Importance of intercalated BSc

[mera]

I have to choose whether to do an intercalated BSc next year, or any other year in fact during my time at uni.
In some ways I would love to just do the 5 years and then qualify but I am aware that a lot of other London unis make their Intercalated BScs compulsory, therefore when it comes to job applications I may not be equal in terms of qualifications.
I would really appreciate some people's thoughts on this matter. Will a BSc enhance my chances of getting jobs, or does it really not have much of an effect?
Thank you

[akiromuchi]

Originally Posted by mera

I have to choose whether to do an intercalated BSc next year, or any other year in fact during my time at uni.
In some ways I would love to just do the 5 years and then qualify but I am aware that a lot of other London unis make their Intercalated BScs compulsory, therefore when it comes to job applications I may not be equal in terms of qualifications.
I would really appreciate some people's thoughts on this matter. Will a BSc enhance my chances of getting jobs, or does it really not have much of an effect?
Thank you

But some unis do not have intercalated BSc year especially those with PBL system like Manchester....

[yeliab_cram]

I think the honest answer is at the moment it simply isn't clear. before the introduction of MTAS, a BSc was necessary for many competitive specialities simply to keep up with the competition, however, as in importance of academic achievements has been skipped over in the new ST application forms, the usefulness of a BSc is more questionable.

however, even if the BSc itself doesnt help you, if you work hard and manage to get a presentation and or publication out of it, then that may well help you along your way. It also may not, but it is not going to count against you. and it is always something to talk about at job interviews.

on the flip side, i can assure you it is an horrific year. it is far more academically challenging that anything i have ever had to do in medicine (not that medicine isnt hard - it is one of those things that you wont truly understand unless you do an intercalated BSc). and much of the subject matter will be far removed from clinical practice and your own scientific comfort zone. you are dropped in at the deep end, and have to work hard to catch up. now most medics do very well in their BSc, but that is not a god given right, it is due to hard graft pure and simple. it is not a year off from medicine, and it costs a considerable ammount of money.

so basically, you have to decide what is best for you, with a best guess at what the application system will be like in a few years time. if you know what specility you want to do, speak to some consultants.

i will say one more thing though. only do a BSc if you are interested in the subject matter. if you are ONLY doing it to keep up with your potential competitors in the jobs market, it may turn out to be a very long year indeed.

[yeliab_cram]

Originally Posted by akiromuchi

But some unis do not have intercalated BSc year especially those with PBL system like Manchester....

http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk.../intercalation

[sefkhet]

Originally Posted by akiromuchi

But some unis do not have intercalated BSc year especially those with PBL system like Manchester....

There are very few universities outside of London who make the iBSc compulsory, and I can think of none anywhere that don't offer it on a voluntary basis. It's not something that PBL or not PBL comes into.

[gimperial99]

The old advice was if you want to work in London do a BSc. I would do it. At some point in your career you will be interviewed by real consultants. A BSc cannot do you any harm. Its like MRCS at ST1 people were told it did not count for anything. But all the people who went for interview were asked about it, why they had not done it etc. So I would do it if you want to go for a popular specialty.

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by gimperial99

The old advice was if you want to work in London do a BSc. I would do it. At some point in your career you will be interviewed by real consultants. A BSc cannot do you any harm. Its like MRCS at ST1 people were told it did not count for anything. But all the people who went for interview were asked about it, why they had not done it etc. So I would do it if you want to go for a popular specialty.

MRCS for ST1 is a clinical exam for a clinical job - and therefore directly relevant. A BSc would undoubtedly be appropriate if you want to follow an academic career, or if you think you might want this. It may help rule it in/out. That is useful in itself.

I would not say a BSc was essential for anything else. Research experience and publications can all be gained in other environments.

As Marc points out, a BSc is not necessarily easy. if you don't like it and get a 2.2, that will count against you more than not having done one at all (IMO).

I think it's something with both pros and cons. It depends on you and precisley what you want/like/are good at.

[gimperial99]

Having said that half of my time in the ST interview was focused on research for a very clinical subject (orthopaedics). I was asked about my BSc, my publications, presentations, research methodology etc. Althought the MTAS system may be playing down research, the interviewers are exactly the same people as last year and have not had a sudden change of heart over night. If you want to apply for something thats easier to get into, say anaesthetics then true a BSc won't help much.

Medicine is getting more competitive as more medical students are being trained. You need to ask yourself "what can I do to differentiate myself?"

[Renal]

There are plenty of other options.

Not least doing PG degrees, which are usually a lot more focused on the area you want to work in, a lot more recent and a lot more relevant - ? more worthwhile.

And if you get a clinical fellow post with that, if they still exist, you also get to teach.

[Gizmo says -]

Originally Posted by gimperial99

Having said that half of my time in the ST interview was focused on research for a very clinical subject (orthopaedics). I was asked about my BSc, my publications, presentations, research methodology etc.

you were asked about them becos you 'ad done them.
other peeple were asked about fings you didnt do.

'i ave to do a bsc therefore it gives me an advantage' doesnt cut the mustard, matey. you know wat i mean.