As you begin to map out your journey toward becoming a doctor, receiving a world-class medical education is undoubtedly your top priority. Medical students who are also hoping to gain a one-of-a-kind global perspective on the practice of medicine will find exactly what they’re looking for at St. George’s University (SGU) of Grenada School of Medicine/Northumbria University 4-Year MD Program based in Newcastle, United Kingdom.
In partnership with NU, SGU offers students the chance to experience three distinct healthcare systems across the UK, Grenada, and the US as they learn from expert instructors in pursuit of their medical degrees.
Hear more about the unique opportunities afforded to SGU/NU students as they share about their experiences studying in Newcastle before completing their medical education in Grenada.
A closer look at the SGU/Northumbria partnership
St. George’s University School of Medicine and Northumbria University have been in partnership for nearly a decade and a half. What began as a response to the shrinking world of medical education, the SGU/NU partnership has since provided a top-tier education to more than 1,400 medical students at the UK campus.
The programs in Grenada and Newcastle are designed to mirror one another—from the entry requirements and curriculum right down to the testing cadence and overall schedule. This means students in any SGU program will experience the same principle learning outcomes, stemming from the same distinguished educational foundation.
The SGU/NU program in Newcastle is led by resident faculty and administrators, with the added benefit of teaching support from visiting professors and Northumbria University faculty and staff. Med students who begin their studies at the NU campus will then spend a year or more completing their degrees at SGU’s state-of-the-art campus in Grenada.
“It made me into a more well-rounded physician, with knowledge about an entirely different healthcare system, the delivery of healthcare, and ways that we could improve upon it here in the US.”
“It made me into a more well-rounded physician, with knowledge about an entirely different healthcare system, the delivery of healthcare, and ways that we could improve upon it here in the US,” says Dr. Sandita Seecharan Reddammagari, MD MBA, about her time in both Newcastle and Grenada as an SGU student.
SGU educates nearly as many international students than all US medical schools combined, having contributed more than 19,000 physicians to the global workforce, with graduates and faculty hailing from more than 140 countries worldwide.1 The school has established clinical rotations in the US and UK, with a network of more than 75 affiliated hospitals, clinics, and elective sites.
The combination of a highly respected medical curriculum, ample clinical rotation opportunities, and strong pass rates for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) makes it unsurprising that 93 percent of eligible SGU graduates over the last three years landed a residency position.2
What it’s like living in Newcastle
It’s clear the SGU Northumbria program is well versed in educating top-tier medical professionals, but what is the experience of living in Newcastle for medical school actually like?
The SGU/NU program is located on the Northumbria University campus in Newcastle upon Tyne. Nestled in the north of England, Newcastle upon Tyne is a modern city with ancient roots. It’s surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in England, with London just a three-hour train ride away.
Many students take advantage of this proximity to London, or even opt to spend a long weekend in Paris or Rome. “I liked being able to travel around Newcastle, the UK, and the rest of Europe on weekends off with classmates,” Dr. Michele Relton Obert says of her time as an SGU/NU student.
“I liked being able to travel around Newcastle, the UK, and the rest of Europe on weekends off with classmates.”
“We often took the train and headed down to London to visit friends or attend the Chelsea Flower Show, celebrate a birthday at a drag show, visit the Buckingham Palace, or just check out the breathtaking seaside,” Dr. Reddammagari adds.
Enrolled students typically live together in the Trinity Square residence building, putting you at the heart of Newcastle. When you’re not entrenched in your studies or traveling throughout Europe, you can soak up the friendly Geordie culture of the city with its bustling pubs, rich green spaces, and lively concerts and festivals. Sports fans may even make a hobby out of cheering on the Newcastle United, the city’s premier league football club.
There is clearly no shortage of things to enjoy in the city. “The wide variety of foods, the humor of the people, and the cruises on the Newcastle upon Tyne are just a few things I miss,” Dr. Reddammagari reminisces, adding that the free healthcare for students was a valuable bonus.
“If you want to live in a very fun, safe, and different place while getting the opportunity to participate in various global medicine experiences and have a more intimate learning environment, I would highly recommend this program,” Dr. Obert offers.
Life as an SGU Northumbria student
It’s not just the thriving culture in the city of Newcastle that you’ll enjoy as a student in the SGU Northumbria program. Graduates happily reminisce about the numerous benefits afforded to students within the SGU/NU community.
When asked about their favorite places to study in Newcastle, for example, alumni resoundingly highlighted Northumbria University’s own buildings and libraries. Students can also make use of gym memberships that include spin classes, CrossFit, indoor rock climbing, and more.
Going to medical school in Newcastle gives SGU students the opportunity to participate in campus activities that may not be offered at the Grenada campus. Dr. Obert, for example, competed for the Northumbria University water polo team. And SGU alumnus Dr. William Predun played lacrosse for Northumbria, winning the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) trophy alongside his teammates. “That was a definite highlight,” he recounts.
