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Final Honours Scheme

Undergraduate students in the laboratory

NDORMS provides opportunities for medical and biomedical undergraduate students to perform research projects as part of their Final Honours Scheme (FHS) programme. This section outlines opportunities and supervisors that are open to research projects.


Final Honours Scheme (FHS) Research Projects at NDORMS

As part of the Final Honours Scheme (FHS), medical and biomedical sciences students are required to undertake a research project hosted by a university department. They are hosted in year 2 of their undergraduate studies which aims to equip students with scientific research skills. This page provides a brief outline of the research project component of the FHS and how NDORMS supports FHS students.

Information for supervisors

Medical and biomedical sciences undergraduate students are required to perform a research project at a host department. The projects run from the first (biomedical sciences students) or third week of trinity term (medical students) and will last for a total of 8 weeks (8 weeks full time or equivalent part-time e.g. 16 weeks at half time). In addition to group leaders, the scheme is a great opportunity for early career researchers to gain experience in supervision/co-supervision.

If you would like to host an FHS student for a research project please make sure you are familiar with the Guidance for supervisors.

Briefly, as a supervisor you must ensure that:

  • You are eligible to supervise a research project (e.g. graduate students cannot supervise FHS students alone but can act as co-supervisor).
  • The research project consists of original experiments and/or data analysis and is appropriate for the time frame.
  • Access and training for equipment necessary for the project is provided.
  • You (or someone you have delegated) can provide necessary support and guidance throughout the project and can meet regularly with the student.
  • You are able to provide critical feedback on at least one draft of the student’s written report (4,500 word write-up). This is submitted in Trinity term of the following year.
  • You do not supervise/co-supervise more than 3 students at any given time.

As a supervisor you will be paid for the time spent supervising an FHS student at a rate that is equivalent to 8 single tutorials at the standard rate as set by the Senior Tutors Committee of the Conference of Colleges (across Trinity and Hilary terms).

Key dates for FHS research projects starting in 2025

Be advised that these dates are approximate.

October 2024: Potential NDORMS supervisors are contacted by the NDORMS director of undergraduate studies for expressions of interest in hosting students.

November 2024: Details of supervisors who are open to contact are posted here.

November 2024: Students receive an introductory session on FHS research projects.

November 2024-February 2025: Students seek supervisors for a project.

March 2025: Student submits Submission of Request to Seek Approval of a Research Project.

April 2025: Provided neccessary approvals are met, research project can begin.

Information for students

NDORMS is a thriving research environment with a large team of researchers that has expertise in a broad range of areas, including orthopaedic surgery, inflammation, immunology, rheumatology, medical statistics, epidemiology, data science and clinical trials. Research spans discovery and translational science and as such is able to offer a breadth of research projects to FHS students within the department. If you are interested in developing a research topic within the department, please see below a list of supervisors that are able to facilitate a placement starting in Trinity term 2024.

 Supervisors available in NDORMS for 2025

Please return to the page in November 2024 to see a list of potential supervisors for projects to start in April 2025.

What previous students say about their time here

The Kennedy has an incredible team that supports you throughout your project, providing support as and when needed! They are friendly and welcoming! - FHS Student 2023

Any questions? Please contact Nick Ilott.