Access to Medicine only

[laurajb]

Does any one know if you can apply to study medicine with an access to Health access course or a science based one.

Has anyone applied and got an interview.

My nearest access to medicine is manchester which is a two hour drive. I cant really live out during the week as I have four children and would need to work part time to fund the access course.

I ask as I am having trouble finding a college to let me do my lab work for A level chemistry distance learning. So am thinking of an alternative.
Harrogate does an access which would be much nearer but pointless if no one is going to accept it.

[laurajb]

No one then!!!

[Mamba]

hi Laura
I travelled 3 hrs for the Manchester Course. Out of that 2hrs were the train journey. I would say go for it, but I didnt have to work part time and I have no kids and it was difficult. But If you want it there is always a way. Even for me it all seemed impossible. But I have done it and I start med school September.

You obviously have a year now, why not work like a trojan to build up your money and also do the EU qualification in I.T. that would free up a lesson from your schedule.

I can only guarantee you one thing Laura.... whetver you do it wont be easy, including ignoring your desire to do medicine. My advice would be to go for it...find a way. Best descision of my life !

[007]

Hi Laura,

try googling access to medcine. I think I saw a site the other day called "so you want to be a doctor" and it listed all the access courses available up and down England. Hope that helps! good luck. But brush up on your maths its usually an issue.

[BigV]

Hi Laura,

try googling access to medcine. I think I saw a site the other day called "so you want to be a doctor" and it listed all the access courses available up and down England. Hope that helps! good luck. But brush up on your maths its usually an issue.

Usually an issue? How come? Does the course require a high level of maths to pass or what?


I don't quite understand the access to medicine courses - a lot of them require qualifications to get on the course OR accept graduates from non-medical subjects.

My understanding of access courses was that they were supposed to offer chances for older people (19+), who didn't have the opportunity to get formal qualifications at school....... so that we could get into uni as mature students?

I'm going to send of my application to MANCAT anyway (I have nothing in terms of GCSEs or whatever), I'm probably too late now but it is worth a try.

[007]

Hi Laura!

not trying to freak you out!!!
maybe every access is different but I know that for one of them, as I have done one myself. The tutors only supported students who were doing their access to then go on to apply straight for medicine ONLY if the potential student demonstrated sufficent degree of competence in maths before they would support their application. Maths I have found is important anyway if you weakness in it it effects alot of things. You only need G.C.S.E level anyway. Why not try and get straight on to a foundation anyway they seems to be more of a sure way of entering medicine?

[laurajb]

thanks guys, i am going to retake maths and english at gcse it seems like the sensible thing to do.

As for the access i will wait and see.

Looked into train fares this morning. So dont have to drive for two hours every day. Season ticket for the year £4857.

It works out really cheap about £18 a day but having to find that much money up front.

I think maybe A levels are going to be my best option just need to find a college that will let me do my chem lab work.

Oh so one remind me why I didn't finish my A levels at college all those years ago.aaarrrggghhh.

[PaulBradford]

Yea, I'm with you Laura...Decided to go back and do my A-levels, figured if I can't get AAB in Chemistry, Biology and Psychology then I shouldn't be let lose with a prescription pad anyways :P

[Jimco]

Hi!

Has anyone here by any chance gone to Birkbeck? Or seen any info on their course. Thinking about going there or Cowa (if they ever decide to contact me)

I have applied and gone for some interviews and I am wondering what the next steps are as in should I do the UKCAT this year or next? Anybody has any ideas on how to go forward:S

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[AR1972]

Jimco,

I'd keep chasing COWA to try and remedy it, asap.

Re:UKCAT if you are aiming for entry in 2009 you will need to complete the UKCAT this year, and prefreably before the deadline, sometime in September.

Hope that helps.