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[pipedream]

Hi guys,
I been following some of the threads on this forum for the last few weeks and its proved very useful.

i've recently finished my MA in finance and banking with a predicted distinction (weyhay!) but i've also got a crapy 2.2 Bsc in econ and maths. so the prospects of me getting in to med school are looking daunting. hence the name "pipedream"

i've been doing some research on access courses and looking at few uni which accept them. i found that university will still look unfavourably at my 2.2 despite how i perform on the access course. does any1 know if their are any universities which take students purely on the merit of their access course results. The only ones i've found so far AUE, kings, and st Georges. However the last two require me to take the GAMSAT (which im hoping to avoid as I've heard some real horror stories about them.)

i'd really appreciate it if any one could help.
take care all!!

[london_forces]

King's will take you on the basis of your degree and masters. They are not a gamsat medschool. If you apply to the 4yr grad course there's no need for any other qual, but if you apply for the 5yr standard you will need biol and chem which I suppose an access course would provide in place of AS/A2. They also have a 6yr which you could apply to with your degree/masters if you haven't previously studied science. You could also look at Newcastle, not sure of the details there but know they overlook degree class if you have a masters.

[jon1985]

Your situation seems very similar to mine, in that I also have a 2.2, but I do not have a Masters as you do. I have only very recently started to look into studying Medicine and have made enquiries at medical schools across the UK as to whether I am eligible to apply or if and how I can become eligible to apply.

From my research it seems you can apply to the following universities and have a good chance:

UCL and Kings - Masters degree with a distinction makes you eligible to apply

Peninsula, St George's and Nottingham - GAMSAT - if you reach the cut-off mark in this exam, they will invite you to interview

Glasgow, UEA, Newcastle, BSMS and Leeds - You would be eligible to apply through a recognised access course - but different universities seem to like different access courses and I am having trouble working out which I should go for - does anyone have any advice?

I did not know that Newcastle accept the route of Masters degree and overlook your degree class. When I spoke to them they informed me of two routes - to apply via a recognised access course or for me to take Chemistry A level (which I have not previously done) and get an A plus one more A level in a subject not previously taken and get an A. i.e. they overlook degree class 9to an extent) if you have or can get 3 A levels at grade A inc. Chemistry without retakes.

It does not seem to me that you getting into medicine is a pipedream - you have various routes in and already are eligible to apply to 2 universities without doing any further studies - Kings and UCL and possibly Newcastle as far as I am aware.

Please correct me if I have got any of this info wrong - but think it should all be correct.

Good luck,

Jon

[jon1985]

P.S. I was not able to find out what the policy on entry for graduates with 2.2s to Barts is? I have a feeling that we are not eligible to apply through any means but am not sure. Does anyone know?

[london_forces]

P.S. I was not able to find out what the policy on entry for graduates with 2.2s to Barts is? I have a feeling that we are not eligible to apply through any means but am not sure. Does anyone know?

Yes, Barts is 2:1 or higher plus sciences at AS.
Sorry if I misled re newcastle. I was assuming the OP was planning on taking some kind of access or A level course as well as having a BSc/MSc. I just know that degree class isnt crucial there.
Have just checked and you also stand a chance at BSMS tho you may need to take their access course.
Good luck!

[pipedream]

jon1985,

thanks for the vote of confidence m8.

Everyone else,

i've just confirmed that ucl do accept a 2.2 with a masters so thanks for that

just spoke to Glasgow, Newcastle, BSMS and Leed and only glassgow will consider my application. the others say they want a 2.1 as well as an access course.

so it looks like my options are UCL, KINGS UEA, and ST Georges as all three will accept a 2.2 and an access to medicine course.

Thanks for all your help guy.

[jon1985]

That is worrying as they have all told me that I can apply via an access course with a 2.2 Glasgow, Newcastle, BSMS and Leeds. Also check out this website someone just posted on another thread: really useful for us: http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/index.php?pageid=229

BSMS emailed me the following, which I took to mean Access is acceptable with a 2.2:

'A class 2i honours degree (any subject) plus subject knowledge in both Biology & Chemistry as discussed in some detail on www.bsms.ac.uk: Where A or AS levels are used to demonstrate subject knowledge at least grade B is needed, while relevant BSc degree or postgraduate modules must be passed with >60%:

OR

An Access to Medicine certificate passed at distinction level (mostly obtained at one of the three courses listed on www.bsms.ac.uk).

The Access to Medicine course meets all academic criteria needed.'

Newcastle said I could definitely apply with an access course, but that they would favour those doing access courses who have not previously been to university.

Leeds indicated over the phone I would have a chance via access.

Glasgow said access course is a good route for me, but seem to prefer it if you do it at Stow College in Glasgow, but if you send them syllabus they will let you know about other courses.

Hope that is helpful.

Which unis are you thinking of applying to now? Are you planning on doing access course still or GAMSAT, both or neither?

[jon1985]

They key point in BSMS admissions policy being 'The Access to Medicine course meets all academic criteria needed', if the email they sent me is correct and not meaning if you already have a 2.1 or above?

[469er]

just spoke to Glasgow, Newcastle, BSMS and Leed and only glassgow will consider my application. the others say they want a 2.1 as well as an access course.

Hi pipedream

I'm currently on the Access course at Sussex Downs. BSMS *definitely* consider Access applicants from SD with a 2:2 and below, especially with an MSc at Distinction as well. I also know of at least one person with that profile who has had an interview at Newcastle this year.

As you are discovering, the medical school applications process is a bizarre and arcane process which involves checking and rechecking the information you're given until you reach a state of reasonable clarity about who is talking bollocks.

I'm in a bit of a hurry but feel free to PM me if I can help further. In particular, I can give you more detail about how this year's Access students are faring with what portfolio of qualifications, and where, but would rather not post details of other people's situations on the forum.

Good luck with it all, especially the admissions officers.

[469er]

Oh, and Jon, a 2:2 plus Access only is fine for BSMS. Pipedream's MSc is the icing on the cake, but he/she doesn't need it.