Exploring graduate entry into medicine

Hi Zaman, you could study either biomedical sciences or biochemistry. Essentially all the medical schools accept both - though ensure with biochemistry that you take human science modules. When it comes to differentiating between candidates, the UKCAT/BMAT/GAMSAT scores and personal statement are likely to have more impact than whether it was biochemistry or biomedical sciences that you studied, so it is up to your preference.

You would need to complete your degree before starting a graduate entry medicine/dentistry course. You could apply either in your final year to a limited number of medical schools, or after graduating to qualify for all the schools (admissions policies vary on the acceptability of predicted grades).

The graduate entry medicine/dentistry course is 4 years long, in contrast to the usual 5 or 6 year full undergraduate course. It is not quite equivalent to starting in the 2nd year though - the first year tends to be years 1 & 2 combined, and the graduate-entry stream programme may remain separate afterwards.... See More

So have you started your undergraduate degree yet? If you have not, and you don't have the qualifications to apply to medicine/dentistry directly as an undergraduate, you might consider applying for a 6-year foundation programme http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=79. This would get you into medicine a little quicker than a degree + graduate entry medicine.

Does that answer your questions?
Helen

Yes thank you so much Helen for your wonderful advice :)
oh yeah I was wondering how easy is it to get into medicine or dentistry as an graduate entry ..?
I heard its very slim like only 5% chance of getting in.
I am right?
and no I've not yet started my undergraduate degree so that link was very helpful..:) ty... See More
Oh yeah i nearly forgot if i went from biomedicine into medicine would the goverment help me in terms of money (Bursaries, Scholarships and Grants) ? i heard they would only give it to you once and if a person changed his course they wouldn't and opt out . thank you agian :)

In terms of sheer numbers applying per place, yes graduate entry medicine is more competitive. Can't really comment on the odds, as it varies hugely with how prepared an applicant is! But yes, that is one reason I would recommend looking at your undergraduate entry options carefully while you can.

About funding - the government does not usually ... See Moreoffer much support to students taking a second undergrad degree, but the situation is slightly different for the accelerated medicine course where NHS bursaries and student loans are available. See this page on NHS Careers for full details of funding for your options http://bit.ly/cOf5y0

Hi Lynn, yes that degree will be acceptable for many UK GEM courses, but not all - some specify exact degrees they will accept - see this guide http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=11

MCAT isn't used in the UK any more. A school will specify an exam they use, and they will want all applicants to take the same one so they can compare scores directly. An MCAT might be taken into account in addition, but not instead.

GEM tuition structure can vary. It will be four years in total. The first year generally involves studying years 1 and 2 of a standard medical degree compressed together. Then students will proceed on a more similar course of study and practice to the standard 5 year course.... See More
6 year programmes tend to intercalate a year of study on another degree programme so students get a Bachelors degree in addition to their medical degree. Alternatively a 6-year course may be a foundation degree for school leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds or who lack the right qualifications and need extra science grounding at the start.

Hello Lilian, I don't think the schools would let you start if you had not completed your exams. GEM is very intense. Many of the courses actually only take applications from people who have already graduated and have confirmed results. You could try contacting the admissions staff to check. I just think that with plenty of other applicants in a better position to start the course your application is less likely to succeed.

Regarding qualifications – to work out exact equivalence and translate grades, many universities ask for a NARIC letter of comparability http://www.naric.org.uk/. Again, admissions have to handle a lot of applications, so even if they don’t require it, it could still be worth having to make it clearer for them.

Regarding exams – here are the content descriptions for each http://www.gamsatuk.org/documents/GAMSATUKIB09.pdf and http://www.ukcat.ac.uk/pages/details.aspx?page=overview . I haven’t taken them myself so I can’t really add to this. Perhaps someone else in this group can help? You might find more points of view here http://www.newmediamedicine.com/forum/uk-medical-school-admissions/ ... See More

Hi Zoya, there are three key areas you need to look at:

1. Check educational requirements and choose some medical schools you want to apply to. The qualifications required vary a lot - some will specify subjects and grades at university or A-level, others will take successful graduates from any background. This site gives a useful overview http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=11

You may be able to apply to some courses in your final year of uni, but your choice may be limited. You will need to check with each school to see if they prefer applicants who have already graduated and have confirmed grades. Applications go via UCAS in October to start the course the following year.... See More

When choosing schools to apply to, it is a good idea to check the teaching styles as well as the admissions policies at this point to make sure you are aiming at a school where you will be happy. The good news is you will be able to find some that will accept you based on your economics degree, so you don't have to start studying extra courses, but it could still help to do something like an OU module in human biology to demonstrate interest and ability.

