Any chance on earth?

**musclemuse** · 24-09-2007, 12:55 AM

Right, hello, firstly, as I'm new here

Here it is: I'm not doing A-levels, but I'm doing a BTEC National Diploma in Health Studies. I'm predicted DMM (distinction, merit , merit, or ABB in grade terms). Do I have a chance anywhere considering I'm not doing A-levels, nor getting straight As at this present time?

Obviously there is a chance I can improve the grade situation. But would DMM (or ABB) be okay?
I'm also doing various first aid courses (St Johns ambulance etc).

So basically, would I be able to get into medical school after this course at all? If not, where would I go from there instead?

Thankyou.
Alex.

**Muffin2** · 24-09-2007, 01:44 AM

Hi, I've had a look at some websites for med schools.
Bristol say DDM
Cardiff say only hight national diploma and only onto foundation year courses
Sheffield say the BTEC has to include chemistry and another science.
Lancaster not accepted.
KCL not accepted.
Leeds higher national diploma in science, DDM
Liverpool considered.
Manchester not accepted.
Queen Mary not accepted
Keels doesn't look like it
Oxford and Cambridge not accepted
Do mind if I ask why you did a BTEC and not A-levels. Most med schools don't accept them as they think they are too easy and not a good preparation for medicine. Sorry to disappoint but I think your gonna struggle.
hope this helps

**Muffin2** · 24-09-2007, 01:45 AM

As to where you could go you could try one of the many access courses to medicine. These will readily accept BTEC's.

**musclemuse** · 24-09-2007, 09:47 AM

Thankyou very much for your help!
I just wanted to do something a bit more practical. And I figured it would give me a broader perspective on health as a whole, although I do understand your point, and knew I'd have to do something extra. Would an access course clinch it a bit more? I was thinking either that or a nursing diploma...

**Muffin2** · 24-09-2007, 01:14 PM

No don't do a nursing diploma, again not many places accept them. Your better doing an access course as they are very accepting of BTEC's because they're classed as "non-traditional" entry routes as most people who want to do medicine have A-levels. I know bradford clin sci accept them as there was a person on the course this year with a BTEC.
Ultimately the problem is they're not very scientific. You could always ring round and ask the med schools what there policy's are.
hope this helps

**saunders0104** · 24-09-2007, 02:19 PM

applying for a foundation med course might be an idea. i hear that UEA are a bit more leniant grade-wise, possibly look into that?

Michael xx

**musclemuse** · 26-09-2007, 12:46 AM

Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated

One more thing...would an access to medicine course get me into medical school, or at least give me a good chance?

**Ben_NCFC** · 26-09-2007, 12:57 AM

UEA definetely accept BTEC's as I've spoken to the Dean there at the Open Day. As for other places that offer Foundation year/6 year MBBS, (Correct me If I'm wrong) Don't a lot of them ask for Non Science subjects at A Level or equivalent (The BTEC National Diploma is equivalent to 3 A Levels) at AAB (Or equivalent, Disctinction, Distinction, Merit) so it seems logical that they would accept something like this. As far as I'm aware the main point of the Foundation year is to bring people up to scratch in the Sciences because they studied non Science subjects at A Level (Or equivalent) Again correct me If I'm wrong, just a case of enquiring with all the Med schools I suppose.

**Eponine_hugo** · 06-11-2007, 02:50 AM

If ur thinking of nursing diploma why not go for nursing degree or biomedical sciences degree then do grad med?

**piglet8** · 06-11-2007, 03:09 AM

in terms of the nursing degree, its totaly pointless to do the diploma as its still 3 years at uni just the same as Bsc and the course structure has very little difference to the degree course, so a waste of time