Access To Medicine - Does no one want me!?

[AbbeyCat]

Hello,

I am getting a little bit frustrated and wondering if anyone can give me some advice and positivity!

I am an intensive care nurse and I qualified in 2010 with an ordinary degree (BA) with distinction (I never sat an honours year, hence no classification).

I was originally looking at the foundation year entry, but because I sat Advanced Higher Chemistry in 2002 I am not allowed to apply as I am overqualified. However I am not qualified ENOUGH for graduate entry medicine.

SO, I am looking at Access To Medicine, in particular Brighton, West Anglia and Lambeth College.

But, before getting all ready to apply I am now looking at the entry requirements and seeing that because I am a graduate I will probably not be accepted!

I'm at my wits end.

So, if this isn't any good, should I be looking at applying to sit AS levels?

Any advice would be appreciated especially nurses or other health professionals

[kaodeve]

hi

have you checked all the foundation courses? when I applied last year most of the uni's said science quals had to be within the past 5 years so 2002 is long enough ago imo but maybe you should email the admissions directly.

not all access courses exclude grads - it depends on the subject.

have you checked out the wiki on TSR... lots of info in a central place..

Medicine - The Student Room

hth

[AbbeyCat]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Thats what I was thinking with regards to my Advanced Higher/Highers (I got AABBB in 2001/2 including Bio and Chem), it was that long ago I've bloody forgotten it all now!

To be honest, when I spoke to Keele the woman on the other end seemed to not have much of a clue, especially when I outlined:

"So, I'm not qualified enough for graduate entry, but TOO qualified for foundation entry?" - Makes no sense at all.

What I am thinking is applying for Keele, Liverpool and Manchester for the foundation entry and just document the dates of my school exam marks and state in my personal statement that I have never actually sat an honours year hence I haven't actually failed at getting a classified degree. Especially when my ordinary degree has distinction.

And seperate to UCAS I will apply for access courses. From what I have read, England doesn't actually see you as a graduate unless you leave with honours degree?

I am not looking forward to the paperwork required!

[kaodeve]

Well good luck with it all. Where there is a will, there is a way!

One of my fellow Glasgow pre-fresher's got in to the 5 year with a 2:2 and sitting a college certificate (can't remember the name) covering the sciences equivalent to A level and yet most if not all uni's barring 2:2 uni's say minimum 2:1.

Dundee also do a foundation course - might be worth a look?

[AbbeyCat]

Dundee is only for individuals living in the Tayside area.

Also the main problem with my degree is I completed it in 3 years, gained distinction and left.

For classification you require 4 years. Hence, I've never actually had my work classified and therefore not eligible for graduate entry.

As I said, I'm defo giving Keele and Liverpool a bash then I'll decide what I'm doing with the access to medicine courses.

[stephen88]

Hi AbbeyCat, I'm not sure if this helps or not but I know someone who is in a similar position to yourself. They done their Highers 9 or 10 years ago, went on to do an ordinary degree but never done honours. They wanted to apply to Glasgow and weren't considered a graduate as they held an ordinary degree. Their Highers were deemed as outdated as they were from many years ago so Glasgow asked them to resit their Highers and apply and now they will be starting medicine this year.

If you done your Highers 10 years ago and don't have an honours degree I'm fairly certain you will be eligible to do your Highers again and reapply for Medicine (at Glasgow anyway).

[AbbeyCat]

Thanks Stephen,

Yeah, that seems to be the case with Glasgow as they state that on their website. But, doing my Highers again would mean studying for another 2 years (I'm 26 years old) and the thought of doing that when I am a qualified nurse working in intensive care already seems like a set back.

I think if I go through the Access to Medicine route and get distinctions alongside an A level chemistry, coupled with my work experience, I feel I would be in better stead. Plus, its a year crash study. If I don't make the grade, then obviously it's not for me and I've only taken a year out of nursing. Any longer than that then it would be hard to get back into my speciality.

[stephen88]

The 5 Highers would have to be done over the 1 year as they are not eligible for medicine if they've been acquired over 2. If you're applying to foundation courses, it's maybe best if your referee mentioned in your reference about you achieving a distinction in nursing and not doing honours. This will also free up a lot of very valuable space in your personal statement to speak about yourself and why you want to do medicine.

[nmilliken]

Hey Abbeycat,

Was just reading your post and replies and thought I should post something that might help with your choices.
I did the stow access course from 08-09 and there was a nurse in my year trying to get into medical school as well. She was an ITU nurse i believe (but wouldnt be 100% sure of that) and was older than you are now. Wont say exact age but will give guideline of over 30 anyway. She had other qualifications similar to yours so was at similar situation with regards to graduate/mature/postgrad entry.

She was so determined to study medicine that she did the access course but sadly didnt get in first time around. That didnt put her off, she rewrote her personal statement, got more gp work experience and applied again. I can say that she is now on her summer holiday after hearing that she passed her exams and is now going into 2nd year medicine at Brighton.

I am going into 3rd year at Aberdeen and I can say that there are a large number of graduate and mature entry students in my year - the most they have ever taken actually with a third of my year being so.

Do not be put off by your age. You are actually the same age as I am. If you are determined to do medicine you will find a way.

If you want some more advice I will be more than happy to help. I am still in contact with the girl from my course and am sure I can get some info for you if you require it.

[fozzy_68]

Hi OP. I am a registered A&E nurse who has DipHE Nursing and lots of other quals. I start A2M at CoWA this year and know that Nurses are said to be well favoured at interview. Give CoWA a ring and see if they can squeeze you in for interview.

Note however that the course starts 12th September so you might be pushing it for time.

Wayne