Description
Who are we?
Galenicals is the University of Bristol Medical Students' Society, representing over 1,500 students - that makes us the largest student society in Bristol SU (we're also the most fun)! Having been founded in 1935, we're 90 years old this year and you can be sure to expect a proper celebration to mark the occasion. For 90 years we've provided the extra-curricular space for medics to enjoy themselves. That means that there are thousands of Bristol graduates on the wards today who look back fondly and remember their time as part of Galenicals.
What do we do?
Medicine is a hugely diverse subject and we reflect this, with over 40 sub-societies to cater to all interests. These include medics sports teams along with groups for academic interests, charity and volunteering and performing arts! There really is something for everyone – and if there’s not, we invite you to set it up! Check them all out on our website, in your Welcome Booklet you'll receive from us via email or by coming along to the Galenicals Fair on the 21st September - our first major event of the year where all the sub-societies can have a stall and you get the chance to talk to them (and maybe get some freebies if you're lucky)!
We are here to support you. We are the main source of academic representation for Bristol Medical Students, meeting several times per month with the Faculty to voice student concerns and provide feedback to ensure the student experience is as good as it can be. We are also here to support your welfare, with our dedicated Welfare Committee members - Rosie and Diya. We provide signposting to relevant services, run welfare campaigns to promote systemic change and even have a peer-support Welfare Rep Network.
Finally, we host famous social events, including back-to-school nights to kick off the year, medics bar crawl, and lots of formals - so we are celebrating all year around! We’re always looking to broaden our ideas – we’re particularly pushing non-alcoholic events this year to stay inclusive to as many members as possible. Membership gets you at least 10% off the cost of all these events and priority access to tickets! Our social events provide the perfect space to make friendships that last a lifetime.
From your first few days as a medical student to the beginning of life as a doctor, Galenicals is with you all the way!
- Ella and Max, Galenicals Co-Presidents 2024-2025
Costs of membership
- Membership cost for medics is £15 for the 2024/25 academic year
- Membership costs for non-medics is £7.50 for the 2024/25 academic year
- Please be aware that to join our Sub-societies you will need to have purchased a Galenicals membership.
All money from membership fees goes into supporting the society for your whole time here. Every event and campaign we mentioned above is subsidised by our membership fees.
Find out more:
The best place to go for all things Galenicals is our website: https://www.galenicals.org.uk/
Our Instagram is most regularly updated, you can join our social medias linked here:
Galenicals Equality Statement 2024/2025
Galenicals is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity for all medics studying at the University of Bristol including those on the MB ChB course, Gateway to Medicine course and intercalating medics. Throughout your time at medical school, we know how important a warm and inviting community will be and we are dedicated to creating a safe space for you all – this starts with us welcoming you now in your first year!
All medics should feel comfortable regardless of age, disability, gender, sexuality, race, religion, belief or any other personal characteristic. Therefore, as a society we have a zero-tolerance stance for any kind of discrimination or harassment and we expect all our members to uphold these values. We are proud to be a community that actively challenges inequalities. Galenicals is a place where everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.
In turn, as the representative society for the medical student body, we recognise our responsibility to support and empower students facing adversity. If you have a concern or experience something uncomfortable, we encourage you to reach out to us at Galenicals, specifically the Welfare and Equalities team (emails listed below). We are always on hand to signpost resources, give advice, and platform your perspectives.
Diversity is a strength that enriches our academic community and prepares us to become compassionate, culturally competent healthcare professionals. As a member of Galenicals - one of the largest student societies at Bristol - your voice carries significant weight and we committed to amplifying it. Above all, our aim is to improve your university experience and create a better environment for you.
Useful contacts:
med-galenicalsequalities@bristol.ac.uk
med-galenicalswelfare@bristol.ac.uk
med-galenicalspresident@bristol.ac.uk
Terms and conditions
Click here to view terms and conditions
Membership Fee Inclusions
Prior to signing up to a Club or Society speak to the Committee to find out what your membership includes and if there are any further expenses throughout the year.
Service Standards
All Club or Society members can expect to receive:
- The opportunity to attend regular meetings, events, activities, trips and socials as arranged.
- The opportunity to stand for a committee position or vote in their elections (Bristol students only).
- For Sports Club – to attend regular training sessions and have the opportunity to be selected for the teams.
Code of Conduct
When joining a club or society you are agreeing to abide by the constitution, general rules, regulations and policies of University of Bristol Students’ Union and also the Club or Society Code of Conduct which sets out the level of behaviour & discipline expected of all Club & Society members.
Refund Policy
Any customer who pays for a membership subscription to a Bristol SU Society, Sports Club, Student Media and initiatives has a 14 day cooling off period from the time and date of purchase during which they have the right to cancel the subscription and receive a full refund. If you do decide to cancel within the 14 days, Bristol SU will refund your payment within a further 30 days of the cancellation. To request a refund please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk
Data sharing (Sports Club members only)
Please be aware that Bristol SU may share data relating to the members of its sports clubs with the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health (a department of the University). This information may be used for the purposes of communicating direct with these members and/or to cross-reference against SEH's Sports Pass membership records.
As part of Bristol SU's membership of British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Bristol SU may have to share data on to its sports clubs members so BUCS can, from time to time, communicate with these members.
Data sharing (Societies members only)
If you're joining one of the societies listed below please be aware that your name and email address will be shared with Bristol Hub for the purpose of keeping you up to date with their activities through their email “The Week”:
AIESEC Bristol, AMICUS Bristol, Anti-Slavery Society, Bristol Feminists, Bristol Friends of MSF, Bristol Marrow, Bristol Social Enterprise Society, Bristol Student Action for Refugees, Bristol University Amnesty International, Conservation Group, Bristol University Oxfam Group, Bristol University Sustainability Team, Bristol Volunteers for Development Abroad, Engineers Without Borders, Howard League for Penal Reform Student Society, International Affairs Society, Medsin Bristol, Model United Nations, and Vegetarian and Vegan Society.
For more information on Bristol Hub visit: http://www.bristolhub.org.
If you do not want your details shared with the Hub please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk.
These terms shall be governed by English law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Nothing in these terms shall exclude liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
