Top prize for UCL medical student in University of London viva competition

The prestigious University of London Gold Medal MBBS competition has been running since 1903. Each year, London medical schools are invited to nominate their top performing students in their final examinations to take part.  

During the competition, students are questioned by a panel of experts - external to the London universities - covering core specialties such as general medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, clinical pharmacology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. The winner is decided by the panel, based on the answers the candidates give to these questions. 

The MBBS winner receives a Gold Medal and a cash prize of £500. As a UCL medal winner Lara’s name will be also added to the honours board at the Royal Free Hospital. 

Speaking of the award, Lara said: "When I received the news that I had won the gold medal this year I was absolutely delighted! I had found the prospect of the viva daunting, but through the exceptional support of the Faculty and my fellow UCL colleagues I felt excited to be part of the examination. On the day, it was a privilege to meet the panellists and other candidates and I felt well-prepared for the viva through the bedside teaching and quick-fire questioning I had received throughout my clinical years at UCL."

"I feel extremely lucky to have received such a world-class education and I am immensely grateful to all of the clinicians and lecturers who have taught and inspired me over the last six years. I am looking forward to using the skills that I have learnt at UCL when I start my Foundation Year 1 placement in Leeds in August and I hope to return to UCL to pursue my joint interests in public health and clinical medicine."

This year’s competition runner-up was Ina Ko from Imperial, who receives the Betuel Prize in Medicine and a £200 cash prize.  

Further information

• UCL Medical School
• UCL MBBS programme
• UCL News: 'Win for UCL medical students in University of London Gold Medal 2021'