Advice on Graduate Entry Programmes in the UK

**more_eggs_please** · 22-07-2009, 04:07 AM

Hello all,

I have recently decided that I want to apply for GEP 2010 entry. As such time is of the essence and I have been recommended this website to gain some much needed inside info whilst I am busy trying to arrange some work experience.

I have a short list of preferences and would really appreciate some information and advice from those in-the-know about the sort of Medical Schools I might want to be looking into. I am pretty sure I have missed most open days (correct me if I'm wrong there) and so I will be relying solely on chats with good people like yourselves, prospectuses and the web. I already have a few in mind but am keen to hear other opinions.

Firstly I prefer the idea of studying a 4 year graduate programme. I understand these are more competitive so as back up I would still consider 5 year courses.

Secondly I am swayed more toward courses that focus more on the practical side of medicine rather than the academic/researched-focused ones.

Also, from what I understand about the entrance exam system, the UKCAT seems the more favourable option, however maybe there is a possibility that if I don't meet the cut, I can schedule in the GAMSAT as backup? Either way, should I book this in asap?

Obviously location is relatively important. Although I love it, London does not have to be a priority (it is not a cheap place to live when you are a student) however I would at least like a reasonably nice town/city to spend the required 4/5 years of my life.

Again guys, please throw any advice in. Which schools do you recommend? Which are notoriously bad or impossible to get in to? Which are the best option for graduates like myself who are a little older and find the prospect of starting a with a load of 18 year-olds again a little daunting?

Many thanks in advance!

**469er** · 22-07-2009, 11:29 PM

You don't say what subject your first degree is in, which could make a lot of difference to which GEPs you can apply for.

**more_eggs_please** · 23-07-2009, 03:18 AM

2.1 in Natural Science. Cheers

**Arch_Angel** · 23-07-2009, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by more_eggs_please

I have a short list of preferences

What are they?

Also, from what I understand about the entrance exam system, the UKCAT seems the more favourable option, however maybe there is a possibility that if I don't meet the cut, I can schedule in the GAMSAT as backup? Either way, should I book this in asap?

I've never heard the GAMSAT being used as a backup...it's a monster exam that most people spend the summer preparing for. If you can do well in the GAMSAT then you can do better in the UKCAT.

GAMSAT is used by Nottingham and St. Georges as a cutoff (get above a certain score you get an interview) and by Swansea as 20% of your final score. I think PMS use it too but I'm unsure how.

What I did was to take both and as you get the UKCAT result right away I was planning on using it for 3 if I got over 700, which I did. If I got under 700 I was going to use GAMSAT for three (unless I felt that I'd done horribly in it). Importantly, you don't get GAMSAT results on the day. I wasn't too fussed where I went, I just wanted to maximise my chances of getting in.

Obviously location is relatively important. Although I love it, London does not have to be a priority (it is not a cheap place to live when you are a student) however I would at least like a reasonably nice town/city to spend the required 4/5 years of my life.

A weakness

Which are notoriously bad or impossible to get in to? Which are the best option for graduates like myself who are a little older and find the prospect of starting a with a load of 18 year-olds again a little daunting?

I don't think any are notoriously bad (or they wouldn't be allowed to produce doctors). Kings is quite difficult to get into, because the application criteria is so low they get over 60 applications per place, and frankly it's not actually easy to pick whose best on basis of interview. If you've got a biological sciences degree consider applying to places that only accept them as there's less competition overall, but you're probably going to be up against more serious candidates.

Beware of using raw admission stats data. For example The GAMSAT unis have relatively low numbers but only serious candidates that are willing to sit the stupid exam and think enough of themselves to be confident they can do quite well are likely to be applying. Where you find low stats, try and think of confounding factors...

Good luck

**more_eggs_please** · 23-07-2009, 04:24 AM

Thank you for the useful information.

Does anyone have a link providing a full list of med schools? Ideally specifying things such as the length of the course, their entry requirements and whether they offer a grad programme, etc, etc?

**Arch_Angel** · 23-07-2009, 04:41 AM

Grad entry courses: Medschoolsonline - Medical Course Guide for Graduates - Graduate Entry 4-Year Courses

5/6 year courses for graduates: Medschoolsonline - Medical Course Guide for Graduates - Standard Medicine Courses

Ta-daaaa

**more_eggs_please** · 24-07-2009, 08:54 PM

Excellent link. Cheers!

**never_too_late** · 28-07-2009, 03:03 AM

Make sure you really read up on requirements, for instance, Leicester for GEP want *at least* a years relevant work experience (I met with one of the admissions tutors).

**more_eggs_please** · 24-08-2009, 08:04 PM

Hello again!

Following on from the above discussion, I have just sat my UKCAT. I scored an avg of 687.5. As you can see this was nicely balanced:

VR 580
QR 750
AR 750
DA 670

I decided against signing up for the GAMSAT due to time contraints. I just wanted to ask, in terms of GEP entry for 2010, where might I stand a good chance? Along with my degree I also have a year's work experience in a microbiology lab and I have managed to line up some shadowing for next month.

Cheers

**psjorge** · 25-08-2009, 05:26 AM

Hi everybody,

This post pretty much sums up my situation!

I'm 36 and would like to get into Medicine. I'm a dentist so the idea is to pursue maxfax. I'm applying for the 2010 entry.

I took my dental degree in 1997 (don't know my classification under the british system, really. I graduated from a faculty in Portugal...).

Anyway, I really don't have a life (nor the will, for that matter...) to study for a-levels nor to take the GAMSAT. On the other hand I think that only a handfull of Universities ask for it and UKCAT allows for much more options. I'll take it on the 9th of September.

Naturally I would prefer a four-year program but a five-year one would also be fine. The purpose is to get into Medicine, so one year more doesn't really matter for me.

I also would prefer London for logistical purposes but I'm open to other locations.

I know that some schools have a direct entry to the third year of their five-year cirruculum ,just for dentist. However, the criteria are impossible to be met by someone (such as myself...) who does not live nor work in the UK.

I must say that I feel inspired when visiting this forum because I find so many people in my age range that are doing the same thing that it feels that I not totally mad in wanting to do this!