Beyond campus life, there are some unique educational opportunities that SGU Northumbria students can take advantage of. Students can elect to participate in the Early Clinical Exposure selective during their basic science years, which allows them to shadow physicians at local hospitals and practices.
“I had the opportunity to be involved in many different activities like the Early Clinical Exposure selective, as well as a Global Touch of Medicine lecture series,” Dr. Obert recounts. “These were great additions to my CV and big talking points during residency interviews.”
Dr. Reddammagari was able to work as a tutor and lab demonstrator for the biochemistry and anatomy departments. “It helped me keep abreast of the work with minimal effort and was great for exam prep,” she says. She and some cohorts also had the opportunity to participate in the Medsin Global Health Conference where they gave lectures on infectious disease and met other medical students from all over the EU.
Smaller class sizes are also a hallmark of the SGU Northumbria program. Dr. Predun, like many alumni, chose the SGU/NU program in part for that reason. “We were a small group, so it was academically competitive. But the friends I made were all supportive, and we remained close in Grenada afterwards,” he recounts.
“I made lifelong friends with other students in the program … It really bonds you together; we are still close today.”
“I made lifelong friends with other students in the program,” Dr. Obert agrees. “We went through a lot together, from our first days of medical school in a new country to moving all the way to Grenada. It really bonds you together; we are still close today.”
Begin your medical school journey in Newcastle
SGU physicians have practiced in every state in the US, as well as in more than 50 countries across the world. The same high quality med school education people have come to expect from St. George’s University in Grenada is available to students all the way across the ocean in the UK.
“If you have a thirst for adventure, travel, cultural diversity, and a global experience coupled with the solid medical knowledge, smaller class sizes, and fantastic lecturers, then this program is for you,” Dr. Reddammagari shares.
If you’re drawn to the idea of studying in the UK before transitioning to complete your medical education in Grenada, the SGU Northumbria program could be the perfect opportunity for you. Learn more by visiting the St. George’s University School of Medicine and Northumbria University information page.
1 Data as of October 2020. International student enrollment in US medical schools = 1,294; SGU international student enrollment = 1,267. These numbers do not include US citizens or permanent residents.
2 Graduates who passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2. Data as of August 2021. Average of 2019, 2020, and 2021 residency rates.
Medical School in Newcastle: SGU Northumbria Students Share Their Experiences
As you begin to map out your journey toward becoming a doctor, receiving a world-class medical education is undoubtedly your top priority. Medical students who are also hoping to gain a one-of-a-kind global perspective on the practice of medicine will find exactly what they’re looking for at St. George’s University (SGU) of Grenada School of Medicine/Northumbria University 4-Year MD Program based in Newcastle, United Kingdom.
In partnership with NU, SGU offers students the chance to experience three distinct healthcare systems across the UK, Grenada, and the US as they learn from expert instructors in pursuit of their medical degrees.
Hear more about the unique opportunities afforded to SGU/NU students as they share about their experiences studying in Newcastle before completing their medical education in Grenada.
A closer look at the SGU/Northumbria partnership
St. George’s University School of Medicine and Northumbria University have been in partnership for nearly a decade and a half. What began as a response to the shrinking world of medical education, the SGU/NU partnership has since provided a top-tier education to more than 1,400 medical students at the UK campus.
The programs in Grenada and Newcastle are designed to mirror one another—from the entry requirements and curriculum right down to the testing cadence and overall schedule. This means students in any SGU program will experience the same principle learning outcomes, stemming from the same distinguished educational foundation.
The SGU/NU program in Newcastle is led by resident faculty and administrators, with the added benefit of teaching support from visiting professors and Northumbria University faculty and staff. Med students who begin their studies at the NU campus will then spend a year or more completing their degrees at SGU’s state-of-the-art campus in Grenada.
“It made me into a more well-rounded physician, with knowledge about an entirely different healthcare system, the delivery of healthcare, and ways that we could improve upon it here in the US.”
“It made me into a more well-rounded physician, with knowledge about an entirely different healthcare system, the delivery of healthcare, and ways that we could improve upon it here in the US,” says Dr. Sandita Seecharan Reddammagari, MD MBA, about her time in both Newcastle and Grenada as an SGU student.
SGU educates nearly as many international students than all US medical schools combined, having contributed more than 19,000 physicians to the global workforce, with graduates and faculty hailing from more than 140 countries worldwide.1 The school has established clinical rotations in the US and UK, with a network of more than 75 affiliated hospitals, clinics, and elective sites.
The combination of a highly respected medical curriculum, ample clinical rotation opportunities, and strong pass rates for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) makes it unsurprising that 93 percent of eligible SGU graduates over the last three years landed a residency position.2
What it’s like living in Newcastle
It’s clear the SGU Northumbria program is well versed in educating top-tier medical professionals, but what is the experience of living in Newcastle for medical school actually like?
