New Member

[batandball617]

Hi All
I'm trying to find out all I can about any of the Access to Medicine courses. I'm no spring chicken at 37 and for me It's now or never as far as a shot at a medical career goes. I am currently employed as a NHS Paramedic and after almost 10 years of emergency care, would like to go further. I have found lots of useful stuff on this forum so a big thanks to all you contributers! Hopefully, there will be a lot more to come!

Thanks again

Batandball

[SlightlyStoopid]

Hi All
I'm trying to find out all I can about any of the Access to Medicine courses. I'm no spring chicken at 37 and for me It's now or never as far as a shot at a medical career goes. I am currently employed as a NHS Paramedic and after almost 10 years of emergency care, would like to go further. I have found lots of useful stuff on this forum so a big thanks to all you contributers! Hopefully, there will be a lot more to come!

Thanks again

Batandball

Hey there Batandball!

Welcome!

First off - don't think your age will go against you too much - there are lots of people in their 30s that go to medical school. It's great that you've got lots of NHS experience!

Access courses - from what I've seen/heard there are quite a few around the country, so depending on where you live/willing to study, take your pick.

The main ones seem to be:

King's Lynn, College of West Anglia
Sussex Downs College
Manchester College of Arts and Technology
City College, Norwich
Lambeth College
City and Islington

Different Unis seem to like different courses, so you are best contacting the Unis you like and seeing which they prefer.

The general consensus seems to be that the first two are the most accepted, but that's not a slur on any of the others!

Of course your application also depends on your academic background, UKCAT score (or potential MCAT/BMAT/GAMSAT), personal statement and interview, but a good Access course will put you on the right track.

I'm fairly new to all of this as well, but feel free to PM me if you need any other advice! I've harrassed enough people on this site and it would be nice to give some back!

Good luck!

[batandball617]

Hey there Batandball!

Welcome!

First off - don't think your age will go against you too much - there are lots of people in their 30s that go to medical school. It's great that you've got lots of NHS experience!

Access courses - from what I've seen/heard there are quite a few around the country, so depending on where you live/willing to study, take your pick.

The main ones seem to be:

King's Lynn, College of West Anglia
Sussex Downs College
Manchester College of Arts and Technology
City College, Norwich
Lambeth College
City and Islington

Different Unis seem to like different courses, so you are best contacting the Unis you like and seeing which they prefer.

The general consensus seems to be that the first two are the most accepted, but that's not a slur on any of the others!

Of course your application also depends on your academic background, UKCAT score (or potential MCAT/BMAT/GAMSAT), personal statement and interview, but a good Access course will put you on the right track.

I'm fairly new to all of this as well, but feel free to PM me if you need any other advice! I've harrassed enough people on this site and it would be nice to give some back!

Good luck!

Hi S/Stoo..
Ta for the heads up, I know who to harass first when the going gets tough!

Cheers!

[loratwopointone]

From what I've heard and read the course at the College of West Anglia at this present moment in time is the most well recognised and therefore successful. I can only really tell you what I know so far about the COWA course and Access courses in general (I started a general Access to HE course last year and dropped out because I realised I really really wanted to do med).

Most Uni's want people from Access with experience and determination. Age shouldn't be an issue but you should be aware that there is still some ageist stuff going down when it comes to training for very competitive specialities post medical degree, but by the time you graduate this may all have gone away though, so not trying to put you off there!

Sciences are (obviously) the core area of study on an access course and the work that 16-18 year olds have to do over two years we have to pack into one! The COWA course is based 50% on coursework and 50% on exam, although other colleges may differ as my old college was 100% coursework.

I'd check websites, look at prospectuses and go to open days to find out if/where you want to go.

I start at COWA in September so if come September there's anything you'd like to know (or anything in general) feel free to PM me.

[Felixthecat]

Hi Batandball
Have you checked out the 6 year course at St George's. It sounds like that could be an option for you. It is for applicants without science A-levels or degree. They seem to like nurses (diploma) and paramedics.
I have just completed the first year which is mainly based at Kingston University and in terms of age....Lets just say I am older than you!
The beauty of this course is that if you get a place and an average of 60% in the first year, you are garanteed a place on the 5 year course. And you get funding as well.
Good luck

[batandball617]

From what I've heard and read the course at the College of West Anglia at this present moment in time is the most well recognised and therefore successful. I can only really tell you what I know so far about the COWA course and Access courses in general (I started a general Access to HE course last year and dropped out because I realised I really really wanted to do med).

Most Uni's want people from Access with experience and determination. Age shouldn't be an issue but you should be aware that there is still some ageist stuff going down when it comes to training for very competitive specialities post medical degree, but by the time you graduate this may all have gone away though, so not trying to put you off there!

Sciences are (obviously) the core area of study on an access course and the work that 16-18 year olds have to do over two years we have to pack into one! The COWA course is based 50% on coursework and 50% on exam, although other colleges may differ as my old college was 100% coursework.

I'd check websites, look at prospectuses and go to open days to find out if/where you want to go.

I start at COWA in September so if come September there's anything you'd like to know (or anything in general) feel free to PM me.

Hi loratwopointone

Thanks for your most helpful reply. I agree with you about the COWA course, It appears to be the standard by which all others are judged. Armed with your advice, I shall continue the quest to find my most suitable course. Good luck for September!

[batandball617]

Hi Batandball
Have you checked out the 6 year course at St George's. It sounds like that could be an option for you. It is for applicants without science A-levels or degree. They seem to like nurses (diploma) and paramedics.
I have just completed the first year which is mainly based at Kingston University and in terms of age....Lets just say I am older than you!
The beauty of this course is that if you get a place and an average of 60% in the first year, you are garanteed a place on the 5 year course. And you get funding as well.
Good luck

Hi Felixthecat

Thanks for your reply, pure gold! Congratulations upon the successful completion of your first year! Keep those young pups on their toes! I'm off to check out St Georges web site.

[Felixthecat]

Hi Batandball
Thank you. Yeah well, when I said I had completed the year it didn't mean that I know if I have been successful yet. We are getting our exam results next Thursday (screeeeeam!) so fingers crossed. If you want to know anything about the course, just let me know.