A few questions from a prospective student?

**radioblob** · 20-03-2011, 12:35 AM

Hey guys!

I'm fortunate to have an offer from glasgow + peninsula and am trying to decide between the two. I would be really grateful if you could answer my questions

What exam assessment methods do they use?

Is there one or two exam periods in a year?

I noticed that there are 1yr + 2yr intercalated degrees- is there any significant advantage in doing a 2 yr course? i.e does it get you more points when applying for training posts later on?

Are the lectures generally quite useful? Or do you find you'd be better of reading a textbook at home?

Is the accommodation in a nice area of glasgow?

I've heard that there are going to be changes to the glasgow curriculum, I've seen the suggested changes for 3/4th yr where there seems to be a lowered empahsis on pbl, do any of you guys know the changes to 1st + 2nd year?

Is the course quite intensive or do you get a lot of free time in first year?

Do most medics just stick together or are they quite active in all the societies?

Thanks

**scohoust** · 22-03-2011, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by radioblob

Hey guys!

I'm fortunate to have an offer from glasgow + peninsula and am trying to decide between the two. I would be really grateful if you could answer my questions

Congrats!

What exam assessment methods do they use?

Changes throughout the 5 years, includes a combination of modified essay questions (not what it sounds), extended matching questions, short notes and essay questions.

Is there one or two exam periods in a year?

One (May/June), resit if required. Finals currently in February of 5th yr.

I noticed that there are 1yr + 2yr intercalated degrees- is there any significant advantage in doing a 2 yr course? i.e does it get you more points when applying for training posts later on?

The 2 yr courses are a lot more science based (cf. the clinical ones). No real advantage for later. Not a lot of people take the 2 yr option - 7 years as a student is a lot.

Are the lectures generally quite useful? Or do you find you'd be better of reading a textbook at home?

Lectures can vary - depending on the lecturer. The aim is for them to support what you do in PBL so a lot of it is what you're learning anyway.

Is the accommodation in a nice area of glasgow?

Depends on which accommodation you pick and your definition of nice. Worth visiting if you can.

I've heard that there are going to be changes to the glasgow curriculum, I've seen the suggested changes for 3/4th yr where there seems to be a lowered empahsis on pbl, do any of you guys know the changes to 1st + 2nd year?

My understanding is of 2nd year staying largely unchanged for the time being. First year will be overhauled, incorporating a lot of basic science to start with. After that the course will follow a more systems based course leading into the 2nd year curriculum. Try and find out about this at the Applicant's day if you can, although I'm not sure how informed people will be.

Is the course quite intensive or do you get a lot of free time in first year?

First year is(/was) relatively light, worth using the free time to enjoy yourself! Come exam time it is naturally a little busier.

Do most medics just stick together or are they quite active in all the societies?

Medics love to clique together, but that doesn't have to be the case. There are quite a lot of us so most societies have at least a few. There are a group of medic-based societies.

Let me know if you have further questions.

**grub** · 23-03-2011, 04:59 AM

thanks for the info scohoust...

are you able to provide any more info about the actual timetables?

**scohoust** · 23-03-2011, 04:53 PM

I can certainly send a copy of one of my 1st year block timetables if you like (PM me your email). However, there is a very good chance this will be quite different from what you'll be doing...

**radioblob** · 23-03-2011, 10:50 PM

thanks scohoust

Got an information pack today which also mentioned about there going to be quite significant changes in the curriculum. Shame they didnt give any details

Are the lectures available online? Not that I would use that as an excuse to not turn up...

Also, could you give a quick list of what you think the pros + cons of the course and glasgow? Thanks

**scohoust** · 25-03-2011, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by radioblob

Are the lectures available online? Not that I would use that as an excuse to not turn up...

Most of the PowerPoint slides go online within a few days of the lecture.

Also, could you give a quick list of what you think the pros + cons of the course and glasgow?

Pros: Living in Glasgow; PBL is more enjoyable than lectures; Some excellent teachers;
Cons: Lots of peripheral hospitals can mean traveling; Some not so excellent teachers; Can find yourself wondering what you need to know (though hopefully this will be addressed with the upcoming changes).

**scelbridge** · 02-04-2011, 01:52 AM

Hey, I'm in the same boat as radioblob. I have conditional offers from Glasgow, Aberdeen and Queens and I cannot decide between them. I'm leaning towards Glasgow at the moment but just have a few questions.
Do they do dissections in Glasgow?
Does Glasgow med degree have a good rep in the UK and abroad? I want to do a lot of travelling in the future.
What is it like living in Glasgow? I'm from Dublin and don't know very much about Glasgow as a city. Is it easy to settle in, good social life ect?
Scouthoust has PBL as a pro and a con, is it more bad or good in your opinion?

Any other advice/opinions/tips ect would be very very much appreciated.
Thanks

**scohoust** · 04-04-2011, 02:38 PM

I would certainly put PBL down as more of a pro than a con, I really enjoyed doing PBL and can't imagine having to learn everything through lectures. That said, it's not for everyone. On the whole though, I would say most people prefer it to sitting in a lecture.

Dissections at Glasgow exist for certain systems - chest/abdo mainly. More complicated areas (brain, face, etc) have prosections.

To my knowledge, Glasgow does still have a pretty good reputation. Awkwardly it is probably better the further from Glasgow you go, although this will hopefully change.

As for Glasgow as a city, it's probably one of the friendliest and most welcoming in Scotland. Have a read around about the city though, and try and come for a visit if you're thinking about accepting (the city, not just the Uni).

**radioblob** · 05-04-2011, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by scohoust

I would certainly put PBL down as more of a pro than a con, I really enjoyed doing PBL and can't imagine having to learn everything through lectures. That said, it's not for everyone. On the whole though, I would say most people prefer it to sitting in a lecture.

Dissections at Glasgow exist for certain systems - chest/abdo mainly. More complicated areas (brain, face, etc) have prosections.

To my knowledge, Glasgow does still have a pretty good reputation. Awkwardly it is probably better the further from Glasgow you go, although this will hopefully change.

As for Glasgow as a city, it's probably one of the friendliest and most welcoming in Scotland. Have a read around about the city though, and try and come for a visit if you're thinking about accepting (the city, not just the Uni).

Thanks for sending the timetable

I was a bit surprised that there are only a couple of hours of lectures a week! When not doing anatomy, do you have more lectures?