Stow college - access to medicine

[star_sparkles]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knew what the timetable was like for the access to medicine course at Stow college? The website says 21 hours per week but i have been emailing the college and was recently told the course was 4 full days so i am slightly confused.

I need to try and organise my work around this so need to have a rough idea of how many hours this will be and what the timetable looks like.

Any help greatly appreciated!

[Andrew Mooney]

Hello there

I am also applying to this course for the 2011/2012 academic session. I was under the impression that the course is very intensive and requires a significant amount of time be dedicated to it. Are you sure you could fit your work around the course?

Regarding the 21 hours and four full days mentioned on the website, perhaps they do not consider a full day to be 9 to 5, hence the hours would be more evenly spread out over the four days? Or perhaps 21 hours is an average over different terms, whereupon the timetable for one term would be different for another?

I'm not sure, but whatever the case I wish you all the best with your application.

[Access_Stow]

Hi folks,

The timetable for the Access Medical Studies at Stow is normally 4 full days out of the 5 in college and the days are full. There may on occasion be a half day timetabled but that depends on the how the timetables are produced.
The course is demanding as you are asked to study a large number of modules in the year and acheive a high pass mark on the first sitting.

[star_sparkles]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for applying. Ah so another person just about to jump in at the deep end then! Good luck with your application too...i keep checking the website but it looks like they still havent opened up applications yet (or i may be looking in the wrong place). I am a bit concerned about the actual application as i know its very competitive to get onto the course. Fingers crossed though!

As for work, i havent quite decided what im going to do yet. Luckily i work in the NHS where i can reduce my hours for a set period of time while i study and then im guaranteed to return to my full time position at the end of this time period. This means i could maybe just work 10 hours a week from August to June and then go back to full time in July. Well, thats the theory at the moment anyway. Are you going to be working throughout the course?

Thanks again for replying and good luck!

[star_sparkles]

Thanks for replying about the timetable Access_Stow, that is really helpful. Is it true you need to achieve above 70-80% to stand a good chance of being considered for interview at Glasgow?

[Andrew Mooney]

Hello star_sparkles

Yes I am definitely jumping in at the deep end so to speak, as I have no previous science education other than standard grades, besides some voluntary work at two local hospitals. I see from your profile that you have a BSc and an MSc, which makes you a lot more qualified than me! So I definitely don't think you've got anything to worry about at all with regards to being accepted onto the Access to Medical Studies Course at Stow.

Just to let you know, I contacted Stow College via their website to request an application form, and this was how I applied for the Access to Medical Studies course, as I sent the form away just a few days ago now. Although there are a few threads on this in which people have said that they applied during the spring time as well and they were accepted, so I think that they will be accepting applications for some time, so you have plenty of time, don't worry.

It's good that you can work flexibly whilst studying the course. Personally, I think I will stop working during the course, provided I get in, so that I can focus on studying as much as possible. I'm a bit concerned about my chances of getting in though because of my age and the fact that other applicants already have degrees, whereas all I have is a Diploma in an unrelated subject.

Best of luck with your application. Where did you study your previous degrees?

[ARTait85]

Hi Both,

I am going to be applying this year too - I'm so nervous!

Andrew: how did you manage to apply already? I have regularly been checking the website and from what I could see, you weren't able to apply for 11/12 entry yet.

My history is that I've studied law in the past, and have no science experience since I did higher chemistry 8 years ago(it was my only science subject and I got a B).

Do either of you know how many places there are on the course? Are either of you applying for any other courses?

I just want to get my application in and get the whole thing moving!

[ARTait85]

Hi Again,

I did my application online this week, so now the waiting begins... Has anyone else applied?

What are other people's backgrounds? What do you hope to do if you get onto the course?

Andrew

[star_sparkles]

Hi Andrew,

Sorry for not replying sooner, i have been slightly snowed under with work! Yes i have a BSc and MSc but honestly, i would be better placed to be applying for medicine now if i had never bothered with uni at all! I have a 2.2 from my undergrad and thats going to cause big problems for me so dont worry about that at all!

Thanks for letting me know about applications as i know they have only just opened up online.

Yep im going to have to work at the same time as studying but im sure i can work it round the hours. Well...i hope! How old are you anyway? I wouldnt worry about age etc (easier said than done mind you). Have you looked at the Perth course as well? Im not eligible as i have a degree but it might be worth looking at possibly!

Oh and my undergrad was at Glasgow and masters was in Edinburgh. But i really want to go back to Glasgow!

Louise

[star_sparkles]

Hi there,

Ah i know how you feel, very nerve racking! I will be submitting my application soon though im still in two minds about whether to go for 2011 or 2012 entry at the moment. Dont stress about the science, my understanding is that this course is made for people who have no background in this. My chemistry and biology are a bit outdated too so we'll probably all be in the same boat!

I think there are around 20 places per year and around 100 applicants so its a bit of a challenge getting in. I cant remember where i heard those numbers but its either from on here or from contacting Stow.

My background is an undergrad in Immunology and a masters in public health and ive been working in that area since i graduated in 2005.

Good luck with your application!

Louise