Increased admissions deplete Birmingham medical school's resources: Students at the University of Birmingham Medical School (UBMS) say their education is suffering because of an increased number of undergraduates. After government moves, 900 new undergraduate places for medicine have been created across the United Kingdom. One hundred extra students were admitted to UBMS and students complained that they might be unable to attend ward rounds because there would be too many students crowding patients. UBMS is boosting investment in teaching facilities and staff to deal with the expansion.

Medical students go on placement with social workers: University of Sheffield Medical School is sending first year medics on placements with social workers in South Yorkshire. The work and training of healthcare professionals and social workers increasingly overlap, says Sheffield City Council, which has invited medical students to shadow staff during their daily work with young people, elderly people, and the mental health services. This is the first scheme of its kind in the UK.

EMSA forensic medicine day: The European Medical Students Association (EMSA) is holding a "Medicine in the world of forensics" seminar day. The conference will be held on Saturday 16 March 2002 at Guy's, King's and St Thomas's Hospital Medical School, at the Guy's Hospital campus, and will cover a range of topics including wound identification, coroners' reports, and sexual assault. The price is £10 for students, including lunch and refreshments. Contact info@emsagkt.org.uk or visit www.emsagkt.org.uk

Royal College of Surgeons careers fair: The Royal College of Surgeons of England is running a careers afternoon for medical students on Friday 15 March. This free event will feature talks on subjects such as surgical skills and flexible training. Contact Charlotte Morris at cmorris@rcseng.ac.uk for further information.