The SGU/NU program is located on the Northumbria University campus in Newcastle upon Tyne. Nestled in the north of England, Newcastle upon Tyne is a modern city with ancient roots. It’s surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in England, with London just a three-hour train ride away.
Many students take advantage of this proximity to London, or even opt to spend a long weekend in Paris or Rome. “I liked being able to travel around Newcastle, the UK, and the rest of Europe on weekends off with classmates,” Dr. Michele Relton Obert says of her time as an SGU/NU student.
“I liked being able to travel around Newcastle, the UK, and the rest of Europe on weekends off with classmates.”
“We often took the train and headed down to London to visit friends or attend the Chelsea Flower Show, celebrate a birthday at a drag show, visit the Buckingham Palace, or just check out the breathtaking seaside,” Dr. Reddammagari adds.
Enrolled students typically live together in the Trinity Square residence building, putting you at the heart of Newcastle. When you’re not entrenched in your studies or traveling throughout Europe, you can soak up the friendly Geordie culture of the city with its bustling pubs, rich green spaces, and lively concerts and festivals. Sports fans may even make a hobby out of cheering on the Newcastle United, the city’s premier league football club.
There is clearly no shortage of things to enjoy in the city. “The wide variety of foods, the humor of the people, and the cruises on the Newcastle upon Tyne are just a few things I miss,” Dr. Reddammagari reminisces, adding that the free healthcare for students was a valuable bonus.
“If you want to live in a very fun, safe, and different place while getting the opportunity to participate in various global medicine experiences and have a more intimate learning environment, I would highly recommend this program,” Dr. Obert offers.
Life as an SGU Northumbria student
It’s not just the thriving culture in the city of Newcastle that you’ll enjoy as a student in the SGU Northumbria program. Graduates happily reminisce about the numerous benefits afforded to students within the SGU/NU community.
When asked about their favorite places to study in Newcastle, for example, alumni resoundingly highlighted Northumbria University’s own buildings and libraries. Students can also make use of gym memberships that include spin classes, CrossFit, indoor rock climbing, and more.
Going to medical school in Newcastle gives SGU students the opportunity to participate in campus activities that may not be offered at the Grenada campus. Dr. Obert, for example, competed for the Northumbria University water polo team. And SGU alumnus Dr. William Predun played lacrosse for Northumbria, winning the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) trophy alongside his teammates. “That was a definite highlight,” he recounts.
Beyond campus life, there are some unique educational opportunities that SGU Northumbria students can take advantage of. Students can elect to participate in the Early Clinical Exposure selective during their basic science years, which allows them to shadow physicians at local hospitals and practices.
“I had the opportunity to be involved in many different activities like the Early Clinical Exposure selective, as well as a Global Touch of Medicine lecture series,” Dr. Obert recounts. “These were great additions to my CV and big talking points during residency interviews.”
Dr. Reddammagari was able to work as a tutor and lab demonstrator for the biochemistry and anatomy departments. “It helped me keep abreast of the work with minimal effort and was great for exam prep,” she says. She and some cohorts also had the opportunity to participate in the Medsin Global Health Conference where they gave lectures on infectious disease and met other medical students from all over the EU.
Smaller class sizes are also a hallmark of the SGU Northumbria program. Dr. Predun, like many alumni, chose the SGU/NU program in part for that reason. “We were a small group, so it was academically competitive. But the friends I made were all supportive, and we remained close in Grenada afterwards,” he recounts.
“I made lifelong friends with other students in the program … It really bonds you together; we are still close today.”
“I made lifelong friends with other students in the program,” Dr. Obert agrees. “We went through a lot together, from our first days of medical school in a new country to moving all the way to Grenada. It really bonds you together; we are still close today.”
Begin your medical school journey in Newcastle
SGU physicians have practiced in every state in the US, as well as in more than 50 countries across the world. The same high quality med school education people have come to expect from St. George’s University in Grenada is available to students all the way across the ocean in the UK.
“If you have a thirst for adventure, travel, cultural diversity, and a global experience coupled with the solid medical knowledge, smaller class sizes, and fantastic lecturers, then this program is for you,” Dr. Reddammagari shares.
If you’re drawn to the idea of studying in the UK before transitioning to complete your medical education in Grenada, the SGU Northumbria program could be the perfect opportunity for you. Learn more by visiting the St. George’s University School of Medicine and Northumbria University information page.
1 Data as of October 2020. International student enrollment in US medical schools = 1,294; SGU international student enrollment = 1,267. These numbers do not include US citizens or permanent residents.
2 Graduates who passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2. Data as of August 2021. Average of 2019, 2020, and 2021 residency rates.