2. Entrance exams: the page I gave above also shows which schools require which tests. The GAMSAT, BMAT and UKCAT are independent selection tests designed to measure students' potential to be good doctors - so includes a range of questions including behavioural and reasoning sections as well as mathematical problem solving. It is highly recommended to find out which tests you need to sit early on and take a look at a practice paper to see what you need to revise. The medical schools will look at your exact marks, and with such intense competition, the higher your mark the better to stand a chance of getting an interview. Many students find these tougher than they first expect.

3. Work experience: all the medical schools require applicants to have a good amount of work experience. You will talk about this on your personal statement and it is key to whether they will want to interview you. Ideally you should try to get a few kinds of experience - work shadowing a doctor is fine, but what they really value is longer term volunteering or caring work in a face-to-face role such as helping in a nursing home or a playscheme for disabled children. For more see here http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=172

I think that's enough to start with... Let me know if you have any more questions.

Hello Nadhirah, some universities accept applicants in their final year so you can apply to them this October, but others prefer those who have already graduated. You will need to contact the admisions departments to see where you can apply this year - if you are happy with the choice then go for it, otherwise you may like to wait a year to get the full range of schools.

Regarding exams, GAMSAT registrations open 4th June 2010, BMAT applications open 1st September 2010, and UKCAT hasn't confirmed a date this year but it should be close to last years 1st May. You can take the test outside the UK - UKCAT and BMAT has a range of centres around the world; though GAMSAT only has Melbourne, Australia as its non-UK centre. You can find the locations of the centres by going to the registrations pages on the exam websites:
http://www.gamsatuk.org/
http://www.ukcat.ac.uk/... See More
http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/bmat

If you are applying this year, then definitely register and take the exams this year. If you decide to delay applying until next year, you can make a first attempt at the GAMSAT this year as results last two years (and then you will have the opportunity to re-sit). Otherwise, for BMAT and UKCAT you should do the test in the year you apply to university.

Hope that is clear!

Hi Nickki, unfortunately we cannot accomodate guests at this event. Parents who wished to attend would have to pay the full fee - NB the discounted rate of £21 is only available to UoL students and Gradclub members (unless your parent is your carer in which case they could attend for free). If your mother wants to attend, could she fill out a form and apply in the same way http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/output/page118.asp?id=624

is it not too late now to send off since the event is on friday?

Hello Nickki

There are still places available. Rather than posting a registration form with a cheque you can email it it to cs@careers.lon.ac.uk and we can arrange for credit card payment over the phone.

There is some advice on funding for international students here on the British Council website: http://www.educationuk.org/pls/hot_bc/page_pls_user_advice?x=201190538910&y=0&a=0&d=4460
Your best bet is probably to look at each university individually and see what scholarships and support they can offer. Unfortunately there is less available for ... See Moreundergraduate courses such as graduate entry medicine. I think most international students on graduate-entry medicine courses have to self-fund.

An alternative route to practicing medicine in the UK would be to complete the MBBS in your own country at a university listed here http://avicenna.ku.dk/database/medicine/ (so it will be GMC recognised) and complete your practical training in the UK on the Foundation programme. You can explore the feasibility of this path for you using these pages:
http://www.bma.org.uk/international/immigration/guidedrsnewUK.jsp?page=1

Thanks :)
I will do the placement year but I will try to find some medical work experience- the more experience, the better.
Any ideas?

I know a quite a few hospital consultants- a good starting point I suppose.... See More

Hi Umair, I have written a blog post explaining what sorts of work experience are beneficial, and providing links to a range of sources of contacts. Hope you find it useful and let me know if you have any further questions.

http://thecareersgrouplibrary.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/how-can-i-get-medical-and-healthcare-work-experience/

Hi Mariyam, I have seen this provider offers intensive courses in London http://www.gamsat.co.uk/ but I don't know enough about these kinds of courses to make recommendations and they can be expensive.

Instead I recommend you look in the forums below as there are plenty of reviews of practice materials, as well as notices from people looking to form local study groups. You might find something Yorkshire based there, or you could propose one.

http://www.gamsatforum.com/... See More
http://www.newmediamedicine.com/forum/gamsat/