Degree or Access to medicine???

**KirstyC** · 10-11-2005, 05:48 PM

Hiya,

I am in abit of a dilemma and would really appreciate some advice, as i dont want to make a big mistake.

Heres the situation:
I have just started my Psychology degree...enjoying it so far, however, now i have decided to pursue a career in medicine, i was thinking of quitting the course and beginning an access to medicine course next year (i do hold an access, but in psychology & health studies), while in the meantime work full time and earn some money.

Then embark on the 5 yr medicine course.

What should i do??????

Kirsty

PS. Is there funding for the undergraduate medical degree?

**choubieloubie** · 10-11-2005, 06:20 PM

Hello,

If I were you I would complete your degree, especially if you are enjoying it. Medical application assessors probably don't look to kindly at people who have started and then quit degrees- if you can change your mind that quickly about your future ie. suddenly wanting to do medicine, they probably figure that you could lose interest quickly too. Is it because you got better grades than you expected at A-level? What uni are you currently at?

I am in my final year of a biomedical science degree and Ive applied to the 4 year graduate entry courses. I have a lot of the same classes as medics and they always tell me that they wish they had done a degree before starting medicine. Also the universitys are starting to prefer taking graduates onto their courses as they are more mature and often show more loyalty and staying power than 18 year olds. It was frustrating at first, to know that I was doing a degree which I then considered pointless, as all I wanted to do was medicine, but the time really does fly, and you learn so much. It will really look good when you apply for jobs as a doctor.

Completing your degree gives you time to really think hard about where you want to apply, why you want to do medicine, and you have time to do loads of work experience so that when you do apply you have a fab application and they will think that it shows true committment to medicine.

I hope that helps.

Lorna X

**KirstyC** · 10-11-2005, 06:31 PM

I am currently at Manchester Metropolitan University.
I only have 5 GCSE's (which were not very good), then i did a GNVQ Intermediate Science, didnt do any a-levels so went onto do access to H.E in Psychology and Health Studies and now just started my degree.

Just thought that maybe doing the access to medicine course would bring me up to date with the sciences and maths.
If i did quit, i wouldn't have to tell them, would i?

**Dan1979** · 10-11-2005, 07:06 PM

How would you account for the missing years on your application if you try and conceal dropping out of psychology? It wouldn't be a very honest approach, really.

How were your grades in your GNVQ and Access to HE courses? Access to medicine courses are competitive entry, for which you'll need a good academic record. You may need to stick with your degree and get a good 2:1 or first to prove your late-blooming potential (on a side-note, I did poorly on my GCSEs too, so it's certainly possible).

The downside of completing your degree and then applying for medicine would be top-up fees - I believe if you received funding for a prior degree, you won't be eligible for fee loans in medicine, and so will need to pay £3,000 each year up front. That might change with the current campaign against it before you come to apply, however.

**KirstyC** · 10-11-2005, 07:12 PM

I obtained a merit for both the GNVQ and Access to H.E courses.
I have got in contact with MANCAT, who dont actually require any previous qualifications for it, just strong interest in the sciences etc.

The degree that i am currently doing, i am funding myself as i am a home student and i work, so have not obtained any help in that respect.

**Dan1979** · 10-11-2005, 07:23 PM

Hmm, pardon my ignorance, could you outline how the mark structures work for GNVQs and your HE Access course? Have you checked the minimum requirements for Access to Medicine and premed courses?

Incidentally, I don't know if you're aware of the difference between Access and premed, I waffled about it a bit here:

http://www.medschoolguide.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=17448

Hope it's some help (and not too dull).

Re: fees, that sounds like an ideal situation to continue your psychology degree and knock the admissions officers' socks off with a good 2:1/first.

**KirstyC** · 10-11-2005, 07:35 PM

Thanks for the link. I read your thread and am still abit confused about the access to medicine course now.
I have emailed 6 universities to make sure they accept access to med courses, if i decide to choose that route.

With regards to my GNVQ, it is equivalent to 4 GCSE's and my Access to H.E is equivalent to 2 a-levels.

Does this make any difference to applying?

**Dan1979** · 10-11-2005, 10:39 PM

I was just curious how the GNVQ and your access system worked. The main thing is to check prospectuses to see if you meet the minimum requirements for the various med schools. Contacting them directly is also a good idea, you might consider a written letter to all the med schools with a summary of your position asking for their advice.

Which parts of the Access/premed courses are you unsure about?

**KirstyC** · 10-11-2005, 10:48 PM

I have decided to continue with my degree, as i am enjoying and doing well.
I am going to take Human Biology AS level and chemistry AS level (in the evenings...not at the same time - one in 1 yr and one in another yr).

I just think this may improve my chances (as well as doing good in my degree).