Access to medicine

**kyasarin** · 05-04-2005, 09:16 AM

Hiya

Just out of interest, for those who have done the course, and those on it, i have a few questions.

Now, ive read that the chemistry/physics/maths sections are streamlined so they are more 'medicinal'- for want of a better phrase. So what exactly does this entail?? Ive just picked up a GCSE Physics book, first time sincei was 16 and all im seeing is stuff about planets, stars, ohms law........haha, so what kinda stuff? And as for chemistry, im sure i read somewhere that they cut all the periodic table stuff...right?

Any info would be nice, im just kinda interested and what the course has exactly. the website is down...

cheers

k

**arkhooker** · 05-04-2005, 02:13 PM

Hi Kyasarin,

I finished the Access Course in Kings Lynn last year I am now at UCL finishing my first year.

In answer to your questions: Sort of and No.

The course content is slightly 'medicine-ised' but not completly. In that, where an example can be found that could be related to medicine one is used. However, more often than not no example is used and you just have to learn it. The physics really isn't a challenge. It focus' on maths rather than detailed physical principles.

As to the Periodic Table you need to learn it. The first term is based on it. If you are starting early read up on 'the tests for...' and the different families of elements. This takes you up to christmas alongside Titrations studies.

I hope this helps. It clearly will not if you are not heading to Kings Lynn. Anyway Good Luck.

Noah

**DH2005** · 05-04-2005, 02:23 PM

Thanks for that, Noah. I'm starting at King's Lynn in September and I was wondering something similar myself.

Excuse me for partially hijacking the thread, but could you give me details of the offers that you held? I'm looking to target Manchester, Sheffield, Leicester and UEA, but I want to do all that I can to ensure that I get one offer at overall Distinction, to give myself a bit of cover in the event that I flunk a module. I hear that Manchester and Leicester's typical offers are Distinctions in all subjects.

**Amstel** · 05-04-2005, 04:31 PM

Hi, did you join the access to medicine course as a graduate, I am getting a little bit nervous about my chances of getting an offer as I dont hold any degree. do you remember any one of the guys on the course getting an offer from medschool without him or her holding a degree. I am thinking the fact that they have graduates with 2i degree classification on the access course will decrease my chances of getting an offer as I think medschools will rather make offers for these graduates.

**rmac24** · 05-04-2005, 04:53 PM

Hey Amstel
Hope you don't mind me joining the discussion?? I managed to get myself a place on the Access to Medicine course at West Anglia for entry this year and I don't hold any degree either. I was really unsure if I would even be considered for interview, nevermind actually get a place, but I did. I came on here for my first time about 4/5 days before I was due to leave to attend King's Lynn for my interview and I got loads of advice, help and encouragement. It's worth mentioning that there are many Medical School that do accept non-graduate Mature students... I've been emailing most of them for the past 2yrs!! If you want a list of who I've been in contact with let me know.
Also, ask about on here, there's lots of great advice to be found. I've even met my upstairs neighbour (and I'm sure he won't mind me saying friend either?!?!) for the next year!!

All the best.
Mac.

**DH2005** · 05-04-2005, 05:04 PM

Not necessarily, Amstel. The conversion rates from the Access course to medical school from King's Lynn are excellent (around 90% for the last two years), and they accept people with all manner of backgrounds. It follows that, therefore, people with all manner of backgrounds are successfully entering medical school.

Rmac24 has just been accepted onto Access to Medicine at King's Lynn to start in early September. He doesn't have a degree - I don't even think he has A levels (apologies if I got that wrong, Mac...). He's also a very decent chap, so send him a private message and compare notes if it'll help to set your mind at rest.

Addressing your 2.1 graduate point more closely; yes, I am such a graduate. As the Access course has continued to succeed in sending its students to medical school, its reputation has attracted attention from frustrated young professionals like me, looking for a satisfying and meaningful career and being unable to do so after their first degree. Certainly, applications from people like me are on the rise...

... but then again, provided that you've used your time since leaving education sensibly and you've been able to accrue some medical work experience, I'd say that you're in a better position than a graduate applying with a 2.2 or a 3rd. These classifications are considered by an increasing number of medical schools to be absolutely unacceptable, even when combined with Access to Medicine. As such, I would say there is no reason for you to be much more concerned than any Access student - it's a risk for all of us, to some extent.

**DH2005** · 05-04-2005, 05:05 PM

Ah - I see Mac's introduced himself...

**rmac24** · 05-04-2005, 05:16 PM

Indeed I have DH. 'Very decent', eh?? aww bless..

Amstel, what DH says is true, the Access course is successful (I didn't realise it was 90% though!) but it is also risky, it's perhaps sensible to weigh-up the course with A levels and then see what would be best for you.
My backround is a bit mixed up to be honest, I have quite strong extenuating reasons for my having to leave school early (I sat my 5th year exams, I'm from Scotland so they're not A levels) and I've got loads of work experience, over 3yrs worth.

**Amstel** · 05-04-2005, 06:38 PM

Thanks guys, I put in my application last week and I have recieved a email from Vicky stating they have recieved my application and that they have contacted my referees for a reference.

I will be 21 this month so I hope the unis dont discriminate against young mature student, I am a dutch national who is moving to birmingham with is family in may. I havent been out of school for a long time. I left last september and i have been working parttime eversince i was 16 so I hope it helps. and can you give me all the feedback you got from the universities you contacted.

**DH2005** · 05-04-2005, 07:01 PM

Sheffield recommended that I study the King's Lynn course, so they clearly like it.

Leicester and Manchester were encouraging, though they require a Distinction grade in every subject (I have no idea how doable that is, at the moment).

Southampton, again, were very encouraging and said that their offer depends on the candidate - though I think the lowest offer that you can sensibly expect is an overall Distinction.

I have heard of very rare instances where a medical school makes someone either an unconditional offer or an offer on getting a bare pass on the Access course, but these are so few and far between that you can't target a medical school expecting to get such an offer.

UEA have an agreement to interview every student at King's Lynn who apply, and they typically make a lot of offers, so they're a good choice.

I've heard that Liverpool are very supportive of the course, though I've not spoken to them directly.