Victoria completed the Sutton Trust Pathways to Medicine programme at Imperial College London. Hear what she’s up to now by reading her story below.

Tell us a bit about your background and where you come from.

“I was born in Nigeria and came to the UK at the age of 4. I grew up in South East London, where I’m still based now, and I went to a state secondary school/sixth form there.”

Tell us what studies and activities you’re currently engaged in.

“I am currently a medical student at King’s College London; last year I took a year out to do an MSc in Public Health at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.“

What does a typical day look like for you on your course?

“On my MSc programme a typical day consisted of lectures and seminars with fantastic discussions and debates. After class I did extra reading or commence my assignments, before working on tasks outside of university (e.g. research project, my community health project, university societies). I also go to a gym/exercise class either in the morning or after school.“

What was the highlight of your Sutton Trust programme?

“The highlight was my first medical work experience, shadowing in a paediatric unit, which solidified my decision to pursue medicine and I discovered my passion for caring for and helping young children. I also enjoyed meeting incredible like-minded individuals who made the experience so enriching. This opportunity also helped dispel certain myths and fears I had about university life.”

What are you doing now and what are your plans for the future?   

“I am a medical student at King’s College London and last year I took a year out to do an MSc in Public Health at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I also run a community wellbeing project called ‘Nurtured’ that aims to provide and signpost black community members to accessible and actionable resources for enhancing their wellbeing and fostering personal growth.

I want to work in spaces that challenge social determinants of health and improve systems to enhance healthcare and education access for marginalised communities.“ 

What would you say to someone who was unsure about applying for a Sutton Trust programme? 

“I would honestly say, just go for it. Life is a series of choices, and I firmly believe in choosing to bet on yourself. Take that chance, make that choice to apply. The ‘you’ after the programme will thank you for taking that leap of faith.”

Tell us how taking part in your Sutton Trust programme has impacted you.

“The Sutton Trust programme has quite literally invested in me. Taking a chance on me when I was just a girl with huge ideas and plans but lacking the right support system at times to bring things into fruition.

I knew I wanted to apply to medicine, but I didn’t have the resources for things such as gaining work experience or understand the UKCAT application process. Sutton Trust provided me with that. I had the passion for creating change in the space of global public health but didn’t have the finances to support me with international travel to build my experience in this sector. Sutton Trust provided me with that.

The Sutton Trust Programme has been a source of support for me when I had the passion but needed the resources to fully unlock the knowledge and allow me to enter rooms and spaces I once dreamt of being in.“

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