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Maths
Secondary School: Cockburn School

Freya Baxter, who joined Elliott Hudson College from Cockburn School, highlighted the value of connecting with those already on the same path. “Being put in touch with alumni who were already studying medicine made a huge difference. It gave me insight into what the course is actually like and reassured me that I was making the right choice,” she said.

Freya has chosen to do an Intercalation year as part of her degree. “I decided to take an intercalation year as part of my medical degree, which means extending it to six years to study a related subject in more depth,” said Freya Baxter. “I chose Medical Education because it’s an area I’m really interested in, and it’s given me a different perspective on how medicine is taught and practiced. It’s also helping me figure out what kind of doctor I want to be in the future, as I’m still exploring which area of medicine I’d like to specialise in.”

The trio highlighted the support Elliott Hudson College provided throughout the application process, including interview preparation sessions, mock interviews, and opportunities to speak with current medical students.

Applying to medical school is widely recognised as one of the most challenging routes for sixth form students, requiring not only strong academic performance but also dedication, resilience and a clear commitment to the profession. Their success stories now serve as inspiration for current students considering careers in medicine, demonstrating what can be achieved with hard work and the right support.